Married in the Mountains: Camp Hardwood Series

by Alexa Riley

  We both finish getting ready before he carries me out back toward camp.

  “Kitchen,” I tell him.

  “I was going to grab you something and bring it to your desk,” he tells me.

  “No, I want to check on people. We’ll eat out front.” He nods, knowing I’m not going to back down on this one.

  He carries me right into the kitchen and sets me down on the counter, where Tia’s eyes widen. She’s been a hard nut to crack. The girl is one of the shyest I’ve ever met, but boy can she cook. She got the job in the kitchen off a cookie she brought to the interview. I’m trying to get her to work with the kids too and hoping it will help with her shyness. She might work in the kitchen for the most part but everyone on staff is considered a counselor.

  Piper is there too, sitting over at the other counter eating pancakes dripping in syrup. Her legs swing back and forth and she looks better. Her cheeks have a little more color to them and she doesn’t seem as nervous.

  “She’s fine, I’ve been keeping tabs,” Ford whispers in my ear then kisses my cheek so no one notices we’re whispering. Tia must hear something because her eyes get bigger.

  “I don’t know why your son is telling everyone he’s my boyfriend!” she blurts out in a rambled rush so fast you’d think I was interrogating her. Piper giggles. “He’s not,” Tia shouts, looking over toward Piper.

  She shoves another bite of pancake into her mouth even as she’s laughing and Tia looks about seven shades of red.

  “Okay, I didn’t know that one.” Ford has his back to the girls and looks down at me. He smirks and I don't know what’s going on but things are starting to feel settled again and my man is smiling. In my world that means everything is fine. I’ll ask Van about what he’s up to later. If he’s anything like his dad he knows what he’s doing.

  Chapter Six

  Ford

  Honey is in the office again today and although I’m not completely okay with it, I’m beginning to relax. She’s somehow figured out how to make me feel calm and worked up all at the same time and I think she enjoys torturing me.

  As if reading my mind, she looks up from her desk and winks at me.

  “Hey Honey,” a camper says as they walk through the office and drop off one of the medical backpacks.

  “Hey there,” Honey says with a bright cheery smile.

  “Watch it,” I caution and the little guy’s eyes widen as he slowly steps away and back outside.

  I stomp over to the bag and take out the cool packs and pop them in the freezer and pull out some fresh ones.

  Another camper comes skipping in to pick it up and looks right past me. “Hi, Honey!”

  “Really?” I ask, and she gently takes the bag from me as she backs out just like the guy before.

  I growl low in my chest and I can hear my wife trying to muffle her laughter from behind me.

  “Should have changed your first name when we got married,” I grumble and I hear her sigh.

  “They’re kids, Ford. It’s harmless.”

  “Sure.” I grab a stack of papers and straighten them angrily as I wonder if everyone is conspiring against me. “I think they stand outside and plan it.”

  I’m aggressively stapling the daily schedules when the screen door slams open.

  “What?” I bark, assuming it’s a kid, but when I hear someone clear their throat I look up.

  A big guy in a black polo shirt and khakis comes inside and takes off his sunglasses. He’s got dark eyes and hair that is almost as black as his shirt. He looks around the room and smiles wide, revealing straight white teeth.

  “Sorry to bother you.” His smile is easy and it’s not that he’s raising any suspicions but a guy dressed like he is usually isn’t destined for the wilderness. “I’m looking for someone.”

  I feel Honey step up beside me and place a hand on my lower back. “Currently we have our summer programs in full swing. As you can probably appreciate, we keep the student records confidential due to custody arrangements.”

  We had some trouble a few years back with a couple going through a bitter divorce. They were using the kids against one another and the dad tried to come pull the kids out of the camp their mom had registered them for, claiming it was his weekend. We had to call the cops and child protective services and since then we keep a tight lid on our campers and don’t allow non-employees on the grounds. The office is the first cabin you come to when you enter Camp Hardwood so no one could get past us even if they wanted to. Moose made sure of that.

