Oh boy. I'll have to warn my brothers. Her dander is most definitely up.
Telling my mother about my budding relationship makes my skin crawl. I’m thrilled that Joy seems interested, and there’s potential between us. Just the wordusfills my heart. But once Mom knows, she’s going to tell the world. Although I trust her with my life in most situations… This is not one of them.
I sigh, realizing I need to take one for the team so she’ll calm down. "Okay. I’ve met a lovely young woman. But it's only been a few days, so?—"
Even though I hold the phone a foot away from my ear, I can still hear her delighted squeal. "Emerick! I'm so excited!"
"Tone it down. And please, please, keep that to yourself. Do not tell another living soul, or I won't let you meet her."
"At least let me tell your father. And Celeste. And Emily. And?— "
"Just Dad. That’s it. Or I swear, I will never let you see your grandkids. Ever." She begins to huff again. "Gotta go, Mom,” I mutter. “Talk soon. And seriously, don't tell anyone."
I end the call, hoping she manages to keep her mouth shut. For all the rolling hills across the mountain, and the distance between some of the houses, news travels like lightning.
The triangle of Old Hemlock Valley, Cedarvale, and West Stoneburg should have its own gossip website. What the hell – why not throw in Pinesley on the one side, too, and Rathlock, Rivercross, and Bridgewood on the other? Everyone loves to gossip here.
It makes my soul grumble. Maybe more people should have their own wood shop to keep their minds occupied, dammit.
I come back into the living room and force a smile for Joy. Her face falls. "Whoa, that's a fake smile. What's wrong?" She pats the couch invitingly beside her. "I know this is all super new, but you truly can tell me anything."
Yes, I’ve already learned this about her. Learned that she won’t be quick to judge. "My mother's friends were in the grocery store…" I begin.
Her bottom lip twitches. "Ack. Is your mom freaking out because you're spending time with a woman she hasn't approved?"
I hate that the first place her brain goes is that she might not be good enough. "Oh, sugar." I clasp her hand. "When the time is right, she's going to adore you."
She blinks. "What did I say wrong?" I ask.
"You saidwhen. I kind of assumed that this was still a case of…you know…if. "
She looks at me with that bright curiosity that always makes my heart swell.
"Okay." My fingers slip into the back of her hair as I pull her body to mine. "I'll clarify." My lips drift across her cheekbone, then nuzzle her ear. “I want to assume that everything will be a case ofwhen. That this is going to turn into…us." Carefully drawing her earlobe between my teeth, I nibble until I hear her breathy gasp. "But you've only known me for a couple of days, and I don't want to put any pressure on you or get ahead of ourselves." I catch her eye. "How about we say one day at a time for now?"
Joy nods eagerly, then grins. "Ha! Your mother's spies upset you. You're chatty again."
My growl makes her laugh out loud as I yank her into my lap and wrap her shoulders and legs in the blanket from the back ofthe couch. "You're not going anywhere until this movie is done, cutie."
The way her head falls against my shoulder makes my heart swell. Something else is swelling, too, from the feel of her snug little ass against my thighs.
I should take my time with this precious girl. Wait several weeks before I even think of tearing the clothes from her curvy body and claiming her. Yet how can I? Every single cell of my body is vibrating with anticipation.
I need her. And as her butt grinds against my lap, her palm tracing circles in the center of my chest, I know she needs me, too.
10
JOY
When we’re getting ready for bed, I slip into a soft, thin white cotton tank top and pink shorts. Pulling my hair to the side, I tie it in a loose braid to keep it out of my face, with a few pieces falling around my cheek bones. A quick glance in the mirror confirms that I have zero idea how to entice a man, if this is my best effort at Looking Seductive.
When I walk into the bedroom, though, Bear stares at me hungrily, making a low whistle. Apparently, he likes the natural look.
I burst into laughter. “Would that be a wolf whistle, or a Wolfe with an E whistle?”
His lips pull into a smirk. I make no bones about staring at the wide expanse of muscle in front of me as his fingers encircle my wrist and he pulls me to where he stands next to the bed. He's so huge. A feast for the eyes. His shoulders and biceps… He looks like he could lift a tree without breaking a sweat.
Also, I now understand the difference between a gym physique and one that's become muscular by years of hard work. Bear’s not cut and chiseled like the dudes on sports websites. He looks like he's been hewn from stone, like the mountain itself.
