by Sasha Combs
“All right. I was simply curious. That’s all.”
Curious my ass, he thought to himself. More than likely, Precious was curiously jealous. But just like her, he wouldn’t explore the subject.
“Okay, now that we have that settled. Are you ready to go?”
Precious still didn’t know where they were going, but she didn’t have the strength to argue with him. They had flown across the country, with time on their side but even now, the Sun had already set and darkness was upon them.
If they were driving someplace, she wanted to get there before it became to late. She reminded herself. They’d been up all day and neither had slept during the flights.
Precious followed Hamilton over to the waiting SUV. While she sat in the passenger seat, he stood outside, a distance from the vehicle. She could see that he’d made a call on his mobile phone. Whoever he was talking to, Hamilton didn’t look at all pleased. She wondered if the topic of conversation dealt with her, or something Audrey had reminded him to do.
The SUV hugged the road, much like the solid white lines dividing the highway. With every turn, the vehicle demonstrated its ability to traverse the terrain. The bright headlights lit the way, curving around turns with ocean views on one side and the wall of a mountain on the other. It was apparent to her that this wasn’t Hamilton’s first trip driving this route. He made sudden course changes without the use of a map and the navigation system wasn’t turned on. The hour was late, and try as she may; Precious couldn’t keep her eyes open. So, instead of fighting with her eyelids, she gave in, allowing them to lower. Within minutes, she was dreaming. And of course, the first face that she saw was Hamilton Gantry. In her dreams he wore his dark shades and two days worth of facial stubble. Like always, he looked magnificent and in her dream, he simply stared at her from across the room. Even though she couldn’t see his eyes, she knew that he was watching her. In her dream she found a sense of comfort because no man had ever touched her with his presence like he had. In her fantasies, it was always Hamilton’s eyes that fueled her desire. Even though his gazes were always shaded; in her dreams, Precious new that his eyes were filled with passion. A longing that he reserved only for her.
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Chapter 4
Trading in my designer dress and my spiked heel shoes. Chucking it all for flannel shirts, tight blue jeans and steel toe boots.
Precious filled her lungs with air and the breath was followed by a grunting exhale. She fluttered her eyes, finding herself curled up against the passengers side door. She blinked again, attempting to make sense of things. It was dark, and the vehicle wasn’t moving. When she sat up, immediately she realized that she was sitting in the SUV alone but to the left of her, she could vaguely see the outline of a structure. As her pupils dilated, the assembled form began to take shape. From what she could see, the building looked like a chalet with overhanging eaves. The perimeter of the house was outlined with small solar lights creating a low lit border. There were also stones in varying sizes intermingled with flowerbeds and indigenous foliage. A small rock path trailed around the house but the meager lighting went no further than the front borders. The light wasn’t much but with the help of the moon and the stars, Precious could get a fair picture of her surroundings. Inside of the house, she could see that at least one light was on. She sat up, leaning forward to look through the windshield. In her scanning, Precious didn’t see any other houses or lights in the distance. She wasn’t sure if this house was alone or if there were other houses nearby that she couldn’t see due to the late hour. As she puzzled over this, in the distance, she saw a dark figure approaching from the shadows. Her heart quickened, but the pumping in her vessels settled down, once she realized that the person ambling in her direction was Hamilton Gantry. He was puffing on a cigarette and when he’d finished it; he squeezed the lit end between two fingers. He did this until he was satisfied that the butt wouldn’t flame up, later causing a forest fire.
As he approached the vehicle, he could see that Precious was awake now. He came around to the drivers side. With his remote starter, he pressed a button, to unlock her door. He opened it saying...
“Didn’t want to wake you, so I decided to let you sleep a little longer. I went around back to start up the generator. I also had to turn on the electric box, powered by the solar panels.”
