“I meant it. You look gorgeous. Wild and natural.” He stepped close. “Exactly the way I like you.” His lips brushed hers.
Her muscles went fluid, all thought of arguing lost. “All right. But next time, please give me some warning.”
“Promise.” His lips spread in a crooked grin. His arm around her, he and drew her close as they walked down the gravel drive.
Her frustration melted at his touch, and she linked her arms around him. “Who’s your friend?”
“Alfred Thompson. He’s a very….” he bobbed his head, considering. “.…unique person.”
His careful choice of words piqued her interest. “Interesting unique, or Unabomber unique?”
He chuckled. “Creative unique.”
The driveway opened wide. A metal archway covered with flowering trumpet vine led to a yard filled with tall ornamental grasses and flowers. Towering metal sculptures decorated various spaces. Beyond, a two-story house loomed, partially hidden by several large trees.
She gasped. Unique didn’t quite cover it. Like something out of a children’s book, almost unreal – the result of an unfettered imagination.
His voice tentative, he asked, “You like it?”
“What is this place? It’s so cool.” She bent to the walkway, a flagstone path interspersed with mosaic stepping stones – handmade, each one different.
“Alfred built it. Everything’s recycled.” The excitement in his voice was tempered with something else.
She stood. “It’s amazing.”
He grasped her hand and tugged her along. “Wait till you see the house.”
An arched metal gate led to a small courtyard filled with potted plants and gurgling fountain. On either side of the arched wooden door, ceramic urns spilled over with trailing flowers.
She ran her hand across the cement-like wall, but couldn’t distinguish the material. “This looks like something from a fairy tale.” A glossy yellow sun was set into the wall on one side of the door, and a blue crescent moon on the other. “Is this enamel?”
“Clay.” His eyes sparkled as he smiled, then reached for the string hanging from a metal bell. Its loud clang echoed along the stones.
A square panel opened in the center of the door. She almost wanted to ask to see the Wizard.
Hank bent toward it. “Hey Alfred.”
“Hank.” The panel slammed shut, and the door creaked open. Holding it stood a thin man with wiry hair pushing out from all angles. “What a nice surprise. Come in.”
Hank stepped inside. “I hope we’re not disturbing you.”
Dana followed, her misgivings melting away. Alfred didn’t seem the type to mock anyone. At first glance, he appeared older, with his wire-framed glasses and indiscriminate hair color. Upon closer inspection, his grey eyes held the spark of youth in his smooth-skinned face.
Alfred’s face lit in a smile. “Not at all. I was in my workshop.”
Hank put his arm around her. “I’d like you to meet Dana.”
She extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Alfred. Your home is incredible. You built all this yourself?”
Alfred launched into an excited description of the genesis of the house, made from straw bales and covered in plaster. He led them from room to room, each more fascinating than the last, ingenious energy-saving designs inset into the clay walls.
“Alfred has a near-zero carbon footprint.” Hank added to Alfred’s descriptions whenever possible, his tone like a little boy’s. He’d obviously helped with some of the creations. When his voice overflowed with excitement, he squeezed her hand.
Dana ran out of descriptives better than “amazing” and “incredible.” She must sound placating, but honestly she really felt overwhelmed by the amount of work and creativity that went into the place, never mind its striking originality.
Alfred invited them to stay for lunch, and he and Hank talked about their latest projects. Dana guessed Alfred to be Hank’s inspiration for his own art. Hank’s animated gestures surprised her. He clearly loved what he did. His bright-eyed gaze met Dana’s frequently. When he slipped his hand along her thigh, a thrill shook her each time.
Alfred stood. “I hope you’ll excuse me, I should get back to work. You know how it is.”
Hank squeezed the inside of her leg. “Yes, please don’t let us hold you up. We need to get going anyway.”
“Thanks for lunch,” Dana said. “And for showing me your house.”
Alfred went to the back door. “Feel free to stay as long as you want. I’ll be in my workshop if you need me.” He opened the door, then paused. “Oh, and it was good to meet you, Dana.”
“You too, Alfred.”
Hank pulled her into his arms and rocked. “I think he likes you.”
So that was it. Hank brought her here to see her reaction. To see Alfred’s reaction to her.
“I’m glad I have the seal of approval.” She stood on tiptoe to touch her lips to his. The urgency of his kiss sent a rush down her spine. His embrace tightened, and she slid her arms around his neck. When his hand crossed her ass, she pressed her hips against his, and his erection sent a tingle through her.
“We should go.” His whisper sounded hoarse.
“Mmm.” He tasted so good, she didn’t want to let go.
Without lifting his lips from hers, he chuckled and shuffled them toward the front entrance. She bumped into the door and he pinned her against it.
“Oh, Jesus, Dana. If we don’t get out of here right now, I might have to fuck you on Alfred’s floor.”
She giggled, and inhaled his scent as he nuzzled her neck. “You’re right. We better go.”
He fumbled for the knob, his mouth trailing the length of her neck. His eyes half-closed, his lips enveloped hers in a long, slow kiss shuffling her outside and pulling the door shut behind them.
