by Betsy Locke
She knew it could never last.
Jonathan wasn't ready for a woman like her. He thought he had everything figured out.
He'll get even bigger surprise when Andrea shows up on his doorstep nine months later...
Chapter One
For this summer from college, my parents thought it would be a great idea for me to spend some months with my stepbrother, Jonathan.
There were two problems with this.
One: Jonathan lived in the middle of nowhere in a cabin. That meant no electricity and no internet. Trying to survive without that for the whole summer was going to be brutal.
The second problem: I had the biggest obsession with Jonathan.
I thought that when he moved away that these forbidden feelings would go away.
They didn't.
I thought that once I went away to college and met other men that Jonathan would fade away into the background.
He didn't.
Jonathan had always been at the forefront of my mind. No other man stacked up to him. His intelligence, his body, his kindness. How could I ever be expected to find another man like that.
I can tell you that college was definitely not that place.
The road trip through the woods was spooky and beautiful at the same time. The sun was setting but the tree canopy kept most of the light out. I had to turn on my headlights to keep from driving off the road.
I checked my gps on my phone to figure out where I was and the map was taking forever to load. I looked at reception and saw that I was getting zero bars.
I pulled the car over the side of the road and cursed. No phone for months would be the worst possible kind of torture.
What did my parents expect me to do the entire time? I didn't even bring a book with me.
I searched through my purse and found the handwritten directions my mom had done for me.
Make your first right at the bridge covered in graffiti. I would've remembered if I came across that.
I turned the car on and began driving again. I rolled down the window and took in the mountain air. Being in the city most of my life, I never got to experience fresh air.
The graffiti bridge showed up on the horizon. Vines had overgrown around the stone structure. A wide riverbed was underneath that barely carried any water. My car probably could've made it through that without the bridge.
I looked for any signs to indicate where I was supposed to turn and realized that there wouldn't be. Jonathan's place wasn't on a main road.
There was a dirt path off to the side that looked like I could drive down it. “I hope this is it,” I said out loud.
My car bounced around and the steering wheel vibrated in my hands. Every rock and bump could be felt. I was getting closer to the mountain and the elevation was increasing.
I coasted through the forest at a slow speed and checked the directions again:
Go four miles and watch out for the fallen tree log that blocks the path. Make a left here and the cabin will be a mile ahead.
I drove a little slower once I realized there would be a tree log coming up. I'm glad I read that sooner rather than later.
When I came to the massive rotten tree, I realized that there was no way I could miss it unless I was driving without my headlights on.
I turned right and I could see the cabin up head in the distance. Smoke was coming out of a stack. Two large windows flanked the front door. Light was coming from the windows.
Maybe he had electricity?
I hadn't been here in four years since he used to sleep in a tent. He always said he was going to build a house for himself and I couldn't believe he did it.
But if anyone could, it would be Jonathan.
The closer I got, the more impressive the cabin made of wood was. It was a lot bigger than I thought it would be. It was all one story but had a wraparound deck. The green roof came to a point. It was kinda cute.
The trees gave way and the sun peeked through the clouds
I pulled up and parked next to my stepbrother's old Toyota Camry from 1995. It was the one piece of technology that he couldn't get rid of when he went off the grid.
“You can do this, Andrea. It will only be a couple months. You've lived with him before and resisted him. You can do it again.”
I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car.
Jonathan walked out of the front door. “You made it, Andrea.”
I lost all my breath instantly. My memory had done him a disservice. Jonathan was a giant mountain man with a red flannel shirt that couldn't hide his shredded muscles. His dark beard was long and his short jet black hair was combed backwards.
I couldn't get a word out. I didn't have a voice anymore.
Jonathan came up to me and hugged me hard. My heart began to race. “It's so good to see you.”
This was going to be a lot harder than I thought.
Chapter Two
“Let me help you with your bags. Just pop the trunk,” he said.
I gave him a smile that was way too goofy and opened the driver's side door to open the trunk. I tried to breathe to calm myself down.
