Chapter 4
AUDRA
Ican't stop glancing over at the gorgeous man driving me into town for lunch. My family would flip if they knew I was spending so much time with a man they hadn't approved. Not to mention… He lives in a small town. He knows nothing about their business, or how to impress people.
Maybe that's why I find Thane so sexy. He's outside of my usual world, and going on a date with him makes me feel like a rebel.
Up till now I've only been to Fran's to grab coffee to go, but it's a lovely diner.
We choose a corner booth at the back, and I love that Thane sits right beside me with our backs to the window.
I look around at the checked floor and the waitresses in crisp uniforms. My art teachers would call this place a slice of mid-century Americana. I call it adorable.
When I take another peek around the room, I notice almost every single person is sneaking looks at us. "What's going on?" I ask Thane, as he flips through the menu.
"What do you mean?" He jerks his chin up and everyone immediately stares at their plates. "Oh." He sighs, then mutters, "I've never been seen in public with a woman before. Meanwhile, practically everyone here knows me. It’s a family thing."
I can't help but grin. "Am I going to be the subject of small-town gossip?”
His hand drops heavily on my knee, squeezing it in a way that triggers a tingle in my lower belly.
I notice that Thane has been touching me more often.
It almost feels like his hands gravitate toward my body, and he's trying to hold it back.
Whatever this thing is between us, the physical connection is taking hold before I can get a grip on the mental one. Why is that so sexy?
"Yes, you are," he rumbles. "Is that okay?"
"It’s a little weird. But it’s fine."
Over the course of our lunch, I'm struck by three things.
One, when people approach to ask Thane how his family is doing, he brushes them off as quickly as possible so he can focus on our conversation.
Two, people seem to be studying me as if I were a science project.
As if they've never even considered seeing him with a woman.
And three, holy smokes, the shredded chicken three-cheese grilled sandwich is fantastic!
Once again our conversation is easy, looping and spinning through every topic under the sun.
There's something fundamentally quiet about Thane, but if he gets on a roll talking about a topic he loves, whether it’s great books or car maintenance or woodworking, his eyes light up and he becomes super passionate about it.
I also love that he truly listens to me.
Even though he clearly had never heard of soundscapes until we met, he's interested in what I create.
This is tough. He likes me. I like him. But I don't live here. And when he finds out about my family, his image of the artsy girl he met in the meadow is going to be shattered.
When Thane pays the bill, I see he leaves a very hefty tip. It doesn't feel like he's trying to impress me, since he was trying to hide the total. Maybe he doesn't come to town for lunch very often.
His truck is parked between the diner and the inn, and we stop so I can grab my equipment bag. "What else are you doing today?" he asks as we carry on walking.
"I want to get these clips sorted and labelled while the information is still fresh in my mind. I like listing the names of the birds and other wildlife on the tracks, plus the time, date, location, and as many other details as I can remember."
"Not the location, please." Thane’s fingers tighten gently around mine. "Up here on the mountain… We want tourists, but the right kind of tourists. Does that make sense?"
I laugh. “You mean you don't want a bunch of people out here with recording devices, sucking up the soul of your mountain?"
"Something like that." He grins as we approach the inn. "We want visitors who have a connection to the mountain. Maybe they have family or friends here. Some people think we should advertise to birdwatchers, since they’re quiet and respect the forest."
"Actually, that's a great idea." I smile at him. "I'll just mention a secret location with a pristine mountain forest. It'll get people guessing."
"Perfect." Thane glances around, looking relieved that we're alone. "Funny. I've driven by this place a million times but never been inside.”
"Did you want to see my room?" As soon as the question flies out of my mouth, I realize what it sounds like and cringe. "I didn't mean…just…you said you’d never seen it, so…"
He dips his head to brush his lips across my forehead. "I’ll walk you to your room. Give you a proper goodbye kiss. But I really can't stay." His gaze locks with mine. "No matter what, you're kicking me out in three minutes."
His huge, hard body follows mine down the hallway. As soon as we’re inside my small room, the quiet feeling I've felt in it disappears. Now there’s only heat. Thane sets my bag on the floor, takes my hand, then closes the door behind him with his foot and pulls me close.
"Audra." His rough voice is as soft as he can make it. "Please tell me you feel this…connection…bond…whatever it is…too."
"Yeah, I do."
"Good. I don’t want to mess it up by moving too fast. So I'm very serious about leaving this room within three minutes."
"Are you actually going to set a timer?"
He squeezes my hip gently, then reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. "Great idea." He sets the alarm, but before he hits the start button, his gaze rakes over my breasts and hips, then returns to my eyes. "What do you want me to do for those three minutes, beautiful?"
A shiver goes through me from the intensity in his gaze. Best to be honest. "Anything you like."
His jaw ticks. "Anything?"
"Yes." The word comes out breathy and desperate, and I don't even care.
"Take off your shoes." The second they hit the floor he presses the start button and sets his phone on the table. I'm suddenly hyper aware that the only furniture in the room is the small desk and chair, the dresser and stool…and the bed.
My squeal pierces the silence as Thane lifts me into the air.
He lies across the bed with his boots hanging off the end and pulls me on top of him.
Our lips meet in a kiss that quickly turns fiery, his hands roaming all over my back, my hips, my thighs.
My fingers slide into the back of his hair as the kiss deepens, our tongues dancing together, bodies shifting to explore every single point of contact.
There is a secret fire inside this man. On the surface, he’s steady and calm.
Quiet. Probably a loner. But the second he's given permission to go wild, he does.
I can feel the evidence of his arousal swelling under me.
My legs spread as instinct takes over and I grind down on him.
My breath catches when I realize how big he is.
Not just the firm erection as I slide my panties up and down his jeans: his thick arms, massive torso, every single thing about him is huge.
His hands slip under the hem of my loose dress to caress the back of my thigh and my lower back.
"So gorgeous," he groans, lifting his hips to grind his cock against my pussy.
"Your nipples are hard," he rasps. "Can feel them right through this nightgown or dress or whatever it is.” His eyes blaze.
"I don't know fashion, but anything that's comfortable and gives me easy access to your body is a great idea. "
We sink into the kiss again, my mind reeling.
I barely know this man, but this is so intimate…
his thick cock grinding against the wet seam of my panties, his hand cupping my ass, moving my body around to please him more.
My tongue explores his as he breathes in every gasp, every cry, and I lose myself in the most sensual kiss of my life.
The second the alarm rings, his hands on me tighten, holding me even closer. His body rocks against me three more times, the delicious pressure igniting an unknown level of lust deep inside me. Mmm… If he did that ten to twenty more times, I would climax right here with both of us fully clothed.
My shriek of surprise is more like a chirp as his thick arms lift me and set me on my feet.
He reaches over and turns off the alarm before standing up, grimacing as he adjusts his jeans.
His deep brown eyes stare into mine with such longing that my heart tightens in my chest. His fingers dance along the side of my neck, then slip into the back of my hair.
"So beautiful," he murmurs. "Smart and sweet and sexy as hell.” Thane hands me the phone. "Would you please put your number in there for me?"
As soon as I do, he pockets it, then kisses the top of my head. "I hope your work goes well. Talk to you tomorrow, beautiful."
Then he disappears, leaving the room feeling empty.
If that alarm hadn't gone off, I wouldn’t have stopped Thane from doing whatever he wanted…because it's exactly what I want as well.