Page 15 of Lumberjack DADDY
“Wow,” she says.
“Wow,” I reply, knowing this is about to get very complicated.
11
EMERY
Iwake up the next morning with a smile on my face, feeling pleasantly sore in spots I didn’t know I could be sore in. But as the memories of last night flash through my mind, my body grows warm and my skin tingles. Being with Eli was everything I wanted and more. When I got out of bed, though, my smile faded when I realized I was alone.
I follow the smell of coffee out to the kitchen and find Eli’s note telling me he’s headed into town to “handle the situation.” Just seeing the words on the page brings another smile to my lips. I’ve never had somebody stand up for me like that before. Never has somebody put themselves in harm’s way for me. I don’t know if Travis is dangerous, but he could be. And the fact that Eli is marching down there to confront him… it means the world to me.
I step onto the porch, leisurely drinking my coffee, and enjoy the peaceful morning, reveling in my memories from last night. I’m not a prude or anything, but last night was the first time I was with a man. I didn’t want to tell Eli or make a big deal about it because I’ve heard some guys freak out if you tell them thatyou’re a virgin. I didn’t want to ruin the moment or burden Eli with that knowledge. I hadn’t planned to give my virginity to him. It just felt right in the moment. In a way it never did with my Ex. I did a lot with my Ex, but I always drew the line, or he did. But last night felt different, so I went with it. And honestly, I’m glad I did. It fulfilled every dream I had, and then some.
As I stand there, Eli’s truck pulls in. He climbs out of his truck and offers me a sheepish grin. It makes him look boyish and adorable. Perhaps he was thinking about last night, too. He steps onto the porch and leans against the post beside me. We’re both silent for a moment, our eyes searching each other’s. I feel like I should say something, but I don’t know what to say.
“What happened?” I finally manage.
“He didn’t admit to anything, of course,” Eli replies. “But I put him on notice that if I see him around my property again, he was getting an ass full of buckshot. Then I asked Jonah to arrange for somebody else to make my deliveries. I don’t think we’ll be seeing Travis around here again.”
“Thank you,” I tell him earnestly. “It means a lot that you took me seriously. It means everything, actually.”
His smile is soft. “It’s no problem. Really.”
“So… what do you think about going on a hike with me today?”
“A hike, huh?”
“I thought you might know some pretty areas I can take some pictures of.”
He purses his lips and looks away for a moment, then nods. “I think I know of a place or two I can show you.”
We both get dressed, have a little breakfast, then head out. It’s an exceptionally beautiful day. Warm, but not too warm, and there’s a nice breeze stirring among the trees. We walk for a couple of hours, and Eli shows me some of the secret spots he’s discovered over the years he’s lived here. He shows me small clearings, hidden, wildflower-filled meadows, and small game trails. But when we stop on a bluff overlooking a pristine lake, where the water is so still and crystal clear, it takes my breath away.
“It’s beautiful,” I say.
“Good enough for a picture?”
“Definitely.”
I pull out my camera and explain how I’m framing the shot so the peaks of the mountains are in the background and the fat, fluffy clouds above are reflected in the surface of the lake. He seems genuinely interested and hangs on my every word. I snap off a few shots, then hand him my camera and tell him to take a few. He laughs, but does.
“I’m afraid I don’t have the artistic eye that you do,” he says. “I’m better working with my hands. I can build almost anything.”
“These aren’t bad,” I reply, reviewing his shots. “And I couldn’t build a thing if I tried.”
He shrugs. “We all have our talents.”
“That we do.”
I put my camera away as Eli pulls a blanket out of his pack and spreads it on the ground,” he says. “I brought some lunch. Thought it might be nice to enjoy it here. It’s a nice view.”
“Why, that’s quite romantic,” I say.
“That’s a talent I fear I don’t have either.”
“I disagree.”
Eli’s smile puts a stutter in my heart, and when he pulls me to him, crushing me against his big, strong frame, I gasp. I turn my face up to him, and as I stare into his dark, intense eyes, my breath catches in my throat. A small grin quirking the corner of his mouth up, Eli leans down and kisses me. I lean into him as his tongue rolls around mine languidly.
