by K. L. Ramsey
Since it was their last afternoon of freedom before the real world crept back into their lives, he wanted to take Piper on a hike to discuss where they were heading. He knew that he would get some pushback on her end, so a hike would provide her with enough distraction to get her to agree to what he wanted from her.
She smiled at him as she took his offered hand to step off the front porch, and he pulled her along the trail that led further up the mountain. It would take them to his favorite lookout. From that spot, they would be able to see most of Harvest Ridge. There he would tell her that he wanted her to move in with him.
He was afraid that if they both resumed their everyday lives they wouldn’t get to spend much time together. That thought scared the shit out of him, so he needed to convince Piper to share a house with him. He really didn’t care where they lived, as long as it was together. Besides his cabin, Tag shared a condo with Torren, but he had a feeling that both Torren and Piper would object to the three of them living together in such close quarters. He was willing to move into Piper’s place, but he needed to ease into the subject.
They reached the summit and stood hand-in-hand looking over the town.
“Hey, I can see my shop from here.” Piper smiled and pointed to her brightly painted ice cream shop.
“I’m pretty sure you can see your shop from space, Pipe. It’s pretty bright,” Tag laughed.
“I have to say that I miss it a little. Do you miss your store?” She looked up at Tag and he couldn’t help but wrap her in his arms.
“No, I know that Torren has everything under control. Besides, if I was there, I couldn’t be here with you. I wouldn’t trade time with you for anything, Piper.” He dipped his head to softly kiss her lips.
She pulled back from the kiss, wrapping her arms tighter around Tag’s middle. “I wouldn’t trade our time here for anything either,” she whispered. “I just miss my customers, and Sunny. I guess I’m feeling a little shut off from the world right now. I wish we could have the best of both worlds, but that might be too much to ask.”
Tag saw his opening and knew that it was now or never.
“Piper, let’s move in together. I have room at my condo, or I can move into your place. I just don’t want to spend my days thinking about you or my nights lonely without you. I want to have it all, us together at home and our separate business lives.”
Piper pulled free from Tag and looked down at the faraway town. He knew that he was holding his breath, but he couldn’t help it. If he pushed her too hard, she would hide, and he wouldn’t let her run from this. He just needed to be patient and wait her out.
“I don’t know that I’m ready for this, Tag.” She turned back to face him. “I mean, what you’re asking is a big step. It’s a huge step, actually. How do I say yes to something that could possibly end in disaster?”
Tag ran his hands through his hair, making it stand on end. She was already thinking about the end of their relationship and he was still stuck at the beginning. “Pipe, how can you be thinking about this ending between us? We have barely just begun and you have us crashing and burning already?”
Tag paced before Piper, knowing that he looked a little crazy, but that’s just how he felt. This woman had the power to drive him completely out of his mind at times, now being one of them.
“Tag, everything ends, it’s just a question of when. I don’t put myself into situations that I know will end up breaking my heart. I learned a long time ago just how shitty that feels.” Piper grabbed Tag's hand, linking their fingers together. “Please understand, Tag. I just can’t let myself get hurt.”
Tag felt a fury that he hadn’t felt in a long time settle in the pit of his stomach. All of his past disappointments and losses weighed heavily on him, he’d just chosen to move on and find a new path. Piper was stuck trying to push her way through a path that had been so clogged up that she needed an army equipped with explosives to get through.
“Don’t you think it’s time to let someone in, Piper? I mean, you were a twenty-six-year-old virgin because you chose to shut yourself off from everyone.”
Piper gasped and ripped her hand from Tag’s, obviously hurt by his words. While that was not his intent, he needed to say things that she didn’t want to hear. It might be the only way to break through to her. His patience and giving her space sure wasn’t working out for him.
“Honey, I’ve been banging at your walls, trying to tear down your defenses, for over a year now. I can’t keep doing this all on my own. I need you to help me, otherwise we will never know what can be between us. I think we could have something great here; you just need to give us a chance. Help me, Piper.”