Her heart pounded. White static filled her brain. “We’re not going to make it back to the tent.”
His lips curled into a grin atop hers. “No, but I have another idea.” He swept her down the pathway, under the arch, to the driveway and the Harley.
He knelt at her side. “Did anyone ever tell you your ass is luscious?”
“No.” Her breathy voice trembled.
“They were thinking it, believe me.” His hand slid up her thigh and cupped the curve of her behind.
She sighed and clutched his head. Who cared what anyone else thought, so long as Hank thought it. Her mind swirled to a blank, his mouth following his hand.
“Were you trying to drive me insane, not wearing panties?” He nipped her ass, and she moaned. “These have got to go.” He tugged at her shorts.
Glancing around, she gasped. “Wait. What if someone comes?”
“The only ones coming are you and me, babe.”
She reached into her pocket. “Then I guess it’s a good thing I brought this.” She held out the square packet.
Grabbing it, he stood, simultaneously yanking her shorts to her ankles. “Get on.”
Heat must have blanked her mind. “What?” She stepped out of her shorts.
“The bike. Straddle it.” His voice sounded caught in his throat.
Unsure what she was doing, she slid her leg across. “Like this?”
His eyes blazed with heat. “Oh yeah.” He dropped his cutoffs and climbed behind her.
Her nerves tightened as he lifted her hips higher. “God, you’re amazing,” he whispered, his mouth at her ass. She shuddered, his hands sliding lightly between her thighs. When he worked his way inward, she moaned and rocked her hips.
“That’s my girl. Give it to me.” His fingers worked their magic.
She arched her back and tilted her ass high, his appreciative moan exciting her. As he stroked faster, waves of passion washed over her, washed away all thoughts but one. She’d never wanted to fuck anyone so badly in her life. She wrapped her hand around his erection, eliciting a moan.
She heard him tear open the condom, and hurriedly fumbling to sheath himself i
n it. He eased back, and held her hips. “Come here.” He guided her backward.
She widened her stance as best she could, but the foot rests didn’t allow for much. His head teased her, and she rocked back onto it, biting her lip to keep from making too much noise. The last thing she wanted was for Alfred to appear now. He’d just have to watch, because she wouldn’t be able to stop.
“Oh, Jesus, Dana,” he rasped.
His excitement heightened her own. She closed her eyes and arched her back, sliding down to take him in further. Explosions rippled deep within and she cried out, plunging against him with a relentless frenzy she’d never felt before, consumed by the need to have all of him, now. He climaxed in spasms, his clipped breaths audible. She ground herself to the base of his cock, and he clutched her against him, half moaning, half laughing.
His lips moved against her shoulder. “I didn’t think it could get better, but you proved me wrong.”
She inclined her head back. “I told you we needed to experiment.”
“Definitely.” He kissed her neck. “I think we can call this one a success.”
She giggled. “Oh, yeah.” Hopefully they’d experiment a lot more, in different ways. Her eyes popped open with the realization they’d done it doggy style. Hank made it an intimate experience – shared. She let out a long sigh, grateful she didn’t have to guess what he was thinking back there. She felt everything he did. Never had it been so amazing.
****
Inhaling the fragrant hillside grass, she lay on the bank reading. Below, Hank cast his fishing rod into the stream and glanced back with a wide smile.
She sighed and closed her eyes. “If I’m dreaming, I never want to wake up.”
After a short while, he set the bucket by her. “Hungry?”
“A little.” She wasn’t sure about eating something so recently living, going about its little fishy life without a care.
He crouched next to her. “You stay here while I get it ready.”
“I could help start the fire,” she offered tentatively.
“Nope. Relax.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Thanks.” Even she heard the relief in her voice. She tried to immerse herself in her book again so she wouldn’t think about what he was doing to the poor fish.
When he called to her after a little while, she turned.
“It’s safe now. You won’t even recognize it.”
How did he know what she was thinking? She climbed the hill and nestled beside him.
The metal plates held the herbed fillet and a roll.
“Mmm, you’re right. Smells good.” She speared some onto her fork. “Delicious.”
He grinned his thanks. “Glad you like it.”
A lump formed in her throat. “I’ll help you clean up. Then I should start packing.”
He set down his plate. “It’s Sunday.”
“Already.” She couldn’t remember the last time a weekend had flown by so quickly.
He gazed down the valley and stood. “So you’re on Garden Street?” He glanced at her with an unreadable expression.
Her breath hitched in her chest. “Yes.” She’d fought against bringing up the What next subject.
His brow furrowed, he nodded, his lips pressed together as if in thought. “Within a reasonable walking distance of Tenth.”
With a shrug, she rose slowly, trying to appear casual, though her heart pounded. “And The Coffee Shack.” In case he needed a neutral place. If he wanted to meet at all. She cringed, waiting for his response.
A lopsided smile crossed his face. “So I should stop by The Coffee Shack before coming over?”
With a half-laugh, half-sob, she shrugged. “Or come straight to my place.”
He leaned closer. “How about I follow you there after we pack?”
“Even better.” She threw her arms around his neck.
His hands traveled the length of her back. “I should douse the fire.”
