by Piper Rayne
“That’s okay. I did too,” she says, a grin on her face.
We both chew. After two rounds, our stomachs decided that without any food, we might not be able to go at it with one another again. So I put on some clothes and paid a teenager working here to drive to the nearest restaurant and bring us back some food.
When I returned, Cleo greeted me naked in bed in a sexy pose, the fake flower from the small vase on the bathroom counter between her teeth. So cliché, but I dropped the food and jumped on her. She cried out and tried to wiggle away because of how cold I was.
Now we’re both warm and eating naked in bed. With no television and sketchy cell service, I have her to myself. Does life get any better?
“So basically, we should’ve been doing this weeks ago,” I say.
After cutting the roasted potatoes, she positions the fork in front of my mouth again, and I take a bite. “Probably, but I think the build-up was worth it.”
“You say that now, but I could’ve just as easily been sleeping in the tub right now.”
She smiles over her chewing. “I’ll admit, having you here with me is nicer than you in the tub.”
“For me too. I wanted to be a gentleman, but damn, by the end of the trip, I wouldn’t have been able to stand.”
She laughs, and her head falls against my chest. I take the opportunity to kiss the soft skin on her shoulder. I’m a little surprised by how easy it was to admit what I was feeling for her. I have no idea how Cleo changed me so fast. She’s the only one who could’ve done it. One thing is true though—I’m going to do everything in my power to keep her. Something about the two of us together feels right.
“So this worked out well for you then,” she says.
I pick up the tray and move it to the small side table. “You’re reaping a lot of rewards in the form of orgasms.”
I lower her upper body to the bed, my undying need to have her under me too much to resist. We stare into one another’s eyes, and she holds a smirk that says she’s enjoying what’s happening. It is pretty spectacular, I have to say. I can’t get enough of her. I don’t want to stop touching her or listening to what’s going to come out of her mouth next. It feels euphoric, and I can’t stomach thinking about it coming to an end.
“Let’s forget this trip and just stay here until Sunday,” she says.
I kiss her forehead, her nose, then her mouth. “I have some amazing places to show you.”
“Okay, but I think we’re going to be spending a lot of time inside the cabins.”
I chuckle and widen her legs with my thighs, and she opens them willingly. “Fine with me. We could camp out one night and see if you can be louder than the wolves.” She hits me in the chest, and I chuckle again. “You’re loud, but I love it.”
My dick finds its spot between her thighs, but I have to disappoint the dude because I need to do one thing I haven’t so far. I slide down her body, taking the time to suck her nipples—she has amazing tits and I’m not missing an opportunity to have them in my mouth. Her fingers weave through my hair and it feels like a caress. Kissing down her stomach, past her navel, I situate myself between her thighs.
She sighs my name, as if I needed any other incentive to show her that this mouth of mine isn’t just good for banter. I have a pretty talented tongue too.
It’s dark outside when we finally finish our cold meal. Her head lays on my chest and my finger runs up and down her spine.
“What’s your favorite color?” she asks.
We’ve been playing this game as if we’re prepping for an immigration interview after marrying for a green card.
“Blue.” She nods against my chest, and I ask, “Favorite movie?”
She takes her time to think about it. “Wizard of Oz.”
“Ah, there’s no place like home.”
She squeezes me tighter. “Yeah, I think I always felt like I was searching for something. I could relate to Dorothy.”
I run my hand over her silky hair. It’s as soft as it always looked. I tilt her head up to look me in the eye. “And now?”
She shrugs. “I like Lake Starlight. A lot.”
“So much that you think you fit there?” It’d be hard for me to move to Dallas—there’s no need for bush pilots there for one—but I would if she wanted me to.
Even I’m shocked by that thought, but I don’t feel any sort of panic.
“I feel more at home there than I have anywhere but is it because of you?” she asks.
“I kind of hope so. Sometimes it’s not where you fit but who.”
She seems to think over that then crawls on top of me. “Well, you definitely fit me,” she jokes, and I recognize the move for what it is—a defense mechanism. “Favorite position?”
Yep, she definitely wants to change the subject. Since this is all so new, I’ll let her, but we have three more nights together. By Sunday, she’ll know where she fits—with me.
I slide my hands down her sides and rest them on her hips where she’s rocking over my hard cock. “I’d love your tits in my face while you ride me.”
She dips down and I capture a nipple with my teeth, latching on. She moans and lowers herself, allowing my entire mouth to suck her tit. Bringing my other hand up, I squeeze her free one. She reaches across to the nightstand to grab another condom.
I’m going to have to stop at a store to get a bigger supply. Not a bad problem to have.
A few days later, I thank Gene, our latest host, for having us and we hop onto the plane. This time we travel between the mountains, watching the thawing snow cascade down to the rivers below. Hearing her ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ through the headset, I have to work to keep my dick at half-mast.
It’s my last night with her, and after going through two boxes of condoms, I still have a hard time looking at her without wanting her. I think she feels the same way because she can’t stop touching me either.
I really don’t want to go back to reality. Tonight we’re going to spend the night in the tent, and I’m excited to really show off my outdoor skills. She liked that last time.
