She widens her eyes.
"I don't mean it like that, we can sleep in separate bedrooms."
A laugh erupts out of her. "I know! Relax! Besides, I wouldn't mind." She winks and I swear it takes everything in me not to get off the chair and bring her to my bedroom. I settle for a kiss instead, I languish in it, savoring her, loving her for staying. Even if it's just one extra night. It's good enough for now and our kiss deepens slowly, her in my lap, my hands on her ass. I truly love this woman.
She stops suddenly. "Hey hey! Don't try to get me to back down on my bet."
"What do you want if you win the bet?" I ask, wanting her to make me responsible for her happiness.
"I think you know exactly what I want." She giggles in my ear and it's the only sound I want to hear for the rest of my life.
Chapter 9 - Marcus
I glance out the kitchen window to check if the tent has suddenly disappeared. Which is crazy because a tent doesn’t magically disappear and there's nothing dangerous on these mountains. It doesn’t make me less worried about her. I miss her touch. She’s only been gone for twenty minutes and it feels like I can't spend a second more without her touching me. I just know I’d be the kind of guy to walk around without a shirt all winter, just to get her to put her hands on me. I decide I'm being ridiculous. She's an independent woman who doesn't need me. I need her. But she's decided to go until the end and I'll respect her wishes. I sweep the floors before going to sleep.
When my body touches the mattress, I hear an urgent knock. I run quickly to the door.
Bethany’s here in a silky little nightgown that clings to every curve, the lace barely covering enough of her breasts.
"Are you okay?" I grab her hands and start checking her body to see where she got hurt.
"I'm okay! But it's not quiet!"
"What do you mean?"
"There are all these sounds, the trees, the crickets, the animals. You'd think sleeping outside would be quieter, but no! It feels like there are too many unknown entities that are awake. I don't like it." She stops, her eyes grow twice their size. "What if a bear kills me?"
"There are no bears here."
"It feels like there could have been bears out there. I'm too young to die!"
"You're not going to die, sunshine, you're safe out there. I wouldn't let you sleep outside if it wasn't safe."
"I know, but I don't think I can do it. Does that confirm I'm a city girl?"
"Yes, but I don't mind. Get in here." She leans into my chest and I sigh in relief, feeling relaxed for the first time since she left.
"Can I sleep with you?"
I take a moment to consider her question. "Just sleep. I'm honestly too exhausted to have sex. Or at least to reciprocate. I wouldn't say no to an orgasm, those help me sleep."
I chuckle, loving how honest this woman is.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of you. As long as I can hold you all night."
I feel her nod on my chest. Good. Maybe being in contact with her skin for a long period of time will be enough to let her leave tomorrow.
***
When I woke up this morning, I was still holding her tight. My brain and body seem to agree it's very important that I do everything in my power to touch her. Getting her to come with my fingers right before she fell asleep felt powerful, as much as waking up next to her.
We got up early, so we walked around after eating the rest of her muffins for breakfast. I showed her some of my favorite places around here until it got too warm to be outside. It has been like this lately and it makes it difficult to do anything outside during the day. I'm making lunch while Bethany kisses my back. She started by kissing each one of my leaves, now she's moved on to the branches. It's making me incredibly hard, but I'm pretty sure it'd just make things harder for me if I ever got inside her. I'd rather focus on her pleasure instead.
Someone knocks on the door. Fuck. I forgot Damon was going to drop by to get some of the DVDs I borrowed from him. And I might have promised him lunch when he helped me carry a bunch of wood over last week.
"Do you want me to open the door?"
I don't, but this is a very critical phase in the risotto and I don't want to mess it up. I want to make a perfect meal for her. Maybe I can get Damon to leave after he gets his DVDs.
