Several more steps and they stood at the edge of a small, round dell that opened to the sky. In the center were several large Adirondack chairs placed around a huge fire pit. The best partwas the view of the stars. With no light noise, the constellations dazzled in the inky sky.
"Oh, John. It's incredible." She twirled slowly toward the center, taking in the heavens and all their majesty. "I could stay here forever."
God, what I wouldn’t give for just that. Please stay forever!
The words fought to leave his mouth, but he bit them back ruthlessly. It wouldn’t be fair of him to ask her to give up everything for him. It simply wasn’t possible.
"I spend a lot of time here, especially when I need to think or if something's bothering me. At night, I love to just stare at the sky, watch for shooting stars or satellites."
He squatted to start the fire while Frankie dropped into one of the chairs. She hummed deep in her throat. "This is unexpected. I never would have thought this chair could be so comfortable."
"It's great, isn't it?" The fire started with a whoosh. "I lucked into a top of the line set and almost bought another for the cabin."
"It's probably a good thing you didn't show me this sooner. I'd spend all my time out here, rather than focusing on my work."
He stared at her for a moment, the additional reminder of their limited time together hitting his stomach like an acid bomb. "Considering it was covered in snow and ice just a day ago, I couldn't bring you out here," he said dryly as he pushed to a stand. "But now you know and we can spend our downtime here."
He dropped into the next chair and pointed at the northern sky. "There's the north star. It's constant, so it'll always be there. And there's Orion, coming up in the south just over the tree line."
"The Milky Way is so beautiful here." There was a contemplative tone in her voice. "I don't know that I've ever seen it so brilliant in the sky. Oh!" She pointed toward the east."There's Pegasus. I can see that one from the window of my flat in London."
"Tell me about your life there," he said. "I know you're here on an assignment, but what do you do every day at this organization? Do you love it?"
She rolled her head toward him, a wistful smile on her face. "I do love it. There's something about your work having meaning, making a difference, that feeds your soul, you know?" At his nod, she continued, "I'm technically a project manager, which means I do just about anything they need me to do. I wasn't supposed to be here, but I jumped at the chance when Sharon couldn’t make it. It was like it had been dropped in my lap—the opportunity to travelhereto the place that I’d read about in my grandmother’s diary, to see this area in person, and of course the chance to meet you."
"Well, I'm glad you made it." He snatched her hand, cradling it in his. She turned it over until their palms touched, squeezing it lightly. She couldn’t know it, but it felt like she was squeezing his heart.
No matter what happened, he would always be grateful for this time with her. He'd remember it for the rest of his life, regardless of whether he'd see her again, which was unlikely. London was not for him, and this wilderness that he called home could never be enough for her. She was built for the city where her family and friends were. Not in this isolated oasis, even as pretty as it was. No matter how much he wished for it, it would never work.
"I've thought about starting a foundation to help promote the area," John commented. "It's always a struggle—managing the conservatorship, doing the hands-on work in the field, and gathering support when we need it. I thought a foundation would be a good bridge."
"It would. You could also fundraise to support the mission." Frankie ran her thumb down the center of his palm.
"We don't need money. This has all been supported for generations and will continue that way until it's no more." He drew her hand to his mouth. "But sometimes we need people, bodies in the field to help."
"It would certainly work for that." A loud growl cut her off and Frankie giggled, clutching her stomach. “I can’t believe I’m still hungry after that big dinner.”
John chuckled. "Let’s feed you again before that thing comes to life and destroys us all." He stood and tugged her to her feet. "Come on. I have some brownies we can heat up." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tucked her close as they walked, feeling tingles shoot through his body when her arm stretched around his lower back. "And then after, we can take a bathtogether."
***
Frankie relaxed against John's naked chest and released a deep sigh. "This feels magical," she cooed. "And I love the citrus smell of the bath salts." She shivered as John stroked a wet finger up her arm, traced the curve of her collarbone, and then trailed down between her breasts, beneath the water to rest on her stomach. "This tub is big enough to swim in."
John grunted, his thighs clenching her hips, as his other hand drifted between her legs. His teeth captured an earlobe, sending a wave of sensation down her spine. "I needed something that would fit my bulk."
Frankie sputtered. "That sounds like a sex joke."
"Mmmmm… maybe." His deep chuckle vibrated in her chest. "But when it gets really cold here, sometimes a shower just won't cut it and you need a hot bath."
"Well, it's magical," she reiterated. She held her breath as John’s hand slid down her stomach to cup her womanhood. Hisfingers danced over her sensitive flesh and her head lolled back as if her neck were made of jelly. "John," she moaned. Her center throbbed as she spiraled out of control. What was it about this man that sent her over the edge so quickly?
"Come for me, baby," came his evil whisper. As if on cue, her body pulsed hard with the explosion, the intensity taking her breath away. She panted softly as she slowly coasted down from the peak, basking in the glow, and amazed at John's ability to draw that reaction out of her. "That's my girl," he crooned, his hand lightly cupping her over-sensitive flesh.
Frankie, floating with the euphoria of her release, absently noted the steel rod pressing insistently against her lower back. She wiggled her rear, making him curse.
"Sorry, baby." He lifted her easily and notched the head of his cock at her center. "I can't wait." The urgency in his tone had her biting her lip as she arched her back and sank down, fully engulfing his manhood.
They groaned in unison and began swaying together, performing an instinctive mating dance as the water swirled around them. His arm braced against her hips, pulling her down over and over again in time with his thrusts. His fingers stroked across her delicate nub and Frankie felt her world turn yet again, building fast.
