I pull back before I take more than she’s ready to give here. “Not in the shop.”
“Why not?” Her lips are swollen, her eyes dark.
“Because when I have you again, I’m taking my time. And I can’t do that here.” I stroke my thumb across her bottom lip.“Tonight. At the cabin. I’ll teach your body what it means to belong to me.”
The promise hangs between us, heavy with intent. Her pupils blow wide.
“Okay,” she whispers. “Tonight.”
“Tonight.” I release her and step back, putting the necessary distance between us. “Right now, show me what needs measuring.”
She blinks, clearly struggling to shift gears. Then she laughs, the sound spilling free. “You’re impossible.”
“I’m focused.” I pull out my tape measure. “And right now, I’m focused on making sure your shop is perfect.”
We spend hours measuring and planning. The tape measure clicks and retracts with each wall section. Her pen scratches notes across paper, and her footsteps echo on the wood floor as she paces between display areas. I mark walls for the floating shelves, confirm the armoire placement, sketch modifications for the display cases. She directs with growing confidence, her vision becoming clearer as we work. She knows exactly what she wants. Most people second-guess themselves into paralysis, but she makes decisions and moves forward.
By early afternoon, we’ve mapped everything. The shop layout is finalized, ready for execution.
“This is really happening,” she says, looking around the space. “In two weeks, this will be open.”
“It is. And it’s going to be exactly what you envisioned.” I close the distance and pull her against me. “Because you’re brilliant, and determined, and you don’t give up.”
She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her face against my chest. “I’m scared.”
“I know. But you’re not alone.” I stroke my hand along her spine. “You’ve got me. And I’m not going anywhere.”
We stand wrapped in each other while the afternoon light fills the shop. Outside, the town continues its rhythm. In this space, we’re creating something real that won’t disappear.
“Let’s go home,” I say finally.
She pulls back and looks up at me. “Home?”
“The cabin. Our space.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Where I can show you properly what it means to be claimed.”
Heat floods her cheeks. “Okay.”
The drive back up the mountain feels heavy with anticipation. My hand stays on her thigh the whole drive. By the time I park at the cabin, the sun’s starting its descent behind the peaks.
Chapter five
Tilly
My pulse pounds in my ears as we pull into the driveway. Davin parks and kills the engine, and we sit in the sudden quiet. Snow falls in lazy flakes outside the windshield. Inside the cab, anticipation coils tight between us.
He turns to me, and his hand reaches to cup my jaw. “I need you to tell me what you want.”
“You.” The word comes out breathless. “I want you.”
“Be specific.” His thumb brushes across my bottom lip. “Tell me exactly what you need.”
Heat floods my face, but I hold his gaze. “I want you to take me inside. I want you to show me what it means that you claimed me in front of everyone.”
Something fierce flashes in his eyes. “We let the town see us together. Let them see you’re mine.”
“Yes.”
“Now I’m going to show you what that means.” He leans closer, his breath warm against my mouth. “I’m going to worship every inch of you. Make you come so hard you forget your ownname. And then I’m going to hold you while you remember that you’re not alone anymore.”
