Chapter 9
Annie
I never thought I could feel so happy. All these years watching other people find happiness.
I was starting to think there was something wrong with me.
But meeting Thirne Kingsley, the first man to make my heart race.
The first man to make me want to be the real me.
To feel brave enough to speak up for what I want. And I’m so damn glad I did speak up.
After a night of love making, a night full of moans of pleasure, exploration and laughter.
Thorne Kingsley is everything that I want.
He has opened up to me and we have talked and shared and teased.
I love his big booming laugh that shakes his whole body.
I love his smile and the look he gives me that tells me he is happy I’m here.
In the deep of the night, somewhere between the first time and the third time, he held me in his arms and asked me if I would stay with him.
“You have to be sure, Annie. I want you to be mine. But there might be someone better for you. Closer to your age. Someone more accepted in the town. Someone your friends and family would approve of.”
Thinking about it now, in the light of the morning, I find it a little funny that he is the one feeling insecure.
Mr. Grumpy Loner himself. The man is rich, handsome, and can make me scream out to the moon with pleasure.
And yet he is worried he might not be good enough for me. The man I have waited a lifetime for.
Right now we are cuddled up in the armchair looking out over the mountain.
It snowed overnight. Not enough for us to be snowed in, just enough for everything to be a beautiful blanket of white.
I am curled up on Thorne’s lap. We are dressed for the moment because we have been out to check on the animals.
Another sign of the softer side of my amazing mountain man.
Thorne’s hands are wandering over my body.
Gentle touches, a little squeeze here and there.
I love when his big hand is on my ass or my hip.
He has a way of sinking his fingers into my soft flesh that makes me feel sexy and beautiful.
His little kisses on my shoulder hints that we might be back in the bed soon.
But it is in that exact moment, as my pulse is starting to race and breathing is becoming harder, that there is a loud banging on the door.
With a frustrated curse, Thorne stands up, puts me on my feet with a look full of promise and trudges over to see who is doing all this banging on his front door. He opens it and in piles my best friend Erika, along with her partner Carter, Poppy and Pierce.
Erika looks like she is the one leading the charge.
“Annie! We have all been so worried. Are you okay?”
“Erika, I’m fine.”
“Well, when you were dragged out of the Valentine’s Day event by this one.” She tilts her head to indicate Thorne, who is looking uncomfortable with so many people in his space. “What were we to think? And then nobody has heard from you. Are you sure you’re okay?”
It wants my heart that I have so many friends to worry about me.
“Well, we can take you home with us. There is room in Carter’s truck.”
I look over to Thorne and I see the question in his expression. Everybody here in the cabin probably thinks I should go back to town. But it’s not what I want. And it’s time I spoke up for what I want.
“I’m staying here.” I announce loudly. And then to Erika and Poppy, “I’ll explain everything later. But believe me, I’m fine. Actually, I feel happier than I ever have before.”
Given that my two friends have recently found love with their own Kingsley men, and that I am grinning across the room at Thorne, they both understand what I’m telling them.
Erika gives me a quick hug. “Promise me you’ll tell me everything.” She whispers with a grin.
The men are looking around the place. “Nice little house you have here, cousin.”
Thorne nods and pulls me to his side. “I guess we’ll have to have you all up here for lunch sometime. But right now, you’ll excuse me if I want you all to leave now.”
With his arm around me, my happy grin, and Thorne holding the door open.
My friends got the hint and filed out the door.
They probably had lots to say about the door slamming behind them.
But I didn’t care. Thorne sweeps me up into his arms. Kissing me hard, he makes his way over to the bed and I let out a little giggle.
My mountain man had just invited his family and my friends to have lunch sometime.
Right here, in his secret hideaway. I’m looking forward to it.
But I’m looking forward to what his kisses are promising even more.