  “I completely understand. I’m actually looking for a counselor.” He doesn’t make a move to come closer and his smile is stuck in place. “Her name is Piper.”

  I feel Honey tense against me and her nails dig into my back. I don’t react but instead match his cool demeanor and cock my head to the side. “I’m afraid I don’t know anyone by that name.”

  If this guy is a friend of Piper’s we can tell her he showed up and she can get in touch with him, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he’s the reason she showed up here with a baby on the way.

  “She might be going by another name. She’s about this tall.” He holds up his hand below his shoulder and then looks back at me. “Dark hair, green eyes, can’t miss her.”

  Honey steps forward and leans on the counter casually. “I’ve hired all the staff this season and we don’t have anyone by that description.” Her voice is smooth and calm. Damn, she’s good. “Are you sure you have the right camp? There’s a boy scout camp on the other side of the lake, and a church camp about three hours from here. I can get you the names if you’d like.”

  His smile tightens but doesn’t fall as he nods his head. “Yes, I’d appreciate that.”

  “No problem. What did you say your name was?” She turns around and grabs a brochure for the other two camps and slides them across the counter.

  I edge in front of her again because I don’t like having a man I don’t know this close to her.

  “Hawk,” he says as he picks up the brochures and tips his head. “Thanks for the help.”

  He walks out of the office without another word and I wait until I hear a car crank up. “Shit, I should have looked at his plates.” But by the time I make it to the window he’s long gone.

  “He was here for Piper. What should we do?” Honey asks with a panicked look in her eyes. “We have to tell her. Wait, maybe we shouldn’t. She could stress herself out and that’s not good for the baby.”

  “She’s in a cabin with two other female counselors, but let’s make sure she’s always got someone with her. I’ll tell Moose about it and see what he can dig up.”

  “Okay, so we don’t tell her?” Honey’s eyebrows pull together in worry and I know this is going to eat her up.

  “For now, yeah, let’s play it cool. I don’t want to worry her any more than necessary. If we hear from the other camps, or he shows back up, we’ll let her know. But I think we’ve given him enough to throw him off.”

  “What has a young girl like that gone and got herself into?” Honey looks out the window and shakes her head.

  “Nothing I didn’t get you into at that age.” I come up behind her and slide my arm around her stomach. I need to get her mind off of this, at least for a little while. “Take a walk with me.”

  “You’re going to let me out of the office?” Her voice is excited but hesitant.

  “As long as you go with me to our boathouse.” I give her a sly smile and she bites her bottom lip as she nods.

  I take her hand and tug her out of the office just as Moose is walking up on the porch.

  “Everything okay?”

  We keep on walking past him and I swing Honey up in my arms. “All good,” I shout over my shoulder as Honey giggles.

  When we get to the boathouse I take out my keys and unlock the door. I lock it back behind us and look around as she runs up the steps. This was where we made love for the first time, and it’s always been a special place for us. Our boat is on a lift
and our boating supplies are nearby. There’s a set of stairs to the right and I take them two at a time to get to Honey. When I reach the top she’s already undressing and smiling at me.

  I had it remodeled a few years back with a small kitchen and bed for when we feel like sleeping out here. There’s a rope by the bed that when pulled reveals the night sky above. Honey said she always wanted to sleep under the stars so I made sure she had it whenever she wanted.

  “Get your dick out,” she says, wiggling out of her shorts and kicking off her shoes.

  “Has that line ever worked for you?” I ask, as I slowly take off my shirt and then take my time folding it.

  She sighs and rolls her eyes. “No.” She’s completely naked and I want nothing more than to have my wife, but she loves when I take my time.

  I place my shirt on the small dresser and then take off my shoes too. “Come here.” I point to the spot in front of me and she tries to hide her smile as she tucks her chin and walks to where I’m standing.

