by Sky Winters
“But I don’t—”
“Anna,” Earl said, turning around. His voice had been quiet, but one might have thought he had screamed at her from the way she immediately went silent. His green eyes hardened as they bore into hers. “Do you trust me?”
“Of course,” she said without thinking.
“Then please continue to trust me.” He gave her a small smile. “I will leave tomorrow, get what I need from town, and be back within a few days. I promise.”
“It’s almost Christmas,” she said. When she realized her hands were quivering, she pressed them against the bucket’s rim and forced herself to be motionless—to at least appear strong. “Will you be back before Christmas?”
“Definitely.”
Anna nodded and tried not to twitch. There were so many questions she wanted to ask, all the while the urge to run over there and grab him—make him stay with her—overwhelmed her the most. She forced herself to return her attention to the dirty dishes as she said, “Alright then.”
Earl didn’t say another word to her that night. He stared at the fire for several more minutes, then went off to bed.
Anna stayed up to worry about what his words and promises implicated before she, too, went to bed. As she slid next to him—listening to him snore loudly—she feared that this would be the last time she ever slept next to him, for what if he was going into town to abandon her? It was a cruel thought, and Earl wasn’t a cruel person, but it tormented her all the same.
Her eyes wide, she stared at Earl’s sleeping form in the darkness. Deep down, she didn’t really think he would leave her alone in the middle of woods. However, she was convinced that she had ruined whatever it was they had between them. An unconventional platonic marriage? She didn’t know, nor did she care; she just missed her Earl.
Loneliness and fear making her ache, Anna dared to reach out and touch Earl’s arm.
The man continued to snore soundly, undisturbed.
The warmth and softness beneath her fingers was calming—made her heartbeat not hurt so much and made breathing easier.
She fell asleep with her hand on his bicep.
She woke up with her hand on a note, promising Earls return in a matter of days. The note also told her not to worry and to make sure that the animals are fed while he is gone.
Anna clutched the note in her hands as she continued to lie in bed. Her grip on the note tightened after she reread it a few times, then it tightened some more until it started tearing the feeble paper.
He couldn’t even stick around long enough to say goodbye? Did he despise her that much now? Was he that uncomfortable around her now?
Almost lazily, tears seeped out of her eyes and crawled down her jawline. With a great deal of reluctance, she eventually sat up and got out of bed. Then, after setting the note aside, she went about her morning routine—making the bed, getting dressed, and so on. By the time she was ready to leave the bedroom, she no longer felt as devastated as when she had first read the note; she just felt tired.
Sighing, she exited her room and headed toward the kitchen, but she stopped abruptly when she noticed her knitting basket.
Earl’s Christmas present—almost finished—was in there.
Anna swallowed thickly. Would he even want a present from her this Christmas? Would it suggest too much? Pain thrummed beneath her skull as she tried to figure out what to do. It was so frustrating that she decided to skip breakfast. She ended up walking over to her knitting basket and fishing out his sweater. Staring at it hurt her more than she thought it would, but she was determined to figure out how to fix this—how to still provide a nice Christmas—her first good Christmas, this was supposed to be.
Perhaps this sweater could be an apologetic present? She hadn’t ever heard of such thing, but people gave out presents when they were happy; why not give out presents when they were sad? And if she explained this to Earl, maybe the gift wouldn’t offend him. Better yet, maybe the gift would help mend their relationship back to the way it was.
Reassured and determined, Anna settled in her rocking chair and worked to finish Earl’s sweater.
Chapter Seven
The days she spent alone in the cabin were more challenging than she had expected them to be. Not only was the loneliness a fierce agony that constantly pulsated within her chest, but the quietness of the homestead was mind-numbing at times. One would think the animals would provide some noise—something for the human mind to notice—but during these cold times, they were fairly quiet. Even when Anna milked one of the more finicky cows, the creature only mooed a couple of times before falling silent.
