Chapter 2
LEAH
One thing about life on the road is the constant surprises. Like suddenly seeing the hottest guy in the world stripped down to his underwear. That was bizarre.
His arms were muscular, I noticed that when I was checking him out. But his sculpted thighs? They made my heart jump right up into my throat. He’s sturdy as well as strong. Like a hundred-year oak.
I’m trying not to eavesdrop, but I can't help but hear the rundown of his business, which sounds fascinating. I'm no expert in encryption or internet security, but Kai clearly is.
At first glance, I thought he was a typical mountain man with a pickup. Yet he runs a tech security company with his four brothers, who he mentions during the call.
I think it's sweet that his family is running a tech startup right here on the mountain.
That's the kind of do-it-yourself attitude I've always loved.
And my goodness, his smile! It lights up his eyes, turning him from simply handsome to wildly sexy.
I've seen attractive men before, but this is different.
I've never felt a legit electrical spark just from a man smiling at me.
I hear him saying his goodbyes, then he calls out, "I'm done, Leah. Thank you."
I come back out to see him carefully putting back my books he used as a laptop stand.
His eyes are twinkling as he flashes me another grin. "I hope you heard most of that. That way I don't have to explain my business to you twice. You know…over dinner."
I blink. "Dinner?"
I'm suddenly extremely aware that we’re very close together.
Kai stands up carefully in the tight space, stooping slightly and maneuvering so he's directly in front of me.
Wow – he must be at least six foot two. And even though I saw his thick, muscular shoulders while he was half naked outside, they seem even broader when filling out a sharply cut suit.
"Yes. I was hoping I could take you out to dinner as a thank you for the emergency shelter and backdrop."
Thunder rumbles in the distance as the storm passes over us. The rain is letting up.
"I should find a place to park for the night before I think about dinner. Are there any trailer parks or campgrounds nearby?"
He shakes his head, then runs a hand through his thick dark hair. “No, but I know a parking lot that's big enough. They have an outdoor oven for summer festivals – that would have the correct power hookup you need for this, right?"
I'm surprised he’d think of that. It makes me feel very…cared for. It also makes him even more endearing.
"Yeah…an outdoor oven is probably a thirty amp…and if it doesn’t work, I can run on the battery for the night. I don't take a lot of power."
"So, how about it – organize a parking spot for the night, then have the best pizza on the mountain in the company of a man who would like to get to know you better. Sounds good?"
Normally, I think things through carefully before acting. I ponder. But this guy… There's something special. I feel drawn to him.
I'm already nodding. "Sure. What's the address?"
"May I please get your number?"
I give it to him and he forwards the info. "As soon as the rain passes, I have to run into the forest to check one of our monitoring stations. I can meet you at Jim's Pizza in an hour. Your parking spot is right behind it. Sounds okay?"
"Sure." I look him up and down doubtfully. “You're not going to run through the wet underbrush in a suit, are you?”
Kai looks down at himself and laughs. "Oh. Right.”
"You can grab your stuff and change in my bedroom, if you like."
His smile hits me like a beam of sunshine. "You are really saving me today, Leah. Like a guardian angel with her own motorhome."
The rain is barely a drizzle now, and he quickly dashes to his truck to grab his other clothes. While he's changing in the back, I force myself to stay as far away as possible: the door doesn't quite close with him in there.
He's just so huge. The powerful frame of a bodybuilder, but with this incredibly chill energy. He’s exactly the kind of guy I've thought about dating someday…far, far in the future, once I’ve seen the world and know what kind of life I want.
But since the situation is presenting itself right now…
? Might as well make the most of it. It’s only one meal, right? No harm in admiring the view.
He comes back out in a t-shirt and jeans, and I try not to notice how perfectly the denim hugs his fabulous ass as he squeezes by me to the door.
"I can't thank you enough, Leah. But I'll try to start by introducing you to some truly amazing pizza."
"Thank you." I hesitate. “I haven't shared a meal with anyone in weeks, so the company will be really nice. "
A flicker runs through his eyes, dimming his smile a bit. Then he nods to himself, his thumbs flying across the screen. My phone lights up from where it sits on the passenger seat.
"There. I’ve sent you the address. When you arrive, you’ll see the place to park in the back. See you there in an hour-ish?"
"Sure. Thanks."
He hesitates for a moment, then sets his stuff back down on the table. "Leah?" The way he says my name gives me chills. His deep, rich voice is gentle, as if he's savoring the word.
"Yeah?"
"May I hug you?"
Before I can even blink in surprise, Kai steps back, shaking his head. “I’m so sorry, Leah. That was inappropriate. I’m in your home on a back road in the woods. It just popped out. It’s okay, I’ll leave.”
He’s halfway out the door by the time I sputter, “Wait.”
I've seen his last name on businesses all over, not to mention the mountain itself. He can’t be some sleaze. Plus—
Oh, who am I kidding. I'm not listening to logic right now. Just the deep, solid thumping of my heart pounding in my chest.
I want his arms around me. Want…bordering on need. And I’m out on the road to experience new things, aren’t I?
"Sure."
He approaches me slowly, giving me every opportunity to change my mind. He’s careful. It awakens an unknown craving deep inside me.
His thick tree trunk arms wrap around me gently, rocking me slightly while his palm runs firmly up and down my back. I grip the back of his neck, and his head dips to press our cheeks together.
"Simply beautiful," he murmurs in my ear. "Warm and soft. I like your coziness, Leah." I'm not sure how he made that word sound sexy, but he did.
Kai releases me, but clings to my fingers for another few seconds before grabbing his stuff and flashing me another dazzling grin on his way out of the RV.
The rain has stopped by now. He places everything in the truck, then waves goodbye before heading into the forest. There's no hint of a trail, yet Kai clearly knows where he's going.
I wind my window shut and secure everything again, then follow the directions to Old Hemlock Valley.
When I reach Jim's Pizza, there's a young man standing out front waiting to wave me around the side of the building to the back. It’s a great spot – well out of the way of the employee parking, but right next to a power outlet.
There are fallen leaves everywhere else, yet this area looks freshly swept.
There are even two plastic lawn chairs set out in front of a nearby tree.
The young man introduces himself as Jerry, and makes sure that the connectors work to plug in the RV before disappearing into the back of the restaurant with a friendly wave.
I sink down onto my dining table bench with my head spinning. I should be thinking about how fast I can fix myself up for a date. How I should do my hair. If I should look a little different when I meet Kai.
Instead, all I can think about is him calling ahead to have people prepare a space for me for the night. I can't think of the last time I felt so cared for and safe.
It's making me wonder if this dinner between two strangers is just a meal, or if it could have the potential to be an actual date that leads to something more.
I mean… I've already seen almost all of him when he was standing by the road in his underpants. With a vision like circling in my mind, all I can think about is watching him strip down again, so I can admire him further.
That thought is extremely unlike me. But I’m on this road trip to discover who I am and what I want.
And I definitely want Kai…even if it’s just for a night or two.