We land and set up camp. I build the fire, and when I look over to check on her, she’s holding Chip’s urn, staring at it. With everything we’ve done on this trip, we haven’t spread his ashes yet.
I poke the fire to position a log the way I need it. “Have you decided where you want to spread them?”
“I’m thinking somewhere high.”
“If you want, we could open a window as we’re flying.”
She still holds the urn. Not tight or protective, just kind of there. “I still feel like I barely knew him.”
Sitting on the log next to her, I wrap my arm around her waist and kiss her temple. “I think you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself.”
“Because this is leaving him somewhere.”
“Do you really believe that’s him?”
She stares at the urn as if she’s waiting for him to pop up like those jack-in-the-boxes. “No, but why did he put me in charge of it?”
I wish I had some insight to offer her. “We don’t have to do it this trip. We can come back.”
Her shoulders sag. “That’s a waste of a trip.”
“I think it’s been a pretty great trip, so I’m not opposed to having to do a repeat.”
She smiles. “Maybe I can fly you next time.” She hits me in the rib with her elbow.
I roll my eyes. She wants to learn to fly, and she wants me to be the one to teach her. I’m all for it, but Rome asked me to teach him and we almost got into a fistfight at ten thousand feet. Sometimes you shouldn’t teach the ones you’re close to.
“Maybe,” I say.
“So we can wait?” she asks.
“We can wait.” I squeeze her knee and stand. “Ready to go to bed?”
“When haven’t I been ready to go to bed with you?” She rises and places the urn back in its box. “Where should we put this?”
“I’m sorry, he’s not coming in the tent,”
“So you believe he’s in here?” She throws my words back at me.
“I’m not going to screw his daughter while his ashes are in a tent with us.”
She laughs and I’m glad that the serious moment is over. “Plane?”
“Plane.” I pick up the box and head toward the plane. “I’m sorry, Chip, but I think in a way, you wanted me to be with Cleo. At least that’s what I got from your letter. If I was wrong and you’re up there pissed off that I’m with Cleo, I’m sorry, but I’m not giving her up.”
After locking the urn in the plane, I head back to the tent in a rush to get back to Cleo. I strip before I get in, and she’s already laughing.
“You better be naked in that sleeping bag.” I zip us into the tent and crawl into the sleeping bag she’s in.
“You’ve taught me to always be prepared.”
Later that night, she’s in my arms when she starts another round of questions. I think I know all her favorites by now. She loves Three Musketeers, which I told her it isn’t a real candy bar. She likes plain chocolate ice cream with nothing on it, which seems like a travesty when you have things like caramel nut fudge available. Her favorite pasta is lasagna, which I’m down with. I could probably answer a questionnaire about her at this point, and I find that I like knowing all these things about her.
“What are you most afraid of?” she asks.
I lift my eyelids since I was almost asleep. Obviously, we’re delving into the serious questions tonight. I take a minute to consider whether I want to be open with her or not and find that I do. “Honestly? I’m afraid of being devastated like I was when my parents died. I’m afraid of someone I love leaving me.”
She picks up her head as her hand cradles my cheek. My beard is fuller than it usually is since I haven’t shaved on this trip. “I can’t imagine you being so young when you lost them. But you have your whole family.”
I nod, sleep taking over. Drifting in and out of consciousness, I kiss her forehead. “Falling asleep, princess.”
“Go to sleep.” She kisses my chest, and I pull her closer. I’m not sure if I dream it or not, but I swear, she whispers, “I’ll never leave you, Denver Bailey. Not willingly anyway.”
Twenty-Six
Cleo
We were in town for five minutes before the news about Denver and me was out. Somehow while we were miles away from Lake Starlight, the rumor mill started that we’d gone on a romantic trip together, when in reality we’d gone to spread my father’s ashes. It’s beside the point that we didn’t end up doing it.
“It’s the first time they’ve got it wrong.” Phoenix pushes the iPad over to me. “In all my years, what’s in there has always been true but a secret no one wanted out.”
I bite my lip and stand. Denver and I didn’t discuss whether we were coming out as a couple or planning to hide it.
“Hey, me and Juno are going out in Sunrise Bay this weekend. Come and have a girls’ weekend with us.” Phoenix spoons her mint chocolate chip ice cream into her mouth. Once again, she’s wearing a matching pajama set at only six in the evening.
“Okay, let me think about it.”
“And don’t worry about Denver joining us. The guys are going out too.”
“Denver is going out with the guys this weekend?”
“Yeah, Kingston and his asshole buddy Owen planned the entire thing. Denver’s probably invited to keep those two from fighting.”
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, what?”
She nods like ‘Yeah you don’t know?’ “Kingston and Owen have this ultra-competitive relationship. They’re best friends, but everything has always been a competition ever since they were young.”
“Sounds immature,” I say.
“Well, yeah, it’s Kingston.”
Kingston is the only brother I’ve yet to spend any time with. He seems nice but more reserved, at least in front of me.
“Anyway, you’re totally coming with us,” she says before taking another big bite of ice cream.
“Coming where?” Denver walks in, puts down his computer bag, and eyes the iPad. “I see you read that they figured out what we did this weekend.”