It was so surreal that Anna sometimes worried that this new life she had started with Earl was nothing more than a dream. The biting cold outside helped to knock some sense back into her though, which was why she found herself working out in the barn more often than she needed to.
Shivering in her red coat, Anna tossed seeds at the chickens beside the chicken coop. The hens were more than eager to peck up their food, and she was a little content to just watch something happen—the icy chill in her bones reassuring her that this was real, that this was happening.
The distant sound of a running horse made Anna turn. She listened harder, her gaze flitting toward the direction of the sound. When it became louder—sharper, closer—her heart pounded harder and she smiled.
It was Earl.
She dropped the rest of the seeds in front of the chickens before hurrying toward the sound of the horse. Soon, she saw Earl riding the horse toward the barn. As she stumbled to an awkward, stiff stop, Earl urged the horse to slow down and turn. He was only a few feet away from her when the animal came to a full stop.
Mesmerized and relieved, Anna stared at Earl as he hopped off the horse with a small package beneath his right arm. He smiled at her, though his eyes shone with concern. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” Anna said, still smiling as she shook her head with confusion. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s freezing out here, and your lips look a little blue.”
Blushing, she touched her lips. She couldn’t feel the fabric of her gloves on her face.
“Why don’t you go inside?” Earl said, nodding toward the cabin. “I’ll put the horse to pasture then join you.”
She nodded without thinking, then her eyes went to the wrapped package beneath his arm. She pointed at it. “What is that?”
“It’s a surprise.” He winked at her, his expression full of affection and amusement.
Anna nodded again. Seeing him there, in such a good mood—it felt as if these past couple of weeks had never happened. She felt good again. She felt whole again. She didn’t care that all he had was a small box—that he had taken days to get this small box. Everything felt like it was returning to normal, and just in time for Christmas.
Once Anna was back inside, she put a few small logs into the fireplace and got a decent sized flame burning. Heat washed over the front of her body, the icy numbness ebbing away. She gave out a contented sigh.
She wasn’t sure how much time had gone by when Earl entered the house, but the air in the front room and kitchen were considerably warmer than when Anna had first entered. Earl bellowed out a satisfied groan and made a comment about how perfect the house was—how homesick he had been. Anna watched him as he went into the bedroom, joy soaring through her.
As eager as she was to speak with him, she didn’t want to jinx this wonderful turn of events. She faced the fire again and decided to relish in this good moment instead. If he went straight to bed and fell asleep, she would be understanding of this; he did have a busy week outside of the homestead, after all.
“Anna?”
She jumped and turned. Earl was standing outside of their bedroom, his coats off his person and his hands bare. He was holding the small box in front of his chest with a great deal of tenderness.
“How was your trip?” she asked, glancing at the package.
Earl took a deep breath before
walking up to her. “It was good. And I made back just before Christmas Eve.”
Her eyes widened. “What’s the date?”
“The twenty-third.”
She didn’t think it was possible, but it felt as if her eyes widened just a little bit more. How many days had passed since Earl left? Her uncertainty became dizzying, and she rubbed her temple.
“You alright?” Earl asked again.
“Yes, yes, I…I just hadn’t realized what the date was. It’s hard to keep track of time out here.”
Earl flinched. “Especially when you’re by yourself.” His face wrinkled as he stared down at the box with a pained expression, but before she could reassure him, he offered her the package. “I know it isn’t Christmas yet, but I want you to have this.”
Anna’s breath caught in her throat. Her fingers fluttered over the box that…that was hers? “You got me a present? That’s…that’s why you went into town?” Awed, she looked up at him.
Earl was nodding, a shy smile on his face. “Yes. Do you…do you want it?”
Anna took the box out of his hands and opened. She gasped when she saw some glass reflecting the fire’s orange light. Already, she knew what it was, and with quivering hands, she pulled the item out of the box.
It was a snow globe with a tiny cabin and a little forest inside of it.
