“There is one. I’ve never used it though.”
“I can light that, and you can bring out a quilt if you would like.”
“You really like the outdoors, or fresh air, or something.”
“You don’t?” I doubted I would find myself attracted to that kind of girl.
“I do. I don’t love the cold though. I’ve got southern blood.”
“It’s all about what you are used to.”
“And I’m very used to warm weather, although sitting outside and listening to the water sounds nice. It’s soothing.”
“Perfect, and I bet a fire and a warm quilt will take care of the cold.”
“And wine. Red wine always warms me up.”
“See?” I grabbed the bottle of Pinot she had been eyeing. I opened a few cabinets until I found the wine glasses. “You will be fine.”
“The opener is in the drawer behind you.” She pointed.
“Thanks.” I dug it out of the drawer and made quick work opening the bottle.
“I’ll get the quilt.” She hurried upstairs.
“I will start on the fire.” I walked upstairs with the opened bottle of wine and two glasses. I went right out on the porch and set everything down so I could get to work on the fire. If I wanted Ainsley to enjoy herself, I was going to have to do a good job of keeping her warm. I did not mind that job at all.
“That was fast.” She walked out onto the porch wearing her third outfit of the evening. She was in some sort of sweatpants and a sweatshirt. She carried a heavy quilt.
“Changing in my honor?”
She laughed. “Yeah, I usually try to impress guys by putting on sweats.”
“It is cute.” I hoped cute was still the right word. I had spent weeks learning the current terminology when I first came to Charleston, but it had been a long time since I had held a conversation where I actually cared if someone liked what I was saying.
“That was the right answer.”
“Hmm?”
“You looked pensive, like you were trying to figure out if you said the wrong thing. A girl doesn’t mind if a guy says she looks cute in sweats.”
I smiled. “Good.”
I poured two generous glasses of wine and sat down next to her on the love seat. She seemed surprised that I chose that seat. I picked up an end of the quilt and covered myself with it.
“I thought it wasn’t cold?”
“It’s not.”
“Then why are you using the blanket?” She pulled the quilt up higher.
“Why do you think?” I smiled.
She turned away.
“Please don’t look away. I only asked a question. There is no need to be embarrassed.”
“It’s a habit.”
“Habits can be broken.”
“That takes time.”
“Then let’s start now. Why do you think I am sharing your quilt?”
“Why are you pushing me?”
“Because I would like us to be comfortable together. I can stop if you want.”
“It’s okay… I’m trying to figure you out. You did it because you want to be close to me.”
“Exactly. I want to be close to you.” I scooted closer. She felt exactly the same way I did. She felt that tension in the air, the undeniable attraction.
She sipped her wine.
“But it’s more than that.”
“You like me.”
“I do.” I smiled again. “The question is, do you feel the same way?”
“I am sitting here with you, aren’t I? Even though I’d normally be inside nice and warm.”
“Are you still cold?” I put an arm around her.
She tensed slightly before relaxing into my arm. That was how our connection felt. Tense yet comfortable—an electrical charge wrapped in something rich and warm.
“I’m not as cold as I thought I’d be.”
“A fire can go a long way.”
“It’s not just the fire, although that’s nice. Wonderful actually.”
“I love watching fire. It is such a powerful force. Dangerous yet necessary. It is beautiful in that way.”
“Fire as beauty. That’s kind of poetic.”
“Do you see the beauty in it?” I studied her face. There was so much to her that she tried to hide. She had built a wall up around herself, but I would find a way to tear it down.
She watched the flames. “I do. It dances. I like that part.”
“Do you dance?” I ran a finger over her hand.
She startled from my touch, but then relaxed. She did not pull her hand away. “Yes, for fun. I do it around the house a lot, but clearly I’ll stop that while you’re here.”
“Why? You think I would mind?”
“No, but I would.” She looked away.
I caught her chin and gently moved her face so she was looking at me again. “Why? Why would that embarrass you?”
“You know why.”
I released her chin. “In theory yes, but do you think I would judge you?”
“Maybe. I still barely know you.”
“I’m James Mendel. I’m twenty-six years old.”
“Twenty-six?” she looked at me seriously.
“Yes, is that old or young?”
“About right. I wasn’t sure.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-two.”
“That’s only four years younger.”
“Four years is a long time.”
“It gets shorter and shorter as time marches on.” And I would not look older any time soon. Not for at least a hundred years if all went well. Any woman I united with would not either. Not that I planned to unite. Uniting was forever, and there was no changing your mind.
“That is true as well.”
She sighed and snuggled into my side. I sipped my wine. I could not remember a time when I’d been more comfortable.
“This is nice.”
“It is.”
“Despite your annoying side, I don’t mind your company.”
“Should I take that as a compliment?” I continued my feather light touch on her hand.
