CHAPTER TEN
HEIDI
A rush of autumn air flits through the crack of the passenger’s side window. It’s a little too cool to roll it all the way down, but I don’t mind. The combination of heat blowing from the vents of Griffen’s truck and the brisk chill from outside creates the perfect cozy cocoon.
“Want to wander the trails behind Hearthstone, or are you ready to go home?” Griffen asks, his right hand covering mine on the console.
“A walk sounds nice, especially with the full moon tonight.”
He nods then turns onto another road that will lead us to his family’s lodge. The drive isn’t long, and soon we’re ambling down a worn dirt path that circles a pond reflecting the moon and trees.
“Do you think you’ll still work at the lodge if Rhys takes you on as an apprentice?” My question interrupts the comfortable symphony of leaves crackling beneath our boots and the rustling of critters settling in for the evening.
Broad shoulders rise and fall in nonchalance.
“Probably. Hearthstone will always be part of my family’s legacy.
Once I have enough experience, maybe I can contribute more than my handyman skills.
Ezra already sources whatever the lodge needs locally, so I don’t foresee him having an issue letting me provide a decorative light fixture or table set here and there. ”
“I haven’t met your brother, but I’m sure you’re right.”
“We need to rectify that, you know. All of my siblings want to meet you.”
“Really?” Nerves tangle in my belly. I’ve heard stories about the Caldwell brood from Greta, Gramps, and Griffen—not to mention, they’re sort of unavoidable in Suitor’s Crossing as one of the town’s founding families. They’re basically local royalty.
Which adds to the pressure of meeting Griffen’s family as his… girlfriend? Heart spark? We haven’t labeled the fragile bond between us yet.
“Yep… Technically, you’ve been invited to the past two Sunday family dinners, but selfishly, I’ve wanted to keep you to myself,” he says sheepishly.
My hand tightens around his where it swings by our hips.
“You’re aware of my hangups with sex and relationships, but they’re not.
All they know is that I’m a bit of a recluse when it comes to women. ”
“A bit?” I tease, leaning into his side.
A bark of self-deprecating laughter rumbles from his chest. “Okay, a lot. But what we’re doing, it’s new territory for me.
I’m trying to recalibrate my thinking… while also just being plain possessive.
” He shoots a sly grin my way. “My siblings can be overwhelming. They’ll want to hog all of your attention, and I’m not ready for that. ”
“I understand.” And I do, although a part of me wishes he felt differently. “Speaking of recalibrating your thinking…”
We’re far enough away from the lodge that the glow of lights surrounding it barely penetrates the woods around us, which has a wholly inappropriate idea taking root.
Twisting in front of Griffen, my hands land on his chest and deliberately push him until his back braces against the bark of a large tree, shadows sliding forward to hide us from prying eyes.
“What if we work on showing you that there’s nothing to worry about when it comes to your… ahem… package.” My gaze drops to the length resting against his thigh.
“Heidi…”
I push to my tiptoes to steal whatever he was going to say—denial or agreement.
I’ve never been the aggressor with men, but it’s empowering showing Griffen what could be. And he never takes long to adjust before snatching back control.
“Let me do this for you. For us,” I murmur, pressing one more hard kiss to his lips before lowering to my knees on the cold forest floor.
His fingers wind through my loose hair to tug at the back until my eyes meet his. In the dark, only glimmers of lust and need are visible, but it’s enough to tell me how he desires this just as much as me.
The sides of his unbuttoned flannel flap open as my nails scrape down his firm abdomen beneath a white tee. God, he’s so burly—a mountain man meant just for me.
I fumble with the belt buckle and top button of his jeans, too distracted by my good fortune, but finally, I have what I want: Griffen's hard cock free from obstruction.
His grip in my hair flexes as I stare in awe.
If I were an eighteen-year-old virgin, the sight might intimidate me—although I'll never understand why that Susie girl had to be so cruel to Griffen—but I'm not a young girl.
I'm a fucking woman.
And Griffen's huge dick is taunting me with its thick girth, unreal length—is that ten inches?—and the gleam of fluid spilling from its broad head.
I've never been particularly fond of blowjobs.
Haven't given many.
But with Griffen?
I want to erase those bad memories and replace them with this: my touch, my reaction to his definitely not freakish dick.
“You're magnificent.” The words are an exhalation of praise. A promise to appreciate him for everything he is.
“You don't have to say that. I know it's—Fuck! Heidi!”
Right, I’m recalibrating his thinking, which means no more insults from this man about his body.
Fucking Susie.
If I ever meet that woman, and let’s face it, it’s a small town, our running into each other is highly likely, I’ll be sure to give her a piece of my mind.
I’m only able to fit about half of his cock in my mouth at first, vowing internally to practice slowly easing him down my throat like a fucking pro, but until then, I wrap a hand around his base, mouth and palm working in tandem.
“Goddamn, you look so pretty on your knees for me, baby.”
That’s more like it.
Dirty talk, not self-slander.
Moaning, I increase my efforts, determined to please Griffen. Saliva slicks down my chin as my jaw begins to ache, and an echoing ache throbs between my thighs.
“Fuck… I can’t believe how well you’re taking me,” he rasps. “Your lips are stretched so wide. All I can imagine is how well your pussy will stretch for me. Maybe you can take me, huh, Heidi baby?”
Unable to nod in agreement, I suck hard at his tip instead, my tongue lapping at the gush of precum.
It's not long before he roars with satisfaction and jets of cum overflow my mouth. I try my damnedest to swallow most of his release, but the man’s a giant—giant dick, giant balls—there’s no way I can catch every last drop.
Once Griffen shudders a final time, I carefully let his cock slip free, tuck him back into his boxer briefs and jeans, then swipe the back of my hand over my mouth. Judging by the cool wetness on my chin, it doesn’t do much.
“Here, let me.” Griffen sheds his flannel and uses the hem to gently wipe away his cum and my spit.
I want to make a joke about him being a true gentleman, but I don’t.
Because it's the truth.
Kind and tender. He makes me feel cared for. Seen. Respected.
And no other man could be better.