Page 63 of Harvey

“Where are we going?”

Even her voice had a fantastic effect on him! He thought wryly.

“I stopped at the house first and had Antoine pack a basket.” He jerked his head to the backseat. “There is a cabin a few miles from here that belongs to the family. It’s crude but well-kept. Silas and I used to go there to fish. At this time of year, it’s cold, but the place is always stocked with firewood.”

He glanced at her briefly. “I also picked out something more appropriate for you to wear. It’s a lovely, completely private area with amazing views.”

“It’s just left empty?” she asked curiously, her heart trembling in awareness that he wanted to spend time alone with her.

“For the most part, yes. My parents gave it to me as a gift when I turned eighteen, and I haven’t decided what to do with it yet.

I haven’t been here in a while because of my busy schedule, but someone is paid to oversee the place and ensure wood chips are stacked up where they can be readily accessible.” Touching the right turn switch, he entered a dirt road that seemed to go on forever.

Sitting up, Kendra stared out the window and admired the lush vegetation.

“There are no neighbors.”

“Quite the way I like it.” The log cabin (Entirely made of logs!) loomed up in front of them, surrounded by tall willow trees blowing in the stiff breeze.

“I called ahead to let old man William know we are coming.” He brought the vehicle to a stop, climbed out, and came around to open her door.

“I meant to ask you- Oh!” Kendra sucked in a breath as the extreme temperature bit through the layers of clothing she had on.

“Let’s get you inside.” Retrieving the things on the backseat, he hurried ahead of her to open the door to a quaint, old-fashioned interior, where the blazing fire in the large hearth filled the place with warmth and coziness.

“The bedroom is through there,” he pointed to the door straight ahead. What did you want to ask?” he asked, taking the basket to the open-concept kitchen with the old gas range and battered-looking fridge. A dining table, roughly hewn, was by the large bay window that overlooked a lovely stream surrounded by thick oak trees.

“What happened to your jeep?”

“It had a flat tire.” Placing the basket on the counter, he filled the kettle with water and turned the fire on. “You might have noticed several vehicles in the garage at the manor. I use my Jeep for work mostly. Hungry?”

“Starving.” She told him with a laugh.

“Why don’t you change out of that dress? I will go and put the things in the bedroom. I must warn you, it’s nothing fancy, just a bed and a chest of drawers. The sheets are clean, though.”

“As long as we are together, I don’t mind.”

The simple statement had a profound effect on his already battered emotions, and for a minute, he just stood there staring at her. He wanted to kiss her, he realized with aching clarity. But knew that if he even touched her, everything else would have to wait.

Taking a deep breath, he turned toward the bedroom and opened the door.

“I am making tea.” He told her gruffly, stepping aside for her to enter. “It will be ready for you when you return.” Without another word, he closed the door and returned to the kitchen. The kettle had started boiling by that time.

Turning off the fire, he took two cups out and got the pouch from the cupboard, his mind straying to her. Her scent filled his nostrils, and the sight of her filled his mind. He wanted her like a thirsty man who had been denied water for months. His body alarmingly reacted to hers, and he could not control himself when he was with her.

He felt like a school kid with his first crush; growing up, he never had crushes. He had taken what women offered and never felt the need or desire to provide anything other than physical pleasure.

After the act was finished, he could always walk away without looking back. That was not the case with Kendra. He would walk away, but she was constantly on his mind. He dreamed of her and could not stop thinking about her when he was awake.

She was the first woman to dent the wall he had placed around his heart. His circle was small, and that was deliberate. He had associates and what could loosely be called friends with his club members, but it had only been his family until she came along.

Now, his world was filled with her. He had never met a woman like her before. Her capacity for love was incredible. Nothing he had ever said to her had made a difference, and she was not afraid to state her feelings. No matter how much he had rejected her, she would still return, which humbled him.

“It’s so warm in here.”

His head jerked up from the meal he was putting on the plate to see her framed inside the doorway. The sweater he had chosen for her was a white cashmere that clung to her body and cupped her breasts lovingly.

“If it’s too warm, I could douse the fire a little.’ He said gruffly.

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