As I drive back home with my perfect fiancée in the car, I realize it only took me one kiss to fall completely in love with her.
Chapter 5
Freya
We have come back to Connor's cabin, and I'm shivering inside. I don't know if that's possible, but I'm feeling chilled to the bone. That kiss was something else. I didn't know a kiss could be like that. It doesn't hurt that Connor is chiseled and strong and all things handsome.
I'm quiet and still as Connor chatters around while getting us set up for dinner. He seems to like feeding me and I'm okay with that. We sit across from each other, and finally he notices I'm not doing much talking.
"What is it, Freya. You're not talking and not eating. Something's wrong."
"It's nothing important."
"Let's not do that. Whatever is bothering you or is on your mind is important because you are important to me."
I don't know how to answer that. The kiss changed things inside me.
"What things would you expect from a wife? I mean, what behaviors?"
"I don't understand that question, Freya."
"What does it look like to have a wife? I don't know if I'm wife material."
I can just hear him tell me that I shouldn't have applied to be a bride, but he doesn't say the words. He does reach for my hand and give it a squeeze.
"You're not here to fill a set role. You're not going to fail if you do or say the wrong thing. I want this to become your home. A place you can call your own. And I hope our friendship grows into the love of a lifetime."
"Those are some big expectations right there. What if we're not compatible? I mean, we haven't even had our first fight yet."
"I'm sure it will come. I can be a bit overbearing at times, and I think you'll call me out on it pretty quickly."
"Just promise me that you'll be honest with me at all times."
"I can promise I'll be honest with you unless there's a surprise involved. And there will be a lot of surprises, because I kinda like them."
His words sound truthful, and I don't know why I'm being so needy to require reassurance, but right now I do. This is supposed to be my safe place, and I'm having fun with Connor. I just don't know what the future will bring, and it's tearing me apart.
Then there's the goodbye letter I left at home. Will my dad and brothers accept my words and let me live my life in peace, or will they start scouring the earth in order to find me? Connor breaks me out of my thoughts with a question.
"So what do you want to do tonight?"
I don't know if his eyes are dark with lust, but mine certainly are. Are we ready for that just yet? I've only been here a day. It doesn't change the fact that I feel closer to him today than ever before. I'm softening towards this mountain man at an increasingly fast pace.
"Can we watch a movie or something?"
"Sure, let me set the TV up. They still have some Christmas movies showing. Would you like that?"
"I'm always eager to watch those movies."
"There's popcorn in the kitchen. Can you make some?"
It's the first time he's invited me to roam around his kitchen, and I feel a warmth in my chest thanks to the invitation. His kitchen is modern and has a few choice appliances. I look into the cupboard and see the popcorn. There's a microwave, so I start it cooking while I look for a big bowl to place the popcorn in.
It feels nice to have someone to do something with. Even something as silly as watching a romantic Christmas movie. I spent so much time alone back where I was living. I can't call it home. It wouldn't be an accurate description of what it was like living with my family.
Once I find a dish for the popcorn, I wait until the pops start slowing down and then take the package out of the microwave. I'm careful not to burn myself with the steam as I open the package and then empty it onto the dish. When I go back to the living room, I see he's got a stream all ready for us to watch.
I set the popcorn on the coffee table in front of the couch and sit next to him. I can feel his body heat from where I'm sitting and want to lay my head on his lap and purr like a kitten. That would be inappropriate, so I just shift closer to him. I hope he doesn't mind.
