Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
DAVE
The morning greets me, and I sense it before I open my eyes.
She’s gone.
The constant hum of current that has lingered between us is now absent. Her sweet fragrance lingers, but it’s dulled to that of a taunting memory.
Glancing about the room, I’m shocked to find it devoid of any personal items. Had she managed to shower, dress, and pack her bags without waking me?
Then I remember the vigorous all-night sexathon and shake my head.
It was as if I knew I had to seize the moment and wring every drop of hunger for this incredible woman while I had her in my arms. A melancholy frown pulls at the corners of my mouth until it hits me.
Shit. Brunch!
I spring from the bed like it’s suddenly caught fire and reach for my phone in one fluid movement.
Worried I’ll find dozens of Where are you?
texts from all four happy couples, I glance down to discover it’s only 7:00 a.m. Slumping back into the pillows, I let out a frazzled exhale.
Thank God. After realizing I’d slept so soundly, my bedmate had been able to leave without stirring me, I wasn’t sure if it was still Sunday.
Turning to sit on the edge of the bed, I run my hands through my short hair and wander to the bathroom.
As I glance at my reflection, it isn’t the appearance of nail marks on my skin or the way my dark hair stands on end for all the tugging Char did to it that comes to the front of my mind. It’s the gratified smile.
I can’t remember the last time I woke to feel this sated and alive.
I love my friends. Love living in this glorious little mountain town with an energy only Mother Nature could possess.
I love my high adrenalin, always unexpected career where I can give back while challenging myself.
But something about that mysterious woman has invaded my senses in a way nothing, or no one, ever has.
Focusing on the task at hand, I empty my bladder, wash my hands, and rinse my mouth when a grin suddenly splits my face in two and my body jerks to my full height.
I’m suddenly wide awake, fueled by hopeful optimism.
Perhaps Char is helping Ellie and needed to get there early.
I’m fully aware this one-night stand is quickly coming to a close.
Yet, the very thought that I could have one more moment with her before she leaves is giving me a jolt of get-up-and-go.
If only I could learn a little more about this incredible woman. Why was she so insistent she’d never consider leaving? What or who is back home waiting for her?
Having plenty of time to make it home to shower, shave, and dress before returning for the festivities, I gather my clothes and head for the door.
Hopefully, it’s early enough I can make my exit without having to do the proverbial walk of shame amongst any number of locals enjoying their morning coffee nearby.
Hell. Who am I kidding?
There’s absolutely no shame in my game this morning. I feel as if I’m walking on air as I twirl my keys on my index finger and make my way toward my truck. That was easily one of the best, if not the best, nights of my life.
What is it that makes this one-night stand unlike any other I’ve had? Because I hate to have to say goodbye to this stunning woman. There’s nothing about her that screams clinger. She’s smart, sassy, fun, and probably the most beautiful creature I’ve ever encountered. And not just physically.
There’s something about her that makes you warm under the glow of her radiance.
It’s so natural and effervescent, like the feel of a Sycamore Mountain sun bathing you in blissful heat while a cool breeze ripples the tree-lined pond at your feet.
I doubt she even realizes the magnitude of her presence.
I shake my head at my thoughts as I climb into my truck.
What the hell kind of voodoo has this enchantress placed me under?
The morning is bright and beautiful as I turn in the direction of my home on the hill.
There’s little commotion beyond old Mr. Jenkin’s truck as it ambles down the lane.
I pass a random jogger in a gray hoodie out enjoying the clean, crisp mountain air and decide to roll down the window to do the same.
Not that I need it to invigorate me as I had when I first awoke.
Now I’m fueled on irrational anticipation.
And her.
Turning on the radio, Morgan Wallen starts to croon.
My fingers thrum against the steering wheel as he sings of wanting to love somebody.
I sit up taller in my seat. Knock this shit off, you moron.
That’s the very last thing you want or need.
I give my head a much-needed shake. It was some hot pussy, nothing more.
But the thought of seeing her again in a few hours has me grinning ear to ear.
Like some childhood crush that’s rocked your world.
It’s nonsensical. Scratching my head, I reflect on my youth and come up short.
I don’t think I felt this way about anyone, even when I was a teenager.
Not even hot, Mrs. Bradshaw. There wasn’t a boy in my seventh-grade algebra class who could pay attention to anything she said.
It was like learning equations from a Penthouse pet.
