Chapter Eighteen
Eighteen
Alistair
Being romantic is an effortless part of my relationship.
“So, what do you think, sweetheart? Was the plane ride worth it?” I asked as my truck climbed up the mountain.
After a fairly uneventful flight and a quick stop at a drive-through, we were finally on our way to my place.
The sun was just starting to set, coloring the sky above the mountains a blush pink that faded to the deep purple of night.
Pam stared out the window, her gaze fixed on the setting sun. “Of course it was. It’s beautiful. And I mean, it was already worth it because I get to see you.”
She leaned her head against my shoulder and, gods, did I wish that I could hold her hand.
Unfortunately, both of mine were preoccupied with the steering wheel.
One sharp turn and a patch of black ice could send a vehicle toppling down the mountain.
I’d have plenty of time to touch her once we got back to my place; it just wasn’t worth the risk.
Remi wailed and scratched at the mesh of his carrier. I felt bad for the poor guy. I was positive he had to pee.
“Don’t worry, buddy,” I told him. “We’re almost there.”
I turned down the side road leading to my house, and Pam gasped when it came into view.
“Alistair Reid! How do you live here? It’s like something out of a billionaire romance.”
I chuckled. “Well, I’m certainly not a billionaire, but I’m glad you like it.”
We passed my RV and pulled into the garage. I cut the engine and walked around to open Pam’s door for her.
“Thank you.” She passed me Remi’s carrier, and with my free hand, I helped her down from the truck.
The moment her feet hit the floor, her eyes were scanning the garage walls. I’d covered them in stickers from my travels, using them as an easy-to-carry memento.
“Have you been to all these places?” she asked in awe.
“Yep. Mostly national parks here in the US, but a few are from international trips.”
“You’ve been to so many places, and this was my first time ever flying.” Her back was turned, so I couldn’t see her expression, but the way her voice wavered revealed exactly how she felt.
“Hey,” I said, coming up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist. “Now that you’ve done it, you can go anywhere you want. I’ve been to a lot of places, but I haven’t been there with you.” I spun her around to face me and stared into those bright green eyes. “I am so happy you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
“Come on, let’s get Remi settled, and I’ll grab your luggage in a bit. I want to show you something.”
With Remi’s carrier strap slung over my shoulder, I grabbed her hand and led her into the house. The moment we stepped inside, Pam gasped again.
“Alistair! This is beautiful.” She ran across the living room to the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that took up an entire wall.
They looked out over the valley, but now that the sun had set, all you could see was a sea of stars. It was the type of view you could only get up here in the mountains. There was no light pollution, no noise from traffic. Just the beauty of nature.
“I can’t wait for you to see it in the daylight. Come on, this way.”
She joined me, and I led her down the hall to the spare bedroom. A cat tree sat near the window, with a food and water bowl on the floor next to it. Tucked inside the closet was a litter box, and every cat toy known to man was spread out on the bed.
“You did all of this?” she asked, her mouth hanging open.
“I, uh, I wanted to make sure Remi was comfortable here,” I said shyly.
Shit.
Maybe I’d gone a little overboard.
Remi scratched at the carrier again, reminding us that he was still confined, and I set him down on the floor. Pam unzipped the top, and with zero apprehension, the wrinkly little guy jumped out.
“We’re here, buddy,” she cooed, and ran her hand over the portion of his back that wasn’t covered by his sweater.
His sweater.
I glanced at Remi and then at Pam.
“Are you wearing matching sweaters?” I asked with a grin.
“Yes,” she huffed under her breath and put her hands on her hips. “I have to do something with my extra yarn.”
Fuck.
She was the most adorable woman I’d ever met.
“You know, I’d like a matching sweater.”
It felt like she and Remi were part of some elite club. One that I wanted to be in.
She stepped closer and grabbed both sides of the scarf that was still draped over my neck. “I already gave you my favorite scarf, and now you’re asking for a sweater.”
“Mm-hmm.” I nodded and pressed my forehead against hers.
“Considering you flew out to get me, bought me a first-class ticket, listened to a spicy audiobook with me, and did all this for Remi, I think I can do that.”
“You know what they say: Go big or go home.”
“Well, you’ve certainly got the big part down.”
Before I could formulate a response, she tugged on the scarf and pulled my lips to hers. Her body molded into mine, the two of us fitting together like a puzzle piece, and fuck if I didn’t feel like she was exactly what my life had been missing.
