Chapter Seventeen Lena
Chapter Seventeen
Lena
The end.
I finished that whole small-town romance series in a week, and that brings me to the end of the books that Willow lent me a couple of weeks ago.
I was shocked when I went downstairs with Gideon after I kicked the obstacle course’s ass that day and there were about ten books sitting on the kitchen counter, all on loan from Willow’s personal library.
I’ve even seen her in passing a couple of times, and she asked me if I was enjoying them.
Recognizing the kindness for the olive branch it is, I’m going to grip onto it with both hands, because we still don’t know how long I’m going to be here. It could be for months more, and although I love spending time with Gideon, I’m starting to get lonely for female companionship.
Gideon and Ryker had to drive into Missoula for supplies today, and my man warned me that they’ll be gone all day, so this is good timing to return these books and extend my own peace offering.
I hope with all my heart that she likes this.
After loading the books into a couple of bags, I pull on a coat and, with the gift tucked under my arm, make my way down the long driveway toward the farmhouse that Willow and Ryker live in.
I’ve been here for about a month, and I’ve grown to love this ranch.
It feels like home more than my apartment in DC ever did.
The mountains speak to my soul, and I can’t stop sketching them.
I’ve probably captured them twenty times or more, with different mediums, from different views, and I could do it hundreds of times without getting tired of it.
But it’s when I’m with Gideon that I truly feel like I’m home.
Our relationship has shifted. Or maybe grown is a better word for it. He’s still a hard-ass when it comes to training. Every single day, he pushes me to the limit. Just this morning, we were in the shooting range, and my hands are still sore.
“You can hit that target, Rebel. You’ve done it a hundred times before.”
I glare over at him through my clear eye-protection goggles. “Yeah, with a smaller gun and ten yards closer.”
He smirks and crosses his arms over his chest. “Hit that target, and you’ll get a reward.”
“What’s the reward?”
He steps close, his hand gliding over the small of my back, down my ass, and between my legs.
“I’ll eat this sexy pussy until you’re screaming and soaking my sheets. But you have to hit that target first. Otherwise, I won’t let you come.”
“You’re a jerk.”
“Never claimed differently. Come on, you’ve got this.” He slaps my ass and steps away, and I raise the gun, my arms singing with exhaustion, and pull the trigger.
The orgasms when we got home were worth it. I’m still tingling in all the right places.
The house comes into view, and I’m immediately nervous. Sure, Willow lent me these books at Gideon’s request, but that doesn’t mean that she wants to be my friend or even be friendly with me. I should have just stayed home and let Gideon return the books when he gets back.
Don’t be a coward. If she gets bitchy, you can leave. You’re not stuck here.
Unlike when I had to do press conferences for my mother and had to listen to all kinds of bullshit with no way to escape.
With a deep breath, I climb the steps to the front door and knock.
“Come in!”
Shit, did she really mean that?
“Really, come in! My hands are dirty.”
Okay then.
I push the door open, and to my surprise, Willow is smiling at me in welcome. There’s still hesitancy in her eyes, but she’s not openly scowling or hostile.
Improvements.
“Hey,” I say, feeling awkward. “I wanted to return these to you.”
“Oh, come on back. I’m making sourdough in the kitchen.” She wiggles her fingers, which are currently caked in what looks like white dough. “It’s a huge mess, I’m not good at it, and whoever claimed that it’s easy is a big, fat liar.”
I smirk as I follow her into the state-of-the-art kitchen and set the bags of books on stools by the island and start to unload them.
“What did you think of that Mafia series?” she asks, gesturing to the three books in my hand.
“I loved it. Book two was my favorite, but the whole series was great. I want to check out more by this author.”
“The second book was my favorite too. I enjoyed recording that one.”
I blink at her, and Willow grins.
“I’m an audiobook narrator. That’s what I do for a living. I’ll show you my booth upstairs sometime.”
“Holy shit, that’s very cool.”
“I’m not saving the world or anything.”
I snort out a laugh and shake my head. “Neither am I. But you’re telling stories, and that’s important.”
Willow’s cheeks flush pink, and she sighs, pausing in kneading the dough.
“The boys were right, you know. I do owe you an apology. I never should have come on as strong as I did when you got here, and I regret it so much, Lena. Especially because I don’t know anything about you, and my opinions were all based on assumptions.”
“You love him. I understand that.”
