Page 62 of These Rough Waters

“She’s here?”

“Apparently, turns out the whole town was worried about you.”

She blushes, “I was such an idiot.”

“It’s over now.” I remind her.

“I still don’t know how to thank you.” She picks up the clothes and starts towards the bathroom.

“Is the gratitude for the rescue or the orgasms?”

She pauses, looking over her shoulder as a little bit of sultry mischievousness enters her expression, “Why not both?”

I chuckle, “Come on, little doe, let’s get back downstairs.”

She disappears behind the bathroom door to get dressed and I lay back onto the mattress, thinking about the last twenty-four hours and how I never want it to end.

I never thought I was lonely, not until now, until her because Maya is the type of woman that enters your life and you rethink every decision, every moment up until you met them. She was the spot of sunshine in a storm, the saving grace. The redemption.

When she’s dressed and her wet hair drawn up into a high messy bun, I walk her back downstairs and into the foyer where I’d left Rett with Imogen. Ruthie and Harper were back from feeding the animals, so they were all there as we reentered, Maya now clean.

Maya pauses when she sees Imogen, but I doubted it had anything to do with her and everything to do with the two other women waiting with her. Vanessa, Imogen’s sister wasn’t a bad person, she had every right to be pissed at me and my brothers, especially Kolten and she certainly wasn’t hostile towards Maya, but it was the black-haired woman who kept looking at Maya like she was the enemy. They didn’t know each other, that much I was sure of, but it didn’t stop the glare being thrown my girls way.

“Maya,” Imogen breathes with relief, “God, we were so worried. Ruthie called last night!”

Maya shifts uncomfortably, “I know, I’m so sorry, I screwed up.”

“Sorry!?” Imogen gasps, “Don’t be sorry, I’m just so glad you’re okay, these trails are so dangerous during this weather, I’m glad Torin found you.”

Maya smiles, another sweet blush stealing over her cheeks as she remembers the night before just like I hadn’t been able to forget, “Well I’m still sorry I had you all so worried.”

“We’re all very glad you’re okay, Maya,” The black-haired girl chimes in, “And Torin, you’re so brave for going after her in that weather! Though I have to say, Maya, it was rather selfish of you to head out in the middle of a storm, leaving your poor daughter behind.”

My spine stiffens.

“Ana!” Vanessa chides, glaring at her friend.

“What?” Ana pouts innocently, “I’m not wrong.”

“Nessa,” Ruthie says to Imogen’s sister, “Best you take your friend home. You’ve got an early trip back to the mainland tomorrow.”

“What a great idea,” Imogen snaps, “Get her the fuck out of here.”

“It’s okay,” Maya says quietly, “I know I screwed up.”

Ana smirks before her eyes find mine and her grin turns heated, “You know where to find me, Torin, I’d be more than happy to thank you for helping poor little Maya over there.”

Rett chuckles, seemingly otherwise quiet through this whole thing but I just glare and say, “I’m good.”

“If you change your mind,” Ana winks, following Vanessa out of the lodge and leaving the implied offer behind.

“I do not like that woman,” Imogen grunts under her breath, pulling Maya into a hug, “But I’m glad you’re safe.” Imogen’s eyes meet mine over Maya’s shoulder, soft and understanding and while I didn’t need approval to be with Maya, that look Imogen was giving me told me she approved, even if she didn’t know what the hell was happening between the two of us.

Thirty

Awhole day had passed since Torin, Rett and I made it back to the lodge this morning. After making Harper some food and snuggling on the couch with hot coco, letting her stay up a little longer after her bedtime, she was now tucked up in her room, fast asleep and I was anxiously biting the skin on my thumb.

It was well into the evening, almost nine P.M and Torin wasn’t here. I knew he had things to do today, plus with his brother now in town I knew he was busy but he was so determined to spend the night with me again and yet he wasn’t here.

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