Chapter 19
brANDON
The player just got played.
Who knew that five-foot-four, kindhearted nurse of a woman had it in her? She acts innocent, but Autumn Season is a tease who knows exactly what she’s doing. I never stood a chance.
I’m still not sure how I got tricked into showering alone, but she also managed to talk me into running errands with her. There was mention of a reward for good behavior, and I was seat-belted in before she reached the vehicle.
I have no idea what her errands include, but she’s cruising down this dirt road like she drives it every day.
Glancing at her casual grip on the steering wheel, I clench my stomach through the more treacherous parts, but she takes these mountain curves like an F1 driver.
I put my life in her hands, though I’m certain a Corolla is not built for off-roading.
“Hey.” I keep my tone casual so as not to offend. “So there’s a curve up ahead that can take you by surprise if you’re not—Oh shit.” Her arm flies out as if she can keep me from flying through the windshield from this wild driving. “Yeah, that was it.”
“You good?” she asks with the innocence of a fawn.
I tug on the seat belt to take up some slack. “Yep. I’m good.”
“This road is dangerous.”
I whip my head to look behind us. Was that a skid? “I didn’t think you noticed.”
Her gaze leaves the road to look at me. “What?”
“I said that’s why I drive a truck. It’s built for this kind of terrain.”
“Right.” Her fingers tighten around the steering wheel as she reaches down to adjust the air-conditioning. “A truck is better equipped for this kind of road.”
When the tires slam into another pothole, she has me questioning if my will is up to date. “It’s probably best to keep your eyes up. This road can throw a surprise when you least—”
“It’s kind of fun, right?”
“My mom would argue otherwise. She avoids driving it at night or after a storm if she can help it.”
“I can see why.” I can’t pick up on one iota of understanding regarding the dangers of this road when she’s driving like a bat out of hell. “Does it wash out after it rains?”
“Depends on the amount of rain.”
“What happens?”
“The tires will skid off the road and land you stranded on the side of the mountain. It’s a gradually inclined road so you won’t exactly be hanging off a cliff, but you can still damage your vehicle and be left waiting for help, or worse, hurt.”
The car slows for the first time as if she just discovered she has brakes. “That doesn’t sound fun.”
“It’s not. Ask me how I know.”
“How do you know?” A smile flashes on her face before she’s focused and concentrating on the road ahead. Finally. “It’s not my house or my mountain, but if I did live there, I’d pave it.”
“I plan to pave parts of it to give a reprieve and a safe place for visitors to stop, though one of the draws of an old dirt road is uninvited guests don’t call if they can’t reach your door.
” I set up a delivery box down at the entrance, and I don’t even get bothered by the postman anymore. It’s great.
“Is that why you chose to build there? Isolated from everyone?”
“I’m not isolated.” I chuckle, knowing I’m the luckiest man alive to live where I do.
“I built there for the view and privacy. I run the trails at dawn and stare up at the stars from my deck at night. I’m down on the water quite a bit with a small boat I bought a few years back, but I’ve always been a mountain guy. What about you?”
“I love the water, always have.” An ache of disappointment pings in my chest. “I always dreamed of having a place to call mine. Here you are, doing it all on your own.” Slowing down, she glances at me, and adds, “It’s been really nice being at your house. I can see the appeal.”
She’s not wrong. I’m one of the few who returned home after graduation.
And of those few, most live in their childhood homes.
Makes sense for whatever reason suits them—saving money, taking care of family, or they enjoy generational living.
I see my mom several times a week, but I don’t want to move back home.
It’s nice to have the independence to spread my wings under my roof.
“Where would you live if you could live anywhere?”
“Anywhere?” She grins, but it’s the hint of pink on her cheeks that captivates me. “Is it bad to say Mountain Laurel Cove?”
“No. I built my home here for a reason.”
“There’s something special about it. I just wish—” She slams on the brakes for a family of raccoons crossing in front of us. Exhaling, she says, “That’s so cute.”
With my hand pressed to the dash, I say, “If this road had been wet, you’d be on the side of it.”
