The Woodsman

by Blake North

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Chase

  I thought I'd gotten my head on straight. I’d overreacted last night. I had been so embarrassed to admit I had been in prison, I had turned it into anger and directed it at her. It wasn't her fault. She acted like anyone would react to hearing the man they'd been shacking up with was a convicted felon.

  By the time I got back last night, or early this morning I supposed, she was asleep. I didn't want to wake her up. I spent a lot of time thinking about Madison and soul-searching. I wanted to be with her more than I wanted the air I was breathing. I had to try and make it right. She didn't outright say she didn't want to be with me. She said she needed to think about everything.

  Hopefully, she hadn't closed her mind to the idea of being with me and would give me one last chance to prove I was worth keeping around. I knew it was a long shot, but I loved a good challenge.

  It was almost eight. I didn't know how late she had been up last night but hoped she had enough sleep. I walked to my bedroom door and gently tapped on it. I waited. When I didn't hear a response, I knocked a little harder.

  “Yes?” she called out, sleep in her voice.

  “Can I come in for a minute?” I asked, not wanting to intrude if she really didn't want me close to her.

  “Of course.”

  I opened the door, and she was sitting up in my bed, “What's up?” she asked, rubbing her face.

  “I want to take you somewhere. Before you decide what you want to do, will you go with me?”

  She nodded. “Yeah. Give me a few minutes, and I'll be ready to go.”

  “No rush. Take your time. I'll put more coffee on.”

  “Okay.”

  I was feeling confident. She didn't seem to be mad, but she was still half asleep. I poured her a cup of coffee and waited. When she came into the kitchen, she was dressed and ready to go. Her hair was piled into one of those messy buns and she had on a very warm-looking beige sweater with a pair of jeans and those sexy boots she favored.

  “I'm ready.”

  “Here. Drink your coffee, and then we can go.”

  While she drank her coffee, I went to the bedroom, grabbed a fresh change of clothes, and hit the shower. I was dressed and ready within ten minutes.

  We drove into town, neither of us saying a word. The tension between us was thick. I longed to hold her hand but didn't want to scare her away by making an unwanted move. I wanted to show her my surprise first.

  We pulled into the parking lot of a house that had been transformed into an art gallery.

  “What's this?” she asked, reading the sign in the window.

  “This is one of three galleries in town. I know it seems weird, but we do have art galleries here. They cater to the wealthy people who own property outside of town. Some of these guys have some A-list celebrities on their client list. It looks small and unassuming, but I assure you, they are the real deal.”

  She nodded, “And you brought me here because?”

  “I looked you up. Googled your art and made a few phone calls. Each of the three dealers in town wants your work, but it’s up to you to decide if you want to work with them. Assuming you want to work with anyone in Colorado. You don't have to be with me. You can still live your dream of living here without being with me. I would totally understand that, but don't throw away your dreams because I don't fit in with them,” I said in a soft voice, hoping she understood my sincerity. “I want you to be happy, Madison.”

  She smiled. “Thank you. I have no idea when you had time to do this, but thank you. I would like to talk with them and see what they have to say.”

  I grinned. “Great, let's go. They're expecting the artist to make an appearance today.”

  She laughed. “I'm the artist?”

  “Yep. You can be very successful here.”

  We walked inside, and I stood next to Madison as she listened to the pitch from each of the galleries and asked her own questions. I marveled at her ability to negotiate fees. The woman was no pushover. Hell, I knew that firsthand.

  She asked questions about their clients, the business in general, and what they expected. It was awesome to see her in her element. She was all business. At the third gallery, I could see she found something that appealed to her. The owner was very interested in her work. Madison was passionate about her art and explained how and why she painted what she did.

  I stood back and watched, beaming with pride. I so wanted to claim her as my own, but this woman wasn't ready to be claimed by anyone. I could tell she liked this particular owner. When they started to talk numbers, it became clear how much the gallery wanted Madison's work. They offered her a forty percent commission charge versus the fifty percent the other two offered.

