As we pulled up to the property I had fallen in love with at first sight, I was holding my breath, eyeing Fiona’s reaction. I was nervous, which was a bizarre feeling for me. Her eyes rounded as she took in the landscape, then that focus fell on me when I finally managed to spit out that it was all mine.
The main emotion flitting across her face was awe. She didn’t see old buildings, faded paint, and cracked fences. Fiona saw the potential there. She could feel the land calling the same way I did.
Pulling out the blanket and food I had packed for the night, I brought her to my favorite spot behind the house that gave you a view of the whole property. I spread the blanket down on the grass, then started pulling food and drinks out of the cooler.
Fee sat criss-cross applesauce on a corner of the blanket, taking the different containers and opening them as I passed them to her. I had brought club sandwiches, chips, and potato salad. I also stopped by the best bakery in town and picked up a freshly made pie.
“So what are you planning?” she asked me, one delicate eyebrow arched as she waved her hand to indicate the property.
“Well, you know I work at the garage, and that’s doing well, but what I love to do is find old, run-down cars and completelyrebuild them. We don’t have enough space to do that at the garage without losing paid business, so I started looking at properties where I could have my own space to do custom work,” I explained, and was rewarded with Fiona perking up, peering around me to take in the barns.
“You’re going to turn the barns into a garage?” she asked. I nodded.
“That was the original idea. I was casually looking at properties. The club always likes to know what’s available, and I’m usually the one who checks out new real estate opportunities. When I came up here, though, I swear, it felt different. I got out of my truck and just knew that I wanted this place for myself.
“They used to raise horses and cattle here, so both barns are a good size and can easily house any cars or bikes I’m working on. The house is in good condition, and I can add onto that if ever needed. The property goes all the way up to the creek back there. It is its own little oasis, less than an hour out of town. I can still get to the clubhouse in good time, same with my parents’ house, but I can have my own space.”
She watched me solemnly, never interrupting but taking in what I was saying, imagining the vision I was laying out for her.
“I love it. I understand what you mean about it feeling different up here. I don’t think anyone questions your loyalty to the club, how much you care and do for them. You deserve to have something that’s just yours. A place you can go to, your own little haven. Thank you for sharing it with me. I can’t wait to hear the rest of your ideas.”
I couldn’t formulate words. Nothing I could say would ever come close to explaining what I was feeling. Her eyes sparkled, copper flecks radiating warmth as she looked around. She spoke about a haven, not realizing she was one.
Unable to help myself, I pulled her to me, shoving plates aside, I maneuvered Fee onto her back, her hair spread on the blanket, the moon highlighting her alabaster skin. I didn’t touch her right away. I just took my time looking down at her. At that moment, the feeling of having everything I wanted in one place washed over me.
She looked so small and delicate, lying beneath me, her gaze trusting. Her breathing came out faster the longer we lay entwined until I finally leaned down to kiss her. I started slowly, desperate to taste all of her but wanting to take my time and make the moment last forever.
Her soft arms wrapped around my neck as I kissed and licked down her throat. Her pupils were dilated, her lips were swollen, and images of her naked in my bed were trying to take over. I reined myself in, slowing down, enjoying the feel and taste of her.
Hesitant at first, she quickly caught on and took over. My body was at a fever pitch, but I didn’t want to take it too far too fast. Her small hands pulled at my shirt, then her palms were sliding up my back and around to my chest.
Various scars, bullet wounds, and knife cuts littered my body, but she didn’t hesitate once. She made an agitated sound in her throat when she tried to lift my shirt up, and it got caught on my vest.
I grabbed her wrists and lifted her arms above her head, needing a moment to think. The position wasn’t helping my situation as it pushed her breasts forward, the neckline of her shirt gaping, showing glimpses of delicate lace covering creamy skin.
Unable to stop myself, I pulled my shirt and vest off before stripping her of the scrap of fabric she called a top. I buried my face in her neck, breathing in her scent and loving the feel of lying skin to skin.
I could feel her heart beating against her chest, as if trying to break free. Her body glowed, her skin vying with the moonlight. She was moving restlessly beneath me, and when she finally opened her eyes, they were glazed over. It was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. I wanted to explore every inch of her, memorize the swoops and swirls.
Her hands were desperate against my chest as she lost herself in her own exploration. She pushed up onto her elbows, her hair spilling over one side as she slowly moved to press a kiss to a particularly nasty scar on my left shoulder.
From there, she made her way across my chest, kissing and nuzzling my battle wounds. Leaning back on my knees, I looked at her sprawled on the blanket beneath me. Her gaze was unsure but trusting.That realization had me freezing for a moment. Fiona was all raw passion, her responses instinctual, not practiced. Sensing my hesitation, she pulled away, tucking her hands into her side.
“Don’t. Don’t pull away. You can touch me as much as you want. We can take this at your pace.” She looked upset at that, turning her head to look out at the land behind us. I cupped her chin, pulling her attention back to me.
“What’s going through that head of yours?” I asked.
“What if I’m not enough?” she replied, her voice barely a whisper.
“You’re more than enough.” It just burst out of me. She studied my face for a moment before replying.
“Even though I’m a virgin and have no idea what I’m doing?” Her eyes were huge, her body strung taut as if she was waiting for me to run away after she told me.
I couldn’t help the wolfish grin that took over my face, the warmth spreading throughout my body at the idea that she had never been touched before, that I was the first and only.
“I could die happy just getting to kiss you, to hold you in my arms. Nothing’s changed. It just makes what I said before even more important. We go at your pace. I need one thing from you, though.” She nodded hesitantly, inviting me to continue.
“I need you to talk. I need you to tell me when it’s too much or not enough. We’re in this together. That work for you?” I felt her body soften, a slight shift so she no longer was lying stiff as a board under me.