Tag pulled her into his arms, trying to find a way to reach her. She always responded to him touching her, so he decided to go that route. He was hoping that he could convince her that they could be so much more than just one long weekend together.
Tag tugged his t-shirt up over his head, loving the way Piper’s eyes flared whenever she looked his torso up and down. She let her hands roam freely over his body and a groan ripped from his chest. He lost control every damn time she touched him.
“Your turn, honey.”
Piper froze in his arms, shyly looking around the area for other hikers. He couldn’t help his laugh when she actually looked over the cliff, down into the tiny town below.
“Don’t worry, Piper, no one can see us.” He pulled her tank top up her body, loving the way she melted into his embrace. He wasn’t sure if she was trying to get closer to him or hide herself from anyone who might pass by. He needed to help her to forget that they were outside, where anyone could chance by. He knew just how to distract her. She would forget everything but his name. He planned on hearing her scream that out so loud that they just might hear it down in the valley.
He dropped to his knees and unsnapped her shorts, then slowly lowered them and her panties down her long, sexy legs. She squirmed against his hands as he dug them deeper into her ass, holding her still.
“Put your leg up over my shoulder honey, I need access to that gorgeous pussy of yours.”
Piper shivered in anticipation as she lifted her leg over his shoulder, holding onto his head for balance. He loved how tall she was; she seemed to fit him perfectly. As her leg circled around his back, he could see that she was already wet for him. He licked her clit, sucked it into his mouth and held her in place as her knees buckled. Piper ran her fingers through his hair, pulling his mouth closer into her body. She moaned and started to move her hot, wet pussy against his mouth, like she couldn’t get enough of him. Tag pushed two fingers into her tight opening, sending her quickly over the edge. Her screams echoed through the canyon, completely turning him on. He loved the way her body melted on top of his, as if she’d lost all ability to stand.
He gently moved her leg from around his shoulder and lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. His cock was screaming for attention but right now, his focus was on Piper. She had completely surrendered herself to him and now, he wanted an answer to his question.
“See, honey, we need more than just a few days together. We need to make this more of an everyday thing.”
Piper hummed her agreement, still coming down from the orgasm he’d given her. He pulled her shorts back up her body and helped her back into her t-shirt. If he had his way, he would carry her back down the mountain naked and keep her that way for the rest of the day. But he was sure that Piper would protest that idea, once she regained her ability to speak. She looked up at Tag and lovingly cupped his face in her hands. He loved the way she stared at him, as if she was trying to see into his heart and soul. If she only knew how much he wanted her—needed her—it would probably frighten her off.
“I see your point about us living together, I just don’t know if I’m ready to take such a big step. I need some time.” Tag couldn’t help his frustrated groan.
“Pipe, aren’t you the one that keeps telling me not to make promises and to live in th
e here and now? Well, here and right now, I want us to live together. I’ve waited so long for you, I feel like now it’s time for the next step.” Piper wrapped her arms around Tag’s body and he braced himself for the harsh let down that he knew she was about to dole out.
“How long does it take you to get into town from your cabin?”
Tag froze; Piper’s unexpected question had caught him off guard.
“Um, about twenty minutes, why?”
Piper snuggled closer into his body and his cock sprang back to life.
“Well, how about we forget about living in your condo, too many people there.” Her exaggerated wink and giggle made him laugh. She wasn’t wrong. The parade of women that Torren had running through at all hours was overwhelming. He didn’t want to put Piper though all of Torren’s sexcapades either. Things tended to get loud and wild when his twin brother was entertaining the opposite sex.
“Okay, then what do you propose?” He was hoping that she was going to offer any idea that involved them sharing the same place. Hell, he didn’t care where or what that place was. He would live in a two-man tent with her, he just needed her to agree to live with him.
“I’m thinking we live up here, at your cabin. I need a fresh start. My house holds so many memories. The only reason I stayed was because it’s mine and I had nowhere else to go. You moving into my parent’s home doesn’t feel right.” She wrinkled her nose and snuck a look at him.
