Page 15 of Protected By the Surly Carpenter

West Stoneburg is almost as pretty as Old Hemlock Valley, and a lot bigger. We go through the downtown area, which has a beautiful red brick library, a charming gazebo in the park, and dozens of cute little shops.

Then we pass another busy street with a large hospital, police station, and fire department. “Does Old Hemlock Valley have its own fire department?” I ask.

“There’s actually a fair-sized volunteer crew that covers Old Hemlock Valley, West Stoneburg, and Cedarville.” Clark turns west, then pulls into the driveway of a grand old house. “If there’s an emergency, I’m on the second-string list of people who get the call.”

“Wow.” Clark kind of looks like a fireman, to be honest, with his sharp jawline and massive shoulders.

He lifts the cabinet out of the truck, then up several steps to get it inside the house. Guess those big shoulders come in handy. I wait outside, checking my email on my phone.

Clark comes back out and throws the shipping blankets into the truck bed. “What has you grinning like that?”

Holding up my phone, I beam. “Translation fix for that Swedish manual of yours. The online translator didn’t work because of the specialized terms.”

We get into the truck, then he turns to me, taking the phone to read through it. “So… How did you get this?”

“I was working with a Swedish doctor to turn his thick accent down a bit to make it easier for his patients. We really clicked, so I asked him for a little favor on our way out here. He just sent me an accurate translation.”

I laugh at Clark’s surprised eyes as he reads it. Then he groans and nods. “Okay, now it makes sense.” He scowls grouchily, but his eyes are dancing. “They’ve set it up…not backwards exactly, but sideways. I never would have thought of that because it’s completely illogical. But the Swedes did invent those meatballs.”

The way he smiles at me makes my stomach heat, which quickly spreads to the rest of me. “You’re a very clever girl, Elena. A problem solver. That means…” He trails off, leaning closer.

“What?”

“That maybe we could make a mountain woman out of you. Think you might consider staying here?” He shrugs. “I dunno. Just something to think about.”

A shiver runs through me from the look in his eyes. He’s way more serious than usual.

We drive back to his place, swinging by the grocery store on the way so we can make dinner together. All the while, we seize any excuse to become closer. His hand on my back while I’m at the stove. My hand not-so-accidentally-oops-sorrybrushing his firm ass on the way by. His hands gripping my waist to lift me up to reach the salad bowl on the top shelf.

By the time we’re getting ready for bed, there’s no question that this simmering heat needs to be explored more. This is ahuge decision for me, one that I should think through carefully, but there’s no question in my mind that Clark is the perfect man to have this experience with. Strong and kind and passionate. Not to mention, great with his hands.

I shower first and slip on one of his enormous t-shirts as a nightdress. I’ve already realized that he gets turned on by seeing me in his clothing, and I like the strange connection to him I feel when I wear it. The bond between us is moving at lightning speed but feels incredibly natural.

When he comes out of the shower wearing nothing but a towel, I take a deep breath. Time to be brave. “Why don’t you get into bed just like that, and finish drying off with me?”

By the time the towel settles over the back of the chair, his cock is already thickening and rising to the occasion. He slides into bed next to me, warm and naked, with that sultry faint scent that makes my thighs tighten. “What are you thinking, baby?”

Sitting up carefully, I take a deep breath, then pull off the t-shirt, tossing it behind me. Before I can say anything, he dives forward, pulling my nipple into his mouth as he palms the other breast, igniting my desire in a split second.

“Did I –oh!” His teeth graze my skin just roughly enough to make me shiver. “Did I mention that I’m on the pill?”

He groans, then shifts as if to lie over me. Suddenly he stops, tearing himself away as he meets my eyes. “Is it…I mean… Is it too soon for us to think about this?”

“I don’t know.” Electricity hovers in the air. “But I know that I want you.”

He smiles, one hand twisting in the back of my hair and the other gripping my hip. The way he takes hold of my entire body thrills me all the way to my toes. “Baby, I get the impression that you haven’t really been with a man before.”

“I haven’t, not at all. But this feels right.”

He smiles, then kisses me so gently it stops my breath. Then he murmurs, “I’m in no hurry, beautiful. I’m happy to wait as long as you like.”

I’ve always been timid. Careful. I’ve had to be. Now I think I’m done with that. Call it turning over a new leaf. Or breaking out of my shell. Maybe I just want to feel like a woman instead of a scared little girl.

“I want to feel you,” I whisper, rolling on top of him. His eyes blaze as he grabs my ass with both hands. With my legs spread wide, I shift, bringing my open pussy down to rub along the length of his cock. He’s so hard that it’s standing upright, tight against his stomach. Brushing all the way up and down, we both moan.

Who knew I enjoyed having a bit of control over a burly man so much? I do it again. And again. I can feel myself getting wet, and the sensation of dragging my clit across his firm length makes me shiver with lust. These brand-new feelings are almost overwhelming, but I’m already addicted to them.

If I’m this breathless already, what’s it going to be like when he’s inside me?

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