  I found it to be very steep and completely unfair, but Madison assured me it was the norm. I didn't understand how I’d gone to prison for robbery when these people were blatantly robbing the artists. It seemed ridiculous, but it didn't bother her, so I chose to keep my feelings to myself.

  Madison excused herself and came to stand next to me.

  “What's going on?” I whispered.

  “I need to make her think I'm thinking about it. I don't want to appear too eager,” she whispered back.

  I bit back the smile and fought to keep a serious look on my face. I frowned, pretending to be bothered by the deal the gallery owner was trying to establish.

  Madison turned around. “I'm going to need some time to think about it,” she told the woman.

  I knew exactly how that woman felt. I had heard the same words from Madison and knew what it meant. She wasn't ready to make a decision or commit. I was beginning to understand why she had been stuck in the relationship with Mark for so long. She didn't make hasty decisions. The woman took an ungodly amount of time to mull things over. I was more of a straight from the hip person myself, but this careful nature was one of the many things I loved about Madison.

  I loved her. I was willing to do anything to make her happy, even if that meant her not being with me. I loved her and wanted to do right by her. Being with me could tarnish her image. I got it. I didn't like it, but I understood she was trying to make a name for herself and being shacked up with me could cause some problems for her.

  I was willing to let her go, even if it killed me to do it.

  Madison walked to the door, waited for me to join her, and then walked to the truck.

  “Do you want me to find you a hotel?” I asked her, scared to death of what her answer would be.

  She paused. “No.”

  I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing.

  “Do you want me to take you to the airport?”

  “No.”

  I felt excitement stirring in my stomach. “Do you want to go home with me?”

  She reached across the seat and grabbed my hand. “Yes.”

  I fought back the urge to put the gas pedal to the floor. She was going home with me. It was only a day before she was scheduled to leave, but I would take it. I wanted to make the most of our last night together.

  When we got home, we held hands as we climbed the few steps to the porch. I was doing my best to control my sexual needs. I didn't want her to think I only wanted her for sex. She had been upset that she didn't know all there was to know about me. I was willing to fill her in on every detail, right down to how old I was when I learned to walk.

  Telling her about the prison thing had been freeing. I didn't have to hide or worry someone would say something. I was who I was, and she could take me or leave me. That was out of my hands.

  We took off our coats and then went to sit on the couch together.

  “So, what'd you think about the galleries?” I asked.

  “The last one, Doris, she's the only one I would work with. The other two were dealers. They weren't art lovers. I think buyers know when someone is truly passionate about the art. That passion is what sells pieces.”

  I nodded but really had no idea.

  �
�Are you going to work with her?” I prodded.

  She smiled. “I think so.”

  A feeling of complete relief washed over me. I knew this didn't mean she was willing to be with me, but getting her to Colorado was half the battle. I could keep working on her and wear down her defenses against me given a chance.

  She scooted close to me. I looked at her, waiting for her to make the first move. She leaned in and kissed me. It was a slow, gentle kiss that was quickly turning into something much more intense. We had both been starved for each other for too long.

  “Wait,” I said, pushing her back a little.

  The look on her face was priceless. I enjoyed the look of shock a little too much.

  “I love you,” I blurted out.

  She smiled. “I love you, too.”

  I shook my head. “No. Like I am head over heels, walk through fire in love with you.”

  She giggled, “I don't want to walk through fire, but I will walk through the snow with no shoes on if that counts.”

  I nodded. “It counts. It definitely counts.”

  With that out of the way, I lunged for her. My body was ravenous. I needed her in every way. My hands went to her face, my palms pressed against her cheeks as I kissed her. I had to hold her firmly in place out of fear of losing her. I couldn't lose her.

  I pulled back, our noses touching, and I looked deep into her eyes, “My God, I love you. I didn't know this kind of feeling was possible.”

  She gave me a quick kiss. “I understand. I'm so glad I crashed my car that day,” she giggled.

