Page 10 of Only By You: Prequel
I couldn’t help peeking to see what he’s up to, considering it’s been a lot longer than two minutes—more like fifteen. So I take the time to look around, noting my surroundings in the fading light. If I was with anyone else, I’d be triple-checking for an escape route right about now, but with Clay… I have this sense he’d never let anything happen to me. Ever.
Hmm.Clay. I wonder if he’d mind if I called him that?
My door opens a second later, his rough, handsome face fills my vision. “Ready?” he asks, grinning from ear to ear and sounding rather out of breath.
I nod, taking his hand as he helps me out of the truck once again.
“Watch your step,” he says. “There’s a few gopher holes I haven’t had a chance to fill yet.”
He leads me around to the back of the truck where he’s filled the open truck bed with blankets and pillows. There are a few citronella candles lit and perched on the tailgate with a lantern and sketchpad sitting next to it.
“What’s all this for?” I ask.
He carefully takes hold of my waist and picks me up. He plops me down on the tailgate and gestures for me to get comfortable. I eye him suspiciously before turning and crawling into the little nest he’s made for us.
It’s kind of sweet, this moment he’s creating from scratch.
He fetches our dinner from the floorboard of the cab, handing me a bottle of water as well. Then he’s taking the lantern and lighting it. “Now, I need you to keep an open mind for me here, all right?” He lets out a nervous laugh.
“Okay…” I draw out, crossing my legs beneath me I pull on my light sweater.
He takes the lantern and begins to walk several feet away. As he does, orange lines tied to stake posts come into view between the setting sun and the lantern. What are those for?
“I figure you’ll want the front door sort of facing the street,” he starts, taking a few steps to the left. “And we can extend part of the porch here—facing the grove so we’ll get a clear shot of the sunset every night.” He pauses, watching my more than confused expression as he continues to explain whatever plan he’s referring to, “Now if you don’t like this spot, I can clear out some of those trees over there.” He points along the far side of trees. “I’m not sure how flat I can get it, but if that’s what you want, I’ll make it happen.”
Is…he saying what I think he’s saying?
I crawl to the end of the truck, perching on the very edge. My mind is swimming at his open invitation and vague implications.I don’t want to assume what he’s offering right now, but…it’s hard not to. “Why are you showing me this?” I finally ask, my heart in my throat at his steady approach.
He sets the lantern beside me, his gaze level to mine in this position with his generous height. The spark is back in his eye as he asks, “Can you see it?”
I look over to the blocked-off area he’s created out of nothing and will myself to see what he sees…
A house begins to appear.
From the bottom up, a stunning, massive white farmhouse with a wraparound porch and matching beautifully stained wooden shutters fills the space.
“I… I see it,” I whisper.
Kids pour out of the house. Sons and daughters, racing toward me to play in the yard before I see myself—standing on the porch. The biggest smile on my face as I lean into the embrace of the man beside me.
It’s him…
“When you were telling me your dream at the diner, I saw it—here,” he says quietly, the sun setting at his back, lightning bugs beginning to sparkle in the surrounding trees. “Ever since the day we bumped into each other at the market, I’ve felt this…need. This desire to be by your side. I’m drawn to you, Jules. When I’m with you I feel…whole. We fit, darlin’.”
His warm, calloused hands cup my face. His thumbs gently swipe away a few stray tears. A burst of nervous laughter escapes me as I begin to cry. This is all really overwhelming and…so beautiful. I can hardly separate my emotions from my thoughts.
“We’re meant to be together,” he whispers deeply. “And if you’ll give me the chance, I swear on this mountain, you won’t regret it.”
Yes, my heart screams.
And I listen.
Nodding vigorously, I crash my lips against his.
Sparks ignite between us as our first kiss deepens into a raw, unaltered passion. We’re a mess of arms and tongues. While I’m busy throwing my arms around his neck and urging him closer, he’s busy hauling me against him by my waist. His roughly worked hands splay over my lower back, trailing to my ass.
I moan into his mouth, my body arching against him, reaching for his words, his touch—all of him.
