“Kristene Leigha Hunt! Let’s go already!”
I turned around. “Wait a fucking minute!”
Jocelyn slammed the door and Rick cranked up the engine.
When I swung back around, Viktor looked amused. “You know a person has had all they can take when they call out your whole goddamned government name.”
I rolled my eyes. “She’s over-reacting. Give Roy a hug and kiss for me. It seems he’s ran off.”
“Sure.” Viktor stroked his thumb across my cheek and then ran his fingers down through my hair.
We moved together. He closed the distance between us. I lifted my lips to meet his. The kiss was sweet and tender. I almost couldn’t let go, but eventually, I did.
When I hopped in the van, Rick mumbled something under his breath and wasted no time backing out of the driveway. He pulled out so hard that the tires spun on the gravel. Minutes passed before Jocelyn noticed that I hadn’t moved from the back seat or said a word. We were on the highway and the snow-covered trees whizzed by. The road ahead would be lengthy.
Jocelyn turned around and leaned her chin on the top of the seat in front of me. “You okay?” She looked worried.
“I guess.” I didn’t feel like talking. My throat was dry from swallowing so much trying to get rid of a lump of regret that wouldn’t go anyway.
“You don’t look okay.” She handed me a chocolate bar from across the seat.
I grabbed it just to appease her, plus, she knew I couldn’t resist a piece of chocolate. “I’ll be fine.”
“There are other fish, you know?”
“What?”
“There are other fish in the sea. Rich men just like that guy are in Minneapolis. Now that you’re not afraid to use what you’ve got, I’m sure you could snag one.”
I frowned. “What would you know?”
She held up her palms. “Hey, I know what I know. Just don’t shoot the messenger. Like I told you before I moved out, if you just wait around for something to happen, you’ll be waiting around forever.”
Her statement stuck with me for some reason, echoing in my head like a broken record.
I met Viktor Kamaz because I hadn’t waited around for something to happen. I entered his world because I set my plans into motion. And although, I came to Arrow Lake to find my sister, I really had found myself.
“Stop the van,” I whispered.
Jocelyn spun around. “What?”
“I said stop,” I said, louder this time.
“Are you insane? We can’t stop here.”
“Yes, you can. Stop the van!”
Rick must have heard the commotion from the front seat. He stared at me through the rearview mirror and said, “Hell no! Are you crazy? We’ve been driving for twenty fucking minutes. I’m not stopping this fucking van.”
“Rick! Language. You don’t talk to my sister like that,” Jocelyn screamed.
“Just stop here. And let me out. I’ll walk,” I demanded.
“Dude, just let her out,” Gavin chimed in from the passenger seat.
Jocelyn unbuckled her seatbelt and came to join me in the back. “Hey sis, just calm yourself down for a minute. If you forgot something, let him send it in the mail.”
She was right. I had forgotten something, but what I’d left behind couldn’t be sent via any mail courier on Earth.
Jocelyn shook her head. “You don’t want to go back there.”
“Yes, I do.” I unbuckled my seatbelt and grabbed my bag. “Tell your fucking boyfriend or whoever he is to stop the fucking van now.”
“Rick, stop the van.”
The guy brought the van to a screeching halt on the side of the highway.
I started to get out of the van, but Jocelyn caught me by the arm. “You can’t walk back there. Do you realize how far we’ve driven?”
“I’m not leaving,” I said.
“Oh boy.” She sighed. “Rick, we’re going to have to turn around.”
Gavin spun around with a sour expression marring his face. “Are you kidding me, Jocie? We don’t have enough gas for this crap. You didn’t tell us that your little sister was going to be a problem.”
“Unlock the door and let me out. Problem solved, asshole,” I stated, firmly.
“Just do it. Rick, turn around,” Jocelyn warned.
After a lot of grumbling, Rick spun the van around and tore off down the highway.
“Kris, are you sure about this?” Jocelyn whispered. “It’s been what? Days? A couple weeks that you’ve been with that man?”
I wasn’t concerned about a time frame. I trusted my instincts. I nodded. “I’ve been sure. I was just afraid. I can’t leave them.”
My sister looked disappointed. In fact, she was wearing the same expression that she did on the day I told her she’d never be successful if she kept getting arrested and hanging out with fuckboys. But we all had to face the truth sometimes.
I was ready to face mine. I’d left my heart behind. And I was going back to fix that.
As Rick drove back recklessly, I unzipped my duffle bag and pulled out Viktor’s parting gift. When I pulled out a replica of a single lily flower carved from wood, I grinned widely. There was a note taped to it. I tried to make it perfect. Just like you, it read. Tears formed in my eyes and my heart swelled with joy. I knew I was making the right decision.
It took Rick less than twenty minutes to reach the main road leading up to Viktor’s properties. I kept looking at my watch, thinking that I’d somehow be too late.
“You can stop here,” I instructed, throwing the straps of the duffle bag over my shoulder.
“What? He can drive you up to the front door, you know,” Jocelyn stammered.
