by Kaylee Ryan
I’m lying in bed, not quite awake but not really asleep either. I’m in that in-between where I’m fighting the fact that it’s time to get up. It’s a love-hate relationship.
“Wake up, beautiful.” I feel his hot breath on my skin. “This is my last full day with you, and we can’t waste that sleeping away.”
“I’m warm,” I say, snuggling back against him.
His lips press against my neck. “I know, but we have plans today.”
“We do?” I look over my shoulder at him.
“Yep, so get your fine ass up and get moving.” He smacks said ass and climbs out of bed.
“I don’t have any of my clothes.”
“You do, actually. Aaron dropped them off about twenty minutes ago. He sent me a text saying your bag was on the front porch.” He points across the room. “I already brought it in.”
“Thank you.” I sit up and stretch my arms over my head. I slept well last night, and I feel really refreshed. Before I can put my arms down, Mike is stalking toward me and laces his fingers through mine, pushing me back to where I fall against the bed. He follows and as soon as my back hits the mattress, his lips capture mine.
“I haven’t brushed my teeth,” I say against his lips.
“Yeah, I know, but I haven’t kissed you yet today and that takes priority. Now get your ass out of bed and wash off the funk.” He laughs and hops off the bed when I swat at him. I watch as he walks toward the door. He stops but doesn’t turn around. “You might want to make sure you brush your teeth too. I mean, a guy can only take so much.”
I hear the laughter in his voice, but I still launch a pillow at him. It hits the closed door as he shuts it behind him. He’s right though; I don’t want to miss a minute of time that I get to spend with him this weekend. I hop out of bed, grab my bag and head to the bathroom.
After a quick shower, throwing on some jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt, I look for a hair dryer, which I don’t find. I comb through my long hair and just let it air dry. I find Mike in the kitchen, making breakfast. “That smells so good,” I say, taking a seat at the kitchen table.
“That’s because it is,” he retorts.
“Look at you, Mr. Confident. This must be the breakfast you make for all of your house guests.” The words are out before I can think better of it. Oh well, it’s not like neither of us has dated other people. Besides, we’re not even dating. Or are we?
Mike keeps his back to me as he plates our omelets. I watch as he places the skillet on the back burner of the stove, turns off the heat and then turns to face me. His face is void of any emotion, and I have no idea if my comment has upset him until he sets a plate in front me and the other at the place next to me. Then he’s kneeling beside me.
“Jamie.”
The way he says my name, all stern and serious, I know I’ve hit a nerve. I don’t look at him, picking up my glass of orange juice and taking a small sip.
“Look at me, please.”
I’m acting like a jealous bitch and I know it. I have no right, but that doesn’t seem to stop me.
Mike reaches up and places his index finger under my chin, turning me to face him. “There is no one else. Just you. I don’t bring dates here. Hell, I’ve barely dated since I took over the bar. I’ve devoted every day to making it the best that it can be. I don’t want to let down my father or grandfather. Our family’s legacy rests on my shoulders, and that’s all I’ve cared about since the day I took over. No time for anything or anyone else, really. That night at the pond, the guys had to force me to go.” Leaning in, he kisses my temple. “I’m glad they did, Jamie. Baby, I’m so glad I met you, that I’ve had this time to get to know you. I want more of that. I want to know everything there is to know about you. It’s only you,” he says again, this time placing a featherlight kiss on the corner of my mouth. “Eat your breakfast before it gets cold.”
I nod, pick up my fork and force myself to eat over the lump in my throat. His words melt my heart. He’s so sincere. I trust him; I know that if he says it, it’s the truth. I’ve never met a man like him, so full of southern charm and sweet as hell. It’s a heady combination that just amps up my attraction for him.
Michael Wallace is a hard man to resist.
“Eat up, we’ve got big plans today.”
“Care to enlighten me?” I ask.
“Why would I want to do that?” He grins.
