Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
BEAU
I slowly peel open my eyelids to find sunlight flooding the cabin. Dust motes float in the air, and birds are singing outside. I’m stiff and sore from sleeping on the floor, but it was worth it to keep Hailey warm and safe all night.
I glance over at her to find her still asleep.
I swear my heart stutters to a stop before restarting at how beautiful she is.
Her long, dark hair falls around her bare shoulders, the light catching the subtle golden streaks woven through it from all the time she spends outdoors.
Her flawless olive skin gleams, her thick eyelashes fanning out over her cheekbones.
Full lips, small upturned nose. She’s not a tiny, delicate thing, and I like that, too.
I like that she’s on the taller side, that she’s got some muscle on her, that she’s got tits and hips and an ass.
I watch Hailey sleep, her features soft and relaxed. She looks so young, so innocent in the morning light that a twinge of guilt settles right between my ribs. No matter how much she wants me, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m twenty-four years older than her.
It doesn’t change the fact that her dad’s going to murder me.
I suck in a breath, pushing that unwelcome thought aside. Hailey’s a grown woman. She’s smart, and strong, and she knows what she wants. And I want to be the man to fulfill those wants. I meant every word I said last night. I want to build a life with her. A future. Babies.
I wonder what kind of ring she’d like. What kind of wedding she’d like to have. Whatever she wants, I’ll make it happen. Anything she wants is hers.
I reach out, wrapping a strand of her dark hair around my finger.
It’s silky soft, and I’m captivated by the sight of it against my rough, calloused skin.
God, I can’t believe she’s here, that she’s actually mine.
After all this time, after so much longing and denial—from both of us, apparently—she’s in my arms.
She gave me her virginity last night, a gift that I’ll cherish forever. Hell, for all we know, she might’ve gotten pregnant last night.
I hope she did.
I lean down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
She stirs slightly, a small sigh escaping her lips, but she doesn’t wake up.
I smile, rubbing a hand over my chest. My heart feels too big for the confines of my ribs now.
I think it’s doubled in size over the past twelve hours.
If I’m honest, I never thought I’d feel this way about anyone.
That it just wasn’t in the cards for me.
But Hailey’s special. She’s different. She opened me up to things I didn’t think I could have.
And now she’s mine.
Unable to help myself, I lean down and brush my lips over Hailey’s. Her pretty brown eyes flutter open, and she gives me a sleepy, content smile that makes my heart squeeze almost painfully.
Fucking hell, how is this angel mine? What did I do to deserve so much sweetness in my life?
“Morning, beautiful,” I murmur.
She reaches up, curling her hand around my neck and pulling me down for another kiss. I don’t resist. Our lips meet, and I feel like I’m coming home. Like for the first time in a very long time, I’m exactly where I belong.
When we break apart, she grins up at me, all sleep rumpled and sweet. “I could get used to waking up like this.”
I chuckle. “Good, because I plan on kissing you awake every morning.”
“Yes, please.” She looks up at me, blushing. “Daddy.”
I groan and kiss her again. She shifts towards me and the sleeping bag slips down, baring her breasts to the morning light.
Good god, she’s perfection.
I trail my fingers down her collarbone, between her breasts, then trace the heavy undersides. “So many mornings ahead to look forward to.”
She grins again, and then shakes her head. “How is this real? It just feels…”
I lean forward and kiss along her jaw. “I know. I feel the same way. But trust me, Hails. It’s real. We’re real. I meant everything I said last night.”
“So did I.” She tips her head to the side, giving me more access to her delicious neck, and she moans softly when I suck on the sensitive spot just below her ear.
“Good,” I growl, and then start kissing down her neck, across her collarbone, and down to her breasts. I glance up at her, our eyes meeting as I take her nipple into my mouth. She arches into me, saying my name on a breathy sigh.
I will never get tired of hearing her say my name like that.
I suck and kiss her pink nipple, teasing it until it’s a hard peak against my tongue. Then I turn my attention to the other nipple and give it the same treatment, licking and sucking until she’s writhing beneath me, pretty little moans falling from her lips.
I love how responsive she is. How eager and sweet. How innocent yet desperate.
I kiss my way back up to her mouth, where she kisses me hungrily. “Beau, please,” she pants against my mouth, her hips moving.
I pull back, arching an eyebrow and smiling playfully at her. “What is it, sweet girl?”
She giggles. “What do you think?”
“That you want something?” I tease, pinching one of her nipples. She squeals and laughs, then rakes her fingers through my beard.
“Tease.”
I laugh and kiss the tip of her nose. “C’mon. Let’s get dressed and have something to eat. We need some energy if we’re going to hike out of here.” I frown, remembering. “How’s your ankle?”
She frowns too, and I can tell she’s assessing. “Sore, but I think it’s just twisted. If we keep it wrapped up and go slow, I should be okay.”
I kiss her forehead. “I’ll carry you if you need me to. I don’t mind.”
Something soft and sweet flickers in her eyes, and she slides her arms around me. “I just want to stay here.”
“I know, but we can’t. Technically we’re trespassing. And I don’t care if I get in trouble, but I don’t want that for you.”
I manage to haul myself up off the floor, my body reminding me that I’m forty-six and sleeping on the floor is idiotic. I stretch as Hailey devours me with her eyes, her gaze raking over my chest, my stomach, my cock, my thighs.
