Chapter 7
seven
Asher
My little Raindrop is asleep by the time we get back to my cabin.
Conked out as soon as I buckled her in. Her soft snores sound like a purring kitten.
It’s adorable. My poor girl has been through a lot today—all because of me.
Hopefully, she’ll give me the chance to make it up to her, because, somehow, in the space of a few hours, being in her presence is like coming home.
She’s mine. I know it with every fiber of my being, and I won’t let her go.
I pull up in front of the cabin. It’s late, and even the animals are quiet.
A full moon glows in the sky, making the porch light unnecessary.
After climbing out of the truck and quietly closing the door, I reach into the bed and grab the bags of leftovers Andrew sent home with us.
When I see the crutches, I take them, too, and bring everything into the house.
Once everything is in the fridge, I peek out the window to make sure Emma’s still resting.
Our sleeping arrangements could prove problematic.
Andrew knew it, too, the sly ass. I only have the one bed.
I never saw a need to set up a guest room.
Emma can use it, but I hate the idea of being away from her, even if I’m just down the hall.
I turn the bedside lamp onto the nightlight setting and take in my room. Bookshelves on one wall, my dresser, and the California king bed with two nightstands. I made most of the furniture in the cabin, only ordering what I needed for the kitchen and bathroom, and the upholstered furniture.
I worked on it throughout that first winter, as I struggled with guilt.
Being alone up here for over five years made me rougher.
Emma isn’t wrong that I’m more bear than man.
Living off the land, hunting, fishing for food, sleeping under the stars until I finished the cabin—it all changed me.
I’d always planned on using my forestry degree instead of going into the family business, but the fire altered everything.
Fuck. What the hell am I doing standing here reminiscing instead of getting Emma settled? She’s probably used to scholarly men. Polished, not beastly. I’m not sure I can even change at this point. I’d be willing to try—for her. But will it be enough to make her stay?
She’s still sleeping when I get back to the truck, but she stirs as I lift her into my arms.
Her eyes pop open, and she yawns. “What’s going on?”
“We’re home. I’m just getting you inside so you can go to bed. It’s late, and you’ve had a long day.”
“Sorry, I fell asleep.” Her head rests against my shoulder as I nudge the passenger door closed and take her into the house.
Having her in my arms fills the empty spaces in my chest that I didn’t realize were there.
How is it that I’ve only known her for a few hours and I can’t imagine her ever leaving? Maybe Doc should have examined me, too.
After carrying her into the ensuite, I shuffle her in my arms. “Raindrop, do you need to use the bathroom?”
“Huh? Oh yes, please.”
“Okay. I’m going to help you. Hold onto me and I’ll get your pants off so you can go.”
“What? I don’t need help. I can do it.” Her cheeks turn the color of dogwood blooms in the spring.
“You can’t put weight on that foot, and your hands are wrapped. You have to let me help you, baby.”
“Are you kidding me right now? I barely know you, you can’t take my clothes off. I’ll figure something out.”
“Emma, you’ll let me help you. If you’re going to argue with me, then the spanking I’ve been threatening you with will become a reality real fast.”
“You’re serious?”
“As a heart attack. Are you going to let me help?”
“Fine. Not like you’re giving me a choice. You really are a grumpy bear and a fartknocker. Didn’t you learn about personal space as a child?”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “I know all about it, but you don’t get any—it’s just our space now. Keep hold of my shoulders and put your good foot on the floor. I’ll take off your jeans.”
She huffs out a breath and groans. “Fine.” Then she grabs my shoulders.
Bending down, I pull her jeans and underwear off together.
Her T-shirt is long enough that it falls to mid-thigh, so she’s fully covered.
If it wasn’t filthy from her fall, I’d leave her to sleep in it.
Since I didn’t think about getting her things from her tent, she’ll have to wear one of my shirts.
Thought of her in my clothes wakes up my cock.
“I’ll be right outside. When you’re done, call me, and I’ll come and help you.”
If possible, her cheeks get even redder after I sit her on the toilet and back out of the bathroom. I pull the door mostly closed behind me. “Don’t you dare get up when you’re done or you’ll be sorry.”
I barely hear her mumble, “Whatever,” through the door. Precious.
After a few minutes, I ask, “Are you done yet?” I mean, how long could it take?
“I can’t go with you listening. I have a shy bladder.”
What? Is that even a thing? My brothers and I would just whip it out if we had to go. It didn’t matter who was around, except for Mom. She didn’t appreciate catching her sons “watering the trees” in the yard.
“What can I do to help?”
“Go away,” she almost-growls.
“That’s not happening, Raindrop.” I can’t help but chuckle to myself.
“Maybe turn the faucet on?” she whispers.
“That I can do.” I step into the bathroom and I on the water. “Better?”
“Thank you, but you still have to get out.”
