a huge hug the moment she walks through the door. Cash didn’t hide his shock when Cole told him he was going into town to get my dog. To be honest, I’m still a bit shocked and nervous.
‘OK, tell me everything. Are you comfortable here? What’s he like? Do you want to stay or come back with us? How are you feeling?’ Hope fires off so many questions all at once.
‘Love, give her a moment to answer your questions before asking new ones.’ Cash chuckles.
‘I feel okay. Yes, I’m comfortable here. He’s exactly how you would picture another mountain man, but he’s nice too. I want to stay here for a little bit, but I reserve the right to change my mind.’ I don’t want to worry them with the nightmares I’ve been having.
Hope glances at the stitches on the side of my head before looking into my eyes. ‘There’s something else, isn’t there?’
‘Damn it, how can you read me like that?’ I slump against the couch.
‘It’s a special skill you get when you’re born in the South. Now spill.’
‘I had a nightmare last night about being back at the cabin and couldn’t get back to sleep. Cole went out to pick some blueberries to make breakfast, I lost sight of him and had a panic attack. I’ve never had one before.’
‘You’ve just been through a traumatic experience, even more so than me. It’s to be expected.’ Hope scoots closer to me on the couch and wraps her arm around my shoulders. ‘Do you like him?’
I could play stupid and pretend I don’t know what she’s talking about, but it would still come to the same answer. ‘Yes, I do.’
‘Good because him going to town to get your dog says everything. Cole has lived here for over five years and has never once been into town. You’re with him for less than a day and got him to go,’ Cash says, shaking his head in disbelief.
I’m as shocked as he is.
‘We both had a feeling about each other when we met. It just took us a little bit longer to get there,’ Hope says.
She and Cash lock eyes and smile as if remembering when they first met, which was only a few months ago.
‘Just remember, we’re not far away, and we’re happy to come to get you anytime, day or night,’ Cash says.
‘We have news of our own.’ Hope squeals and bounces in her seat before holding her hand to show me a gorgeous diamond ring. ‘Cash proposed last night!’
I would be lying if I said I hadn’t been expecting this. To be honest, I’m shocked Cash waited this long. A blind person could see how he feels about Hope, and she adores him.
‘I’m so happy for you guys! Have you talked about plans and what you want to do?’ I’m excited for my friends, and it’s good to focus on something other than the ordeal.
‘We want a simple wedding here on the mountain. Something small with friends. Neither of us has any family to invite. There are a few people in town, so we’re going to have it by the cabin overlooking the mountains,’ Hope says, a beautiful glow on her face as she smiles at Cash.
The way he looks at her is every girl’s dream. It’s a look of pure love that says he’ll do anything to make her happy.
My mind drifts back to Cole, who’s down in town right now. He’s making a huge sacrifice for me, and it’s not something I take lightly.
‘Once I’m back on my feet, I’d love to help out. I can decorate, cook, bake, you name it,’ I offer.
‘I plan to take you up on that,’ Hope says, leaning over and hugging me.
‘Cash and I are heading into town tomorrow, so we’ll check on the community garden for you. Is there anything you need while we’re down in town? Or anyone we need to talk to for you?’
‘I could use some clothes. I called the assistant manager and asked her to take over for me while I’m here. And I spoke to the owner to let him know. I’ve been stocking up on sick days and vacation time, so I’ve got a few weeks before I need to worry about anything,’ I tell them.
‘How did your boss take it?’ Hope asks.
She’s never been thrilled with my boss, who tries to get around things like health insurance, but she’s supportive and has my back.
‘He was concerned, especially when I told him I could get him a copy of the police report. He said it wasn’t necessary, but once I get back into town, I’ll stop and get a copy in case he changes his mind.’
I try to ensure all my bases are covered, realizing how much of my life is committed back in town. The community garden runs solely based on the volunteers who help, but it’s my baby and something I organize year after year.
My boss won’t let me go too long without getting back to work. I know he’ll let me use my vacation and sick days, but I don’t have many options after that.
‘Let me make you some lunch. Do you need ice for your ankle?’ Hope starts asking questions, distracting me from my worries.
They stay with me until Cole returns, reminding me they’re a phone call away whenever I’m ready to leave. I don’t miss the little smirk Cash gives Cole on his way out. This big, bulky mountain man holding my tiny dog is a sight to see.
Once they leave, Cole brings Muffin over to me, who practically leaps from his arms into my lap. She licks my face and sniffs all over, paying special attention to my injured ankle.
‘How bad is my apartment?’
Cole sits on the couch next to me. ‘Not bad now I cleaned it up. Your neighbor went in and got the dog. I guess she’d been barking. She asked about you. Her friend was there too and was concerned about Hope. I told them what happened but assured them you both were okay,’ he says as he watches me pet Muffin.