“In a minute.” She didn’t want to let go. Not until she could compose herself, reassure herself. Was it possible for a relationship to feel too real? Everything about him felt so good, so right. Almost too right.
He sighed, and nuzzled against her. After a little while, he murmured into her neck, “We could do this at your place.”
She relaxed her embrace and leaned away.
He kissed her. “Come on. We have work to do.”
****
The sun edging through the trees, they made their way down the hill carrying their gear.
She popped the trunk and set the cooler inside, then the backpack and tent.
He stepped close. “Do you mind if I throw mine in too?”
Surprise made her pause. She thought maybe he’d change his mind, make a break for it after they pulled away.
“Not at all. Don’t want you tipping over.”
“Never. I have a system, but it takes some time to organize so it’s balanced.” He placed his backpack and tent atop hers and shut the trunk. “Lead the way.”
She climbed behind the wheel and he revved his bike. Pulling away, her stomach clenched. She looked in the rearview mirror, and his Harley zigged and zagged behind her. A weekend in the woods alone would be nothing like daily life in the real world. A world filled with women much more beautiful than her. Women who would claw through her to get to him.
Outside her place, she pulled into an empty parking space. He pulled his bike onto the sidewalk beside her porch waiting while she opened the trunk. He set his gear between their vehicles, and helped carry hers up the two flights of stairs. Her apartment occupied the second floor of an old Victorian, and she’d always loved its character, though not everyone else did.
He placed her tent and backpack near the door. “Great place.”
“Thanks.” She hesitated to invite him in. The way he hovered near the exit, he would soon be gone.
“I’m not going to stay. My boots are full of mud.”
“Oh, sure. I need to get cleaned up anyway. I’m a little overdue for a shower.”
“Me too.” He looked down at his clothes apologetically.
An awkward silence loomed between them. “Well, thanks for helping me – with everything.” She gave a wave, and crossed her arms over her chest. She wouldn’t kiss him goodbye.
He ducked his head, stepped into the hall, then turned. “I was thinking…if you’re up for it, maybe we could catch a movie tonight.”
Her insides filled with something like helium. She forced a casual tone and went to the door. “Yeah. Sounds good.”
“Good. Pick you up at six thirty or so? We can figure out whose movie wins out.”
She grinned. “Deal.” She’d let him watch whatever he wanted. She’d be watching him.
He leaned in. “I promise I’ll smell better tonight.”
“Me too.” She didn’t mind his musky scent, but she intended to improve her own appearance.
With a quick kiss, he left. She closed the door, then scrambled to the window to watch him strap his gear to the Harley. He kick-started the bike, then lifted his head and smiled, as though he’d known she would be standing there.
She waited until he drove out of sight before heading to the bathroom. Steam filled the air, and she considered sending Sean a thank you note.
****
The movie theater echoed with the blasts of machine gun fire. Dana scrunched in her seat and popped a Junior Mint into her mouth. Normally, she wouldn’t indulge in candy, but figured she’d burned enough calories this weekend. In ways that still surprised her into a smile.
Hank held the bucket of popcorn toward her. She shook her head.
She would even put up with a plotless macho movie to spend time with him. Her eyes grew heavy, and she nestled against his arm. He did smell cleaner, but she didn’t know if she’d necessarily say better. His wilderness scent brought out her own primal instincts. She rested her head on his shoulder.
His soft voice roused her. “Hey.”
She
startled awake. “Hey.”
“You fell asleep.”
“Sorry.” She straightened in her seat, hoping she hadn’t drooled on his shirt.
His eyebrows twitched together. “Why don’t we get out of here?”
“But you wanted to see this.”
His face blanked. “Let’s go.” He stood and helped her up.
She had the unsettling feeling he was angry. She grabbed her purse and headed for the door. The light in the hallway stung her eyes. He pulled her toward the exit.
Outside, she felt chilled by more than the night air. He opened her passenger door. “I’ll drive.”
He said nothing more as he started the engine and drove to her apartment. He pulled the keys from the ignition, handed them to her, and sat there.
She couldn’t let him leave without knowing. “What’s wrong?”
His beautiful mouth formed a grim line. “You could have told me you were tired.”
So that was it. He’d wasted his money on the movie.
She ducked her head. “I was afraid you’d think I was boring or something.”
He turned to face her. “No. I’m tired too. I’d have thought you were like me. Human.”
“Sorry. You’re right.”
“And you hated the movie. You shouldn’t have agreed to see it.” The passion in his tone surprised her. “Just be straight with me, will you? I don’t want you saying things you think I want to hear, and not be happy. And I’m not going to tell you things I think you want me to say, okay? I’m going to be straight with you too. You might not always like it, but it’s the only way I want this to be.”
His words rang true, and resounded in her heart. This was for real. More real than anything she’d ever known.
“All right.” She angled closer. “But you’re wrong. I think once in awhile, one of us will probably have to go along with doing something the other might not especially love to do. Because you shouldn’t have to sacrifice anything, and neither should I.”
His face softened, and he exhaled slowly. “Okay. Once in awhile. So long as we’re both up front about it.”
“Deal.” She extended her hand.
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