He offered her his hand to ease from the raised vehicle. Precious accepted his kind gesture. When his fingers touched her flesh, his hand was warm and strong. She couldn’t stop herself from wondering what those hands could do to her and the idea of it all, resulted in a blush. She wasn’t sure if he’d noticed because Hamilton began talking while her feet hit the dirt.
“I chose to bring you here, instead of staying in the city. It’s remote enough that we really needn’t worry about reporters or photographers.”
He looked down at her designer shoes. It had not taken much, and already the surfaces had specks of dust and pine needles. He smiled saying...
“And you definitely needn’t worry about picketers. Not unless they’re the outdoorsy type.”
She smiled, but she still wasn’t wholly convinced that being with him was a good idea. Besides, Precious had always hated camping as much as she dreaded the summer house her parents owned up north in Michigan; and that place was ultra modern. The thought of bumble bees, mosquitos and ticks; the idea of it all, pricked her skin. Anything that was creepy crawly sent shivers up and down her spine. However, when she thought about her alternatives; being away from the public was better than any choice she’d dreamed up. Swatting a fly would be far better than dodging flying smoothies or some other random object.
Precious scanned the area, making peace with her surroundings. She held his hand, as he led her away from the car. Hamilton closed the passenger door, then he said...
“It’s late. Much to late to show you around the place. I think its best that you get settled in for the night. In the morning, I’ll give you a grand tour of the place.”
They walked up three steps, leading onto the porch. Hamilton held open the large wooden front door. He stepped aside, allowing Precious to walk in first. The room smelled of pine and something fresh that she couldn’t identify but the aroma was pleasant. The dimly lit room embraced her with its relaxed comforting style. From what she could see, the room was furnished like a homey resort and it reminded her of Hamilton. He was standing to the side of her when he said....
“It isn’t much... But I like it.” He pointed in the direction of a short hallway. “Down this way, are the bedrooms. There are two on this level and upstairs, there’s a loft. You’ll be staying in the bedroom on the right. I’m sorry to say that, this place only has one bathroom, but I’m sure that won’t present a problem.”
He looked at her, then asked...
“Do you take morning showers or night showers?”
Such an intimate question, she thought to herself, but she understood his reason for asking.
“As a rule, I take showers before I go to bed, but sometimes I’ll also take one when I rise. It all depends on how well I slept that night.”
He was quiet for a beat, while he digested this. Then he said a non-reassuring...
“All right then.” With that said, they continued down the hall, to the bedrooms. He opened the door to the room on the right. “This is where you’ll be staying.” He said.
Hamilton flipped the light switch on, then the room came into view. It wasn’t anything special. A bed, nightstand, dressing table with a small mirror and a comfortable looking chair. Hamilton had lined her suitcases along the wall near the window in the room. The closet was open and her first impression was that it wasn’t very deep, but she imagined that it was large enough to hold her things. Precious turned to look at him. He was standing in the hall with his hands tucked in his pant pockets, mainly because he didn’t know what to do with them. He only knew that touching her wouldn’t be wise. Earlier, when he’d held her hand, helping her ou
t of the vehicle; Hamilton had noticed her silky soft skin. Even now, he couldn’t get that sensation out of his head. He was actually willing his eyes to look at her face because his brain was telling him to do otherwise. He couldn’t understand what it was about this woman that made him feel alert and alive yet mentally cumbersome at the same time. On the outside, Hamilton looked as cool as a cucumber. But, in spite of his exterior there was a whirlwind of clashing emotions warring within. He slanted his head at an angle, considering her expression. By the look on her face, he assumed that she was pleased and the space would be adequate.
Precious said...
“Are there any extra blankets? Just in case I feel a chill during the night.”
“Huh... Yeah... Right here.”
He brushed pass her stepping inside of the room. But this time, he’d prepared himself. He willed his body, not to respond and he’d only felt a slight tingling in his groin area. This was major for him because while she slept in the car, Hamilton had drove most of the way with a hard stiffness. Just being alone with her in the vehicle had come at a steep price. Whenever his eyes drifted from the road, watching her peacefully sleeping. Each time he did this, he wanted to stroke her face with light caressing touches. Then again, her sweet smell had been his most troublesome dagger. Inhaling her scent had edged him close to his breaking point.