“Yes. I don’t enjoy the company of many people.”
“In that we are also alike.”
“Anti-socials of the world unite.” She held up her half empty wine glass.
I picked mine up from where I’d left it beside me on the table and gently connected it with hers. It made a satisfying clang. “To a nice evening.”
“To a nice evening.” She sipped her wine, and I tightened my arm around her.
11
Ainsley
I was far too comfortable. James wasn’t someone I should have been comfortable with, but there I was snuggled up with him under a quilt listening to the water while I enjoyed a glass of wine. There were only a handful of guys I’d ever snuggled with in any capacity, and none were men I’d only met the day before. I guess it was better than having sex with a guy I hardly knew—although the thought of sex with James didn’t sound so bad either.
“Do you have any siblings?” I needed to know more about him, and that question seemed safe enough.
“Not that I am aware of.”
“Uh, is that supposed to be a joke?”
“Not really.”
“Any chance you can enlighten me?”
“My dad was not a great man.”
“Oh. Gotcha.” There had to be a story there.
“What about you? Any siblings?”
“Yes. A step-sister.”
“Older or younger?”
“Same age.”
“And how is that? Having a step-sister your age?”
“At first it was nice. She’s always been more outgoing than me and that helped in school.”
“So she was not the evil step-sister type?” He adjusted his arm around me.
“Not at first.”
“And once again you tease me with a story you do not want to share.”
“You haven’t told me much either.
Like where are you from?”
“Not as far away as you would think.”
“Quit being so cryptic.” I was beginning to see that was a pattern with him.
“I would tell you more if I could.”
“Yes, because your town is secret? I don’t get it.” I shifted away. “This was fun and all, but I’m getting some sleep.”
“No.” He pulled me back against him. “I wish I could stop being evasive.”
“Then stop.”
He seemed pensive. “Are you generally an open minded person?”
“Generally yes, but not when it comes to some things.”
“Meaning?”
“I’m not into anything kinky if that’s what you’re getting at.” I refused to look away this time.
He laughed. “Uh, that is not what I am getting at, but good information to know. Now that you have sufficiently destroyed my fantasies…”
“Wait, you aren’t into that, are you?” I didn’t actually care. Well, I shouldn’t have.
He shook his head. “No. Intimacy is all about a single partner for me.”
My body warmed hearing him use the word intimacy. I was losing it.
“But sex aside, you are open minded?”
“Yes.” At least I tried to be.
“Do you want to see where I am from?”
“How far a drive is it? Is it a cult? If the answer is yes, will anyone try to pull me into the cult?”
“We cannot drive there. Not a cult.”
“What do you mean we can’t drive there? Like it’s an island you take a boat to?”
“No…”
“Okay…”
“I have to make preparations if you want to go, so think about it tonight and when you are at work tomorrow. Then let me know.”
“Why do I get the sense you want me to go?”
“Because I do. I know you would like it there, and it would definitely make things more interesting for me.” His lips twisted into a smile. “But I have to fix that cradle first…”
“Wait, is Charlotte there?” The Calloways tied into all of this. They had to.
“She is.”
“It’s strange. I don’t know the girl, but I feel like I do.”
“She is older than you. Did you know that?”
“I assumed she was grown up. I guess I shouldn’t call her a girl.”
“You will like her.” He smiled slightly.
“You said will, not would.”
“You are going to come. I can tell.”
“How can you tell?” I finished off my wine.
“Because I can.”
“That doesn’t work.” I reluctantly slipped out from under the quilt.
“It works.”
“I’m going to bed.” I stuffed my hands into the large front pocket of my hoodie. Without the warmth from the quilt and James, I was cold again.
“Sleep well.”
“Need help with anything?” I wasn’t sure how well he knew the house anymore.
“I am going to stay out here a little longer.”
“What room are you sleeping in?”
“Why? You want to invite me to join you in yours?” He grinned.
“That had better be a joke.”
“Why?”
“Because… and I have my answer for you.” I took a deep breath. Might as well get it out there.
“Your answer?”
“I can’t go visit wherever you’re from.” I needed to do my own research first.
“Sleep on it. I don’t want your answer yet.”
“I already made up my mind, but that’s fine.” I picked up my empty glass. “Sweet dreams.”
“They will be. I know who will be in them too.”
“Me?” I asked in an uncharacteristically confident way.
“Yes.”
“Remember, no making it kinky.”
He laughed a sexy deep laugh. “You can dream about me in any way you want.”
“How generous.”
“I am very generous when I want to be.”
“And when you don’t want to be?”
“Then I am not.” He turned back to look at the fire.
I watched him for a minute as a shadow fell over his face. James was hiding something, probably way more than something, and I should have run for the hills. I should have taken Rachel up on her offer to let me sleep at her place, and I should have talked to the professor who set me up with the house sitting. Something wasn’t adding up, and I was dumb to ignore it.
