Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
Mia
Seriously?
My entire body flushes hot with the embarrassment of being so totally and completely rejected by Briggs. I know I’m young and inexperienced, but I didn’t think he’d say no. After all, that huge erection in his jeans was pretty good evidence that he’s attracted to me.
How mortifying.
Maybe my makeup is all melted and I look like a crazy mess after the hot bath. There has to be a reason for Briggs’s rejection.
I turn and face the mirror.
It’s just my regular self looking back at me. Only a little more flushed than usual. That’s either Briggs or the bath or both. But otherwise, I think I look pretty good.
There was that guy earlier who thought so…
I shiver at the thought of that guy from the street, but my inner voice has a point. If that guy thought I was attractive enough, surely there would be more men who will agree with him.
Briggs isn’t the only man in town.
Sure, he’s the one I want. But I have my pride, and he’d rejected me.
We aren’t far from town. I could walk back and be in that bar in less than thirty minutes.
My decision made, I take a few minutes to fix my hair, pulling it up in a messy knot this time, before pulling my mini skirt and crop top back on. I opt for my sneakers instead of the impractical heels, but I don’t think anybody will be looking at my feet.
When I’m dressed, I pop my head out of the bathroom and listen for Briggs. There’s a muffled thunking sound, but it sounds like it’s coming from outside, so I creep to the window in the bedroom and peer out into the yard.
Briggs has his shirt off and even from the distance, I can see every muscle in his back straining as he lifts the axe over his head and brings it down on the log.
It splits into four pieces before he picks up another log and, without missing a beat, does it again. And again.
I’m so mesmerized by him that it takes me a moment to realize that my clit is throbbing between my legs again. He is so insanely sexy, it should be illegal.
He rejected you.
The little voice in my head reminds me of what I’m there to do. Briggs is occupied. It’s the perfect time to make my escape, so I tear myself away from the window, and that’s exactly what I do.
Briggs
Thwack.
The impact of the axe striking the log reverberates through my entire body. The physical exertion feels good. I need it.
I grab another log, set it, and…strike.
The wood splits into four pieces around the chopping block.
I do it again.
And again.
I’m sweating now. I’ve long since stripped away my shirt.
Chopping wood is the only way I know to release the tension that’s building in my body. Exhausting myself physically is the only way I’ll be able to keep my hands off her.
But it doesn’t seem to matter how many logs I split—the tension isn’t releasing.
My stupid dick is still half-mast, throbbing to life every time my thoughts slip back to the sight of Mia naked and soapy, standing in my bathroom.
Dammit.
I can’t seem to force my mind to still.
Chopping wood is my go-to meditation. I’m always able to lose myself in the rhythm of swinging the axe.
Except this time.
I must have been out here over an hour by now. Long enough for Mia to finish her bath and get fully clothed. There is no way I can risk running into her in any state of undress. Not again.
It had taken every bit of self-control I had to keep myself from pressing my lips onto her sweet, pink plump mouth.
Will you kiss me? Will you be my first?
Those words. So innocent and sweet, but incredibly sinful all at the same time.
Fuck.
I’d like nothing more than to be her first.
Her first kiss. Her first orgasm. Her first everything.
And a whole lot more than that.
She hadn’t asked for more than a kiss. Not with her words, but I saw the need in her eyes. Mia is looking for a lot more than a first kiss. And I would be more than happy to give it all to her.
Except…I can’t.
It’s wrong. Even if Jamie never finds out, I don’t know how I’ll be able to live with myself, knowing I’ve deflowered his kid sister.
I set up another log and bring the axe down, harder this time because I know I’m lying to myself now. My best friend might be part of the decision process here, but he isn’t the real reason I need to keep my hands off Mia.
My entire body yearns for her in a way that spells trouble. If I give in, even a little bit, I know I’ll be ruined. I won’t want to let her go.
Ever.
And that isn’t an option.
Mia isn’t meant for a town like Rock Creek. She’s going to med school. No matter how strong our connection is, she’s never going to stay. And there’s no way I’m going to open myself up to that kind of loss.
I demolish another round of logs before I finally trust myself enough to return to the cabin.
I expect her to be in the living room or the kitchen, but the house is quiet. “Mia?” I call out, but when there’s no response or sound from the second floor, I take the stairs two at a time. A sinking feeling comes over me with every step I take.
I leave the bathroom for last, not wanting to risk it, but I know she’s gone before I open the door.
The wet towel is crumpled on the floor. Nothing but the lingering scent of her sweet perfume is left. She’s gone.
“Fuck.”
I slam my palm down on the counter and spin on my heel. I know exactly where she went. She’s gone back to town to get the kiss I wouldn’t give her.
Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.
Stupid, reckless girl.
I’m running down the stairs when my cell phone rings.
It’s Ma.
I answer the phone with a question: “Is she okay?”
“You knew she was here?”
“Not until ten seconds ago.” I grab my truck keys from the counter and head out the door, the phone still pressed to my ear. “Is she okay?”
Ma hesitates, and my blood pressure soars. “Well, she’s—”
“I’ll be right there.” I end the call, tuck the phone in my pocket, and jump in the truck.