Chapter 6 - Eden
EDEN
He’s picked me up from my place every morning for the last four days.
Each morning, I open the door, and there he is holding a cup of coffee exactly how I like it and my favorite breakfast burrito from the diner in town.
The first morning, I shrugged it off as a coincidence.
But when he picked me up from work that night, he insisted on taking me to dinner, no matter how late it was.
Each morning and night started and ended the same way.
With him picking me up, coffee and breakfast in hand, to him taking me to places I prefer in town for dinner before walking me to my door.
Only to leave me night after night with a simple but seriously sweet kiss on the cheek.
Unfortunately, Owen ordered and installed a new battery and now, it’s fixed and running, so I called Jacob and told him not to worry about picking me up. I know deep down that it’s for the best. Jacob mentioned he has a job to do a couple of towns over and had to be there early.
The holiday frenzy is in full effect.
The townspeople are up and moving at all sorts of hours around town. From going to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony to the cookie and hot cocoa crawl, it seems everyone in Moonlit Pines is feeling the holiday spirit.
And I have to admit I am, too.
I usually do, but this year, it’s different. Maybe because I’m back home, but I have a feeling it’s the hope of something more coming to life with Jacob. Even Mother Nature has agreed to take part in the town’s festivities, painting our town white with snow since Monday night.
I stare out the salon windows and blink.
I can feel the magic in the air despite the darkness covering the snow falling outside.
Our delivery guy just dropped off the stuff my three sisters-in-law kindly donated.
Everything from sports equipment to makeup is piled up and ready to be gift wrapped.
Their generosity makes my heart feel full.
I turn to sweep up my station. I’ve stayed a little later hoping Jacob would stop by, but by the looks of it, I doubt he will.
He told me he would prove how interested he is in me, and he more than has. Not that he’s kissed me yet. Not on the lips. But he’s been so attentive and sweet. Always holding my hand, opening doors. He walks me to my door and holds me close, leaving me with a kiss on my cheek or forehead.
But nothing more.
He won’t even step foot into my place or make a move. When I asked about it, all he did was shake his head, clench that seriously sexy jaw of his, and said I wasn’t ready.
And it’s driving me a little loopy.
I’m ready.
I’m a grown-ass woman, not some na?ve, giggly schoolgirl. I know what will happen if he comes inside my place. Just thinking about it has me wiping sweat off my brow despite the slight chill inside the salon. The bell over the front door rings, making me realize I forgot to lock it.
“Hi! I’m sorry we’re—" The words die on my tongue at the sight of a big man with a bigger box in front of him. He sets the box down in front of him and reveals himself. Jacob.
“Hey.” He rubs his hands together. “Sorry I’m so late.” He shakes the snow off his dark hair, and I blink.
“I didn’t think you were coming in today,” I blurt, still surprised by the fact he’s here. He made it.
“Why?” He frowns, and I shrug.
“I don’t know. I mean, I got my car back.”
“So?” He takes his gloves off, and my eyes drop to the box at his feet.
“What’s this?” I lean the broom against a drawer and walk toward him.
“This, my beautiful angel, is stuff for your toy drive.”
“For the…” I reach the box and look down at it.
“Now, I don’t know what teenagers might like, but hopefully, the shit I found isn’t too babyish.
” He keeps talking, but all I can do is stare at the contents in the box.
Headphones, water bottles, hoodies. In all colors and sizes.
Along with a couple of tablets and e-readers.
Everything inside, plus the donations from my sisters-in-law, will be more than enough for the teenagers in our little mountain town.
My eyes start to burn, and my nose stings with unshed tears.
“Shit! Did I mess it up? Are they not the kinds of things—" My hand rises, the box still between us as I rest it at his heart. “I can get something else,” he offers, but I shake my head. “Angel?”
“This is perfect. You’re just…” I lick my lips. “Thank you.”
“Why are you crying?” he strains, sliding the box out of the way and wrapping his arms around me.
I love the feel of his body against mine.
I never thought someone could become addicted to someone else, but I realize just how wrong I was.
It’s more than possible. The thought of Jacob never holding me again breaks my heart.
“Because I’m happy.” I sniffle.
“Because you’re happy?” His eyes widen before his dark brows bunch, and his hazel gaze settles on mine. “You smile or laugh when you’re happy, baby girl. No crying, Jacob orders like his word is law. It makes my lips twitch upward. It’s cute he thinks it’s that easy.
“Thank you, Jacob,” I whisper, the appreciation clear in my voice. The pads of his thumbs wipe away the moisture at the ends of my eyes. “This is so much more than you needed to do.”
“If it’s something less for you to worry about, I’m happy to do it.” The words are honest and so damn beautiful because I know he means it. I can see a lifetime of him doing that. Of me doing that for him. Of us being a team. Of him being mine.
“Jacob,” I say when I want to call him something else. Something I don’t fully understand but know I will in time.
“Anything, baby girl,” he rasps, and the air around us changes. It’s warmer, sweeter, while it sparks and sparkles between us in our little happy bubble.
“There is one thing you could do for me,” I softly say. My heart starts to pick up speed. Can I really do it? Can I really be bold and ask for what I want?
“What’s that, baby girl?” he asks, like I knew he would. His hands drop from my face and move down my torso to rest at my waist. “Anything. All you have to do is ask.” I know he means it.
My hands slide up his chest, and I don’t miss the way his body reacts to my touch. He trembles, and his hands at my hips grip me with a little more pressure.
“Anything?” I breathe out, lifting myself up on the tips of my toes. His face dips lower. When I smile, I can feel his exhaled breath tickle my lips.
“Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
“Can I cut your hair?” He stills before his deep, rough laughter fills the salon. The sight of Jacob laughing wholeheartedly is beautiful. The sound is rich and fills my soul in more ways than I could ever try to explain. “Please, Daddy?” I find myself asking.
I wait for a beat to wince or regret saying the word, but remorse never comes. Not when it fits him so well. Not when whatever is going to happen between Jacob and me is inevitable.
We’re meant to be.
His laughter dies, and I watch as he processes what I just said. “Eden.” My name sounds scratchy, but I’ve never loved the sound of my name more. “No one else I would let touch my hair but baby girl,” he answers, and I blush.
I step back but grab his hand. Before leading him to my station, I head to the front door and lock it to make sure we’re not interrupted.