As he grabs a water out of the fridge, I freeze, but Phoenix laughs. “Yeah, you plan a romantic weekend? I told Cleo it’s the first time Buzz Wheel got it wrong.”
The water bottle stays tipped to his mouth, and he eyes me over the bottle. I try to convey that I’m not sure how he wants to handle this.
“Yeah, I’m not romantic at all, right, Cleo? I made her sleep outside while I stayed in the cabin?” He stares me down as I shift in my seat.
Phoenix must hear his change of tone because her head swivels back and forth between the two of us. “Shut up!”
I blow out a breath. “I didn’t know if you wanted people to know,” I say to Denver.
He shakes his head, puts the water on the counter, and wraps his arm around my waist, kissing my neck. “I do.”
“You guys are together?” Phoenix’s eyes are wide, and her mouth is agape.
I laugh at her disbelief.
“Why is that so hard to believe?” Denver’s lips travel to my lips, and he kisses me. “I’m a catch.”
“Cleo’s the catch,” Phoenix deadpans. “What on Earth do you see in him?”
Denver picks up the water bottle and tips it so water splashes all over her. She laughs, and I can’t help but think that watching their sibling interaction is fun.
“Better hope she doesn’t find someone better this weekend when I take her to Sunrise Bay,” Phoenix says.
“I heard you’re going out with the guys this weekend,” I say. Not bothered about it. Nope not at all.
He stares at me as if he doesn’t remember. “Shit, yeah. I agreed to it before you jumped my bones this week.”
I hit him in the stomach and roll my eyes.
“Cleo, how much for you to hold out on sex until he introduces me to Griffin?” Phoenix asks.
I laugh. She’s always working an angle, this girl. Denver wraps his arms around my waist so my back is plastered to his chest. He kisses my neck, trailing those delicious lips up to my jaw. “Sorry, she’s the nympho, not me.”
Heat spreads from my head to my toes. Is this what being with Denver is going to be like? ‘Cause I like it.
Phoenix snaps a picture. “I’m sending it to Buzz Wheel.”
“What?” I turn to Denver. This is getting out of control.
Denver doesn’t shift away from me. “Go ahead. Then every guy will keep their hands and eyes off Cleo because they’ll know I’ll kick their ass.”
I like that he’s owning this relationship. It makes all those pesky bad thoughts dim in the back of my head.
“That reminds me, we have to go to my dad’s,” I say. I need to deal with his place, and after the time away with Denver, I finally feel better equipped to do so. Plus, we need to see if his “guest” came back.
He nods. “Let’s go and we’ll pick up some food, too.”
“Hello?” Phoenix closes up her ice cream. “I’m bored. I’m coming.”
Denver grabs my hand, and I quickly snatch up my purse. I’m fairly sure he wants to do more than just kiss when we get in the truck.
“You’re in your pajamas.” He glances at the microwave clock. “At six o’clock. Maybe you should live with G’Ma D at the Northern Lights.”
“I’m unemployed. Give me a break.” She follows us in her pajamas, slipping on a pair of Uggs and a big jacket.
“You’re totally ruining my game here,” he says to her while opening the door for me.
Phoenix gets in the back of the truck. “Cleo’s my friend too, and now she’ll be family soon.”
Denver shuts the door. I have no idea if what she said made him skittish or not, because when he gets in the truck, he turns the ignition and we head out.
“The sooner we leave, the sooner she’s out of our hair,” he says.
I smile, but Phoenix huffs in the backseat. “I’m not sure I can live here if you two are banging every minute of every day.”
“Not every minute. I promise,” I tell her.
“But maybe close your eyes and call out before you enter a room.” Denver winks at me, grabs my hand, and squeezes.
Damn, the butterflies are alive and kicking in my stomach.
Fifteen minutes later, we pull up at my dad’s, and I notice a set of decorative metal stars hanging on the outside of the house that were not there last time we were here.
“Um…” I point at them, a sourness drowning the butterflies from moments ago.
“I know.”
Phoenix follows us toward the house. “So what’s the deal? You think Chip had a chicky on the side?”
I hand the keys to Denver because I’m freaked out now.
“I’m starting to wonder.” Denver unlocks the house and opens the door, flicking on the light.
“There are fresh flowers now,” I say to Denver with wide eyes after I see the vase on the kitchen table.
He nods and goes to the back of the house, returning five seconds later. “We’re alone.”
I pick up the afghan on the couch. “This is new too!”
Phoenix squirms around as if she saw a spider. “This is creepy. Why did I come?”
I mostly ignore her because Denver tells her to go wait in the truck. Phoenix says she’s not going anywhere by herself.
On the table by the chair, I spot another addition. I point over and over.
Denver rolls his eyes as if my reaction is unwarranted. Whatever. He picks up the book—a bestseller that came out after my dad died.
“We need to call the police,” I say.
“And say what? Goldilocks has come and read in my chair and left flowers and a blanket?” Denver’s sarcastic tone is not appreciated.
“No! To tell them that someone is trespassing on private property.” I pick up my cell phone and dial the police station.
Denver groans. “I’m starving.”
“We’ll eat after they get here. We need to figure this out.”
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