  “Me too. It was fate.”

  She laughed. “I didn't know you were so sappy.”

  “It's you. You make me sappy. You turn me inside out. I want you so bad.”

  Her breath hitched. “I need you, Chase. I need you.”

  I stood, reached out a hand, and walked to the bedroom with her. I wanted to make love to her. I wanted her to know how much I loved her by worshiping her body. We had this one last day together, and I planned to have her naked every minute of it.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Madison

  My heart felt full like it was too big for my chest. It was a much better feeling than I had yesterday when I felt as if it had been shattered in two when he walked out that door. I looked at the bed and remembered fingering myself while thinking about Chase. Now, he was here with me where he belonged. I never wanted to have to imagine him like that again. I wanted the real deal every time.

  He stopped at the side of the bed, dropping my hand.

  “I want to love your body. All of it. Don't beg me to go fast because I won't,” he said in a gravelly voice made rough with desire. “I want to appreciate every bit of you. I need to know you in every way possible,” he said before pressing his lips to mine. His words promised sweet ecstasy. His lips promised euphoria.

  “Okay,” I mumbled against his mouth.

  It was an empty promise. I couldn't promise not to become wild with my need for him. His touch ignited a fire that made it difficult for me to go slow. I always felt as if I was racing toward the most magnificent reward in the world. In a way, I was. He always made every orgasm so utterly amazing, I wanted more.

  “Strip,” he ordered, sitting on the bed and pushing me away from him.

  Swallowing the lump in my throat, I pulled my sweater off before working my jeans down my hips. I stood there wearing my bra and panties, watching him watch me.

  “All of it.”

  I gulped air, trying to calm my racing heart. His gaze was making me feel shaky.

  I stepped out of my panties and let my bra drop to the floor. My arms dropped to my sides.

  “You're beautiful,” he whispered. “Turn around.”

  I slowly turned around before coming back to face him. I stood completely nude and allowed his eyes to rake over me. I was laid bare and I felt no apprehension about it. I completely trusted him. I had nothing to hide. I was his. Every. Single. Inch.

  After a very thorough perusal of my body, he stood and shucked his own clothing. I stared down at his jutting dick and licked my lips. I really, really liked his penis. It was a work of art.

  He stepped behind me and steered me toward the bedroom door. I briefly wondered what he had in mind, but quickly dismissed the thought. I didn't care. I was safe with him and whatever he chose to do would bring me more pleasure than I had ever experienced. I knew that deep in my soul.

  With one arm, he reached out and shut the door before stepping through it. I found myself staring at my nude body with his towering body behind me in the full-length mirror mounted on the door. I automatically reached up to cover myself.

  He pushed my arms away. “No.”

  His hands moved to my breasts. As he rubbed his thumb over a nipple, he held my gaze in the mirror. He kneaded my breasts, both nipples forming hard peaks. His head dropped to my neck where he kissed and sucked before giving me love bites that had my body quivering with need.

  He looked up, caught my gaze in the mirror again and silently ordered me to keep watching. I shivered with excitement as one of his hands slid down my stomach, and, using his knee behind me, he gently nudged my legs open. I widened my stance and watched as his finger pushed inside me. I gasped at the sight of his finger disappearing inside my pussy.

  I saw the look of passion on his face and fed off it. Watching him finger me in the blatant light of day was making me dizzy with passion. He worked his magic with his finger as I watched him slide in and out. It was too much. It was sensory overload. I closed my eyes and dropped my head back against his shoulder in an attempt to quiet my raging need.

  “Watch,” he said in a growl next to my ear.

  My eyes popped open and looked back at where his hand was on my body. He slid a second finger in, and I could feel the climax spiraling up my legs. He stopped the moment I thought I would explode. I whimpered in frustration.

  “Chase,” I said with a moan. “Chase, please.”