Then again, my youth was marred by my father’s infidelity and eventual split from my mother. Even Mrs. Bradshaw’s ample cleavage and sexy come-hither face didn’t have me yearning for more.
Custody wasn’t even an issue for dear old Dad.
There isn’t a parental, nurturing bone in his body.
He knew Mom would want to have me full time.
The only downside to this was having to offer her more of his hard-earned money each month.
But my father had never spent any real quality time with me growing up, so joint custody would require hiring a nanny.
Might as well cut ties and let Mom do it.
I mean, he’d been treating her like the hired help for their entire marriage anyway. Why stop now?
With my past out of the rearview mirror and plainly in full view to remind me why I have chosen to remain single, I focus on getting ready to return to Ellie’s restaurant for brunch. Char was a good time, nothing more.
Yet this pep talk is clearly futile as I pull into the parking lot, my pulse quickening, eager to see her.
Strolling through the door to the restaurant, I try to act casual. Unaffected. But there’s no hiding the dejection I feel when I scour the place to discover she’s not here. I try to hold out hope I’m wrong. Yet as each guest files in and takes their seat, it seems less likely she’ll be joining us.
“Hey, old man. Nice of you to join us.” Matt slaps me on the back.
“What? I’m not late.”
“Just assumed you might have decided to sleep in.”
Turning to face him, I narrow my eyes as I attempt to gather his meaning.
Had the talk around town already started?
How many eyes had been on us as we departed the reception?
My attention was laser-focused on my curvy companion.
Those blissful moments alone under the moonlight had been the match that ignited an inferno.
Once it began, it was as if someone had set fire to a warehouse of explosives, which continued to spark throughout the night.
“Not sure what you’re getting at,” I mutter, feeling more than a little surly at my disappointment at not finding Char here.
“Oh, come on, Smoke. You two were in to each other. You haven’t danced all night like that with anyone in years.
Ellie didn’t want to interrupt when the night started to come to a close.
But one minute you two were on the dancefloor looking like a couple from Dancing with the Stars, then the next you’d both vanished into thin air. ”
I frown, considering Ellie had missed saying goodbye to her best friend because I whisked her away. Not sorry enough I would’ve handled things any differently. I wouldn’t take back one second of last night.
Well, except possibly begging her to stay a little longer.
I give him a sheepish grin. “Sorry, man.”
Matt punches me in the shoulder. “Dude. I was glad to see it. You have any idea how happy my wife would be to see the two of you get together?” I start to throw my hands up in protest. It was one night.
Until I’m caught off guard as his face lights up.
“Shit. My wife.” His grin is ridiculous now, his eyes darting about the restaurant in search of Ellie. “How did I get so damned lucky, man?”
I give his shoulder a squeeze. “You deserve this. I’m really happy for you. Both of you.”
His face falls. “You do too, Smoke. Hell. I know what your dad did to your mom. Trust me, I lived it. Except when mine walked, he never looked back. But you aren’t your father.
And whether it’s Charlene or someone else, life is too long to spend it all alone.
” His beautiful bride walks over carrying a pot of coffee.
Snatching it from her, he places it on the table before pulling her into his lap.
“Fuck’s sake, El. Sit down and let someone else take care of these fuckers. It’s our wedding weekend.”
She rolls her eyes. “It was only coffee.”
“Anything I can do?” I interrupt.
“No. I’ve got plenty of servers working this morning. Honestly, it’s just habit to walk around in the morning with a fresh pot at this point.” She snickers. This girl is one of the hardest working people I know. And always with a genuine smile on her face.
“The wedding and reception were perfect, Ellie. You and the girls really did an amazing job pulling it all together.”
Matt gives her a reassuring squeeze. “Thanks. It was pretty great. The hardest part was saying goodbye to everyone. It had been so long since we’d spent any time with Harry, Harlow, Char, and Jo. And the weekend went by in a flash.”
My heart clenches at the confirmation she’s really gone. What had I expected? Some long, drawn-out goodbye?
“Harry and his family took Jo back home on the jet. And Char had to head back early since she had to close her salon while she was away. I mean, I get it. It would be very tough to have to close the restaurant for any length of time. When you manage your own business, it’s hard to put it in the hands of someone else. ”
I inconspicuously rub my chest, trying to soothe the ache that’s filled my hollow heart. It’s as if all of the air in the room has vanished along with her. It was supposed to be one night. One. But given the way I’m feeling, there’s no doubt I won’t be able to let this go.
Let her go.