Page 4

I nod as I run my hand along the wood. “Did you make all the furniture in the cabin, too.”

“That was my little project. I made almost everything in there. I would like to do more of that, and have more rental cabins. But all the paperwork that is involved is killing me.” He does a little shrug. “I wasn’t smart in school. I was the kid who’d rather be outside kicking a ball around than being stuck in a classroom.”

“I don’t think that has anything to do with being smart. It’s just that you probably learn differently.”

He nods and smiles at me. “My dad taught me to channel my energy into something active. That’s how I got into carpentry and competitive lumberjack sports. It was a lifesaver. Taught me how to concentrate on one thing and deal with all that energy I had swirling around.”

“I’m guessing you were the kid with straight A’s?” He says.

I laugh. “No, not that kid. I do like reading. But sometimes my imagination got away with me. Or I would choose reading a book over doing my homework. But now I have my own business as a web designer and I’m trying to be a writer, so I have to be more careful with my time.”

He picks up his papers.

“It’s the business side of things that I need to get better with. I want to get a website up and running and I’m not very organized. Like I had planned to have a fire lit in your cabin before you arrived. I’m sorry that wasn’t done.” His look is apologetic.

“That is okay. You said you’re trying to make a website? I could help you with that if you like?”

“You’re not meant to be writing?” It’s nice that he is aware that my writing time is precious. But being around Ronan has me wanting to know more about him. It is admirable that he puts so much time and care into his work.

“I can have a day off.” I tell him.

“We’ll make a deal. You help me for a couple of hours. And then you can sit here and write and I’ll make you dinner.”

“Deal.” I return his friendly smile. “As long as you put a t-shirt on.”

What he did was go and take a quick shower. He came out dressed. But the wet hair and the thin cotton t-shirt stretched across his chest was somehow so much better. Better in the way that it was worse for my resolve to not reach out and touch him.

He made us sandwiches and we sat down at the big table and talked about his business and the things he wanted on his website. The longer we sit next to each other, the more comfortable I grow being this close to him. We talk about his business and pictures he has on his phone of furniture he's made, what services he offers. I can tell that he's really proud of his workmanship and he should be. The things he makes are beautiful. Our arms almost touch quite often.

I can feel the heat of his body pick up the masculine scent of his aftershave. My whole body is attuned to him, every move he makes, but at the same time I'm less nervous. I can calm down and be more myself, not quite on edge.

Except for those times when he smiles at me and my stomach does a little flip. His eyes shine and he tells me that I'm amazing. Then I get a bit flustered and awkward, constantly blushing from his compliments. I'm just not used to people complimenting me.

But I can be more myself. It's nice, comfortable even, sharing space with him, talking to him, sitting in this big old house, designing a website for him. I'm more in my element. And when he asks me about my writing, we happily talk about that. I'm able to open up and tell him a bit more about my life.

I tell him how I don't have that many friends, I'm not that good with people. And so it's hard to write in-depth characters for my book. He seems genuinely interested about the book, which is nice. Quite often people's eyes sort of glaze over when I tell them what I'm working on. But Ronan says all the right things. Asking questions and saying how brave it is to put something I’ve made out into the world. I find myself wishing that maybe one day I could find a man like Ronan, someone who understands. A man that sets makes my heart race, a man that's all kind smiles and encouragement and compliments.

I know this is just temporary, just for the weekend. But I'm going to enjoy it while I can. See it as an experiment, being this close to a man this drop dead sexy. Maybe hanging out with a sexy man is okay if you're a romance writer on a writing getaway. I’m certainly having very romantic thoughts so it could totally count as research for my book.

Chapter 5

Ronan

Working side by side with Mia is amazing. She is brilliant and smart and clever and beautiful. What she can do with a website just blows my mind. I just tell her what I want and she's able to bring the ideas to life. I bet she's a great writer as well. She can see the vision. It’s like me when I’m working on a piece of furniture. And I love watching her face as she works and getting to know all the different facial expressions Mia has. I've seen her chin out and determined and stubborn. I've seen her scared of spiders and dancing on a chair. I've seen her turned on and wanting me. But it's the look of concentration that I think I like the best.

Well, turned on is the best. But I like watching her work. I like the little frown that furrows on her brow. The way she squints at the screen sometimes, trying to see small details. I like how she taps her fingernails on the desk while she's thinking. And when something goes right, she turns to me and smiles like she's won a prize.

It's amazing. All of it has me turned on. The way her hair captures the light. The scent she wears. But more than that, it feels good to open up and share with her, to talk about my work, to talk about her writing. We get talking about family and childhood and the things we used to do as kids. I like her laugh. I want to hear more of it. I like her being in my house. I want more of that too. She's let her walls down a little bit. But, I have to remind myself, just because her walls are coming down, doesn’t mean I can just go storming in.

Later after dinner, she's helping me wash the dishes. And I just can't handle it anymore. All day I've wanted to kiss her.

When she turns to me and smiles, I make my move. Leaning in, I claim her lips in a kiss. I can tell she's a bit surprised. She stays very still, but only for a moment, it’s like we both hold our breath. But then she gives in. My arms go around her. Her body melts into mine. She gives in to the kiss and for a moment I can let go of the tight grip I’ve had on the passion that’s been riding me all day. Searching, exploring, needing this connection. Tongue against tongue. My mouth on hers. My arms around her body.

Her hands gently come up to rest on my chest. What I wouldn't give to just let go. I pick her up, lifting her against my body and then seating her ass on the kitchen counter.

“Mia, you are beautiful.” I whisper the words. Not wanting to break the spell between us.

“Please. I wish you wouldn’t say things like that.”