Chapter 31 A Very Happy Old Man
A very happy old man
Sophia
My head is in a whirlwind, the truth bombarding me from every direction.
Oliver.
Biggie.
They’re the same.
In the very center of the tempest, the eye of the storm, is him.
I didn’t know that this was the answer I needed. Two worlds crashing into one.
With a groan, his palms frame my face as he pulls me tighter, his tongue tickling the seam of my lips, begging for more.
And I give it to him.
How did I not see this? Maybe I did?
Is that why on those nights I dreamed of Biggie, it was Oliver’s image that filled the void?
Fire races through me as he presses me against the cool metal of his truck, but it only stokes the flames.
Letting my eyes slip closed, the lines between the man I fell for online, and the one holding me, blur.
As his mouth claims mine, somehow I knew he’d taste like coffee and chaos.
His hand traces my side, just like that night in my camper.
The touch is…familiar. Wrapped in the safety I’ve learned to accept from Oliver.
I’ve even grown to trust him.
Now I know why.
When I pull away, I can’t stop the tears as I bury my face against his chest.
“Oliver…I love…Biggie. The big ‘o’.” Tilting my head back, I look at him through my misty vision. “How did I not see that?”
His dark eyes crinkle when he smiles, then softly kisses my forehead. “I didn’t make the connection for ‘racing queen’. I thought at first it meant you liked NASCAR video games.”
“Oh, that’s wild. It’s crazy how our brains work.” Mine is still spinning.
He reaches down, cupping my thighs to bring my legs up to circle his waist. “Do you know what I’m thinking now?” His voice drops into a low growl, rumbling through where our bodies touch. “That it’s time to get you home, where you belong.”
For the first time, my arms wrap his neck and I get to hold him. “I was ready to go to Oregon. Let me guess, not that far?”
His Adam’s apple bobs with a swallow. “You would move two states away, for me?”
The rush of emotions overwhelms me. All I can do is bite my lip and nod, fighting a new wave of fresh tears.
This is the man I shared my secrets with. My fears and deepest desires.
Who changed my tire in the pouring sleet and scooped me up from the mud when I was too weak to walk. He’s seen me tired, cranky, even sick.
And he’s been there, waiting.
“Was it me that you were talking about the other day? That you were trying to be patient about?” I cling to his broad shoulders as he carries me easily to the driver’s seat of his truck.
“It was.” He sets me lightly, then leans over me. “And it was worth it.”
After giving me another bruising kiss, he untangles himself from my legs and straightens. “I’ll be right back.”
Part of me is still in shock watching him walk away.
But I also suddenly feel much less guilt enjoying Oliver’s lean, muscular frame. Or the way his narrow waist carries his low-slung snug Wranglers.
Is this really happening?
When he pops the rear of my car and starts pulling out my bags, I hop down to open the back seat of his truck.
“Is this all of them?” He slides the last one in.
Fuck, he is adorable when he smiles. Did I not notice that before?
“Yea. I mean, I wasn’t sure, so it’s the necessities? Like, I was half-expecting you…well—” My hand waves wildly as the truth slips out. “—I was worried I might get ghosted.”
The heat of his palm tugs me against him, then he flattens them over my ass, pressing me close. “I made a promise of forever, princess.” Then his mouth lowers to the hollow below my ear. “I don’t make them lightly.”
“I’m counting on it.” I take a long inhale of his scent. There’s the leather and sandalwood, transporting me back to that first night in my trailer. “I’m ready.”
He goes to my idling Toyota and backs it down the lane to a wide spot, then he tucks the keys into the visor.
His crooked smile turns mischievous as he lifts me onto the driver’s seat of his truck again, then pulls out his phone. “Text your brother and tell him you’re safe, but you won’t be going to the bar.”
“Shit. I almost forgot about all of that.” Pulling out my own cell, it dings with a fresh message as I’m holding it.
TheBigO: Sophia, you’ve made me a very happy old man.
My laughter is explosive. “Oh my god, I remember that now.” Covering my mouth with my fingers, I glance up to see Oliver chuckling. “I was just teasing.”
“You’ll be thankful I’m not as young as I used to be tonight when you’re begging for mercy.” His strong palm moves between my thighs to squeeze my leg.
I like him touching me. Covering his knuckles with my fingertips, I trace the ridges and callouses, working my way up over his wrist to follow the thick veins of his forearm.
This has to be some sort of dream. My mind is playing tricks on me.
Wishful thinking?
Just above his elbow, I pinch his skin playfully.
“What was that for?” His caramel eyes widen.
“To see if I’m asleep.” Snuggling against him, I can’t resist pressing my lips to the pink spot I left.
His chest rumbles with a chuckle. “You know you’re supposed to do that to yourself to wake up.” But then he catches my hand in his powerful grip. “Don’t, though. I don’t want this to end.”
Pulling my fingers to his mouth, he sprinkles the tips with peppered kisses.
Fuck.
This man really is perfect. And he’s mine.
Spinning the steering wheel, he turns us down a gravel road just minutes from Black Gulch.
“You live this close?” Everything that’s held me back was thinking he lived in Oregon.
“Mmhmm. Now you do, too. I’ll let you decide where you want to keep Misty. I have plenty of room in the barn with mine.” He dips his head in the direction of an expansive red barn. Cows and horses wander the pasture near it, nibbling on the first blades of spring grass.
Passing it reveals a huge metal building where the bay door sits open.
Construction equipment of every shape and size is parked in rows inside.
I had no idea the size of his business.
A bend in the road brings us through a thick grove of tall pines.
“Soph?” His voice cracks. “Welcome home, baby.” He pulls us into a looped driveway and stops at a covered porch that wraps a long brick house.
“It’s like something out of a magazine,” I exhale when he reaches in for me. “Look at the wagon wheels!”
They look antique leaning against a split rail fence.
He tugs me to him, carrying me against his chest like he did a few weeks ago when I was sick.
I don’t feel guilty about the warmth from his embrace now.
“Doing this, it’s like we’re married,” I giggle as he pushes open the door.
He grunts with a smile. “I told your dad we were going to be.”
“No,” I gasp. “You didn’t?”
“He didn’t believe me.” He shrugs. “But I don’t make a habit out of lying.” Setting me on my feet, he turns me so my back presses against him and wraps his arms around my belly.
I didn’t expect vaulted ceilings. It’s so spacious inside, the outside is deceiving.
“I can change anything you want.” His palm slides down to take my hand, leading me towards a hall. “Come see my new favorite part.”
That twinkle in his eye sends tendrils of fire through me.
The smell of fresh paint hits me before he switches on the light.
“Holy shit.” I blink rapidly in the master suite. “Is that—”
“Yep. The green paint you wanted to choose.” He grins like a kid on Christmas. “And that’s the bedroom set you picked out.”
All those pictures he sent me over the weeks, I thought it was just a game of what I’d like.
But he was using them all for reference to build my dreams.
“I did make one small change.” He wanders closer to the king sized bed. “I know purple and green usually don’t go together—” His fingers drift over the light lavender comforter. “—but ever since I saw that dress you sent me, I’m pretty partial to it now.”
Everything crashes in. I bared my soul to him and he truly listened, absorbing every detail.
My words catch in my throat.
Rushing to him, I throw my arms around him and bury my tears against his chest.
He holds me tightly, dropping his lips to the top of my head.
“Oliver?” I finally stammer through my sniffles. “I really do love you.”