  She takes her time and runs her hands over her bare hips and breasts. She’s doing this to drive me crazy and it’s working. When she gets to me she looks up through her lashes and then slowly lowers herself to the ground.

  “Honey,” I warn as she spreads her knees wide and looks up at me with her mouth open.

  “Yes?” She innocently smiles like nothing is amiss and I cock my head to the side. “You told me to come over here.”

  “And what are you going to do down there?” I reach out and run my knuckles gently along her jaw. Then I reach out and grab a handful of hair and tilt her head back.

  “Service my husband.” I feel her hands go to the front of my shorts and unbutton them.

  I should stop her and make her do what I tell her, but seeing her like this is too much. I’m powerless when it comes to her and she damn well knows it.

  I hold her hair out of her face with both my hands as she opens my shorts and my cock springs free in front of her face. Her warm wet mouth wraps around the end almost immediately and I groan at the feeling. Her small hands hold my length and gently move up and down. My grip on her hair tightens as she takes more of me and my cock swells with need.

  “That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble.” She moans around my cock and a wave of heat goes down my back. “Fuck.”

  She pulls back and runs her tongue up the length and then swirls it around the head. She cleans the pearl of cum beading up at the end and moans at the flavor.

  “Honey,” I warn, but she just lets out a sinister giggle and goes back to sucking my cock.

  I’m too damn close for her to play with me like this and she knows exactly what she’s doing. She’s trying to get me to cum in her mouth, but I won’t let that happen.

  When I feel the tip bump the back of her throat and she swallows, I’ve had enough. I let go of her hair, grab her by the upper arms, and pull her off my cock. She squeals loudly as I yank her up and toss her onto the bed.

  “You’re done playing.” I stalk over to her and flip her on her stomach. I grip her hips and drag her down to the edge of the bed. “You’ll get it when I give it to you.”

  She moans as I slide my cock through her wet folds and then thrust home. Her sweet pussy is dripping down her thighs and it makes my entrance slick and hot. She calls out my name as I go harder and faster so I reach around and rub her pussy and feel her tighten around me. She’s primed already and in need of a good orgasm, so I don’t tease her for long.

  With one final thrust, her body peaks and she surrenders to the wave of pleasure. The feel of her pussy pulsing around me spurs my own orgasm and I cum with her. Together we groan and I cling to her from behind as our souls once again entwine. Every time we make love it brings me closer to her and it makes me want more. It’s a cycle I hope to never break.

  I hold her close as I scoot her up the bed and lie down behind her. My cock is still nestled deep in her warmth and I have no plans to move for the foreseeable future.

  “Can we take a nap?” she asks softly and I can see she’s already closed her eyes.

  “We can do anything you want,” I whisper and she hums happily.

  I close my eyes and think about all the memories this place holds and wonder how four walls can possibly contain this much love.

  Chapter Seven

  Honey

  I watch as Tia rolls out the crust and I think she’s making a pie. She’s so quiet unless Piper is around; those two have become fast friends. When she talks to Piper it’s always in low whispers and I think it’s because Tia is really shy. It’s actually helped with my unsettled feeling when it comes to Piper and the small baby bump she’s still trying to keep hidden. Maybe me not being able to hover over her has helped her get close to a girl her own age. I know I can be a little bit of a helicopter mom to some of the girls when they’re here. I can’t help myself. She’ll confide more in someone she sees as a friend because I might still fall into the boss category for her. I am but I always want the girls to be able to tell me anything. I get close with the campers but with the counselors I feel a bond. They’re here for longer stretches and some stay year round. I grow attached to them and I have a feeling Tia’s going to be sticking around. She’s the shy one, but Piper’s been rubbing off on her and I don’t want anything to spook her.

  “Is there something you need, Honey?” Tia asks as she peeks up at me. Her cheeks are always a sweet shade of pink and right now she’s got a little bit of flour on her face. The girl really is as sweet as the desserts she makes.

