by Anna Joung
Is she remembering the kiss from last night? Is she thinking about all the possibilities of what could have happened if we didn’t stop? Is she thinking about kissing me now?
I allowed myself to fantasize for a split second before pushing myself up from the ground. Thor jumped up and rushed over to a puddle, lapping up the water for his morning drink. In turn, I handed Hailey one of our water bottles and she had a long drink, I followed after. Without speaking, I rolled up the tarp and put in back in the backpack, wrapping my hoodie around her shoulders.
“How’s your ankle?” I asked, pointing down.
“A bit better,” she rotated it in demonstration, “I think I can walk on it a little.”
I nodded, helping her get to her feet. She held onto my shoulders as we hobbled out into the open air of Sanhill Woods. All around us, raindrops glistened on the edges of leaves, twinkling in the branches overhead like daytime stars. I admired a spiderweb next to me, the drops catching the light just so to refract hundreds of tiny rainbows. It took almost an hour to get back to the truck, navigating the uneven terrain with her bad ankle was a struggle. The last ten minutes I carried her, Thor exploring next to us. I settled her into the passenger side of the truck where she instantly made a grab for a phone. I was surprised that such a simplistic act cast a thorn into my heart.
She’s calling him, worried about him, after everything. But that makes sense. She’s meant to be marrying him. Not me. It will never be me. But I want it to be. I want it to be me.
The drive back was in silence. When we got near to my house, I didn’t bother stopping. She gripped onto my arm.
“I have to get the Range Rover back to the cabin or Matt will kill me,” she pleaded.
“There’s no way you can drive with that ankle and if that asshole lays a single finger on you, I’ll kill him.”
I heard the venom in my voice as I spat the words out. She backed back into her seat. I hadn’t meant for the sentence to come out as harshly as it had but I knew I meant every word.
“Where are we going?” she asked after a while.
“To the local doctor so she can have a look at your ankle. Then I’ll drop you back to the cabin. I’m sure your fiancé must be worried about you. Has he called?”
Her silence made me look across at her. She looked downfallen as she stared at her phone, the screen blank. That was enough to give me my answer.
The bastard didn’t even care or know she was gone. What type of man is he? He doesn’t deserve someone like her. He will never be able to care for Hailey the way I do.
Eventually, we made it to the doctor's house. She agreed to see us after I exchanged preliminary payment. After a quick look over, she determined it was merely a pulled ankle but still to try and stay off it for a few days and don't undergo any strenuous activities.
So, no more rock-climbing. No more excuses for her to come and see me.
It wasn’t until we pulled up outside the cabin that Hailey spoke to me. I could sense the sadness overwhelming her but knew that the possibility of her fiancé seeing us rendered any action too risky.
“I had a great time, even with the accident. But… I’m not sure if we can see each other again.”
I felt a darkness descend over me. I knew I couldn’t let her go that easily.
“Just try and stop me.”
***
Hailey
I hobbled through the door, collapsing on the nearby stair before I could go any further. I could hear voices from the room nearby.
“Matthew?” I called out.
Nathaniel materialized, as though he had been waiting for my return. He didn’t even try to disguise his smirk as he walked up to me.
“What happened to your ankle?” he asked.
“Rock climbing accident.”
“You want me to rub it better?” he leaned in close.
“Get away from me,” I lashed out.
I was just about to hit him when Matthew walked through the doorway. He looked hungover, his hair askew as he stretched and yawned.
“Hey babe, what you doing on the floor?” he asked.
My mouth dropped open, stunned.
Did he not even realize I was missing? Does he not care? Can’t he see I’m in pain? Oh god, what about his car? Maybe he hasn’t noticed that yet either.
“I hurt my ankle,” I replied.
“How did you do that?”
“Rock climbing accident,” Nathaniel interjected before winking at me and walking out the room.
Matthew looked confused, “When did you go rock climbing?”
“Yesterday! I told you I was going the day before. Haven’t you noticed I’ve been missing all night? Haven’t you worried at all?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, a sheepish lopsided smile spreading on his face, “I had a bit of a wild one with the boys yesterday. You’re back here and safe though, right?”
“I fell down a rockface!” I yelled, “I almost broke my ankle and had to spend the night hiding from the storm under a giant boulder with my instructor. Do you really not care?”
He seemed to perk up at the mention of another person, "Your instructor? Was it a man or a woman?"
I crossed my arms, “A man.”
“And you spent a night with him? Playing it a bit thin, aren’t you?”
“You’re one to talk,” I retorted.
His nostrils flared with anger before he swept his hair back with his hand, “Hope you can manage to get up the stairs by yourself.”
Distraught, I watched as he turned and headed back to join the rest of his friends. I felt a bitter tinge of hatred but it was quickly abated by my remembrance of the kiss last night. It wasn’t until I struggled up the stairs, wincing with every step, before clambering into a hot bath did I finally allow myself to savor the thought of that kiss. I brought my fingers to my lips, tracing the skin where he had touched.
Lawson Camden, what have you done to me?
Chapter 7
Lawson
The rain from the night before had reminded me of her. The equipment I finally removed the discarded backpack reminded me of her. The long strand of hair I found attached to my hoodie reminded me of her.
