Page 31 of Cozy Cabin for Two
“You didn’t imagine anything. You and me sleeping together in this bed was very real. And I want to do it again.” He kissed my earlobe. “And again.” He kissed down to my breast, where my nipple puckered in the frosty morning air, warming to his tongue twirling around it. “And again.”
Suddenly, we heard Ro’s little feet taking the steps one by one from the loft.
“Shit, she’s up early,” I whispered, panic setting in. I wanted to tell Ro about us, but in a planned, calm way—and fully clothed. Not like this, where she could burst through the bedroom door any second and find us naked together.
We both shot upright, listening to her footsteps moving through the living room to the kitchen, accompanied by her voice as she talked to herself about horses and breakfast and whether she should wear her good blue boots or her sneakers to school. The cabin walls were surprisingly thin.
“We should tell her about us before she figures it out herself.” I hissed. I hopped out of bed and studied his face for any sign.
“Can I get dressed first?” He threw back the covers, and I tossed his clothes on the bed beside him. I foundmy leggings and his flannel and pulled them on, thinking fast.
“I didn’t mean right this second,” I backtracked.
“No, of course. She’s been through enough upheaval in her young life—losing her father, leaving California, starting over in a new place with new people.”
“Add the fact that her mother is in some kind of relationship with her uncle?” I chortled and shook my head.
“Some kind?” His words made me pause, and I saw the confusion flash through his eyes and his brow furrow. “Yeah. You’re right. We should talk about it and make a plan.”
“Mom?” Ro’s voice called out from the kitchen, startling me. “Are you awake? We’re out of cereal, and I’m hungry. Will Uncle Ash be bringing pancakes this morning?”
“I’ll be right out, sweetie,” I yelled back. Then dropped to a whisper again. “You need to go.”
“Where?” Ash froze like a solid block in the middle of the room, dressed and eyes wide.
“Window?” I pointed.
He snickered. “Damn woman. Like I said last night. You make me feel like a teenager again.”
He unlocked the window and raised it. His bulkyframe would barely fit through, but it was the only option.
“Mom? I hear voices. Are you talking to someone?” Ro’s footsteps came closer, curiosity in her voice.
“Just talking to myself, honey, like you do. You know how we are.” I let out a nervous laugh. Ash was halfway out the window when I pecked his cheek. “Be careful.”
“The things I do for you.” He caught my hand and pulled me back for a deeper kiss. A dance of our tongues. A sigh, longing for more. I broke away when the temptation to linger on his lips became too strong.
He dropped to the ground, and I watched him run off toward the mess hall. I shut the window and hurried to the kitchen.
“Hi my love. You’re up a little early.” I brought her in for a big hug. Her hair smelled like the strawberry bath bubbles she’d used last night. I smelled of Ash and sex.
She yawned. “I couldn’t sleep well. I thought I heard strange noises all night long.”
My heart lodged in my throat. Definitely not very soundproof around here. Ash and I tried to be as quiet as possible. Clearly, we’d need to try harder next time. God, I desired a next time and so many more times.
“And what’s Uncle Ash’s truck doing here already? Where is he?” Oh, my girl was very observant.
“Uh, he just parked it there when he dropped me off last night and then walked to the bunkhouse. He’ll be by with pancakes soon. I’m going to take a shower.”
Once I shut the bathroom door behind me, I leaned against it and exhaled. From the moment we arrived in Montana, things had moved fast between me and Ash. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. This was exactly what I wanted. Now we needed to figure out the forever part.
EIGHTEEN
Excited
WILLOW
One day togo until the Open House at the Ranch, and I was finally done with cookie dough, constant flour everywhere, and the heat of the oven baking the cabin. I was just about finished forming the last pan of pumpkin spice cookies when Ash marched in and shut the door behind him like he owned it, of course.
