I go for a hike around the perimeter of the house, making sure everything is safe, no strange animals and no disturbances. I want her to be safe. I want her to be secure in the cabin.
I'm not sure why I am filled with all these protective feelings all of a sudden. She is just someone who is renting my cabin. I shouldn't be so overwhelmed by her presence here in the mountain. Inmymountain.
It takes me about forty five minutes to circle around my entire property. I bought this when I was younger and I wanted to hide from the world. I still had a dream, though, to get married and have a family.
What would it be like to marry be married to an artist? To someone that's beautiful and delicate and smart? How do I know she's smart? I can just tell.
So in order to take things off my mind, or rather to take her off my mind, I decide to start chopping wood. She's gonna need some, and I am ready to provide for her.
Fuck, I'm ready to marry her. I need to calm myself down. I haven't even met her in person. Just seen her from far away. So I start chopping wood.
The pull of my muscles feels right as I bring the axe down over and over again on the wood. The pieces splinter away as I chop them, the sound making me feel at home.
I don't know how long I stand there doing the same thing over and over again, just thinking about her in my mind and making sure that my body is expending energy and just stay busy with this menial task.
Not knowing that my noise is attracting her, I just keep chopping. As sweat runs down my body, I keep working and focusing on the chopping.
My shoulders begin to hurt after a while, and then I feel a presence near me. When I look up she's there just staring at me and I can't believe how beautiful she is.
Even more beautiful than when I saw her coming out of the car. A woman like that with a man like me? I just stare back at her, and when she smiles, her face brightens up like sunshine.
I know it's wrong because I'm her landlord, but I want her in my arms and in my bed as soon as possible, and I'll do whatever I need to do to make that happen.
Chapter 3
Iris
I'm lost in thought as I sort my art supplies and put them in the solarium for later use when I hear a noise that seems to come from the back of the property. I go to the edge of the window and see the most beautiful man I've ever seen in my entire life.
He's shirtless, sweaty and looks good enough to eat. His back muscles are a work of art as he chops wood with a huge axe. I wasn't told there would be a caretaker around the property, but they have gone above and beyond with the fully stocked fridge.
I ogle the man for several minutes before knowing exactly what I'm going to do. I let my hair down so it cascades down my back and check myself in the mirror. It doesn't hurt to look goodin a situation like this. So I go outside and walk around the main cabin.
When I'm close enough, I feel like I've been caught, so I stop to watch him once again. His movements are fluid and sure, like he's done this a thousand times or more. From this short distance I can see the rivulets of sweat going down his back and arms.
My body is overwhelmed with excitement now. What I've been feeling so far about being in this place is nothing to what I'm feeling now that I've found him. I want, no I need to paint this man. He stops what he's doing and jumps when he sees me.
"Oh, hi. I'm sorry, was I bothering you with the noise?"
"Not really, are you the caretaker?"
"Yes, I'm Harrison. I live over here. I hope that is okay."
"I guess. It wasn't mentioned, that's all. Is that wood for me?"
"Some of it. I'm sorry, has anyone ever told you that you've got the look of an angel?"
Oh dear, is he hitting on me? I mean, it's fine, but not ideal for what I'm about to propose to him.
"Harrison, this is your lucky day."
He gives me a smile bright enough to light up any room.
"I already knew that, finding you here in front of me, looking so beautiful."
"Slow down there, cowboy, I was hoping you could help me with something."
"I'm at your service. I'd love to know your name, though."
