Page 104 of The Cabin

Alright. I showered in front of the hottest stranger I ever met. I went to his house and had dinner with him even though trying to make conversation with someone I didn’t know after not talking to anyone for two years was more like punishment than a fun time. (It ended up being a lovely time.) I stayed in a cabin by myself with no electricity or plumbing or almost anything to occupy my time. I learned to be okay in my own quiet. I rode a mechanical bull. I jumped into a watering hole, clinging to a tattered-to-pieces rope. I shared my deepest, darkest secrets. I read book porn out loud to my crush. I admitted how attracted I am to the man in front of me. I made really difficult apologies.

I have done a lot of things outside my comfort zone this month.

And I can do this.

Reaching down, I pull the tape off completely before lifting the bandage. Grayson’s fingers stay, holding my elbow, and I look down at his gift to me.

The tears start falling immediately.

Chapter 27

It’s an eclipse. Not necessarily a scientifically correct one. But it’s an eclipse where the sun is outshining everything else in space behind it. Everything is in shadow compared to the sun. Compared tome. The sun is absolutely radiant. You can tell. Even in the simple design. It’s at its brightest. Its strongest.

I let the tears fall for a second. Grayson just rubs my skin and presses a kiss to my forehead.

That sets me off.

I rip my hand out of his grasp and start angrily swiping at my tears. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” I sound a little crazy. I can admit that. I feel a little crazy.

His face is flabbergasted. “What do you mean?” The panic has set in. You can see it everywhere in his body. He thinks I hate it.

“You can’t do stuff like this, Grayson!” I back up a little before I throw my hands in the air just to be safe. I am feeling big things but I don’t want him to think I’m coming at him.

“Like what?” He takes a step towards me but I hold my hand up.

“You cannot keep doing all these incredibly sweet, thoughtful, intimate things to me!”

“Why not?” He is so confused. And kind of angry.

“Because you’re putting a nail in my freaking coffin with each one!”

“What?”

“I can’t fucking take it anymore!”

He closes the distance and puts his hands on either side of my face. “Sol. What the hell is going on?”

I’m pretty much clawing at his hands so I can get away. “Why are you doing this? Why are you torturing me like this?”

“Torturing you? Baby, what are y–”

“DON’T” I yell. “Do not fucking call me baby and tell me you want to wake up every day with me and that I’m yours and that you’re going to be the first and last person to make me come. Do not say things like that to me.”

“And why the hell not?” Frustration is winning over his confusion.

“It’s not fair to me, Grayson!”

“Sol, I have no idea what you’re talking about! Can you please come here and explain what is going on?” UGH. Why does he have to be so perfect and level headed???? I want to scream. I want to fight. I want to freak out and stomp around and…I don’t know. Other stuff.

More angry swiping at my tears.

“Baby, please just –”

“WHY HAVEN’T YOU KISSED ME?” I roar. My chest is puffing in and out. I’ve lost it. I’ve gone off the deep end here.

“Sol, I’ve kissed every inch of your body!”

“Grayson.”

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