Even now, smelling her was bringing it all back to him. He’d hoped the fresh air in the house would dilute the feeling but it hadn’t. So he pretended not to be affected. He lifted his head, finding the item he’d been searching for. On the top shelf in the closet, Hamilton pulled down two freshly dry cleaned blankets, then he pointed to a set of professionally laundered sheets that sat on the shelf. He placed the blankets on the chair, then asked...
“Anything else?”
She looked around the room; unable to think of any other request. She smiled shyly, then said...
“I think that’ll do for now.”
Hamilton backed out of the room saying...
“Precious... I’m just across the hall, if you think of anything else that you might need during the night. I’m usually a light sleeper and most days I only need a few hours of sleep. But sometimes, when I come here.... Well, there’s just something about this place that relaxes me. I tend to sleep deeper and longer whenever I’m here.”
“Hum...” She said, and she wasn’t sure what to do with this new information. However, something told her, that soon, knowing this just might come in handy.
He clapped his hands, then said...
“All righty then... I’ll see you in the morning.”
Hamilton closed her door, and she heard him when he entered the room across the hall, then closed his bedroom door. Oddly, this brought a smile to her face and she wasn’t at all sure why. Precious walked over to the side window. She peered out into the darkness, wondering what would possess Hamilton Gantry to buy a place like this. She’d always imagined his taste to be luxurious and expensive. Mainly because of the way he was always so put together and she’d never seen him with a hair out of place. Whenever Hamilton Gantry made his infrequent appearances, Precious always imagined him coming from one of his getaways. Monte Carlo. Rio de Janeiro. Dubai. Saint-Tropez. Anyplace, except middle-of-nowhere California.
She eased out of her clothes, choosing to sleep in the raw. She always slept best when she didn’t wear night garments. She only hoped that Hamilton wasn’t a sleepwalker because if he was, his nighttime wandering would be better than trick or treat.
The following morning Precious rose, invigorated and ready to start a new day. She’d slept through the night without waking and not one dream contained a worry. There were no nightmares to think of. No smoothies taking aim, using her as target practice. No nameless faces marching and chanting out Stone Norris’ name. Yep, she had to agree with Hamilton, there was something special about this place; as long as she remained indoors enjoying the cozy comforts of his home.
Precious stretched, then she pealed back the comforter, while reaching for her robe. She wiggled cold toes, while prancing across the floor, heading to her luggage. When she lowered, Precious heard the sound of grunts, then the splintering sound of wood being cut in half. She stood, then parted the curtains halfway; when she did this, man Oh man were her eyes rewarded with a delicious treat.
Outside, beneath the rays of sun peeking through the high limbs and branches. In the middle of a clearing, Hamilton Gantry was working his muscles slinging an ax. In all his delicious breath taking glory, Hamilton Gantry; producer extraordinaire. The man was doing the unimaginable and she was seeing it with her own eyes. Shirtless, with a fine sheen of sweat glistening like baby oil on his back. That man slung an ax like nobodies business. Precious stared at him with mouth open, and her tongue practically hanging out of her mouth. Watching him was better than any gladiator movie she’d ever seen.
