Page 60 of When You Saved Me

I brushed the hair from her face and placed a kiss on each one of her freckled cheeks. “I think I can do that.”

Her body close to mine, she moved her hands from my front pockets to the back ones. I fucking loved it when she claimed my body with such ease. Like it was second nature for her.

“And if you’re really nice, you might even let me paint it.”

I inhaled deeply and tilted my head back and forth like I was thinking about it. Even though the thought of her touching one of my pieces with her gift was a fucking honor.

“I think we might be able to arrange a deal.”

Her rosy lips spread wide, showing her bright white teeth. It stole the breath from my lungs.

“Good.” She gave me a curt nod. “Because I think you and I could make something really special together.”

Me too, Sunshine, was what I wanted to say and almost did. But the words got caught in my throat.

Charlie spun out of my arms and spent the next few hours asking me endless questions about my work and how I grew in the craft. I didn’t stop smiling the entire time.

Chapter 21

Charlie

My fingers hurt from how much painting I’d done today. With Deacon’s admission that he didn’t want things between us to end, even once the snow melted and we had to go back to the real world, I’d been inspired to create more than I ever had before.

“Let me help you with that,” Deacon offered, coming up behind me at the kitchen sink.

I was scrubbing the last bits of paint from my fingers when he took over. His large body engulfed mine from behind. I sank into him, loving how warm his body was. Any time he was near, the winter cold was warded off and I often found myself refusing to leave his side.

His rough hands moved over mine as I leaned my head into the crook of his shoulder and chest. Outside the kitchen window, the sun shone, and birds started coming back to life, landing in the trees surrounding his house. Soon I’d have to go back to the tiny cabin. Even though this was where Iwanted to be. Barefoot and happy in Deacon’s kitchen with his arms wrapped firmly around me.

“Almost there.” His hot breath tickled the cuff of my ear as his fingers rubbed against mine where only a little bit of white, green and brown paint remained speckled over my skin.

“What’re the plans for tonight, Grumps?”

“Hmmm,” he hummed deeply. “I was thinking we could sip on some whiskey by the fire. What does my sunshine girl think about that?”

“Whiskey…I’ve never had it before.”

I could feel the surprise on his face even though my back was to him. “Is that right? Well, you’re in for a treat then.”

“Doesn’t it burn?”

His chest rumbled as he chuckled. “All good things burn a little bit. Whiskey’s one of them.”

“I guess I’ll try it.”

“You guess? I guarantee by the end of the night you’ll love it.” My toes curled at his innuendo, and I had a feeling he was right. Whatever Deacon wanted to introduce to me, I would end up loving. Because it was part of him—his enjoyment. And I loved seeing him happy.

“All done.” Soft lips met my cheek before he reached for a tea towel and handed it to me to dry off my hands. “I’ll meet you in the living room.”

“Okay.” Hanging the towel back on the oven door handle, I felt an unnerved feeling come over me. This space had become my home in just a week’s time. Somehow it felt like I’d been here forever and that made me weary of what itmight be like to leave once the snow melted and we got the tiny cabin situated.

Would I still be happy? I thought so given that the few days I’d been in the tiny cabin had been wonderful and refreshing. Buthewouldn’t be with me. We wouldn’t share in the little moments of waking up next to one another, the passing glances between us when he paced around while I worked on my pieces or seeing how sweet he was with Casper.

I was both excited that he was willing to give us a chance and sorrowful that this season of being with him was going to end. Things were going to look different when all I wanted was more of the same.

Grabbing a blanket from the couch, I wrapped it around myself before settling in front of the fireplace. Casper’s tail flicked back and forth as he slowly made his way over to me.

“I bet if I was Deacon, you’d be moving a lot faster.” He just lazily blinked at me like he had no regrets for how much he adored the big grumpy man. “Not that I blame you,” I said, picking him up and placing him in my lap. “I’m kind of obsessed with him too.”

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