Chapter 3
3
CLARK
I ’ve never been a person who waffles, unable to pick a side. Being decisive is part of being efficient, which is at the core of my business and my life.
But now, pacing in my woodshop, I’m waffling more than a busy diner at brunch. I feel woefully inadequate for the first time in years. How the hell is a nobody like me supposed to date a breathtaking woman like Elena?
She could have any man she wants. She’s sweet and smart and her smile goes right through me. She’s independent…maybe a bit too much, to be honest.
It doesn’t bother me that she’s a bit younger. Well, except for the fact that she might have as little dating experience as I do. Actually, maybe that could work in my favor. If I just go with my instincts and do everything in my power to keep her happy, she might be willing to consider…
Stop it, Clark. I shouldn’t be thinking like this already. Elena might just be passing through town. If I had a normal day job, I could move on with her. No problem. Done deal.
But my entire customer base and giant workshop is here in Old Hemlock Valley. I’m parked – just like the rusty old car at the back of the lot that people swear they will get around to fixing, but never do.
Elena already fixes me. She makes me downright chatty, compared to my usual silent state. She makes me feel alive.
Striding over to the corner of my workshop that has the coffee maker, I grab my phone from the charger to send her a text.
Hi, it’s Clark. I know you’re on your feet all day, but how would you feel about a short walk before dinner?
I put the ringer on, possibly for the first time ever while in the shop. After measuring panels for a table inlay for about twenty minutes, I hear a soft ping.
Elena: That sounds great. I’ll actually be finished at 3:30, since a birthday party is taking over the patio.
Elena: Your patio, to be precise :)
I want to tell her I miss her. Tell her that I want to punch myself for not kissing her. I don’t.
I’ll pick you up at 3:30.
When I was standing in the doorway with her last night, it struck me that she’d only known me for a handful of hours. Did she feel obligated to be polite to me because I drove her home? I hope not. I’d never be able to live with myself.
But I know that the moment I see her eyes again, it’ll be clear if she really likes me, or if she just wants me to protect her. I’ll do that either way. No matter what Elena wants, I’m going to keep her safe.
When I reach Jim’s Pizza, the party is getting into full swing. Around twenty guys are in high spirits, fueled by beer, pizza, and what looks to be a bit of an old friend reunion as well as a birthday gathering.
I stand out front, nodding to the guys I know. Elena comes out a few minutes later, every head turning to her. She’s changed into dark blue jeans and a cute green top with a bit of lace at the neck. Her lovely long, dark blonde hair is half pulled back from her face in a clip, and she’s wearing a touch of green eyeshadow that brings out her rich golden-brown eyes perfectly.
She’s radiantly breathtaking. And as most of the single men in town openly stare at her, a deep, twisting sensation forms in the bottom of my gut.
She’s mine. I need her to be mine .
Elena turns to me, and the way her face lights up, you’d think someone had just handed her a puppy.
Everything inside me melts. That’s exactly the look I was hoping for. Unfortunately, the moment is slightly marred by the fact that so many other men are checking out her perky little butt.
We rush toward each other, the three-foot wooden railing still between us. My hand automatically reaches around her waist as my head dips to her ear. “You know, most of these guys know me, or at least know who I am. If I kissed you right now, I know they’d leave you alone permanently.”
Her eyes dance as she reaches up to rub the scruff of my short beard teasingly. “Is that the only reason you want to kiss me?”
I growl at her gruffly. “You know it isn’t. You’re…” My somewhat limited social interactions haven’t taught me what the hell to say at a time like this. What do girls want to hear? The only thing I know for sure is that they usually want the truth.
Fine. That’s what she’ll get.
Reaching out, I scoop her over the railing as she laughs, swinging an arm around my shoulders. Then her eyes widen as I breathe in her ear, “You’re kissable as fuck, okay? I can’t stop thinking about you.”
From the huge mushy grin on her pretty face, I know I’ve said the right thing. She nods quickly.
I don’t want this moment to have an audience. Turning my back to the crowd, my lips brush hers softly again, teasing us both for just another moment before the kiss overtakes us.
Our bodies move together, her fingers clutching my shoulder as her legs stiffen. Then her lips part, welcoming me inside, letting me delve deeper. Damn, this girl can kiss. My hand cradles the back of her head and instantly she presses against me, her arms winding around my shoulders as we hold each other tightly, ignoring the laughter from the guys on the patio.
“Get a room!”
“Whoa, didn’t know we got a free show with our dinner!”
I really should pull away and be a gentleman. I can’t. Instead, the hand farthest from the group on the patio slides down to grip her luscious ass. I feel a tiny sigh against my mouth as her breasts press against my chest, our lips pressing harder as we begin to lose our breath.
Finally I manage to get my lust under control and break the kiss. “Er, are you ready to go?”
Her head tilts back as she laughs. “Yeah. Where to?”
My eyebrows wiggle up and down. “To the dark, mysterious center of the forest.”