  “Mrs. C,” Ford corrects from beside me. He doesn’t even look up from the paper he’s reading and I reach over and smack his chest. He normally doesn’t get bent out of shape when the girls do it.

  “Hush,” I tell him and he finally looks up at me.

  We’re sitting at a table in the kitchen since I had cabin fever. Too much is going on and I’m missing it. Ford isn’t great at reporting gossip to me and I need to be in the loop.

  He’s got my foot in his lap, absently rubbing my ankle as I eat an afternoon snack. He’s been going everywhere with me but he’s calmed down some. He always takes such good care of me but sometimes we forget about the little things when we get wrapped up in everyday life. This whole ordeal has been a reminder to slow down and appreciate what we have, and to enjoy our time together. This snake bite has reminded us to pay attention to the small details we’ve been missing out on.

  “You can call me Honey,” I tell Tia and ignore my husband.

  He glances over to Tia and nods in agreement before going back to looking down at his paper and Tia’s eyes bounce between the two of us.

  “The Cyprus men can be little possessive. Only Ford likes calling me Honey.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t have to call you that.”

  “No, sweetheart. You can call me Honey.” I pause for a second and smile because I have a feeling she might be calling me something else soon enough. “For now.”

  “For now?” She glances over to Ford, unsure of what to do. He keeps on reading his paper and pretends not to listen in.

  “For now,” I agree. She looks back down at her rolling pin as Piper comes in a moment later.

  “I’m starving,” she tells Tia before she sees me. “I’m on break.”

  She stops walking when she sees me sitting there with Ford.

  “I’m not sure we really have breaks,” I laugh.

  She’s still training and helps out where it’s needed, but I’m not coming between a pregnant girl and a snack. I know when I was pregnant with Van I could out-eat my husband. Piper is small as it is and she should eat more. My mind flashes to the man who showed up the other day looking for her. Why is she running? I worry my bottom lip between my teeth, thinking. I need to ask Ford about that later.

  “I made you a plate,” Tia tells Piper, pointing toward one of the many refrigerators. She rushes over to it and makes Tia beam with happiness. I can tell the girl really does love making food for people. He
r eyes go to the door and the smile drops away from her face. After a moment she goes back to what she’d been doing and her face goes as red as her hair.

  I look over to see what’s got her blushing and just then Van walks in. He leans against the doorway and watches her. I’ve been wondering why he’s telling everyone she’s his girlfriend. It reminds me of falling in love with my man. There is a glint in Van’s eyes and it makes him look more like his father than ever before. His arms are folded over his chest and Tia starts pressing harder on the rolling pin to keep her focus down on the counter. She lets out a cute little huff to blow away a curl that has escaped from her ponytail.

  “You’re not a door so move out of it,” I tell my son.

  His gaze flicks from Tia over to me like he’s surprised I’m here.

  “Hey, Mom.” He walks over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “How are you feeling?”’

  “I’m fine.” I smile at him and squeeze his arm.

  “Want a cookie?” he asks as he walks over to the counter and grabs one from a plate. This is our smaller kitchen for the staff and we eat a lot of our meals here. It’s where the counselors hang out and I can learn about what’s going on right from this table.

  “I’m good.” I lean back to watch my son.

  He keeps on staring at Tia but she doesn’t look up at him. There’s no way she can’t feel his stare. Piper eats her food but keeps on staring like I do.

  “You sure can bake, sugar,” he says as he swallows the cookie almost whole.

  Did he call her sugar? She keeps on rolling and mumbles a thanks without glancing his way. I’m used to the girls falling all over Van. They chase him around like lost puppies but he doesn’t find it amusing. It’s why he hides out in the stables so much. Now he’s hanging around this kitchen all the time with a girl who won’t look his way. I fight a smirk.

  She huffs again and this time Van reaches out and tucks the loose curl behind her ear. She stops rolling and freezes for a moment before she looks up at him. Everyone is quiet as we watch the exchange.