“There’s no need. I can walk from here. It’s such a short distance. Save the gas.”
Rick didn’t need me to repeat the demand. He brought the van to an abrupt halt right in front of the office cabin. Where it all began…
I was ready to exit the van, but then my sister called my name.
I turned around and give her another hug before saying, “It’s not you, Jocelyn. I promise it’s not.”
She grinned. “I could tell that you had feelings for this guy. If you wanna stay, stay. We’ll keep in touch.”
“You said that last time.”
“I mean it this time. Now go. Your lumberjack hunk is waiting.”
She didn’t have to tell me twice. I jumped down from the van and started making long strides in the direction of Viktor’s estate until I was practically running. I passed the rows of trees and all the tractors. There was even a newly created snowman right by the mailbox. I ran past that too.
I almost barreled into the front door but right before I reached it, I attempted to straighten myself before knocking.
The door swung open and Viktor stood on the other side. His mouth parted in shook and his eyes narrowed.
He grinned. “I’m not imagining things, am I?”
“No, you’re not.”
He glanced over my shoulder and then quickly pulled me inside as if I’d slip away from him again.
“Viktor, I…”
“Sssh,” he whispered and kissed me deeply. “I can’t think right now. I just need to touch you.”
We continued kissing in his foyer like two lovers who hadn’t seen each other in years. He pulled back and stared at me.
“Are you messing with me?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Nope. I don’t want to leave you.”
“I didn’t see a car outside. Don’t tell me you walked again?”
I chuckled. “I asked them to turn around. They brought me to the road. So, just a small walk. A run maybe. From the office to here.”
“You’ve gotta stop doing that. This isn’t the city.”
“No, it’s most certainly not the city.”
“You don’t know how happy I am right now,” he exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.
“I was hoping you’d be since we have unfinished business.”
I leaned in and rose up on the tips of my toes and planted a kiss to his lips. In his arms, I felt like I was home and right where I needed to be.
The sound of boots pitter-pattering across the hardwood floors approached us. We couldn’t pull from our embrace fast enough before Roy turned the corner.
“Oooh, you were kissing Ms. Kristene,” Roy taunted.
I pressed my fingers to my lips, which were swollen from being kissed so thoroughly.
“Yes, Roy. I’m kissing Ms. Kristene because I love her,” Viktor exclaimed.
Roy’s eyes widened into small saucers and he tugged at my free hand. “Does that mean you’re going to stay?”
“That’s exactly what it means. I’m here to stay.”
As Roy was doing his own version of a happy victory dance, I turned back to Viktor who was still holding tightly onto my other hand. My lumberjack didn’t want to let me go.
“I love you too,” I proclaimed.
He blushed. Not even his beard could hide the rush of excitement coloring his cheeks. “Damn, it feels so good to hear you say that, sweetheart.”
I grinned. “So, what would you say to giving me my job back?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re not going to be my maid or housekeeper, Kristene. I have other plans for you.”
“Oh? Do tell…”
“I’m going to make you my wife. There’s no need for me to wait. I know you’re the one.”
“Are you proposing to me?”
“That’s exactly what I’m doing.” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “I’m taking what I want. I want you to marry me. For real.”
“Yes, I’ll marry you. For real.”
Grinning, he grabbed me at the hips and lifted me up off the floor. A soul-bonding kiss sealed the deal.
Epilogue
Viktor
Four years later…
“Mommie, Mommie…Mommie.”
I watched in delight as my twin girls ran into the house, looking this way and that way in search of Kristene. Their pretty yellow sundresses swung around their legs as they made a bee line for the living room.
We found her in the guest bathroom, holding a measuring tape up to the mirror.
“Hey, my lovelies.” Kristene’s smile lit up the room when she saw the flowers in each of our daughter’s hands. “What’s this?”
“It’s for you!” Kaylee thrust three lilies up at her mom.
“And I picked these,” Valerie exclaiming, handing over her gift.
I leaned against the door frame and watched as Kristene grabbed a vase from under the cabinet, filled it with water and stuck the lilies inside.
Kristene beamed. “I’m going to keep it right in here, so when guests come over, they can see the pretty flowers you picked for me.”
She was practically glowing. But when she’d been pregnant with the twins, I remembered her this way too. The doctor had just confirmed the good news a little over a week ago. Kristene was six weeks pregnant. I was already the luckiest father alive and she was in the process of gifting me with another baby…or two. I had dreamed of having a house full of kids once and Kristene was making my dreams come true.
Kristene glanced my way, smiling. “The weather must be nice outside.”
“It was. The girls wore me out. I could hardly keep up.”
“You better step your game up, daddy. Soon, you’ll have another piggyback rider.”
I chuckled.
She leaned in and kissed me. Then she looked down at our girls and said, “Hey, why don’t you two go downstairs in the basement and see if your brother is finished making that train set?”
The twins adored Roy and loved tackling him with questions, so they went running toward the basement which had since been turned into the family room, and additionally, a craft room for all of Roy’s projects. He’d just turned eleven but had a talent for building his own gadgets. Most recently, he’d began building train sets and other toys for each kid at the Arrow Lake orphanage.
