Page 4 of His Cabin Obsession

“Oh, you’re starting soon?”

“Yeah.” I turn slightly towards Aaron, shifting my weight on the cushions. I’m excited to talk about the topic, since it’s everything I’ve been thinking about lately. “I’m starting in September. I just wanted to have this week to myself to practice my writing. I haven’t decided on my major yet, but if it goes well, I think I might sign up for creative writing classes.”

“So, you’re a writer,” Aaron says with a smile. There’s a twinkle in his eyes, and I don’t know if he’s teasing me or if he’s genuinely interested to know. He gets up and crosses the short distance to the kitchen, where he pulls out a couple of glasses from the cupboard and a glass container of fresh juice from the fridge. I guess he knows his way around already. “What kind of writing do you do?”

“I don’t know yet,” I say, turning to watch him. He pours the two glasses with deft precision, then turns and brings them to the couch. “This week is kind of about finding out. I want to see where my inspiration takes me when I’m cut off from the distraction of the outside world.”

Aaron hands me a glass, then sits with his own. “I hope I won’t be too much of a distraction.”

He sips his juice blithely after his words, leaving me to wonder. I feel like he’s teasing me, but whatever smile might have followed that statement is hidden by the glass. “Me, too,” I say. “For you, I mean. I guess you were expecting to be alone too.”

Aaron shrugs easily, setting his glass down on the coffee table. I take a sip of my own. It’s tart and fresh, full of flavor. “Not for any special reason. Just taking a break.”

“What do you do?” I ask. He has an aura of power about him, and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that he ran his own company. Or maybe was even some kind of celebrity. I don’t know how I would have missed hearing about him before now if he is, but his looks would fit.

“Oh, this and that.” Aaron smiles and shakes his head. “Work’s boring. That’s why I wanted to come out here. To get away from the stress and the daily grind.”

Why doesn’t he want to talk about his job? It’s a bit odd, but I can’t help smiling and nodding as if I understand. I have to admit it to myself – Aaron is hot. Put together with the fact that he’s much older than I am, and I find myself wanting to impress him. I want to come across as an adult with a fully formed mind, not a silly young girl.

“Do you like being by yourself?” I ask instead. “This will be my first time experiencing it. I mean, living away from my family, at least, since you’re here now. Do you have family at home you needed a break from?”

I almost bite my tongue after saying it. I shouldn’t pry into his personal life. And I definitely, absolutely, shouldn’t be subtly trying to find out if he’s married. Of course, he’s married. Look at him. No man that hot would still be on the market.

“No family,” Aaron says lightly. “I live alone. This is more about not being constantly reachable. The phone calls, the emails, the messages – I just needed some time off from it all.”

I nod, my mouth going dry. So, he’s single? That’s interesting. So interesting that I’m having a hard time tearing my mind away from that fact.

But the rest of what he said is interesting, too. Calls and emails and messages – he must be busy. This cabin wasn’t cheap, either – I had to save for a long time to make it out here. Truth be told, the money I’m getting refunded is going to be immensely welcome for college. But what kind of person must he be – someone who’s busy and has a lot of money? A businessman? An agent, or someone who organizes things for other people? No, he has a natural aura of command. Look at how he just took charge earlier. He’s used to giving orders, not taking them.

“So,” Aaron says, taking another sip of his juice. “What kind of writing are you going to try for this week?”

“I’ve been thinking of doing some short stories,” I say. “I read that it’s a good way to practice the art.”

“What are your subjects?” Aaron presses. “Maybe you haven’t thought about it yet, but it’s a good time to start. Who or what do you want to write about?”

Actually, I do know the answer already. I didn’t really want to say it, because it’s a little embarrassing – especially to say it to someone as good looking and self-possessed as Aaron. But now that he’s asked me outright, I find the words spilling out of my mouth before I can hold them back. “Romances,” I blurt out. “I’d like to write about love, and romance.”

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