He kissed the bridge of her nose, smoothing away her wrinkles.
“I can see how that might feel awkward since I am your first boyfriend and all.” Tag tightened his arms around Piper, happy that she was at least considering his offer.
“How about we move up here together and see how it goes?” Piper’s voice was a little shaky. He knew that this was a huge step for her. Everything in her life must feel like it is moving at warp speed; he almost felt bad about pushing her. He wanted to move in with her and start a life together so, if it took a little pushing, he’d do it. He was done waiting for Piper to face her fears. He would go to any lengths to make her a permanent part of his life.
“Sounds good, honey. I think we can get all of our stuff up here by the weekend.” He didn’t want to give her time to reconsider. The faster he moved them up to his cabin, the sooner they could move forward. Piper nodded her agreement and Tag’s heart nearly thumped out of his chest.
“See now, that wasn’t so hard, was it honey?” Tag grabbed Piper’s hand and started back down the mountain.
“Yeah, well, you were pretty convincing.” Piper squeezed his hand, smiling up at him. He pulled her along faster.
“The quicker you move that sweet little ass of yours, the faster we can get you back to the cabin and pick up where we left off.” Piper’s giggles were all the encouragement that Tag needed as he hustled them down the path to their cabin. He liked the sound of that. It would become someplace they could shut out the world and be just the two of them—their fresh start, together.
Chapter Eleven
Piper decided that her last night of living on her own should involve the three women that she loved the most. So she invited Lorna, Sunny and Maddie over for a girls only sleepover. She’d never really had a sleepover before. Sunny had spent the night a few times over the years, but she wanted something like she saw in the movies—a real sleepover. She loved the idea of having the three of them over to watch scary movies, paint each other’s nails and hopefully have a wicked pillow fight. She wanted to experience all the firsts that she’d missed out on.
Sunny was the first one there, complete with armloads of food and wine. Lorna showed up next, with chick flicks she’d rented from the library—they all looked super gory and were just what Piper was hoping for. The pizza delivery guy showed up next, trailed by Maddie who was kissing Jack good-bye on the sidewalk.
“Oh, give it a rest, you two! You’re already knocked up Mads, just get your pregnant ass in here so we can eat all of this food!”
Piper giggled at Sunny. Her best friend really did have a way with words. Jack paid the pizza guy for them and waved goodbye to all the women, causing a group swoon.
“He really is dreamy,” Maddie gushed.
They all collapsed onto the sectional sofa in the family room and got ready for the movie that Lorna had picked. Piper even turned down the lights to really get the full effect.
About halfway through the movie, Maddie rubbed her tiny baby bump and announced that she had to pee. It was perfect timing—Piper wanted to check in with Tag and see how things were going. He was supposed to be moving his stuff up to the cabin tonight, since both Jack and Torren had agreed to help out. She loved the idea that tomorrow night she and Tag would be up at the cabin, just the two of them. Every time she thought about it, she got goosebumps.
“Oh my God, you’re texting Tag, aren’t you?” Sunny grabbed for Piper’s phone but she was able to pull it out of her friend’s reach just in time. She held her cell to her chest, clutching it for dear life.
“No.” She raised her chin defiantly, as if challenging Sunny to try to take it away. “I was just checking the weather app for tomorrow. I don’t want any surprises.”
“Well, I’m calling bull crap!” Sunny was tickling Piper, trying to coax the phone from her death grip. “Come on Pipe, give me the phone. None of the rest of us are texting our guys.”
“I have no guy to text.” Lorna made a pouty face at her own words and took a huge gulp of her wine.
Maddie returned from the bathroom just in time to get in on the action. “My guy is with Tag, and he says to tell you that they are all packing up the trucks at the condo now and going up to the cabin. He also said to tell you that Tag’s phone is low on battery and might die at any time. Also, Tag says he can’t wait until you move up to the cabin, tomorrow.” Maddie looked down at her own phone, reading over the text message again and then smiling to herself.