“Good grief girl, get a grip.” She said to herself, but the lower half of her body wasn’t listening. She placed her hands along the sill, to maintain a balanced position. The way she gripped hold to the ledge of the window, it was clear that she wasn’t moving from this spot. Her eyes watched his upward swing, then she focused on the coil of muscles that framed the slope of his back. When the ax came down, her eyes were drawn to the bulge of muscles that sculpted large powerful arms. As she watched this magnificent display, she began to question her sanity. If she were truly honest with herself, she would admit truths that were no longer sneaking suspicions. Precious was attracted to Hamilton, and she’d always been. This wasn’t a new revelation but she’d never allowed the thought to linger for more than a few minutes. She partly wanted him to know that she harbored strong feelings but the impressions of these feelings were even to strong for her to comprehend. Precious had never been able to find the right phrasing to express herself. Then she considered, perhaps a stronger part of herself wouldn’t allow the admission. Admitting that she cared for the unattainable could destroy her armor. Men were like arrows, aiming their tips to injure unsuspecting female hearts. She wouldn’t play that game because she’d seen the aftermath and she’d helped the injured parties. Precious was grateful that her heart had never been trampled in this way. She took one final look at Hamilton, then she warned herself that he was the one person capable of crippling her. She’d known all along because whenever she looked at him, her heart burned with an aching desire.
Hamilton swung the ax, wedging it in a nearby tree stump. He stretched, working out kinks in his muscles; twisting one way, then another. He did this a few more times, until he felt an evenness in his body. Hamilton laced his fingers; cracking his knuckles. When he was done, he dug deep inside of his jeans pocket. He lifted out a pack of cigarettes followed by a platinum plated lighter. He positioned the filtered tip between pursed lips, then lit the other end. Inhaling deep drags, he drew in, filling his lungs until he felt the burn. He exhaled, blowing out the fumes through his nares. He did this several times, until the cigarette was nothing more than a butt. Hamilton always practiced safety first; extinguishing the lit end, then holding it until he was certain that it wouldn’t create a spark. Recently, there hadn’t been much rain. The weather report spoke of sunshine and warmth, but in the mountains, the weather could be the exact opposite. All around the cabin, there were tall redwoods reaching for the skies. Their outspread branches intertwined, creating a natural canopy; blocking out much of the sunlight. Without the Suns rays, much of the heat is loss, causing the temperature to vary by as much as twenty degrees. For this reason, he always kept a good supply of wood on hand. When lit right, the fireplace in the sitting room could heat up the entire front of the house. If the bedroom doors were left open, even those rooms benefited from the heat.
Hamilton turned; his eyes scanned the area before settling on the house. Just the thought of bedrooms brought visions of Precious in mind. All night his sleep had been affected; just knowing that she was only a stones toss away. When he saw the morning light peeking through his
window; Hamilton had abandoned his bed, seeking out solace in his chores. He pressed his hand across his chest, feeling the moistness; the result of his backbreaking work. He didn’t mind the work but the demanding chore would require him to take a shower.
Hamilton approached the steps two at a time. This was easy because there were only three. He walked inside, and he’d been startled to see Precious standing in the kitchen. She was posed with her back to the front door. Her hands were perched on either side of a double door cabinet. He wasn’t sure but he supposed that she was looking for something. Food maybe, he thought to himself. Better yet, perhaps she was searching for coffee.
Hamilton crossed the floor, coming up behind her but Precious had heard his footfalls. She turned around when he’d only been halfway, and her eyes bucked like saucers because Hamilton was half naked. Well, not half naked but the upper part of his body was without apparel. When she’d seen him through the window, he’d looked scrumptious. Now, up close and personal; well, she couldn’t put it into words.
Hamilton maneuvered around her, completely oblivious to her ogling. He talked, while opening and closing cabinets and drawers.
“I keep this place stocked year round because my visits tend to be infrequent. Most of the items in the cupboards are canned goods because their expiration dates tend to work best for longterm storage. I have canned meats, vegetables, fruits...you name it. I keep fresh coffee and other perishables in the frig.”
“I thought you said that your visits are infrequent. How can the food in the refrigerator be fresh if you didn’t know that you would be coming here?”
He laughed, and it was then that she noticed what he was doing. Actually, she saw what he was doing because she’d stopped staring at his perfect back. He opened up the refrigerator, pulling out a bag of coffee. Hamilton explained himself while filling the coffee maker with twelve cups of water.