“Worth it.” She’s still grinning when she begins driving again, reaching the main road.
She’s a nurse. I expect nothing less than a soft heart for people and creatures, even at her own expense.
“We really don’t live that far apart. Fifteen minutes on a good dirt road day.
” She takes a left while her breathing regulates as she drives on solid pavement.
“No, not that far.” She and her family live just a few miles up the road.
The mountain is across the street, but it’s a nice backdrop to the town and the properties along the waterfront when out on the boat.
I’ve also been there, and to the house next door, many times over the past few years.
It’s good to see Daniel when he’s in town, to kick back with a friend and have some laughs. “What’s the first stop?”
“My house.”
I like a plan and anything that gets me closer to that reward she mentioned.
She runs her hand in front of her chest. My gaze follows the movement as she says, “I’m out of clothes, for one.
” My college shirt doesn’t fit her in the slightest, but the seat belt pins it to her chest, highlighting her great tits.
I got a solid preview in the shower yesterday and haven’t been able to stop thinking about them, or her ass, since.
It’s been hard not to stare at her. The boxer shorts can’t be seen at all.
But she hasn’t complained once. Every indicator suggests she’s planning to return to the house with me after grabbing a fresh set of clothes, but I’ve tiptoed around the reason she’s brought me with her.
It’s going to suck if she drops me off later and waves goodbye, leaving me wrong about her intentions.
“And for two?”
She giggles. I cock an eyebrow, dropping my head forward. Just when I think I understand how she operates, she goes and throws a curveball, sending me back to the dugout to start all over again.
“You’ve had a shower. I haven’t. And I really need one.”
“You could have taken one at my house.”
A temperate grin crept into her features. “Thanks. I’ll take you up on that next time.” Turning onto the road, she rolls down both of our windows to let the wind blow through the car. “The water is so blue today.”
The wind whips her hair away from her neck, revealing a small freckle. My eyes focus in on that gem, imagining pressing my lips against the small mark. My gaze trails to another and then one more as if the god of stars himself positioned the constellation.
When she glances over at me, she says, “It’s a bit rough out there, though.”
My chest tightens as we near the pink Victorian that everyone in town knows as the Season house. She delivered her game plan, but as we approach the house, I still can’t help but wonder why I’m here. “Yeah, rough.”
She parks next to another vehicle under the trees and grabs her bag from the back seat while I come around. “Whoa!” She leans back when she sees me. “I almost didn’t recognize you with a shirt on.”
I restrain my grin the best I can. “I can take it off if you prefer?”
With a laugh, she shuts the car door and flicks the sleeve of my shirt. “It’s probably best if you leave it on around here. Don’t want to send the women into a frenzy.”
“Are you worried ‘the women’ will want me?”
“Might be. What if I am?”
Following her, I say, “I didn’t take you for the jealous type, Nurse Season.”
“I’ve never had a reason.” She turns around, latching her eyes onto mine and walking backward. “Are you going to change that?”
From the time I met her to now, I couldn’t say this is the same woman. From her laughter to the brightness of her eyes, she’s changed since she left the hospital. And I want to see more of this side of the beautiful woman. “Is that the type of guy you’re into?”
“No. Lately, I’m thinking I might be into the firefighting type who risk their life to save dogs from burning buildings.”
“Heads-up then,” I say. “Those types are few and far between.”
She turns back around and keeps walking toward the house. “That’s okay. I only need one.”
There’s no holding back my smile as I catch up with her. I take the bag from her and give her a little wink in return. “I just might know a guy, then.”
“Make sure to introduce us.”
“I will. Don’t you or those pretty little freckles worry. But I may need to spend a little extra time with you so I can learn exactly what you like.”
We reach the steps to her back porch. She only takes two before turning back with her hand on the white railing. “I thought you didn’t like visitors?”
With me still standing on the ground, I’m eye-level with the beauty. Leaning forward, I whisper, “Who said you would only be visiting?”
The corners of her eyes soften as she stares into mine. Her smile becomes shier, and a sweet candy color tints her cheeks. “You really say the sweetest things. Someone will be very lucky to have you as theirs one day.”