“You like surprises.” It’s not a question; I can tell he’s enjoying this.
“Not normally, but after my birthday surprise, I’m suddenly a fan.”
Be still my heart. “Am I at least dressed okay?”
“Yes. You’ll need a coat though, and we’ll stop off to get you some shoes.”
“Shoes? What’s wrong with my shoes?”
“Nothing’s wrong with them, but I’m certain you didn’t pack anything that will be appropriate for what we’re doing today.”
“If you told me what we’re doing, I could tell you.”
“Nah, I think I’ll keep you guessing. Eat up.” He stands and takes his empty plate to the sink. “I have to load the truck. Be back in a few.” He drops a kiss to the top of my head and walks out the back door.
I finish my omelet in record time and quickly load the dishwasher. Rushing back to his bedroom, I grab a hair tie, a hoodie and my coat. My cell phone is charging on the hall table, so I grab that and shove it in my back pocket. I pull out my wallet from my purse on the floor by the table, taking my license, some cash and my debit card just in case.
“Ready?” Mike asks.
“Yeah, can you put this in your wallet?” I hand him the items from my wallet.
“You won’t need it.”
“Just in case,” I say, offering him my hand again. He grumbles but takes it and shoves it into his wallet.
“You ready?” he asks.
“Yeah. You sure I’m dressed okay?”
He takes his time appraising me. “You’re perfect, babe. Let’s go.” He offers me his hand and I take it without hesitation.
“Let’s get this adventure started.”
“What makes you think it’s going to be an adventure?”
I kick out my foot to show him my black boots. “If these won’t work, I can only imagine what you have in store for me today, country.”
“I’m going to show you my world.” He squeezes my hand before releasing it to open the passenger door of the truck.
I don’t know what he has planned and I find that I don’t really care. Spending the day with him, regardless of what we do, is all I care about. I’m not afraid; I know he would never put me in a dangerous situation. No, the only danger I’m in is losing my heart to him. I’m fighting the pull, but he’s too much. He’s more than I expected and everything I ever wanted all in one hot-as-hell package.
I’m in trouble.
I’m little nervous about today. I hope Jamie has a good time. I just want to show her a little of life here in Kentucky. She’s all city; her only true country experience has been her time here when visiting Whitney.
My reason is a little selfish. I can’t help but think about being more with her. More than… well whatever it is we are. I don’t think there’s a label for it. In my mind, if I can make her fall in love with the country, then maybe, just maybe, she’ll want to be here all the time. Maybe she’d be willing to give up life in the city and be here with me.
Like I said, selfish. She’d be leaving her family and everything she knows, but my business is here. It’s too much to think about, and too early to be thinking it. I can’t help it though; she’s got me twisted.
“First stop is the shoe store.” I reach over the console and rest my hand on her thigh.
“First kiss?”
I smile. “Stacy Hall, seventh grade.”
“Seventh grade, huh? Let me guess, spin the bottle?”
“Nope. It was our first dance. Dances don’t start until seventh grade here. David bet me I wouldn’t ask her to dance. I did,
and of course he had to pay up. Then we went double or nothing that I wouldn’t do it again and that time kiss her.”
“So you just went for it, huh?”
“I mean, there was some planning and strategic moves, but yeah, I won.” I wink at her before turning my eyes back to the road.
“I see. Care to enlighten me?”
“You know. I had to tell her how good she looked, even went as far as telling her she was the prettiest girl there.”
“Was she?”
“She was. What about you?”
“Jason Jeffers, eighth grade.”
“Spin the bottle?”
She laughs. “Seven minutes in heaven. You ever played?”
“No. What exactly is it? Wait, maybe I don’t want to know.”
“It’s easy. We used dice and the two highest numbers, one guy and one girl, had to go into another room—usually a dark closet—for seven minutes. The idea is you do… well, whatever you want. It was always insinuated that there was lots of kissing to be done, and maybe a base or two.”