“I can’t repeat the rest of Jack’s message since it was just for me, and filthy dirty.” Maddie waggled her eyebrows when the rest of the women groaned in unison.
“I can’t help it if he knows all of the good dirty words to use, it’s his gift.” Maddie sat back on the sofa and pulled a box of half-eaten pepperoni pizza onto her lap. She was a bottomless pit.
Sunny sank down next to Maddie, pulled off another slice of pizza and poured herself some more wine.
“Wait, what guy are you not texting, Sunny?”
Piper sat next to Lorna and pulled a blanket over them both. She looked at Sunny and waited for her answer. Sunny was the most stubborn woman Piper knew; if she didn’t want to answer a question, she’d just pretend that one wasn’t asked.
“Sunny, are you seeing someone and haven’t told me?” Piper was met with Sunny’s angry glare and she knew that she was onto something. Her friend had a secret guy on the side and she didn’t want to spill the details yet. Well, that was too bad. Sunny didn’t pull any punches when it came to getting Piper and Tag together, Piper was just returning the favor.
“Sunny…”
“Oh, all right, miss nosey pants, I’ve been texting with someone. I just don’t want to ruin it by telling anyone yet.”
“Texting? Just texting?” Piper wanted to push a little. After all, it wasn’t like Sunny not to share. Especially when her news involved a guy.
“Yes, just texting. Nothing else is happening, so can we just drop it? I take back what I said earlier; feel free to text Tag all you want. Just leave me alone!”
Piper laughed at Sunny’s sour expression. She knew that whomever her friend was texting was giving Sunny a hard time. Men had always come easy for Sunny; maybe some guy playing hard to get would be good for her.
“Alright, ladies, that’s enough boy talk for now. Sunny, wipe that frown from your face and hand me the bowl of popcorn. Let’s finish this movie so we can move onto chocolate cake and pillow fights.” Lorna was always the one to stop little tiffs before they happened. She was the mother hen of the group and Pi
per loved her for it.
Piper turned the lights back down and tried to concentrate on the movie, but all she could think about was who Sunny’s new guy was and what Tag was doing. Her life had certainly taken a turn in a very short amount of time. She’d gone from spending most nights alone, pigging out on pizza and ice cream, to having the most wonderful friends and boyfriend a girl could ask for.
She pulled out her phone and texted Tag. She was sure that he would get it once he got to the cabin. She wanted him to know how excited she was about beginning this next chapter of her life with him. It was what she had been waiting for but didn’t know that she wanted. As if she was afraid to wish for someone as wonderful as Tag.
A few seconds after she sent him the message, Tag sent her back a heart emoji, followed by the words Right back at you, honey. Yeah, she was one lucky girl.
***
Tag was exhausted by the time they’d got all three trucks unloaded. He was officially moved into his grandfather’s old cabin and it felt like he was finally home. Torren and Jack had brought beer and pizza and some delicious looking concoction that Sunny had whipped up. Aaron showed up with one last load that he picked up from the condo after his shift was over. He looked dead to the world as he grabbed a beer and two slices of pizza.
“Man, you look rough.” Torren slapped Aaron on the back, grabbing a beer of his own.
“Thanks, Tor. You always know just what to say.” Aaron nudged his friend as he passed back by. “I just worked eighteen hours straight, I’m a little tired.” Aaron shoved the rest of a slice into his mouth and swallowed it down with half his beer.
“Why don’t you crash up here tonight, Aaron? That way you can help at Piper’s in the morning.” Tag offered his friend another beer.
“If you have the room, that sounds great. I always keep a bag in my truck, so I have everything I need. You never know when a call is going to turn into a few days at the station.” Aaron shrugged and concentrated on his pizza. As a fireman, Aaron was always on call. Tag knew that his friend was dedicated to his job. He almost gave his life to his work, literally.