Chapter 6
six
Journee
He’s having thoughts about me. I wonder what they are.
Now is not the time to be shy. Now is the time to be bold and take what I want, whether it’s for one day or for a lifetime.
“True, you say I’m brave, but do you think I’m bold?”
“I think you can be whatever you want to be.” His smile gives me the courage to be bold.
“Have you ever heard that saying, Fortune favors the bold?”
“Can’t say that I ever have.”
“It means that boldness is the beginning of action, but fortune controls how it ends.” I pause to take a deep breath.
“I want to be bold with you, True. I want to be bold and take control of my future. I want you to make love to me—not for the deed to your cabin—but because I want you to be my first. I want to take charge of my life and decide how it plays out. Right now, I choose you.”
“You don’t know what you're asking.” He drops his hand from under my chin and begins to stand.
Out of desperation, I grab his hand and press it to my chest, holding it against my heart.
“I know my heart has been racing since I first woke up to you standing over me. I know, by your own admission, that you feel the same way. I know you’re a good man who lets his neighbors pay whatever they can for wood and leaves your door open to strangers.
But most importantly, you make me feel safe.
Like you’re Papa Bear, but instead of being Goldilocks, I want to be Mama Bear. ”
I watch as every emotion runs through his eyes, from fear to denial, to sadness, before finally landing on hope.
“Are you sure about this, Journee?” He covers my hand with his larger one, pressing it against my chest, just like I’m still doing with his other hand.
Without hesitation, I lean forward until our lips are almost touching and whisper, “I’m sure.”
“Alright, but if we do this, it’s not for right now. It’s forever. You’re not the only one who can be bold.”
“Be bold with me,” I say against his lips.
With a growl, he crashes his lips against mine, stealing my breath. For a first kiss, it’s amazing, even though I don’t have anything to compare it to.
“Sorry, was I too rough?” True jerks his head back breaking the kiss. It’s my first kiss—I’ve never kissed anyone before or done anything else.” The tips of his ears turn red as my virgin mountain man is embarrassed by his confession.
“It was perfect.” I wrap my arms around his neck, pull him close, and deepen the kiss—only coming up for air when I’m ready to move forward. “Take me to bed, Pappa Bear.”
With a low growl that sounds exactly like a bear, True picks me up in his arms bridal style and carries me to his bedroom showing me how bold he can be.