Page 16 of Winter's Kiss

“We’re getting your car this morning.” I lifted my lips from his neck, sat up, and looked down at him.

“I’m kissing your neck and you’re thinking of my car?” He chuckled at my question, his arm with a quick wrap around my frame. I squealed as he spun me to my back, his heavy frame pressed over mine.

“I thought you wanted your car fixed.” I shrugged my shoulders at his statement. My hands wrapped around his neck and my fingers brushed into the back of his hair.

“I could take it or leave it,” I admitted. The smile that pulled lightly across his features faded; his gaze lowered while his frame was positioned between my thighs.

“Natasha, there’s something I should tell you.” He paused; my fingers pushed up through the back of his hair as I searched his face. “About my…” A knot formed in my throat with the way his voice broke slightly. I could see the pain he still suffered from, the conflict of him being there with me.

“You don’t have to,” I replied quickly. “I already know,” I added. Rowland’s expression changed, and the feel of his frame over me tensed. His brows furrowed together for minutes, while his gaze searched for answers on my features. He nodded his head, scoffed, and spoke two words in his deep, raspy voice.

“My parents.” He said, our gazes locked. Had they crossed a line about which I didn’t know? Rowland shook his head, his body a quick lift from the bed. I couldn’t help but watch him, take in the way the muscles on his back flexed as he reached for his shirt. The way his ass looked, even covered in material, before he pulled up the same jeans I had removed earlier.

“Rowland?” My voice was soft as I sat up.

“You should get dressed.” He commanded as he moved to the edge of the bed, leaning forward while he pushed one foot at a time into his boots. “I’ll take you to the main house before I head out.”

“Rowland?” He lowered his foot to the floor but never once looked back at me. “They just wanted me to…”

“This why you came to me last night? Sorrow for the poor widower?” Shock filled me with his snarky words. Had that been what he felt the other women he’d been with gave him? Pity. Had he not really slept with all these women as I had been led to believe? I shook my head and exhaled with a shift of my body. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, my legs parted around him.

“No,” I replied softly as I pulled him back against me. “I wanted to be here, with you.” I felt his chest lift and fall, relax as though a weight had lifted from him. I moved my arms under him, my palms pressed flat against his chest with my lips a slow trace over his neck. Rowland had lived a life full of happiness and sorrow, and struggled with events I couldn’t imagine. Held a burden on his shoulders nobody should have to. Punished himself for things out of his control. His parents had said it and until in my arms that morning, I never realized how accurate they were.

“I could fall in love with you.” My thoughts left my lips in a whisper before I could stop them. A minute of silence filled between us, Rowland with no movement or even glance back in my direction. I knew I should take it back, that it wasn’t the right thing to say to him, especially at that moment, but I couldn’t. I meant it. For the first time in my life, I saw a chance to genuinely love someone.

“You’ll have the house to yourself today.” He didn’t react or comment on what I had said and although it hurt, I understood.

“Why would I be alone?” I asked, still snug behind him.

“Theo will be helping me after dropping my mother off at the grill. Time to return to normal now that the storm has stopped.”

“I could go to town, help your mom.” He glanced back at me, the look in his eyes one of dispute. “Or not.” I quickly added.

“No.” He nodded his head. “She’d like that.” He added. There was a difference in his tone. I watched as he jumped up and moved from the room. “Tucker, come on, boy.” I remained alone for minutes before I climbed from his bed.

After dressing, I made my way outside. That morning was different from any morning I’d ever had. Everything seemed brighter, clearer. The ground was still covered in a white blanket, with the brightness of the sun beaming off. The temperature remained cold, yet without such a harsh wind, it was bearable. Tucker ran through the snow around Rowland’s truck as he worked to clean off the windows.

Rowland had been married, that fact repeated through my mind as I stood on his covered porch watching him. He had loved, married, and lost his wife before I had even thought of that long walk down the aisle. He had lived a life full of adventure and emotions, which shaped him into the man that stood feet from me. Had I been naïve to think this trip across the country would give me the answers I sought?

“You ready?” My thoughts were broken by his voice. I nodded my head and walked toward him; a smile formed across my features as he opened my door.

“Rowland.” Tucker jumped into the cab of the truck before I could enter, my body turned to face Rowland as my hand moved to his forearm. He waited for me to continue and although I wanted to ask him if I could stay with him and if they could just leave my car on the side of the road.

I stopped myself. “Thank you, for everything.” His head shifted to a slight tilt before he chuckled.

“None needed.” Without another minute, I climbed into the cab and waited for Rowland to close my door before I looked at Tucker, who sat tall beside me.

“Hell of a dad you got there, Tucker.” Tucker, breathing hard, sat still, his big eyes watched as Rowland rounded the front of the truck.

The morning passed quickly, the afternoon even faster. Muddy Waters residents are no longer restricted to their homes. The town that looked abandoned the first time I entered it thrived now with people. The sidewalks cleared by noon. Stores that had been closed for days opened. Though the streets seemed alive once more, it was the grill that seemed the place to be.

Not a single table was empty. The fireplace brought to life; the scent of fried food rolled from the kitchen. The bar packed as the drinks flowed. Anna ran the kitchen and while I wanted to help her, I had proven to be more in the way than an aide. Instead, I ran food and took orders, a job I had once while in college.

“You’re new to town.” A sweet voice behind me as I placed an order down. I turned; my smile grew as I saw a middle-aged African American woman in what could only be described as designer clothing in that town.

“I guess you can say that,” I replied.

“Strange time to move to a new town. Especially this town.” She pushed out the chair next to her with a nod for me to sit. “My name is Bella. I run the local salon.” It didn’t surprise me this woman ran a salon. She had this beauty about her, a natural glow. She had long black hair, thick. Her eyes were a hazel hue that seemed almost fake.

---