Chapter 10
LEAH
The flight home feels strange. Like the prickle in the air before a big storm. Or maybe the hum of the helicopter is lulling me into a place where I'm overthinking everything.
Last night was beyond magical. Kai and I truly bonded. It wasn’t just the sex…which was both smoking hot and more emotional than I expected it would be. Sleeping in his arms all night increased this intense closeness I’m feeling to him, too. Wild.
Today we packed as much of New York City as we could into a five-hour window.
We saw more than the average person, since Kai had a driver, plus an assistant who was booking reservations anywhere we wanted to go.
There were no lines, no waiting. We got to go to the private studio of an incredible artist, Palmerston Eals, simply because Kai had purchased one of his paintings and was thinking about getting more.
I love that he wants touches of New York elegance in his otherwise mountain man home.
A gasp suddenly escapes my lips as the helicopter leans to one side – if it weren't for the seatbelt, I’d slide right into Kai's lap. Not that I’d mind, of course.
"Wind shear," he says through the headset. Then he points out my window. "That’s Cedarvale over there. Beautiful town. I'll show you sometime."
I nod, then feel a storm of guilt brewing in my guts. Am I leading Kai on? I've always sworn to myself that I wouldn't stay stuck in one place. And he is most definitely planted on the mountain.
This gorgeous man clearly thinks that we are already a couple. He doesn’t really expect me to just move in, and that's that? We just met! It's maybe every other girl's dream. It's just not one I’ve ever had for myself.
My brain is tangled up in a web of questions if I’m too selfish, too rigid, or if it’s wrong to put myself first. But I shove those thoughts aside and smile at him. "It’s a beautiful town."
"Not as beautiful as you." Kai flashes me that special grin that always makes my stomach flutter. "I'd say a lot more, but Kevin is listening."
The pilot tosses a glance back over his shoulder, smirking. "Don’t worry, I’m politely ignoring you guys.” His voice drops as he mutters, “I don’t want to keel over from cuteness overload.”
Kevin lands the helicopter as lightly as a feather. Kai helps me out, his hands lingering at my waist as he kisses the top of my hair. Then he pulls out our luggage, and heads for his truck.
"Do you want to go back to your RV, or just come to my place?"
It's difficult to swallow. Finally, I awkwardly clear my throat, my mind spinning around what to say.
Does Kai expect me to just start staying at his place all the time now that we've slept together? It's not about the sex – which, honestly, I’m looking forward to exploring a lot more. It's a personal space issue. How much time do most couples spend together right at the beginning?
"You're probably tired, baby." He helps me into the truck, then gets in himself and squeezes my hand gently. "I was thinking you might sleep better in a huge soft king-size bed with me. But it's not your bed, or your space. I will totally understand if you want to take a breather from me."
"I mean…" I'm not sure how to say it politely. "I'm used to spending a lot of time alone, that's all."
He seems completely unfazed. "No problem, gorgeous." We chat about our amazing trip as he drives me home, and before I know it I'm in front of my RV.
"Do you have a good book on the go?" he asks. "Something mellow to help you unwind after running all over the place?"
“Actually, I usually spend some time before bed checking out weather forecasts."
He grins. "A budding meteorologist?"
"I like to figure out where the weather should be consistently good for the next little bit. No sense driving somewhere right before it rains for a week, you know? Also, there are so many seasonal festivals all over the place. It's fun to make dozens of plans, then start making a short list."
Kai's jaw tightens, and a cloud drifts through his eyes that I've never seen before.
Oh no. Have I disappointed him? I mean, he can't just expect me to move in with him right away. Or…crap…does he?
He holds me tightly, stroking my hair, caressing my hip. "I really appreciate you coming along with me, baby," he murmurs. "I had a great time and hope you did too."
"I did. Seriously." I tip up my chin, catching his lips in a quick kiss. "Thank you for my first trip to New York City. And my first…" I can feel my cheeks burning. "All kinds of amazing things."
His eyes burn into mine for a moment, then he kisses me gently.
This is not a “goodbye for the night” kind of kiss.
Between his heat and the sensual way he strokes my back, Kai is obviously trying to tell me something…
I'm just not sure what. He wants me – that part is clear.
Yet there's so much more. I just can't untangle it right now.
"Text me anytime," he murmurs, finally pulling away.
I unlock the door and he sets my overnight bag inside, then takes my hand to help me up. I stoop down and give him a quick kiss, then he reaches up to tangle his thick fingers in my hair, molding my lips to his with a fiery spark of passion that almost makes me want to invite him in.
No. He’s too big for this vehicle. There’s no way he’d ever fit in my bed. Plus, I really do need space to process everything.
“Sorry,” he whispers, pulling away and kissing the tip of my nose as he smiles sheepishly. “Almost got carried away again. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Okay.”
He walks away as if he knows I’m checking out his ass in those well-worn jeans.
I go inside and wash my face, change into pajamas, and curl up in bed with my laptop.
Normally my bedtime ritual involves finding the cool festivals and town events within a ten-hour drive, to start planning where I'll go next. Tonight I check out the Old Hemlock Valley website, since I know I’ll be staying a bit longer.
Oh. Wow.
For twenty minutes, I fall down the rabbit hole that is this beautiful town. I read how all the shops support each other. How the whole town pitches in if anyone needs help.
There are direct emergency contacts for almost everything – not just names, but their personal phone numbers.
A photo of the lone police officer, James Ashworth, who I’ve seen strolling around town, saying hello to everyone.
In fact, I’m pretty sure it was him I spotted stealing a few of someone’s fries out on the patio of Jim’s Pizza the other night.
I keep reading. Apparently there was a power outage a few weeks ago that endangered people in a nearby area, but a few of the Wolfe brothers jumped in to save the day together with some local mechanics…
got them all water and food, and checked if they needed batteries or anything.
There’s a photo of Kai with several huge guys: two of them definitely look like they’re his brothers.
There's a spring sidewalk sale. An annual pie festival. A lighthearted rivalry between the restaurants in Old Hemlock Valley, West Stoneburg, and Cedarvale. Plus references to the Wolfes all over the place. The extended family must be huge.
It would be heartless to tear Kai away from all these town traditions. Not that he’d necessarily want to leave his life and travel with me, but I’m sure that he couldn't even if he did want to.
Which means our relationship has a time limit…unless I suddenly change all my plans and goals for someone I’ve just met.
I don't know what to think about that.
I didn't anticipate that I'd be looking to settle down for several years, but for Kai…and the way he makes me feel… I can't help but let the thought float through my mind as I fall into a tangled sleep, wishing his thick arms were around me.