“Still tackling the bathroom remodel?” I asked.
“I was thinking new frames for the mirrors. We don’t have to gut the whole thing. Just a quick facelift,” she said.
“Whatever you want. Whatever makes you happy.” I slipped my arms around her waists and kissed the back of her neck. She looked up and our gazes met in the mirror.
She settled back against me and covered my arms with hers. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
“Feeling’s mutual.” I kissed her nape. “How are you feeling today, anyway?”
“Better. No nausea or anything like that, so I hope it’s passed. But you know me, I feel so much better when I stay active.”
“Yes, sweetheart. I know you quite well, Mrs. Busy Body.”
She laughed. “Look who’s talking. You even work in your dreams.”
“Work in my dreams? What?” I blurted, laughing.
“Yeah. Remember that recurring dream you have about all of your work papers falling into a puddle and then you keep reaching and reaching and never seem to get all of them out. And then you stay up all night reworking the papers and never seem to finish.”
“That’s not a dream. That’s a nightmare!” I chuckled.
“Either way, you know it’s true. We work too much, don’t we?”
“Hmmm. I was going to wait to tell you, but I have a plan for that.”
She spun around. “A plan?”
“Actually, yes, I planned a vacation. Disney. Florida. The beach.”
She gasped and her eyes widened. “Oh God. You didn’t?”
I nodded. “I did.”
“I’ve always wanted to go back to that place. And Roy was just asking me about going to the beach this summer.”
“And that’s exactly where we’ll all be this summer. You, me, Roy, the twins, and the baby in your belly. I sort of planned it before we…uh…knew you were pregnant again.”
She grinned. “Hey! I’m not complaining. These kids need a vacation too. This summer is only two short months away. I can’t wait.”
“Speaking of working too much…” I kissed her mouth, then her face, and then made love to her neck with my tongue. “I think you oughta take a much-needed break.” I pushed the bathroom door close and then locked us inside.
“Really?” She slipped her hands down into my pants and grabbed hold of my cock.
“Yeah. All this walking and reaching and bending and stooping. That could get really taxing on your legs.” I pushed up her dress and massaged her creamy thighs with my hand.
“My legs are fine,” she breathed.
“What about your pussy? Does it need stroking? It’s been what…? A few hours since I last ate.”
I slid my hands upward to find that she didn’t have on any underwear. I looked up quickly and caught her devilishly gaze.
“Naughty,” I rasped.
“Only for you. So, what are you gonna do about that?”
I picked her up by the waist and sat her down on the counter. I leaned down, kissing up her inner thigh until I reached her pussy. She was already glistening wet. I ran my tongue through her slit, pushing deep, until her warm honey spilled into my mouth.
She clenched her teeth and bit her lip to keep from crying out. With the kids, Kristene and I have mastered the art of keeping quiet during sex. Sometimes, a scream or a groan slipped out here and there, but whenever we had sex throughout the day, we were always discreet. Like now, as she was propped up on the bathroom counter with my face between her legs and my tongue licking at her clit.
She shuddered and her pussy contracted around my tongue. When I looked up, I knew she was holding back a scream from her climax.
“Fuck me right now, Viktor. Hurry please,” she begged.
I stood up, released my swollen cock, and gave her what she craved the most. She was warm and wet, and I drove into her pussy with deep, long strokes. She palmed her breasts
and kneaded her nipples as I watched. Not only was my cock on the verge of eruption, but the sexy visuals were pulling me over the edge.
I bit back a groan as her hungry pussy milked me.
Only a few seconds passed, and then I burst inside of her. My seed spilled, hot and fast, like a river inside of her womb. I pumped hard into her as waves rolled over me. I rode my climax as long as I could. Kristene came crashing down with me. She pressed her open mouth to my shoulder and bit down. One strangled cry wretched from her throat.
Afterward, she leaned back with her head resting against the mirror.
“Feel better?” I asked.
She nodded. “Definitely.”
After a short pause, I asked her, “Are you still up for going out to the lake to fish? It rained last night, and Dustin told me they’re biting out there.”
“Of course. I’m so glad you don’t have to work late this evening. It’s so nice outside, so let’s go,” she said.
“Good, and I’m grilling tonight when we get back so don’t worry about dinner.”
“Works for me. I’ll just prop my feet up and let you do your thang.” She pulled me in and kissed me sweetly. “I love you, Viktor.”
“I love you, too, Mrs. Kamaz.”
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Preview: Abducted by the Mountain Man
Story Summary
On my mountain, I take what I want.
I’m an ex-contract killer. A retired professional. I don’t do attachments. I don’t trust.
* * *
For years, I spent my life pulling the trigger for cold, hard cash. Now that I’ve left that lifestyle, I want to be left the f*#k alone. Determined not to go back to the way things were, I resist all temptations.
* * *
Until Alexis.
Wife for the Lumberjack Page 15