She lowered the box to the ground before straightening again, her hands holding the snow globe against her stomach as if the item was an infant. It was…beautiful and perfect and—she couldn’t find any more words to describe it. She thought she had felt joy earlier, but this moment—it overwhelmed her, made her laugh and cry and grin.
“Thank you,” Anna said, looking back at Earl. “Thank you so much. You didn’t have to get me anything.”
Earl swallowed, his eyes glistening. “I wanted to.” He released a short breath and tilted his head. “Look, Anna…I know I have been acting poorly. I’ve just been…” He pressed his lips together, frustration marring his expression. “I haven’t loved anyone since Emma, and I didn’t think I ever would. But then you come along, and you change everything—make it better—and I didn’t know how to react to it, and I didn’t know what the right thing to do was.” He sighed again, a breathless chuckle leaving him as he gave her a helpless yet affectionate look. “You’ve said that I saved you, but…but you saved me, too. And I…I know for certain now—without a doubt and without regret—that I love you, Anna.”
“Earl,” she whispered. Her heart hammered and her limbs jittered. “Earl, you…love me?” She didn’t realize she was grinning until she felt the bite in her cheeks. “I love you, too.”
Before she knew it, Earl was pressed his calloused hands against her cheeks and leaning toward her. Anna sucked in a breath right before his lips met hers.
Their first kiss was tender, sweet. Earl moved slowly against her, and she felt as if she was melding into him.
“Earl,” she breathed over his mouth when they parted.
“I Love you,” he breathed back before kissing her again.
As they continued to kiss one another—their cabin warm from the fire—Anna kept a strong grip on her new snow globe. The glass felt cool in her hands, just like the glass of her old snow globe had.
Her first good Christmas…and it was perfect.
THE END
RETURN TO TOC
AMAZON #1 Best Seller: Biker Wolf’s Baby
Return to TOC
Pushing send was the easiest thing I’d done in a long time. I sincerely hoped that getting under somebody would help me get over that scumbag ex-boyfriend of mine. The last straw came when he told me he was staying in sick one night. I had met up with some friends instead for a few drinks only to see Captain Asshole macking on some chick in Daisy Dukes.
Now, I wouldn’t have said I was proud of my actions. I dumped a top shelf whiskey drink over his head and congratulated the girl on what a great catch she found, but that was nothing compared to the hell I wanted to raise. I’m pretty sure public castration would have landed me in jail so it was better that I controlled myself.
I just didn’t understand it. I gave and gave to Stephen and for what? I got stuck with the weight of the relationship and more often than not, the tab. All he gave me were lies and twisted mind games for my trouble.
As I scrolled through the profiles on Come Play, the one-night stand app, a devilish face caught my eye. He was handsome in a rugged, outdoorsy way. His beard was dark and looked soft to touch; I could only imagine how good that would feel tickling my thighs. Amber eyes burned from under a pair of thick dark eyebrows, luring me in. And I was one willing fishy.
Scanning through his profile, I found that his name was Walker Lewis and he was in a local motorcycle club. We had a winner! Between the brooding smolder and his enthusiasm for motorcycles, I knew I had to have him. The element of mystery and the air of danger radiating from his profile picture intrigued me. I wanted to know more.
I pushed the interested button and set my phone down. Having spent so much time waiting by the phone for Stephen I’d be damned if I’d it for anyone else.
I ventured into my tiny cottage kitchen to pour myself a glass of pinot noir to help get myself in the mood. What would it be like to have sex with another man? Stephen and I had been together since high school and he was my first and only. Eight years was a long time to be with one person at that age, and I kind of regretted not venturing out to enjoy being single while I was in college. Now, at twenty-six, all my friends were getting engaged or married; two even had babies while I had been trapped in a loveless cycle of lies and emotional abuse.
Would this Walker guy be gentle? Awkward? Mind blowing? I hadn’t had an orgasm without a vibrator – or with another person – in so long I had no idea what that would even be like. The erotic possibilities were endless and really exciting.
