“Go.”
That growly voice sets every nerve in my body vibrating. My skin tingles and the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand as though reaching out for him. But it’s the heat in my belly, between my legs that has me skittering off to the bedroom.
I want to strip my clothes off and climb him like a tree. I could. He’s a foot taller than me and the images my mind is conjuring are vivid and unlike anything I thought I was capable of imagining.
In the bedroom, I lean back against the door and stare at the bed. What would it be like to share it with Felix? He’s slept in his office every night since I arrived, but his bed is big enough that we could share it easily, even with how big he is.
The thought of lying under the covers, Felix only inches away, has my body heating and my thighs clenching. No doubt about it, my husband turns me on. Except I have no experience with sex. Or kissing.
What would he think if he knew our wedding kiss was my first?
Would he be repulsed by my inexperience?
I don’t think he would and when I think about him, his years locked away here and how young he was when the accident happened, I have to wonder if he’s as lacking in the sex department as I am.
Could it be possible we’re both virgins?
Surely not. Felix is a good-looking man. He would have been a handsome boy. One all the girls would have wanted.
Suddenly I’m not as nervous about moving our relationship from friends to more. If I want to stay married to him for the rest of my life, we’ll have to make that change. I just need to work out how to make it happen.
I turn, my eyes on the door behind me, but I’m imagining what Felix is doing out there. We’re having a date. One where he’s planning to knock on the door and escort me to.
I grin. It might not be as difficult as I think taking us from friends to more. I’m not in a rush. I can’t leave here even if I wanted to, so I have time. And if I run out of it, I’ll make excuses to stay.
He said he’ll never ask me to leave. And I hate to take advantage of that, but I will if I have to.
Because the more time passes, the more I know I’m meant to be here with him. Meant to spend my life with Felix. Meant to be his wife.
FELIX
Iknow it’s not the best but when I glance over the indoor picnic I’ve set up, I’m happy with how it turned out.
I’m pretty sure the candles I found in the cupboard are from when Mom was alive. The crocheted blankets piled on top of the quilt I spread out in front of the fireplace definitely are. When I raided the cupboard in the office for something to lay on the floor, I found a number of blankets I’d forgotten about, all of them Mom’s handiwork.
They reminded me of watching Riley knit. Made me wonder if she’d ever tried to crochet. I was swamped with memories of Mom sitting in the armchair by the fire overlaid by images of Riley doing the same. The longer I spent remembering and daydreaming, the more I knew I had to do something to keep Riley in my life.
Keep her as my wife.
I have no idea how to woo a woman, but I can’t imagine it’s harder than making sure she has everything she wants, taking care of her needs and desires. I’m smart enough to figure it out even if I have no experience doing it.
And Riley is always so grateful for anything I give or do for her, so easy to please, I’m sure I can make my own wants a reality.
Except she’s about to receive more money than either of us can fathom, plus a house, a home that’s hers and hers alone. What do I really have to offer her? This old cabin I never leave? A man who doesn’t drive? Won’t go into town?
Yeah, that’s not going to work. I already decided to go with her when she heads to Winter Lake with the paperwork that will grant her full access to her parents’ estate. Now, I’m determined to make it happen. I want to be with her every step of the way.
I want to support my wife.
If she’ll let me.
With a final glance, I determine our date is ready and walk over to my closed bedroom door. In an ideal world, I’d have a bunch of flowers in my hand. But I’m used to making do, and I think Riley is too. I’ll make sure to get her flowers another time.
Taking a deep breath, I stand tall and smile. This could be the first day of the rest of our lives together and I want to enjoy the moment. Enjoy my wife for as long as I can. Raising my hand, I tap my knuckles on the door. Three times.
The door opens before my hand connects for the last tap and in front of me is a beaming Riley.
How is it she looks more beautiful than she has all day? She hasn’t changed. There’s no added makeup on her face either. She’s all natural and for now, all mine.