“Maybe we should play,” I suggest. “I’d love to be locked in a dark closet with you running the bases.”
“You need more than two players. I mean, a girl has to have options.”
“The fuck you do,” I growl.
She leans over the console and kisses my cheek. “So testy,” she mock scolds me.
Pulling into the shoe store’s parking lot, I don’t even bother putting the truck in Park before I wrap my hand around her neck and bring her lips to mine. I let my want for her seep into the kiss as I stroke my tongue against hers, tasting her.
“Truck works too.” Her voice is breathy.
“Only one problem with that, darlin,’” I say kissing down her neck.
“Hmm, wh-what’s that?”
I trace my lips up her neck and nip at her earlobe. “I need more than seven minutes with you. I’m not sure even seven hours will be enough the first time I’m inside of you.”
“We could test that theory. Today,” she says as an afterthought.
I want to take her home and ravish her. I ache to feel her. “Shoes,” I say instead. I finally park the truck, lucky I didn’t drive through the damn building, and pull the keys from the ignition.
“What kind of shoes do I need?” I point down to my hiking boots. “We’re going hiking?” Her face lights up. “That sounds like so much fun.”
“It’s going to be in the high fifties today. Not too hot and not too cold. Miller’s Peak is just about twenty miles from here. It’s not huge, about a mile to the top. Nothing drastic.”
“Is it super steep?”
“No, it’s gradual. I wouldn’t do that to you on your first hike. Now let’s get you some boots so we can get this day started.”
“Lead the way.” I guide her to the women’s section and there are tons to choose from. “What am I looking for in a hiking boot?”
“Waterproof, for sure, and comfort.”
“I need your help,” she says, the grin still lighting up her face.
“These are the ones I have. What size?”
“Eight.”
“Have a seat and I’ll bring you a few options.” It only takes us about twenty minutes for her to find the pair she says “feels like walking on clouds” I assured her that was good considering all the walking we’ll be doing. I grab the boxes and place the others back on the shelf, then head to the counter to pay. I’m sliding my wallet in my back pocket when she reaches me.
“I could’ve paid for them.”
“I know that, but I wanted to. This was my idea, so my treat.”
“I’m too excited to argue with you about this. Just remember that when you come to Chicago to visit me.”
“Whatever you say, darlin.’” I grab the box and then her hand, leading her out of the store and to the back of my truck, where I let the tailgate down. I set the shoebox down, then turn and grab her hips, lifting her to sit on the tailgate. Stepping between her legs, I cup her face and kiss her. Mindful that we’re in a crowded parking lot, I pull away a hell of a lot sooner than I want to.
“Thank you for the boots.” She kisses my cheek.
“You’re welcome. Let’s get you out of these.” I lift her leg and unzip one of the sexy black knee-high boots she’s wearing. I set it beside her, then make quick work of taking the other off. “I’m going to throw these in the truck.”
“Too many damn laces,” she grumbles when I return, fighting with one of the boots.
“Here.” I hold out my hand and she practically throws it at me. I quickly lace it up and hand it back to her.
“Show-off.” She sticks her tongue out at me.
“Watch it.” I lean in and kiss her. I have the second boot laced by the time she has the first one tied. This time, I place it on her foot and tie it up. “Ready?” I ask, placing my hands on her hips and lifting her off the tailgate.
“I could’ve jumped down.”
“I have no doubt, but then I would’ve lost the chance to have my hands on you. No way am I going to let an opportunity pass me by.” I smack her lightly on the ass and follow her to the passenger door, which I open for her.
“I also know how to open doors.” She smirks.
I wait until she’s climbed inside and has her seat belt on, then lean in and kiss her again. It’s just a quick peck, but it’s my lips against hers and that’s all that matters. “I know you can, but I was raised to open doors. No way will I go against that. My momma would scold my ass if she found out.”
“So you only do it to stay on your momma’s good side?”