I looked around my little two-bedroom cottage. I was so excited to get the place, especially for the price. The sunset shone through the sliding glass door and sparkled off a crystal cut vase I bought as a housewarming gift to myself. The pink light warmed the shabby state of the living space and made my new digs feel like home. Sure, it needed some TLC, but it was only a mile from the beach, charming, and Stephen had no idea where I was.
As I thumbed through paint swatches, my phone buzzed. My nerves went on high alert as I swiped in the unlock code. There he is. And he’s interested. I was nearly vibrating I was so excited.
I opened the app to find a message from Walker,
Meet me at Joker’s. 9pm. Wear a skirt.
Joker’s? The biker bar? Oh, lord was he a Wraith? Joker’s was the headquarters of the Santa Monica chapter of The Wraiths, a motorcycle club suspected of gun running and more than a few missing people. As far as I knew they didn’t have any charges or suspicions of violence against women. Put a check in the plus column, I guess.
I glanced at the clock, 7:30. A small thrill of fear ran up my spine. But coupled with that came a sense of simply not giving a shit anymore. Maybe I had been smacked upside the head with stupidity, or maybe I was tired of playing it safe. This guy was hot as hell, properly dangerous, and was only going to be a one shot deal.
I weighed out my chances and the potential scenarios for a minute. While the obvious choice would be to decline and not walk right into the wolf’s den, there was still a chance things could go well and I might have a good time. After spending my entire adult life being cautious, I was going to take a chance and be bold. I needed this.
I scrolled through my phone and dialed Crystal, my best friend. While I was willing to indulge my wild side, with The Wraiths not being Boy Scouts I would feel more comfortable if someone knew where I was going to be.
“Hey, Lyla! What’s up?” Crystal’s cheery voice floated into my ear.
“Hey, girl. So I got on Come Play like you suggested –“
“Ooo!” Crystal interrupted, “Bag yourself a hottie yet?”
“Actually, yeah I did. I’m me
eting him tonight around nine, which brings me to why I’m calling. He wants me to meet him at Joker’s and I want someone to know my last known whereabouts.” I was only half joking in my delivery.
“Joker’s? Are you crazy?” Crystal’s voice went a little high pitched.
“I might be, but getting with a biker has kind of been a fantasy of mine for a while. It’s just one night. Isn’t that what that app is supposed to be for?”
“Well, yeah,” I heard Crystal sigh. Silence followed as she worked out her thoughts. “I don’t love the idea, but I guess you have to get some things out of your system. Can you just make sure your friend tracker is turned on for me?”
I smiled, grateful for her concern. “I will. Crys, I’m nervous. What if I suck in bed? What if he takes one look at me and decides he doesn’t like me?”
“Whoa! Settle down there, horsey. You’re over thinking this. It’s a fuck him and go situation, so don’t worry about it. Be safe and have fun.”
I nodded as she spoke. Crystal was right; this was all about having a good time.
“And maybe pick up that roofie detection paper on the way?” Crystal suggested.
I barked a nervous laugh. “I’ll be fine. Good looking out, though. I’ve got to go and get ready. I’ll call you in the morning.”
Crystal and I said our goodbyes and I went to my room to get ready. While I was nervous as hell, I couldn’t ignore the undercurrent of excitement pulsing through me.
Chapter 2
I turned the key and shut off my car. I fiddled with my key ring as I stared at the spotlight lit wooden sign and the building in front of me. On the outside, Joker’s looked like any old school tavern with its rural charm and cedar siding, but the crowd of bikes parked out front told a very different story. There had been speculation that the Wraith’s used Joker’s a cover business to launder their gun money and keep the cops off their backs. Then again, there was also the rumor that they had the police chief and a few high-ranking officers in their back pocket. I wasn’t sure which was true if either were, but it wasn’t my responsibility to care.