I would research. I would figure out exactly who he was and where he was from. Maybe his secrets weren’t the bad kind. I had secrets too. Or maybe that was wishful thinking.
I forced myself to walk back inside.
I walked downstairs and filled a glass with water before walking up the two flights of stairs to my room. I peeked out at the large upstairs porch. James was still sitting by the fire. He looked so handsome sitting there that part of me wanted to join him again. I was drawn to him in a way I’d never been drawn to a guy before, and it both exhilarated and frightened me. I couldn’t give in to the attraction yet. Not until I knew more about him.
He must have sensed me watching, because he turned and smiled. I waved before walking back to my room. I checked the lock on the balcony door twice. I wasn’t afraid of James this time, but someone else. Someone else who wouldn’t turn out to be quite so charming.
I tried to put James out of my head as I got ready for bed, but it was impossible. I kept seeing his face. Somehow I knew I’d be seeing that same face all night in my dreams.
12
James
I should have kept my mouth shut. I could have given her the name of some random country or city, but Ainsley made me want to share everything. She made me want to share the truth. I wanted her to know me, and that meant knowing that we were from two completely different worlds.
I stayed outside staring at the fire for a while. I knew I could not take her home with me yet. She had to get to know me better, but at least I had planted the seed. Now I needed to find the old baby stuff for Charlotte before figuring out how I could bring Ainsley back with me for a visit without scaring her away forever.
I waited another thirty minutes before putting out the fire and returning inside. I was always so much more comfortable outside. Inside I felt constricted. Don’t get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with a comfortable bed, especially with the right company, but otherwise I would have preferred to have stayed out under the stars.
Charlotte wanted me to find her old bassinet and since it had been around twenty-five years since it had been used, I assumed it was up in the attic. I dug around in the junk drawer in the kitchen until I found the extra set of keys. I was not sure which one opened the attic, but I would figure it out.
I walked back up the two main flights of stairs. I was back on the third flood. Ainsley’s floor now. Her door was closed. I wondered if it was locked, but not because I was going to try to open it. It was more that I wondered exactly how much was separating me from her sleeping form. I was becoming obsessed. My thoughts always channeled to her. It was a feeling I had never felt before.
I quietly walked past her room toward the attic stairs. I walked up, getting the right key on the second try. I stepped into the attic, feeling around for the light switch before moving away from the door. I did not mind the dark in theory, but getting stuck in an old attic was not high on my to-do list.
The low light emulating from the overhead bare bulbs was minimal, but it was enough to explore the complete mess in front of me. It looked like they hadn’t cleaned the attic out in years, and my guess was they hadn’t.
I stepped around a broken table to get further into the large space. I assumed the bassinet and any other baby furniture would be buried pretty deep by this point, but the family had owned the house for years, so there had to have been a lot that was even older. I started with the middle of the room, tossing aside a pile of clothes to get a better
look at the furniture beneath it.
“Looking for something?”
I turned at Ainsley’s words.
“Did I wake you?”
“You are walking right above where my bed is.” She was wearing pink and purple pajamas. They covered all of her, but they were fitted and hugged her body well.
“Good point. I guess I should have waited until morning.”
She crossed her arms. “I wasn’t sleeping anyway.”
“Why not?”
“Too much on my mind.”
“Thinking about my offer?”
“Thinking about quite a few things relating to you.”
“Oh yeah?” She had my full attention. Although she had that the second she walked into the room. “Like what?”
She carefully stepped over the table and around some boxes. She stopped right next to me. “I’m not answering that.”
“Is that your new tactic? Forget looking away, you just refuse to answer?”
“My other tactic didn’t work with you.”
“And you think this one will?” I raised an eyebrow.
“You can’t force me to talk.”
“I also cannot force you to look at me, but you did it. You do not like stepping down from a challenge.”
“My guess is that you don’t either.” She stepped toward me.
“Is there a challenge I am supposed to be facing?”
“Yes. Telling me who you are.”
“What happened to sleeping on things?”
“That was your idea, and admittedly I planned to do some research, but it’s late and we’re both up so why not cut to the chase? Kind of an ‘I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.’”
I grinned. “Now that is a game I would play with you.”
“I don’t mean my body, but nice that they have that expression wherever it is that you’re from. Jamesville or whatever.”
“Jamesville? Is that what you are calling it now?”
“You haven’t given me another name yet.”
“Bellgard.”
“Bellgard? Never heard of it.”
“Does that surprise you?”
“No. But I thought I might get lucky.”
“I can help you get lucky.”
“Nope. No sex talk. I liked you better when you talked about intimacy with such reverence.”
Forged in Stone Page 8