Jonathan took my two heavy suitcases out of the trunk. “How was the drive?”
I gulped. “I made it thanks to mom's directions.”
Jonathan started towards the cabin, lifting the suitcases like they were only gallons of milk. “You haven't seen the place right?”
I followed him and closed my jacket more. I expected it to be hotter in the summer but it was only forty-five degrees out. I ascended the steps behind Jonathan and admired the welcome mat on the ground. It said: Fuck off.
That was classic Jonathan. Hated everything but if he cared about you, he was a soft teddy bear.
I entered the cabin and was amazed at how spacious it was. The living room had a couch, chair and a fireplace with a fire going. The wood floors creaked as I walked underneath it.
“Wow this place looks incredible,” I said.
Jonathan smiled and set down the suitcases. “Thanks. I've been wanting to show it to you for years.”
I felt guilty that I hadn't come earlier. “I'm sorry. I wish I would've visited you sooner.”
Jonathan waved me off with his hand. “You were busy with school. It's what you should be doing. Not visiting your crazy stepbrother.”
I playfully slapped him on the arm. It was hard as a rock. “You're not crazy just because you live away from any other human being. Or maybe all this time in the forest alone has actually made you crazy.”
Jonathan shrugged. “I guess you'll find out soon enough.”
Silence followed and I couldn't hold back a laugh anymore. Jonathan joined in. He hadn't lost his sense of humor.
“I'll give you the tour and I'll show you to your room,” he said.
“I would love that.”
Jonathan opened his arms wide. “This is the living room.”
I walked to the fire and let it warm my backside. A lit lantern stood on a table next to a couch. My hopes sank that there was electricity. I looked up at the ceiling and didn't see any lights. “It's very cozy.”
“That's the word you'll be saying throughout the tour.”
I shook my head. “I meant cozy like friendly and inviting. It's not small at all. A lot bigger than my dorm.”
Jonathan pointed behind him. “This is the dining room.” A long rectangular wooden table with four chairs looked like it was handmade.
I ran my fingers over the rough wood. “Did you make this?”
Jonathan nodded. “Not very hard to build a table and chairs when you can build a cabin.”
“Well of course,” I replied.
The kitchen was just off the dining room. It was a galley style with a pantry, open shelves for plates and glasses. “Do you not have a fridge?”
Jonathan laughed. “Yeah if you didn't notice already, there isn't any electricity. I don't even have a generator. So that means no fridge.”
“How do you keep your food fr
esh?” I asked.
“A lot of canned goods and fresh fish. Everyday I go out and catch my dinner.”
Jonathan was more capable than I ever could be. “You really are surviving out here.”
“I know it sounds terrible but I think you'll like it after awhile. Trust me.”
“I've got an open mind. Don't worry about me.”
“Let me show you the bathroom.” Jonathan took me across the living room and to a small alcove with three doors. “The one on the left is my room. The middle door is the bathroom.” He opened the door and it looked just like a normal bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower.
“Do you get running water?”
Jonathan laughed. “That was one thing I couldn't live with. It takes a little for the water to heat up but its not bad.”
“Thank god,” I said.
Jonathan opened the door on the right. “This will be your room.” He opened the door to a queen-sized bed with green flannel sheets, a dresser and closet. A window overlooked the forest scenery.
“That's not a bad view,” I said.
“I thought you would like it.” Jonathan brought my suitcases in. “I'm sure you're exhausted from the drive. Do you want to call it a night and catch up tomorrow?”
I could feel the long day heavy on my back. “Sounds perfect.”
Chapter Three
Mistake number one: Not sleeping in warm clothes. The room was freezing the entire night. Even all the covers didn't protect me.
Mistake number two: I didn't close the big black drapes before going to bed. The sun came through the window at 6:00 AM, literally blinding me. It was like the angels were singing from the heavens. By the time I forced myself to get up to close them, I was already wide awake.
I put on a heavy coat and slippers. I opened the door and saw that Jonathan's door was wide open. He was either already up or slept with it open. I crossed the bathroom and peeked into his room. The bed looked freshly made.