She’s trying to get a rise out me. What she doesn’t understand is that she already has. All she has to do is breathe or let me hear her voice when she’s hundreds of miles away and I’m hard as a fucking rock. Not exactly the rise she’s hoping for, but it’s because of her all the same.
“No, what I’m saying is that I’m a gentleman. I was raised to treat women with respect. Especially the woman in my life. And you, my dear, are that woman. So stop your bitching and let me take care of you.”
“I guess I can’t argue with that.”
“No.” I kiss her one more time before shutting her door.
The drive to Miller’s Peak is filled with questions about where we’re going, what it’s like, and whether it’s packed this time of year. Jamie is vibrating with excitement, and I’m glad I decided to bring her here.
“So how many others have you brought here?”
“Well, in high school there would be groups of us that would take hiking trips. David, Aaron, Evan and I have hiked the higher one, Anderson’s Peak, a few times.”
“So your high school girlfriend?”
“Nosey Nell,” I tease her. “No, not my high school girlfriend. I’ve never really had a serious girlfriend. I’ve dated, sure, but never someone where I felt like I knew it was going to be long term.”
“You’ve never been in love?”
I think about how to answer her questions without sounding like a jackass. “I’ve cared about a few girls. My longest relationship was about nine months, I guess. That was my senior year.”
“Did you love her?”
“No. I cared about her, but… It never felt like forever.”
“Did you tell her that you loved her?”
“No. I’ll never lie to you, Jamie. What you see is what you get.”
“That’s what you’ve said before. I just… most guys—”
“Stop right there. I’m not most guys. I’m a man, and I will never lie to you.”
“I know. I mean, I feel like I can trust you. It’s not that I don’t. Please don’t think that. I’m just learning about you. I want to know you—I mean really know you.”
“I’m an open book for you. I’ll tell you anything you want to know. You have to promise me something though.”
“What’s that?”
I pull into the parking lot and turn off the truck. “You have to stop thinking th
ere’s someone else. I’m not seeing anyone, thinking about anyone, or kissing anyone but you.” Reaching over, I tap the end of her nose. “It’s you, Jamie. Until we figure out what this is or where it could go, there will be no one else for me. Hell, I couldn’t even if I tried. You’re under my skin, darlin.’”
“Deal. So, are we going to hike this mountain or what?”
I throw my head back in laughter. “It’s not exactly a mountain. Miller’s Peak is more like a really big hill that rewards you with an incredible view once you reach the top.”
“Let’s do this.”
She reaches for the handle and jumps out of the truck. I follow after reaching into the back seat and grabbing my backpack.
“What’s all that?” she asks, pointing to the bag.
“I packed some waters and a few snacks. Beef jerky.” I grin. I plan on taking a break once we reach the top, wanting to watch her take in the beauty while I take her in. I offer her my hand and she accepts without hesitation, lacing her fingers through mine.
“Can you believe I’ve never been hiking?”
“City girl,” I tease, bumping my shoulder with hers.
“Sad but true. I’ve never had the desire. Everything has always been within walking distance: museums, concerts, sporting events, plays, parks—it’s all right at your fingertips. I never felt the need to venture out. It’s just recently that I realize what I’ve been missing.”
I give her hand a gentle squeeze. I like to think she’s referring to me, but I keep my mouth shut. No way am I going to risk ruining this mood, this day with her. Not going to happen.
“Let’s see. We’ve already hit on first kiss, so how about virginity. How old were you?” she asks.
“Sixteen. It was a fumbling two-minute disaster, but I assure you my skills have come a long way since then.”
“Same. Johnny Crow, junior prom, in the back if his mom’s Ford Taurus. Pretty much the same outcome, though I think it was a fumbling one-minute disaster. I too have since honed my skills.” Her voice is husky.
“I could have done without that tidbit of knowledge,” I growl.
This causes her to laugh. “Come on, you shared your improvements.”