“You keep looking at me like that, we might never leave this cabin,” I say, heading towards my pack.
She laughs. “Don’t threaten me with a good time, Beau Cameron.”
I laugh too as I dig out clothes for us to wear.
I pull out a flannel shirt and pass it to Hailey to wear.
I watch as she sits up and slides it on over her bare skin, and I have to stifle a groan at how much I like seeing her in my clothes.
She stands, stretching, and even with her arms high overhead, the material still hits her mid-thigh.
I huff out a breath and force myself to stop staring before I get too distracted to get us moving.
“Come here. I want to re-wrap your ankle,” I say once I’ve got a shirt and pants on and she’s tugged her ripped leggings back on.
She nods and walks tentatively over to the couch.
She’s limping, but not badly enough that I’m worried it’s broken.
Carefully, I unravel the Tensor bandage and probe at her ankle.
She winces slightly when I rotate it, but the swelling is almost gone, and there’s no bruising.
“I think it’s just twisted, Hails. Hurts, I know.
But no serious damage done.” I can feel her eyes on me as I wrap her ankle back up, a bit tighter than before to give her some support for the hike out.
“Here, these should give you a bit more cushioning,” I say, pulling a pair of thick wool socks out of my pack.
“Thanks,” she says, taking them and pulling them on over her feet. Christ, even that’s turning me on. How can she be so cute and sexy at the same time? It drives me insane.
Once we’re both dressed, I return to my pack, rummaging through it for some food. I find a couple of protein bars and two pouches of instant coffee. Not exactly the breakfast of champions, but it’ll do.
I glance over to see Hailey working on rolling up the sleeping bag, her hair tousled, my shirt wrapped around her, and I feel that same swelling sensation in my chest again.
I heat some water over the remnants of the fire for our coffee, and then pass one of the metal camp cups to her. “I’m sorry I don’t have any milk and cinnamon to make your coffee the way you like.”
She smiles at me. “You know how I like my coffee?”
I nod, taking a sip of my own. It’s palatable. Barely. “I’ve been paying attention, Hailey. How could I not?” I pass her one of the protein bars. “It’s not much, but it should hold us over until we get back to town.”
She smiles and blows steam away from the rim of her mug. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
We eat in comfortable silence, sneaking glances at each other like two smitten teenagers.
I can’t stop looking at her. I’m rapt at the way the morning sun picks up the threads of gold in her hair.
At the way she looks lit from within. Ethereal, almost. Fuck, I want her again.
I want to pull her into my lap and kiss her until neither of us can breathe. But I don’t. We need to get moving.
When we’re done, I gather up everything and re-pack my bag, hauling it onto my shoulders. “Are you okay to carry yours, or do you want me to take it?”
She shakes her head. “I can do it. I was only planning on being out for a couple of hours, so there isn’t much in it.” Then she stands, wincing when she puts weight on her ankle.
“Okay?” I ask, ready to scoop her into my arms. I don’t want her in any pain, ever.
She takes a breath and then nods. “It’s not great, but I’ll manage.”
“We’ll go as slow as you need,” I say, unintentionally echoing my words from last night. Our gazes meet and heat shimmers between us.
“Are you sore?” I ask, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. From the way she blushes, she knows I’m not talking about her ankle.
“Yeah, a little. But…” she looks away, her cheeks the sweetest shade of pink. “I like it.”
I kiss her, soft and slow. “Maybe tonight you need a little princess treatment.”
She arches an eyebrow at me. “Go on.”
“I’m thinking a massage, a warm bath, lots of sweet Daddy kisses to make your sore little pussy feel better.”
Her face goes red and she sighs. “Yes, please.”
My cock throbs in response. Just the thought of taking care of her has me half-hard.
She swings her pack onto her back and then shoots me a tentative smile. “I’m ready. I just wish we could stay in our little bubble.” She glances around the cabin and sighs. “I…don’t know how I’m going to tell my dad about this. About us.”
I take her hand, weaving my fingers with hers and giving her a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll figure it out together, Hails. I meant what I said last night. I’m in this, no matter what. We’re together.” I press a kiss to her forehead. “I love you, and nothing that happens can change that.”
She smiles softly, relaxing. “I love you, too.”
“We’ll figure out how to keep this. No matter what.”
“Even after my dad finds out?” I can see the worry written across her pretty face. Truth be told, I’m worried too. Logan’s going to freak out. I can’t see a scenario where he finds out and doesn’t. He’s always been protective of Hailey.
“Especially then. You’re mine, Hailey. Nothing changes that.”
She nods. “Maybe until we…we figure out how to tell him, we keep this to ourselves. Not indefinitely, obviously. But…for a little while.” She looks up at me, biting her lip.
“Is it selfish that I don’t want to share this with him yet?
Because I know he’ll be mad and it’ll be…
” She shakes her head. “I just want to enjoy the fact that I’m actually getting to live out my one and only fantasy. That I’m living in a wish come true.”
“I get that, and I don’t think it’s selfish. We’ll figure out how to tell him, together. When the time’s right.”
“When the time’s right,” she repeats, looking less worried than she was a moment ago.
I drop a quick kiss on the top of her head. “Let’s get you home.”