“Want some breakfast?” a voice said behind me.
I jumped in the air, clutching my chest. The highest screech came from my throat. I spun around to see Jonathan. “You scared the hell out of me!”
“Sorry about that. I was just wondering if you were hungry yet?”
The most amazing smell was coming from the kitchen. My stomach grumbled to remind me that I hadn't eaten in awhile. “What are you cooking? It smells so good.”
“Corned beef hash,” he said, walking away to the kitchen.
“I'm starving.” It had been years since I had corned beef hash. It was during a camping trip with friends. The smell brought me right back to sitting around the campfire.
Jonathan took the cast iron skillet off the gas burner and spooned some onto a plate for me. “There's salt and pepper on the table.”
I took the plate and a spoon off the wood counter-tops. I sat down at the table and took my first bite. So many flavors came together. There was even a little heat. “This is so good,” I said, taking another bite.
Jonathan stood in the kitchen and ate straight from the skillet. “I'm glad you like it.”
“I don't remember you being a very good cook when we lived together,” I said with a mouthful. I didn't care if I was polite or not. The food was too good to worry about proper manners.
“You have to get good at cooking if you're going to be eating the same things all the time.”
“If I get to eat this every morning, I'm going to be very happy.”
I licked every little morsel off the plate and leaned back in my seat. I'd never felt so content in my life. “That was perfect.”
“I'm glad you enjoyed it.” Jonathan took my plate and placed it in the sink.
“What are we going to do today?” I asked.
“This morning I need to do some chores. You can relax around the house.”
“Do you have anything for entertainment around here? I kind of didn't bring anything except for my phone.”
“Sorry I probably should've told you about the cell reception. There's a shelf of books in my room that you can help yourself to.”
“Reading sounds nice and relaxing. But first I'm going to take a shower.” I kind of liked this type of vacation. I didn't really need to worry about anything. There weren't many options for me and all I had to do was focus on relaxing.
But how could I put my guard down around Jonathan? It was exhausting being around him and not being able to touch him.
I hid away in the bathroom and started the shower. It was freezing cold to start and I worked the handle until it began to warm up. A small oval mirror hung over the sink. I couldn't believe I let Jonathan see me in this state. My makeup needed to be done, the knots in my hair brushed out.
I checked the water and it had warmed up. I undressed and jumped in, letting the hot water rush over me. It felt so good and I agreed with Jonathan that there was no way you could give this up.
I cleaned myself with the bar of soap, imagining Jonathan using it on himself. I rubbed the bar over my breasts, running down my stomach. I pressed it against my pubic mound and let out a gasp. It had been so long since I touched myself.
I thought about Jonathan joining me in the shower naked, his strong hands feeling every inch of me. Finding my release every day would be the only way I was going to be able to stay away from Jonathan.
I pressed the bar of soap against my fleshy bulb and rotated it. I had to put my hand out against the wall to keep myself from falling over. The pleasure was intense. I imagined Jonathan and his big cock ready to take me from behind.
I was close. Just a little bit more.
A rush of cold water came out of the showerhead. I screamed and jumped out of the way of the stream. My chest was heaving, my skin full of goosebumps. I was no longer in the mood for touching myself.
I didn't even get a chance to shampoo my hair before the warm water ran out. I turned the shower off, grabbed a towel, and hastily tried to dry myself off before I froze to death.
I got dressed and could hear a noise outside. I walked to the window in the living room and could see Jonathan outside.
“Oh fuck,” I said to myself.
Jonathan was shirtless chopping wood. I watched as he set a piece of wood on a tree stump and brought the ax over his head. His arms and chest flexed as he brought it down with all his might. The piece of wood broke apart.
The pressing need in the pit of my stomach was undeniable. There was no way I was going to make it. Especially not with the sexy mountain man sleeping two doors down from me.
Chapter Four
My plan completely changed. I wasn't going to resist anymore. My forbidden feelings for Jonathan weren't going away.