“He’s my brother. Maybe closer than that, because I remember what my life was like without those two men in it, so I appreciate them even more because of it. I was always worried about him when he was working with you. Every day. So when he got hurt, it sent me over the edge.”
Nodding, I lean on the counter and watch as Willow gets her dough into bread pans and then slips them into the oven before washing her hands.
“I’m glad that Gideon has a family that loves him so much. Not all of us do.”
She lifts a brow, but before she can ask questions, I pass her the wrapped package.
“As a thank-you for loaning me the books. And, maybe, a peace offering.”
Her lips twitch as she accepts the gift, and once she’s unwrapped it, Willow gasps and covers her mouth, tears instantly filling her eyes.
I don’t always sketch people, but I thought this would mean more to her than a piece of the mountains.
“My guys,” she whispers as her eyes roam over the framed page. “All three of them. How—”
“Gideon has a lot of photos in his office. I studied them. And of course I’ve met Ryker and Aiden a couple of times.”
Willow nods, and then she’s rounding the island and pulling me in for a big hug. “You’re so freaking talented, Lena.”
“Thanks.” Hugging her back, I feel tears of my own want to come.
It took me more than a week to finish the charcoal drawing of all three men. They’re walking down a dirt road, with the barn and mountains in the background, laughing with each other.
Honestly, I’m damn proud of that piece.
“I bet Gideon loved it.”
“He hasn’t seen it.” Her eyes jump to mine in surprise. “It’s for you. Now, it’s up to you to share it.”
“Thank you so much.” Willow sets it against the wall on the counter so she can stare at it. “I know exactly where I’ll hang it.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
She turns back to me and bites her lip. “Can we maybe just start over?”
“Hi, I’m Lena. It’s nice to meet you.”
Willow laughs, and her shoulders relax, and I think everything is going to be okay.
“How is it going with Gideon?” she asks me as she grabs a rag and some cleaner and starts to scrub the countertop.
He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in my life, and I don’t have any idea how I’m going to leave him.
“It’s going well.”
“He mentioned that he’s training you?”
“Yeah, I pretty much want to slash all his tires at least once a day, because holy shit, it’s a lot of work.”
She barks out a laugh, making me grin.
“I’ve heard he’s tough.”
“He’s a freaking gorgeous monster. But I’ve lost a few pounds, and I could probably hold my own against a really bad mugger.”
Willow smirks, and I nibble my lip.
“Okay,” I confess, “it feels good to know that if something bad went down, I’d be able to put up more of a fight. Because let me tell you, feeling helpless sucks ass.”
“I’m glad he’s training you. And the rest of it? I see the look he gets on his face when he talks about you. You’re not just roommates over there.”
I sigh, trying to decide how much I can tell her. Sure, she’s being super nice to me right now, but I’m not good at trusting.
“I get that it’s none of my business.” She holds her hands up and then pulls new ingredients out of the fridge. “You don’t have to tell me anything at all. I’m going to build a couple of lasagnas. Do you want to stay for dinner?”
“Um—”
“Gid will swing by here when he and Ry get back, so we can just inform him that he’s staying. He loves lasagna.”
“I mean, that’s a few hours away. I can go and come back—”
“Stay.” Willow sighs and reaches out to take my hand. “Please stay. I’d like to chat and get to know you better, and I promise not to be a bitch.”
“I, too, will do my best to keep my bitch on a leash.”
She snorts and walks back to the fridge. “We should drink wine while we do this.”
“Wine sounds great.”
Before long, we each have a glass of red, and I’m helping to assemble a lasagna.
“You’ve really never done this before?” she asks me.
“No. I wasn’t allowed in the kitchen at the White House. The chef would shoo me away.”
“Holy shit, you grew up in the White House,” she says, shaking her head. “I mean, sure, I knew that, but it seems like such an unreal thing.”
“Oh, it’s real.” I nod and sip my wine. “I wasn’t allowed to do much myself. No cooking. Someone cleaned my room.”
“Wow. Do you know how to clean?”
Laughing, I pull a noodle out of the pot. “Yes. I live alone now, and I don’t have help. I do it all myself. Except the cooking. Well, if it comes in a box, I can manage it. And I’m really good at using the microwave and calling for takeout. I know, that makes me sound spoiled as hell.”
“No, it doesn’t. A lot of people don’t cook.”
“Gideon’s excellent in the kitchen.”