“Oh, you’re such a good man!” She placed her hands on his cheeks and pulled him down. “You shall be royally rewarded when we get to the meadow,” she whispered against his mouth.
“Exactly what I wanted to hear.”
She easily swung into the saddle, and he did as well. They waved to the men working under the tents and rode off into the trees.
The week had come to a close and the geologists were satisfied that their roaming around and recording all the areas they explored and sampled was enough for now. A few sites had been identified as possible for the origination of the deposit and samples would be sent off once they came down from the mountain.
Jenna lay in his arms, her body coated in a sheen that glistened like the gold she was seeking in the early morning light after a slow and lazy love making session.
“Sounds like the guys are getting up and packing. I’ll have to make them some breakfast.” Jenna rolled onto her belly, rested her chin on his chest, and gazed into his eyes.
Lord, how he loved this woman.
“They told me last night they wanted to head out quickly and there was no need to prepare anything. They have snacks to tie them over.”
“They’ll at least want coffee!” She exclaimed and crawled over top of him, her breasts temptingly brushing over his flesh.
How easy it would be to snag her and pin her down to the bed, but he let her go. “If you insist.”
He watched her dress and get the coffee on. A big old pot that she’d found here in the cabin the last winter. Chet rested against the pillow with his hands behind his head. He could watch her all day just doing her thing. She moved with a grace that took his breath away. He was relieved that his kids liked her. A lot. That made things so much better with the plans he had.
Soon the aroma of coffee filled the cabin and he forced himself out of bed, dressed and went over to her, snaking his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her neck,
“Oh, hey now!” She squealed and turned in his arms to face him. “What if I’d had a tray loaded with full mugs of hot coffee?”
“Oh, I knew you didn’t, and you know how I can’t keep my hands off you.” Chet let her slip out of his grasp and pick up the tray she’d gotten ready. “Open the door and I’ll carry it out. I’m sure the guys want to get back down the mountain.
The team disbanded, and they were alone.
Now all Chet had to do was try to dissuade her from heading home at the end of the month. His heart ached at the thought of her leaving him again. He wouldn’t try to change her mind as it was up to her, but he did have something up his sleeve.
He glanced at Jenna beside him and smiled. She was inspecting the rocks in her hand. The sun shone through the back window of the truck, setting her hair afire with sparks of copper. It had lightened the past few weeks from being under the mountain sun. She had tanned too, a lovely golden tone. Surprising for a redhead, but beautiful.
“Hope you’re not nervous about the barbeque tomorrow, darlin’.”
She glanced at him and smiled. Chet couldn’t help the surge in his heart rate. She was so goddamn gorgeous and to think, shewantedto be with him. He still couldn’t get over that.
“Not at all. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and meeting your parents. Finally.”
He nodded and turned his attention back to the road leading to his house. Or mansion, as she called it.
3
The next day Jenna settled back in the deep soaker tub with a contented sigh, exhausted after the week at the cabin. She loved their bedroom on the upper floor. The vista of the mountains outside the tall windows was spectacular. Chet had built the house and had told her he’d strategically placed the stone fireplace to catch the sun through the windows to heat the stones so that they retained the warmth well into the night. It was smart. He’d also done the same with the great room on the main level. The stone wall of the chimney rose from the first floor and up through the bedroom.
They’d ridden down the mountain with the geologists and she was glad they handled all their own gear themselves. She hadn’t minded keeping them fed and watered while they were up at the cabin. Even if they were being paid for their expertise, Jenna had felt an obligation to be the good hostess, which was a challenge with the limited facilities at the cabin. Chet had done his best to update the cabin to be more comfortable, and he’d done an excellent job.
She lowered herself into the hot water with a sigh. As much as she loved the cabin, coming home to this bath was heavenly.
He was out doing something or other and letting her enjoy her bath. He knew how she loved them and oftentimes would join her. Which usually led to more intimate shenanigans. She closed her eyes when memories rose of them together, her in the tub with her leg in a cast and Chet washing her. She ran her hands over her body, imagining it was Chet.
She was to leave at the end of the month, but she did she really want to go? It hurt her heart to think about it, so she didn’t.
There was a whine at the bedroom door and gentle scratching. Belle pushed the door open and trotted in. She jumped on the bed and lay down with a contented groan. Her soft liquid brown eyes watched her until her lids closed and she fell asleep.
Oh, to be able to snooze like that!
Jenna reached out with her toe to turn on the tap for more hot water. Steam drifted from the refreshed bubbles.