No matter what I do, I can’t stop thinking about you. I need you; I crave you. I can’t stay away from you.
I looked about me as I clambered out the truck. There was no one about when I knocked on the door of the Pemberton cabin. When there was no answer, I debated getting back in my truck and going back home. I still wasn’t sure what had driven me back to the cabin so soon.
Yes, I do. It’s her. It will always be her.
“Lawson?”
I looked up to see her head peeping out from over the balcony. I waved at her and she grinned. Holding up her hand to signal she would be coming down. Backing away from the door, I leaned against the front of my truck, waiting for her appearance. After about ten minutes she emerged, her hair neatly made up and gentle makeup highlighting her features. She had opted for some jeans and a knitted cardigan, far from the city girl glamour I had usually seen her in.
“What are you doing here?” she still had a barely noticeable limp as she walked up to me.
“I had to see you.”
The words tumbled out my mouth before I could stop them but I knew them to be true. She looked slightly shocked before the faintest of smiles appeared on her lips.
“I’m glad you came. I can’t stop thinking about you,” she breathed.
“I don’t want you to stop thinking about me. Where’s your fiancé?”
She shrugged and I was about to continue the conversation when the first tear came rolling down her cheek. The sorrow in my eyes tore at my heart as I scooped her into my arms, her head pressed on my chest as she sobbed.
I wish I could take the pain away from you. I would carry your burdens around with me for eternity if it meant you would be happy.
“He didn’t even notice,” she cried, “He didn’t care at all. He made me walk up t
he stairs myself. He didn’t even say goodbye when he left this morning. The only thing he gave a damn about was that I had spent the night with a man. With you. Don’t I matter at all?”
I gripped the sides of her head, tilting it upwards so she was looking me directly in the eyes, “Don’t you ever say that. You matter a hell of a lot. You matter more than that to me. You always will.”
I don’t know how long we stood there holding one another but by the time we pulled away, the sun was reaching the middle of the sky. I shielded my eyes as I looked up before gesturing to the truck.
“Let’s get out of here.”
Nothing else was said as I held the door open for her and she jumped in. I started the engine and we headed into town, pulling up at the local café. I reached across and grasped her delicate hand in my rough one.
“You could do with something to eat.”
We ordered sandwiches and fries, washed down with coffee. Our hands never left one another as we ate, neither of us willing to sever the connection. The conversation was light, she asked me about rock-climbing and I asked her about life in the city. We knew we were tiptoeing around the dark pits of our lives and that eventually, we would have to jump in, but for that moment we were living free of our troubles. Many laughs later and we walked out of the café, our stomachs filled and our hearts content.
“Where to next?” she asked.
“Sanhill Woods.”
I drove the truck close to my house, just outside the woods. We jumped out and I held her hand as we walked past the towering trees. All around us, nature chatted away – birds singing, squirrels nattering, trees whispering. At first, we stayed quiet, then as I supported her over the more uncertain terrain, we started talking.
“How did you end up living in Memphis Valley by yourself?”
I could feel my chest tighten, knowing I would have to relay my whole sordid past to her. She looked at me, curiosity evident in her eyes.
It’s time to open my vault.
"I used to live in Chester, born and raised there. My parents were happy enough, they had followed the traditional route of finding one another, settling down, getting married, and having kids. Only, they couldn't have kids in the plural sense. I was their first child and also their last. My mother was desperate to have more children, she had loved kids, she had grown up fantasizing about a massive family. After I was born, she wasted no time in trying for another child. It resulted in a miscarriage. I was meant to have a little brother and instead, I wound up with a broken mother. The doctors told her she couldn't have any more kids and it destroyed her. I was too young to realize at first but it soon became evident she had turned to drugs to cope. It built her way up until she caught onto dope. From there, she spiraled out of control, and to this day she still is. My dad tried his best to help her but nothing works. He's still trying to convince me everything is okay over thirty years later.
“I got a job as soon as I could, helping with the trickle of the tourist trade in Chester. That's how I learned to climb. Turns out I had a knack for it and soon I had saved up enough to move out. When I turned eighteen, I bought the house I live in now. It's had some renovations and I got the electricity up and running by harnessing the power of Crystal Creek. My dad only ever calls me when my mom relapses, which is at least once a year. I swore I would never speak to her until she's recovered. She ruined the childhood of the one-child she did have and she's never even attempted to make up for it."
As soon as the final words had streamed from my mouth, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders. It felt like I had finally begun to release myself from the shackles of my past. I looked across at Hailey.
And it’s you. You’ve helped me get here. You’re the one.
She stopped, gripping onto my shoulders. Without a word, she leaned up on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on my lips, lingering and long, filled with all the unspoken words from my story. It was everything I needed to know how she felt. It seemed like the pain from the story was washed away by that one magical kiss.
“Take me home,” she breathed.
