After returning to the cabin up the mountain to restock the supplies, we decided it best to leave her SUV and come back for it on our way home from Deepwood. I’d rather keep her safe in a vehicle that can handle this kind of winter weather than take any chances with hers.
Last night comes back in flashes as I drive.
Once we’d made love in that big, comfortable, and truly heavenly bed, we ate our crackers, fruit and cheese, and summer sausage straight from the package, sitting cross-legged in the plush Inn robes. She stole the last piece of cheddar and I retaliated by tickling her bare feet until she shrieked with laughter.
Later, she fell asleep with her head on my chest, one leg thrown over mine like she had claimed me as hers. Waking up to that mind-blowing head, which I enthusiastically returned, we then snoozed until the early morning.
We showered together, touching each other with soap-slick skin under the water and steam, and I had to stroke her sweet pussy until she came pressed against the tile.
It’s like I’m physically incapable of keeping my hands to myself when she’s around.
And I’ve never been like this.
Ever.
I should tell her.
The words sit heavy on my tongue:I love you. I'm in love with you. I have been since the moment Jayce brought you home and you laughed at Dad's terrible joke about park rangers.
But what comes after that?
Hey, by the way, you're twenty-one and I'm forty-one, and people are going to have opinions about that. Also, my brother—your ex—might never forgive me. But want to give this a shot anyway?
"You're thinking too loud," Piper says without looking at me.
"Am I?"
"I can practically hear the gears grinding." She reaches over and takes my hand, threading our fingers together. "Whatever you're spiraling about, stop."
Her hand in mine feels…right. "I'm not spiraling."
"Liar." But she's smiling, thumb stroking across my knuckles. "Is it about Jayce?"
My jaw tightens. "Among other things."
She's quiet for a moment, and I risk a glance at her. She's chewing that bottom lip again.
"He's going to find out eventually," she says softly.
"I know."
"And he's probably going to be pissed."
"Yeah." I squeeze her hand. "But Piper?—"
"If you're about to say this was a mistake?—"
"No." The word comes out fierce, and I pull over onto the shoulder of the road, putting the truck in park so I can face her properly. "That's not what I was going to say."
Her eyes search mine. "Then what?"
"I was going to say I don't care." The truth spills out before I can stop it. "I don't care what Jayce thinks, or what anyone else thinks. These past two days with you—" I have to stop, collect myself. "I can't go back to pretending I don't feel this."
"Oh," she breathes.
"I know the age gap is?—"
"I don't care about that." She unbuckles her seatbelt and leans across the console. "Harlon, I'm a grown woman. I make my own choices.”