“Got it.” I can’t keep the grin from my face. I know she’s a grown woman, but as tired as she is, she seems so vulnerable. The desire to wrap her in my arms and protect her is overwhelming.
When I hear her yell, “I’m done.” I push open the door and smile at her disgruntled expression. Poor baby is hating her life right now.
“Good girl. Thank you for listening. I know this is hard, Emma. I promise I’ll try to make it as easy as possible.”
She seems to deflate a little when her gaze meets mine. “I know, I’m sorry, too. I don’t mean to be any trouble. Taking care of me is the last thing you need.”
Even if I tell her she’s wrong, I doubt she’ll believe me. I can hardly believe it myself. Without making too big a deal, I clean her up and then flush the toilet. Then, I carry her over to the counter and set her down before washing our hands in the sink.
“Not too bad, right?”
“That’s debatable.”
Thankfully, I have a spare toothbrush and pull it out of the drawer. After adding toothpaste, I hand it to her.
“You’re going to let me do it myself?” she sasses.
“Unless you don’t think you can without hurting your hands.”
“I can, I used a fork at dinner, remember?”
“Yup.” I grab my toothbrush, too. When we’re done, I pick her up and take her into the bedroom, sitting her on the edge of the bed.
“Wait, isn’t there a guest room?”
“There is, but this is the only bed in the cabin.”
“I can sleep on the couch…”
“No.” It comes out much gruffer than I mean, but she has to understand that her welfare is going to come first. “I’ll take the couch. But if you need to use the bathroom or need anything, you will call me.”
“That’s ridiculous. I’m not going to wake you. I’m sure I can hobble to the bathroom, it’s not that far.”
“Emma, you heard the doc. You’ll call me ,and I’ll help you,” I repeat pushing more dominance into my tone.
“You’re being overbearing, you realize that, right?” She lifts a brow.
“Maybe. But it’s what’s going to happen.”
“The couch is too small for you. Half your body will hang off the edge.”
“Then I’ll sleep on the floor. I’ve spent plenty of time camping. It’s fine.”
Emma nibbles her bottom lip as she looks down at the bed, then grabs my hand.
“You can sleep here with me. It’s huge, you could fit like five people in this bed. I’ll stay on my side, and you can stay on yours. Then I don’t have to yell if I have to get up. I can just punch you.” She giggles.
“Not funny, Raindrop.”
“Just kidding. But seriously, we’re responsible adults. We can do this. Which side of the bed do you sleep on?”
“The middle usually, but I’ll sleep on this side, it’s closest to the door. You take the left side. But first, we need to get you out of that dirty T-shirt.”
“Nope. No way. I’m not sleeping naked. I don’t have anything with me.” She gives me an accusing look.
“I know, I’ll fix that tomorrow. For tonight, you can sleep in one of my T-shirts.” I head over to the dresser and grab a shirt. Her mouth opens into a big “O” when I hold it up for her to see. It’s a graphic of a bear in the woods, but the caption makes her giggle.
“Really? A guy like me is hard to find. I can’t believe you have that.”
“It was a Christmas gift from Aaron. He thought it was funny since I’m always going off on my own. I’ll leave you to get changed. I’m going to grab a couple of pain pills and some water. Be right back.”
In the kitchen, I fill a glass with water from a pitcher in the fridge and then grab the acetaminophen. Then I turn off the lights. When I walk into the bedroom, she’s got the covers pulled up to her chin. She looks so tiny in my enormous bed.
“Comfy?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Good. Here, take these. Hopefully, it’ll take the edge off so you can sleep well.”
She sits up and tucks the comforter under her arms, then takes the water and pills. Once she’s swallowed them, I set the glass on the bedside table.
“I’m going to take a quick shower. I won’t be long.”
I can feel her eyes on my back as I head into the bathroom. At my dresser, I grab a pair of sweats and a T-shirt before turning off the lamp. I usually sleep naked, but we’re not ready for that. Hopefully soon.
Knowing she would hear me is the only reason I don’t jack off in the shower.
My dick is so hard, it’s painful. I haven’t had a set of blue balls like this since before I went away to college.
I know I’m in for a long night as I slide into bed and inhale her scent. How does she smell like spring rain?
“Asher?”
I thought she was already asleep. “Yeah?”
“Thank you for taking care of me. Even if you scared me to death first. I know this is hard on you, and I want you to know I appreciate you.”
This girl. She doesn't realize how she affects me. Emma heals parts of me I believed were beyond repair. “You’re welcome, Raindrop. Just wait till tomorrow when the true groveling begins.”
“Groveling?”
“Isn’t that what you call it in those romance books you women read?”
Her giggle eases some of the tension that’s been churning in my stomach since I realized I’d made a huge mistake. Andrew constantly reminds me I need to slow down and think things through before letting my inner hothead loose. It never mattered to me—until now.
“Goodnight, Ashbear.”
“Sleep well, Emma.”