My hands slid down her sides, over the small of her back, and down to her ass.
Cupping her cheeks, I ground my cock against her body, wishing there wasn’t any clothing separating us. Pam whined, all soft and sweet and needy, and just when I thought about lifting her onto the bed and taking her right then and there, a scratching sound came from the closet.
Pam started giggling and pulled away from me.
“Come on, Remi, my man. Such a cockblock,” I said with a scowl, which made Pam snort.
That snort.
I’d heard it so many times during phone calls and video chats over the past month, but hearing it in person made me smile so wide, my cheeks hurt.
“Why don’t we give him some privacy and go get your bags? I’ll give you a little tour.”
“Okay.”
I led the way back to the garage and hauled both of her suitcases out of the truck bed. When I grabbed both and started to carry them into the house, Pam stopped me.
“Let me carry one.”
I shook my head. “You’re my girlfriend, and you’re my guest. Besides, with the high altitude, it might be a little tough for you to carry them all the way upstairs…”
She cocked her head. “The altitude?”
“The oxygen pressure is lower up here. It makes you feel a little more out of breath than usual, but the good news is it should go away in a few days.”
“Huh. I thought that was just something that affected the baking instructions for brownies.”
“No,” I said and shook my head. “It isn’t something that only pertains to the cooking times of brownies, but it might throw a wrench in my plan of having you bake something for me while you’re here.”
She released her grip and let me carry the suitcases for her, which I considered a small victory.
“With the help of the internet, I’m sure I can still whip something up for you.”
“Is that a promise?” I asked.
She shrugged, obviously biting back a smile.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
We started up the stairs, and after a few moments, I could hear her panting behind me.
“You all right back there?” I asked from over my shoulder.
“You weren’t kidding. This is intense. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do my morning yoga.”
I grinned.
So she did plan to continue her practice while she was here.
I couldn’t wait to surprise her.
“I think you’ll be okay as long as you take deep breaths and don’t do any strenuous poses.”
“I’m not really doing any strenuous poses yet, but my flexibility and mentality have gotten a lot better.”
“I’ve noticed the shift in your mentality, but I might need a demonstration of your flexibility.” I turned and gave her a corny wink, which made her giggle.
“Suddenly, the altitude is bothering me a lot less.”
This fucking woman. I was glad she wanted it just as much as I did.
“Here we are,” I said when we finally reached my bedroom.
It was open and spacious, painted a bright white with dark exposed wood beams running across the ceiling.
A king-size bed sat against a far wall, looking out over the valley through another set of floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
I was generally pretty tidy, but I’d had my housekeeper come for a deep clean while I was en route to pick up Pam.
When you’re a hairy minotaur, the shower can get gross pretty quick.
Pam ran her fingers over the plush blanket at the foot of the bed, one that Chai had given me for Christmas a few years ago. “This is really how it is all the time? You didn’t have an interior designer come in and spruce up the place once I said I would visit?”
“You’re looking at the interior designer. This is all me, babe.”
“What is this?” She grabbed a book off my nightstand, flipping it over to read the blurb.
Shit. I could have sworn I put that away…
“It’s an omegaverse why-choose romance. Ever read one of those?”
She put the book down and wrinkled her nose. “Nope. Wolven son-in-law. I just can’t bring myself to do it. The same goes for tentacles.”
I sighed and shook my head. “Well, that one is ruined for me now.”
It wasn’t.
It was too good not to finish it.
“Let me show you the bathroom,” I said, steering the conversation away from knotting. I set the suitcases down and gestured for her to follow me.
The en suite had the same open feel, with clean lines and dark tile contrasting the white walls. A double vanity took up most of the back wall, with a shower and soaking tub on one side and a steam room on the other.
“You have a sauna. In your house.”
I shrugged. “It’s actually a steam room, and it’s nice after you come in from the cold.”
“Can we get in?” she asked, peering through the glass.
I swiped my tongue over my lips and smirked. I was more than happy to see her naked and sweaty, and it would probably help with the aches and pains she was feeling from the plane ride.
“All right,” I said, and undid my belt, then pushed my pants down over my legs.
“Well, that was easier than I thought it would be,” Pam said with a laugh.
I tapped a few buttons to start the steam room, setting it to a temperature that wouldn’t be stifling because, with the two of us in there, I was certain it would get hot enough.