‘I’m glad she took care of Muffin. I’m willing to bet the whole town knows what happened to Hope and me by now. Those two are the worst gossips.’ They’re also the two women who keep me up to date on everything in Whiskey River, and I know I’ll be peppered with questions as soon as I get home.
I can’t believe Cole cleaned up my apartment, rescued Muffin, and talked to my neighbors. ‘I know it was a lot for you, and I appreciate it.’ I set Muffin down on the floor and scoot closer to him.
‘They didn’t flinch or even ask about my scar,’ he says as he watches my every move.
‘If they have an issue with your scar, that’s on them. Most people in Whiskey River won’t give a shit about it. They care about you and the type of person you are.’
‘I see that now, even if spending too much time in town isn’t in the cards for me.’
I try not to think about his last statement because I’m so proud of him for taking the first steps. His actions speak volumes; I’ve never been this turned on by something so simple.
After sitting in his lap all morning while he held me after a nightmare, and the kiss we shared, I don’t want to deny myself anymore. I want to show him how grateful I am, so I grab the front of his shirt and pull him toward me.
Cole comes without hesitation and wastes no time leaning in to kiss me. His kisses are so gentle compared to how rough he looks, and the contrast is intoxicating. I pull him with me as I slowly lie on the couch. He shifts his weight, bracing his weight on his arms over the top of me without breaking the connection of our lips.
‘We have to stop,’ he whispers against my lips.
‘Why?’
‘Because if we don’t stop now, I won’t be able to. I’ll taste every inch of you and take you here on the couch.’
‘That sounds like a horrible reason to stop, don’t you think?’
He looks up at me. ‘You want this? Because I want you more than I want my next breath.’
‘I want you so much I don’t think I’ll live if you say we have to wait.’
He wastes no time ripping our shirts off before leaning in to kiss me again. ‘This means you’re mine, firecracker. And I’m yours. No going back.’
That’s all I want. Someone who loves me so much, he’s willing to go into town to get my dog after not leaving his property for years. Someone strong enough to rescue me when I need it.
Cole carefully pulls down my sweat pants, rubbing his hard erection in the process. He groans, looking pained as he tries to control himself. He pulls my panties off and situates himself between my legs. I try to close them and pull him back up to me.
‘Firecracker, I wasn’t kidding when I said I was going to taste every inch of you.’
‘But… it’s just…’
He pauses and looks up at me. ‘What is it?’ he asks gently.
My face heats up. It’s embarrassing to admit. I’d rather he drop it, but this is Cole, and he won’t. Of course, he won’t. ‘No one has done… that before.’ I try to convey my message without saying the words.
‘No one has ever eaten every drop of cream from you as you came on their tongue?’ he asks with a smirk.
I shake my head.
‘Good.’ Then he dives in and latches on to my clit before he starts licking every inch of me.
Fuck, it feels good. The sensation of his tongue and the heat of his mouth. The harder I grip his hair, the more he seems to enjoy it. But when he thrusts a finger inside me, I lose it and come screaming his name.
Only when I relax does he kiss his way up my body. Somewhere along the line, he’s removed the rest of his clothes. He leans in and kisses me again before pulling back to look into my eyes. He wants to know if I’ve changed my mind. I sure as hell haven’t.
He grips my hips and slowly slides inside me. I suddenly remember I haven’t taken my birth control pill since I was kidnapped. I should tell him, but all thoughts vanish when he slowly slides out and back into me.
‘Fuck, you are so damn tight.’ He groans as he continues at a slow pace.
‘Don’t be gentle with me, Cole.’
He nods and moves my hands above my head. He holds them in one of his, bracing a foot on the ground and starting a punishing pace.
He isn’t gentle, but it’s what I need after the last few days. Pure pleasure to wipe everything else away. He lets go of my wrists to play with my clit, already knowing how to bring me to the edge.
‘Come for me, baby. You feel too good for me to last.’ He keeps up his pace as his eyes meet mine.
The intense emotion and the strength of our connection, combined with his mastery of my body, send me over the edge harder than before. He’s right behind me, and with a shout of my name, his warm release fills me.
Cole shudders before finally sitting up and slowly pulling out of me. His eyes are locked between my thighs as his cum starts to slide out. He looks up, and his eyes meet mine like he’s waiting for a reaction. I smile, and his eyes drop between my legs again. I gasp as he pushes his cum back into me before leaning in to kiss me.
‘Let’s get you a shower.’ He sweeps me into his arms and carries me to the bathroom.
Letting this man take care of me is becoming dangerously addictive.