I scrutinize her expression for the slightest hint of apprehension. There’s none there. She heads for the truck. “Great, let’s go!”
We drive about ten minutes out of town, chatting about her various jobs and my many projects. We reach a lookout that features a particularly striking part of the valley. There’s more vivid contrast between the trees here, showcasing the many different species. Plus, the river catches the light and sparkles, which makes Elena chirp with glee. She races to the very edge of the rocky outcrop, making me want to yank her back a few feet. “This is so pretty!”
“Yes. And steep. Maybe you could step back just a bit?”
She turns, pouting. “Okaaaay,” she huffs.
Standing behind her, my arms slip around her waist as we stare out at the beautiful landscape for several minutes. I’m glad that she can be quiet and appreciate the stillness with me. Her hands cover mine as she leans into my chest with a soft sigh. “You’re so warm,” she murmurs, her head tipping up as she looks back at me. “Plus, you’re strong as an ox. I feel there will be no unopened pickle jars when you’re around.”
Although she’s teasing, her joke touches something deep within me. Elena isn’t tiny – around five foot six, and from the way she carries those massive trays of food, she’s clearly relatively strong. But still.
“Speaking of strength,” I say as casually as possible, “you mentioned you’ve been a server at a variety of places. Drunks can get handsy. Have you ever learned self-defense, just in case?”
She turns to face me, her delicate hands on my chest. “Nah. I mean, I’m pretty good at keeping a bit of distance, or keeping the tray between myself and the drunk guys. And I’m quick to call security if anyone is really being a jerk. Which, thankfully, hasn’t been that often.”
“Glad to hear it. But the severe lack of women up here in the mountains does make some guys a bit…desperate.” Taking her hands, I step back a few feet. “Do you at least know how to throw a punch? Show me.”
She balls up her fists. She’s completely, adorably wrong. I correct both of her hands, then shift her hips into a fighting stance.
I spend the next few minutes teaching her proper form, and explain how for someone her size, a real punch has to come from her back heel and use every single muscle in her body. Elena is a quick learner, and I admire her attention to detail.
“That’s great.” I step back. “Now – punch me in the chest.”
Her lovely eyes fly wide open. “Whaaat? No!”
“You’re not going to hurt me, don’t worry. I want to see form, not full power.”
She’s so cute when she smirks. Her hair ruffles in the breeze as she takes up her position. I love that she’s up for a challenge. Her small fist moves through the air slowly and with perfect form, brushing the front of my t-shirt barely enough for me to feel it.
“Excellent. Now harder.”
Her luscious bottom lip puffs out. “What if I bruise you?”
My eyes roll, possibly for the first time in my life. “Then that will be all my fault. Please – just try it.”
Her teeth sink into her bottom lip as she hesitates. It’s…very distracting.
“If you throw a couple of real punches, I’ll take you to dinner anywhere you like in Cedarville. If you don’t, you’re stuck with somewhere in Pinesley.” From the way her nose scrunches up as if she’s smelled a skunk, she’s clearly heard about that vile town already.
Elena takes a deep breath, then on the exhale aims her fist directly into the center of my chest. It’s a solid hit that would make most men stagger back a few steps.
Although I don’t wobble, my grin is so wide I’m afraid my face might get stuck this way. “Great job,” I chuckle. “I think that’s the first time in my life I haven’t blocked a punch, but that was perfect.” She beams.
“Two more,” I insist. She surprises me by smacking me with her left fist, then delivering a slight uppercut with the right, landing both. I actually stagger back two steps from the force.
My girl is a legit firecracker.
Scooping her up in a bear hug, she giggles sweetly as I twirl her around. “That is not the reaction you’re supposed to have to getting punched,” she sputters.
“Too bad. I’m really proud of you.” The second her feet touch the ground again, we’re kissing, her lips soft against mine. Then I realize that we’re alone in the woods. I don’t want to make her nervous.
“Did that feel good?” I whisper.
“Yeah.” Her eyes soft and dreamy, she leans in for another kiss.
I can’t resist, my tongue gently exploring her mouth, our bodies melting together. Our heat reaches a fever pitch in seconds, and I hear a small whimper as I grab her ass with one hand, pressing against the back of her shoulders with the other. Finally, I pull back, both of us nearly gasping for air.
“I actually meant, did it feel good to throw a punch?”
Her delighted grin makes my stomach tingle. “Oh! Yeah. That too. Yes.”
We get back in the truck, and I begin to drive. “I hope you don’t mind, but I have to make a quick delivery in Cedarville. It’ll only take a minute. Then we can drive around and you can pick any restaurant that looks good to you, or you can let me know what you’re hungry for. I think I’ve tried almost everything.”
“Let’s play it by ear, see what happens.” There’s something in her tone. Glancing over, Elena is giving me a look that states very clearly that she’s into me.
“Perfect.” I reach out to squeeze her hand gently. “Let’s see what happens.”