  He didn't stop. He kept licking, sucking, and biting the most sensitive area on my neck while his finger worked inside me. Watching his dark head move over my neck as his arm stretched over my stomach and his fingers delved into me was making me far more aroused than I could have imagined. My gaze focused on his fingers. I could see them glistening with my juices.

  He bit down on my neck, and just like that, I witnessed my body begin to convulse with the orgasm that washed over me. My mouth dropped open, and my eyes started to close. I rejected the instinct to close my eyes and focused on my body and face instead. He worked the pad of his thumb over the nub and drew it out even longer. My legs were so weak by the time the last spasm shot through me, I couldn't stand any longer. Chase was there. He picked me up and walked the short distance to deposit me on the bed.

  I knelt in front of him, waiting in heightened expectation. He looked at me and gave me control. I reached out and pulled his arm.

  “Lie down,” I ordered.

  He did what I asked, lying flat on his back in the middle of the bed. My eyes were drawn to that big cock, dancing and waiting for me. I kissed him, plunging my tongue into his mouth before biting his lip. He jerked and moaned in pleasure. I went down, not taking him into my mouth but breathing close as I used my hand to slowly work over his dick. My tongue darted out. I lapped at the head, making slow licks up and down his dick while I massaged him with my hand. I ran my tongue down to his balls and gently kissed them before using a hand to tug and squeeze.

  There was a fierce growl, and he was jerking me up to his face, ready to pull me onto his dick.

  “No,” I ordered. I was in control.

  He growled. “I have to taste you.”

  I spun around and crawled over him, my pussy above his face and my face in perfect position to go back to licking and sucking his dick. His mouth was licking and teasing me as I sucked him into my mouth. The harder I sucked, the deeper he probed with his tongue. I was struggling to stay on my knees as he worked a finger inside me. I
could feel the orgasm coming. I sucked hard, taking him deep into my throat as I did. My action resulted in him pushing his fingers deep while he nibbled at the nub.

  I moaned, low in my throat as my climax burst through me. He jerked his hips, pushing his dick further down my throat before shoving me off. I landed on my back, and then he was over me and shoving between my legs while my orgasm still pulsed through me. He slid deep inside me, not wasting any time.

  I moaned with his entry, relishing in the fullness. It was what I had been craving so badly the past couple of days. He lay unmoving, his cock buried to the hilt. I bent my knees and opened my legs wide, shifting my hips as I did. I felt his dick twitch and knew he was close to climax. I bucked my hips, and he groaned low in his throat.

  I did it again. His protest against fast and hard was quickly forgotten. I rocked up again, taking him deep inside me, his balls resting against me. I moved a few more times, rubbing my clit against his dick.

  “Dammit,” he grunted before pistoning into me over and over with hard, deep thrusts.

  I felt him stiffen, and then he started to come. My body responded to his pulsating dick, and I followed him over the brink once again.

  He collapsed on top of me, kissing my neck and then my lips.

  “I'm not done with you,” he moaned.

  “Good.”

  “You make me crazy. I want to fuck you over and over. I love to watch you come. Did you see yourself come?” he asked.

  “I did.”

  “Good. I want you to see what I see. You're such a beautiful woman, Madison Carr.”

  I kissed him. It was a deep probing kiss. I wanted him again. I felt his dick harden inside me and knew he was ready as well.

  He rolled over, bringing me with him as if we were glued together.

  “Ride me.”

  I sat up and slowly moved back and forth. I was in no hurry. I wanted to enjoy the feeling of his dick buried deep. My hands rubbed his chest and then over his six-pack abs. His body was a masterpiece. I never saw him work out. This was the body of a Colorado mountain man who spent a lot of time outdoors doing manual labor. He moved his hands to my breasts, tweaking my nipples. It was a slow, easy ride. I relished the feel of his hard body under mine. I could feel the muscles in his thighs under my butt as I moved up and down. His hand moved to where we were joined, his thumb pushed against the hard nub. It was hyper-sensitive from all the attention. One touch and I was jerking.