“I don’t want you to pretend, I want you to keep an open mind.” I need her to accept me. I need her to understand that I am me, but I am also what some would consider a beast. But no matter what I am, I will always be the man she needs me to be. “I need you to trust me, and this life that I want you to be a part of.”
I sat up all night watching her sleep. After our talk she laid back on the couch and worried her lip as she silently thought to herself. It drove me mad. I wanted to know what she was thinking, what her worries are so I can soothe them. But I didn’t push. After an hour she slowly began to close her eyes and I listened to her soft breaths mixed with the popping of the fire blazing only a few feet away, Sleep didn’t come for me, my mind raced with too many fears.
I heard the rustle of the leather couch as she climbed off of it, and the sound of her bare feet as she began to walk in my direction. Standing at the stove, I don’t turn to face her though I know she is there. I can practically feel the heat of her gaze. Each breath she takes, though it is soft and even, appears to echo through the expanding kitchen. I may have gone a little overboard when building this place, but I wanted to spare no expense. I didn't want it to be lacking in any sense.
I did it for her.
“Wow,” she says. I look back over my shoulder and see her scan over the space from one side of the room to another. “I don’t think I have ever seen a kitchen like this.” There is awe written all over her face and to me, that is worth everything. She is impressed, just as I want her to be.
“Do you like to cook?” I ask. I already knew the answer to that question. I know everything there is to know about Taryn.
“I dabble,” she replies softly as she moves in further and rounds the large island in the center, coming around to where I stand. The way her hand glides over the marble top slowly appreciatively gives me chills. I would give anything to feel her touch me. “I’m more of a baker.”
My girl may have a little sweets addiction, though her body shows absolutely no signs of such.
“I can cook dinner, and you can make dessert.” Smiling, I watch her tilt her head to look up at me.
“But it is morning.”
Leaning in closer her breath hitches when I get within an inch of her mouth. “It is,” grazing my lips over hers. The hunger I feel for her is harder to control than any other want I have ever felt. “But if I have it my way, you will still be here this evening.” Then I kiss her softly, and feel myself relax when she reciprocates. I don’t want to scare her or set us back in any way. I want to build her want for me, play on her needs and when she is ready, she will give herself to me. I won’t let my father's words taint my time with her. I know the clock is ticking, but I needed Taryn to want to be with me as much as I have always wanted her.
The rest, it will come.
Taryn
It’s been hours since Merick kissed me and my lips haven’t stopped tingling. We have yet to talk about anything or at least anything pertaining to his persistence and empowering words of desire. While we ate breakfast we were both silently watching each other. His lips constantly tipped up at the corners in a grin that warmed my belly.
After we ate, ignoring my protest, he carried me into the living room and placed me on the sofa so he could change the bandage on my arm. I winced when he poked at it and watched as he covered it in the ointment. The dressing was quickly applied and then he helped me upstairs, leading me into what must be the master bedroom.
The massive California King four-poster bed is covered in a dark blue comforter. The nightstands on both sides are made of the same dark walnut stain. A large flatscreen was anchored to the wall above the dresser. It oozes masculinity and I allow myself to imagine him sprawled out beneath the darkened sheets. Night after night, naked maybe. My head feels woozy from the images I’m conjuring of him.
He led me into the master bath and I took one look at the large Aqua Eden Freestanding bathtub and bit my lip to keep from moaning. I can visualize myself soaking in that tub for hours. The large glass shower has a smooth stone backsplash and a wooden bench that caused my belly to flip. Oh, the possibilities.
Merick grabs something out of the closet. He turns to me and sticks his hand out. “Spare toothbrush.”
I take it from him. “Thank you.”
“Get cleaned up, but avoid getting your dressing wet for now. I’ll lay out some clothes for you and wash what you’re wearing.” He reaches out ever so slowly and strokes my cheek with his thumb. His chestnut brown eyes are so bright they almost look like they are glowing. “I want to talk to you about how you ended up in the forest last night.” Merick leans down, brushing his lips against mine before disappearing out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.
I touch my lips and smile. What is wrong with me? Last night I nearly died, well maybe not died, but something or someone was trying to get into my cabin. A shiver ran down my spine thinking about the figure I saw walking by my window.
I push the fear aside and get cleaned up. In only a towel I poke my head out of the bathroom and find his bedroom empty, and a stack of clothes on his bed. I throw on the basketball shorts, folding the waistband over and over until they somewhat fit.
The sweatshirt hits me mid-thigh and when I hold it up to my nose, the soft cotton material smells just like Merick. It causes an ache between my thighs. I ignore it, knowing that it is the last thing I should be focusing on at this point. One by one I pull on the wool socks that go to my knees. I’m petite for a woman, and in his clothes, I looked like a child.
I let my brown locks down and go back into his bathroom, grabbing Merick’s comb and run it through my hair. I leave it hanging down my back. As soon as I finish I make my way down the stairs. The living room is empty and the fire is roaring. “Merick?” I called out.
There is no response and I move around to sit in front of the fire. I’m warmed all over and I curled my legs under me.
I rub my fingers over my lips, still feeling Merick’s gliding over my own. My nipples harden to painful points, rubbing against the fabric of his sweatshirt. I ignore the way my body feels like it’s short-circuiting.
My eyes begin to feel heavy and I welcome it. I am both emotionally and physically exhausted.
I feel my hair being brushed out of my face, opening my eyes to find Merick sitting next to my hip. “Sorry, I fell asleep.” My voice is rough.
He smiles down at me, rubbing his thumb back and forth over my bottom lip. “That’s okay. You needed sleep. I grabbed you some pain reliever and some water.”
Merick helps me sit up and then hands me two white pills and a bottle of water. I swallow them down and half of the water not realizing how thirsty I truly am. He takes it from me and stays close. “Can you tell me what happened last night?”
Grabbing the blanket that is over me I pull it up to my neck as the fear comes back.
Merick strokes my hair and talks in a soothing voice. “You’re okay. You’re safe here.”
I take a deep breath. “I was asleep and I woke up to noises. They startled me. First, I heard something scratching at the back of the cabin. Then hissing started, it was so loud I covered my ears. That didn’t help, so I let go and grabbed a knife when the banging started.” I run my fingers through my hair. “It was when I stood up that I saw the shadow of someone. The only thing that kept running through my mind was, I had to get to you. I knew you’d save me.” His eyes creased at the corners and his nostrils flared.