Page 25 of Liberated By the Logger

CHAPTER NINE

AMBROSE

Halle-fucking-lujah!

Aspen has given me the golden ticket to entering her heart, and I will not squander it. I’m going to invest in this time we have, put all my efforts into it, and cross my fingers until it flourishes Aspen’s feelings for me in return.

Smiling like a damn fool, I kiss her once more before lifting her from the counter.

She squeals, her arms flinging around my shoulders and legs wrapped around my waist. “Don’t! I’m too heavy.”

“You insult me. If I carried you down a damn mountain, I can carry you around my house. And I better never hear you say you’re ‘too heavy’ again. You’re perfect, like pocket size.”

She frowns. “I am not pocket size.”

“Sure you are. If your ex is any sign of what your previous partners were like, I can safely say you never had a man big enough for the job.”

She opens her pretty mouth to argue before pausing a moment. “I can’t dispute that truth.”

I nod. “That’s what I thought.”

Enjoying the feel of her firm ass cheeks molded in my palms, I walk us into the living room. I’d prefer the bed, but that may push my luck. The couch is safe, still allowing us to be close and comfortable while we play the speed dating version of twenty questions.

Placing her back on the couch where I left her to sleep earlier, I cover her back up with my down comforter. Not wanting her to overheat, I pull the couch back into its original position, away from the fireplace. This way the floor is open if things spice up between us, and fuck if the idea of taking her hard on my bear skin rug doesn’t excite me.

Patience, I remind myself. We’ll get there. I just need to convince her I’m worth it.

Once I have her settled, I ask, “Would you like an adult beverage now? I make a mean cocktail.”

Her lips pucker as she silently decides before answering me. “I like a good Colorado Bulldog.”

“Atta, girl,” I say with a grin. “I knew we’d get along flawlessly.”

Aspen laughs teasingly. “Because I like to drink?”

I shake my head as I retreat to my kitchen, feeling her eyes follow me. I peek over my shoulder and smile when my assumption is correct.

“Not because you drink. Its cause you picked my favorite nightcap. Birds of a feather….”

She smiles, watching me from the couch. “Do you want me to help? I can put the chili away while you make our drinks.”

“That’s sweet of you, darlin’, but I’m going to throw the lid on the pot and place it in the fridge once it’s cooled. Makes it easier when we pull it out for lunch tomorrow.”

“Oh, am I staying for lunch now?” She smiles wider, a challenge in her voice. “You’re awfully confident something will happen between us if you think lunch together is on the agenda tomorrow.”

“Please,” I say with poise. “The manifestation was already in the works the moment we made eye contact on the mountain. I’ll have you moved in with me before noon tomorrow. Therefore, yes, we will eat lunch together.”

She shakes her head like I’m ridiculous. Can’t say I blame her.

Had someone else told me before meeting her I would claim some strange woman as my partner within twenty-four hours of meeting, I would’ve agreed it’s ridiculous, too.

Things changed though, perspectives are clearer. She’s here and I know she’s the one for me. I feel it with utmost certainty, deep in my cells.

“You might change your mind about your interest in me once you learn who I am,” she mutters, her voice sounding tired.

“I doubt that very much,” I say sincerely as I return to her with our drinks. I hand her the glass, sitting directly beside her and throwing my arm around the back of the couch behind her head.

A gentleman would give her space for the oncoming interrogation. Lucky for me, I’m no gentleman. There will be limited space between us as long as I can help it.