Before she could change her mind, I had scooped her into my arms and rushed back to the truck. We piled in before I sped back to the house. Thor barked his welcome as we rushed in, her mouth pressed against mine. I kicked the door shut behind me before she jumped up, her legs hooking behind my back as I held her ass. Pressing her into the wall, our making out intensified as I began to unbutton her cardigan. She allowed me access to remove the thick material, balling it up and tossing it to the side. Underneath was a vest, no bra evident as I saw her excitement through her perky nipples. I rolled them between my finger and thumb, they hardened further as I too hardened beneath my cargo pants. Holding her in the position was now restricting my access so I held her as I headed into the bedroom, throwing her onto the bed when I got there. She bounced on the mattress, a tinkle of laughter spattering the air.
“What are you going to do now, mountain man?”
The challenge from her voice sent a growl rumbling through my throat as I jumped on her. Swiftly, I pulled her sneakers off her before unbuttoning her jeans. With one hard tug, I had pulled them down the length of her legs and now she lay in just her panties and vest. The pale pink panties made it very obvious she was excited by my presence. My fingers traced lightly across her skin as I headed up from her ankle to her inner thigh. I teased at her mound above the material, the wetness soaking through to my fingers. Greedily, I pushed them to the side, allowing me to get to the target below. My mouth descended on her; my tongue relentless in its rhythm as it lapped at her soft spot. My fingers teased at the edge before I thrust two inside of her, dancing along her inner walls as she moaned. Her fingers dug into the bed, the sound of her scratching driving me wild with desire. Her body arched and I knew she was reaching the precipice. With a scream, she shuddered, her orgasm flooding through her, evident with the lingering taste on my tongue. I allowed her a moment to recover before I plastered a grin across my face.
“My turn.”
Whilst I peeled my top off and unzipped my pants, Hailey kicked out of her soaking panties and lifted her vest off, exposing her perfectly formed breasts. My mouth trailed kisses up her stomach until my tongue circled around her hardened nipples. All the while my fingers rolled her enlarged clit between them, her face expressing pain mixed with pleasure. When I could take it no longer, I pulled my throbbing erection from my boxers and thrust straight into her. She screamed out as I continued to thrust, her body angling so I could get better access. I felt her walls contract against me, tightening for greater sensation. It wasn’t long before I looked down into her face, her eyes crazy with desire, and it sent me spiraling over the edge. My orgasm flooded her, filling her crevice as I yelled out to the darkening room. Rolling off her, we both lay breathing heavily.
“Can I stay here tonight?”
I looked over at her, surprised, “Of course. Please do.”
With a smile on her face, she stretched out, laying her head on my chest and sighing. My arm looped around her and I traced gentle patterns on her bare back as we stared into the darkness.
I don’t know what this is but I do know I never want it to end.
Chapter 8
Hailey
I gave Lawson a wave through the back window as I turned the corner onto the road with Matthew's cabin on it. Lawson had followed me into town to pick up groceries whilst I drove the Range Rover back to its owner. Everything about the moment felt surreal.
Last night was incredible. I don’t want it to end. But it has to. I’m going to marry Matthew. Even if I like someone else. Even if I want to be with Lawson. It’s my duty to the Beaumont family.
The tires crunched against the terrain as I pulled up outside the cabin, with an instant, Matthew had come storming out the house, his face distorted with rage. I pulled the keys, killing the engine, and took a steadying breath before stepping out of the car. Within a second, he was on me.
“What the hell do yo
u think you’re doing? You know you’re not meant to drive my cars? Are you mentally deranged?” he gestured wildly.
I threw my hands up in surrender, “Sorry Matt but I had to get about somehow. You’ve left me in the cabin to go hunting with your friends every day and I had to find something to do. I can walk into to town but to get to the mountains I needed your car.”
“To see that instructor man?” his face was now too close for comfort, his spittle landing in my face, “You didn’t even think to ask if you can borrow it? This car is worth more than you’ll ever be.”
He snatched the keys from my hand, scraping my palm as he did so, drawing blood. I yelped but that just made him snarl at me as he grabbed my other hand and stormed into the cabin, dragging me behind. Matthew didn’t stop until he had gotten to our room on the second floor, slamming the door behind us before shoving me. I leaned on my bad ankle and screamed out in pain.
“Matt, stop!” I shouted, “You’re acting like a jerk.”
“You ruined this trip,” he seethed, “Do you know what all the guys are saying about me? What they’re saying you’ve been up to? It’s a small town, Chester, rumors spread. What do you think you’re doing parading about with this guy? I swear your father will hear about this.”
“So, tell him,” I challenged, stepping closer, “Do you really think I give two shits what he has to say?”
He looked shocked, followed by disgust, “We’re going, pack your things.”
Going? I can’t go. If I go then I’ll never see Lawson again. But if I stay, I’ll be disowned by my family, cast out of high society. It’s now or never – I have to make my choice.
“No.”
Matthew’s mouth dropped open as he turned to me, “What did you just say?”
“I said no,” I crossed my arms, “I’m not going anywhere and I don’t want to be anywhere near you.”
It was at that moment he lunged for me. Luckily, I fell backward, his nails scraping into my skin as I did so. Off-balance he swayed, giving me a chance to crawl back into the open bathroom. With my good foot, I kicked the door shut before quickly kneeling and locking it behind me. I could hear his fists hammering the door as he yelled at me.
