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“Those look like they belong there,” he says softly. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Sure you don’t want to take the bed?”

I take the pile of blankets and a pillow from his arms. “I’m sure. I’ll be fine here.”

“Let me bank this fire so it’s safe. Then I do a check of my property every night. Takes me around ten minutes. That’ll give you some privacy. I’ll knock when I get back.”

Once he’s gone, I grab a set of flannel pajamas from my suitcase and rush through my simple nighttime routine. The couch is made up and I’ve braided my hair and slipped between the covers long before he returns. My sense of how time passes is pretty good, so I know he’s been gone nearly half an hour before there’s a soft triple rap on the door.

The door opens slowly and he peeks his head inside. I extract my hand from under the warm blanket and wave. With a sharp nod, he enters and pauses at the end of the couch. “Everything’s secure. I’m generally up early to get my forge going. I’ll try not to disturb you.”

“You won’t. I’m an early riser, too. I’ll make breakfast. And, Knight?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for rescuing me.”

His neutral expression eases to an appealing, gentle smile. One that I unsuccessfully try to not imagine filled with unspoken promises. “You’re welcome. Sleep well, Clover.”

After he crosses the room, I turn off the lamp by the couch and snuggle deeper into the warm cocoon of blankets. The faint sounds of his movements as he gets ready for bed have me imagining him stripping out of his worn jeans. I spend far too much time wondering what he wears to sleep in. Or what he doesn’t wear.

He’s restless and the bed creaks softly with his movements. Having a surprise guest has disturbed his schedule, how he lives day to day. Part of me is sorry to cause the disruption. Part of me isn’t. That part, along with the tingling at my core when I think about him, aches to be even more disruptive. I want him to notice me as a woman.

These feelings are so unlike me. I’m not one to push to the front of the line or to be the center of attention. That’s why I thought using a matching service to find someone else who preferred solitude was the key to my happiness.

Oh, sugar lumps. That worked out just great. It matched me with a creep who wanted solitude all right, even away from the woman he said he would marry. I was an idiot. At least I didn’t try hanging on to possibilities any longer than I had.

Running away though, that wasn’t the smartest move. The realization I’d begun to fear how Pete would react to any little thing I might do not on his approved wifely duties list halted my racing thoughts. I am afraid of him. He’s argumentative and there’s no telling what he might do if he got really angry. For once I left a situation before it became intolerable.

Thank the stars he never wanted to touch me.

I’m safe here with Knight. Comfortable and allowed to be myself. Maybe that’s only because he knows I’ll be gone in a few days. Yeah, maybe that’s it.

Still, if he was interested in getting physical, I wouldn’t say no. My mind filled with lustful thoughts I don’t really understand, I close my eyes. Tomorrow. I’ll figure out my reactions and feelings tomorrow.

six

Knight

It’s close to sunrise before I finally fall asleep. More than just having another person in my space, it’s having her so close. I listened to her soft breathing and imagined how she looked with her long lashes resting on her cheeks. Tried to catch the words when she mumbled in her sleep. Fought to keep my dick under control. It’s going to be a long five days. And I have a sneaking suspicion the time with her won’t be long enough.

Good thing I have work scheduled. With the Fall Harvest Festival in Pine Woods in a few days, I need to increase my inventory, especially of the smaller, less expensive items. Mentally counting the completed items finally allows me to sleep.

I wake to the sun streaming in through a window to highlight the foot of my bed. Shit, I never sleep this late. The aroma of coffee and bacon fill the cabin. Noises from the kitchen draw my attention. Clover is humming and dancing around the space while preparing breakfast. I should let her know I’m awake, but remain still, simply watching her.

Unlike her actions yesterday, there is unrestrained joy in her movement. The smooth sway of her lush hips hypnotize me, not that I’d want to look away. I want to join her. Wrap my arms around her waist and press against her, letting her feel what she does to me. Instead I move as quietly as I can and rush into the bathroom before my morning wood gives my thoughts away.

Thankful I connected my closet to the bathroom, I grab clean clothes then stumble over Clover’s suitcase where she’s tucked it next to the washing machine. At the sink, there’s a second toothbrush and a comb. The faint scent of honey and vanilla from the shower she must have taken this morning lingers in the air. How did I not hear her get up and do all the morning things when I tracked every movement, every breath during the night?

Having her around shouldn’t feel this comfortable. This right. I don’t remember ever experiencing this with my failed relationship. I give a soft snort and drop my pajama pants to step into the shower. Here the vanilla scent is stronger and I struggle to keep my hands off my dick. Taking pleasure only for myself isn’t what I need. If she were in here with me, then all bets would be off.

I bite back a groan and rush through my shower. Dressing while my skin is still damp presents a few issues. One hand on the door knob, I draw in a deep breath, compose my expression and stride to the kitchen.

“Good morning,” she says without turning to face me. “Grab your coffee and I’ll start the pancakes.”

I do as she orders then sit at the table which is already set. Complete with a few fall wildflowers in a glass. When did she have time to pick these? Then worry sets in. Why would she leave the cabin without telling me? What if something had happened?”

She places a plate with a stack of pancakes and some crispy bacon before me. “I thought you said you were an early riser. It’s almost nine.”

“Had a lot on my mind. Couldn’t sleep. You’ve been… busy.” I point at the flowers.