Uncontrollable Bachelor (Bachelor Tower Series), стр. 30
Turning to Jace I said, “You know what this place needs?”
“Indoor plumbing?”
I snickered. “That too. But I was thinking color.”
Jace looked around and said, “There’s color in here.”
“Yes. All different shades of brown. How about something a bit brighter to make it more…”
“Like a woman lives here?” he glared at me.
I shrugged. “If that was the case I’d have pink bedding and lace curtains. And the kitchen table would have pretty placemats and a vase filled with fresh cut wildflowers every day.”
“And any hunter who came by would look inside and laugh.”
“I’m serious. Does it really need to be so dull?” There wasn’t even a picture on the wall. It was all natural wood. “But I have to admit I’m very impressed you built this yourself.” We had talked about Jace building us a cabin someday. This definitely wasn’t what I had pictured.
“Okay, I promise that if I ever build another one, you can help,” he said.
“When you say help, you mean…decorate, right?” I asked. “Because I don’t think I could move any of these logs.”
Jace laughed. “One thing I know about you, Shannon, is you don’t cave to a challenge.”
“Well, your challenges were never based on strength. They were always more…fun.”
Jace pulled me into his arms and asked, “Is that an invitation to…challenge you now?”
I shook my head. “I was thinking of challenging you instead.”
He smiled. “Challenge accepted.”
“You don’t even know what it is,” I grinned. He bent to claim my lips and I turned to give him my cheek instead. “Nope. It’s not that.” Then I felt his hands slide down and cup my ass. “Not that, either.”
“How about a hint?” he asked.
I had him just where I wanted. “See those rafters?” He looked up and I added, “They need dusting.”
I almost burst out laughing at the disappointment written all over his face, but he released his hold on me and said, “Not even close to what I thought you wanted.”
Oh, I want that, too. Later.
“While you do that, I think I’ll go for a little walk.”
I noticed the change within Jace immediately. “Why don’t I go with you?”
Crossing my arms, I asked, “Are you trying to get out of cleaning?”
“There is a small possibility you’re right. But I found a spot on my walk this morning that I want to show you. Grab some towels and let’s go.”
“Towels?”
He nodded. “There’s a waterfall with our names on it.”
“Running water from the mountain?” Sounded great if it was July, but not in September. “Do you know how cold that’s going to be?”
Jace smiled. “Backing down from a challenge?” he teased.
Hell no. “I wasn’t thinking about me. I was thinking about…you.”
“I’m not afraid of cold water,” he stated.
“Never said you were. Just some parts of you might not enjoy it as much,” I chuckled and pointed to his cock.
His hand covered the zipper on his jeans and he made a face. “Oh, yeah. That does put a kink in my plans.”
“So you’d rather stay and dust those rafters?” I questioned with an evil grin.
He looked up and then to me. “Nope. And I’m sure you can think of someplace I can…put him to keep him…warm.”
I felt the heat rush between my legs. If I wasn’t careful, we wouldn’t be leaving the cabin again today. Of course, that really wasn’t all that disappointing either.
Walking over, I grabbed two towels and said, “I’m sure I can think of something.” I wanted to go before he changed his mind. Going for a walk was a good way for me to get over my paranoia about what could be out there.
It’s probably a moose. Please let it be a moose.
I knew what the fear was. I was afraid to be happy again. Part of me was still looking for a reason not to be, a defense mechanism preparing myself for the inevitable. Either I’d be called back to work, or Jace would grow tired of all this. I know he’s changed. He’s not interested in the slow-paced life we had dreamed about. He’s big business and chasing after success, not…a family. Not…me.
The thought of this ending, of us ending, scared me more than anything else. Even more than that psycho Prince Babboo.
Jace walked up and asked, “Are you cold?” I shook my head. “You’re trembling.”
I hadn’t even noticed. Was this the time for me to talk to Jace about what I was feeling? It might scare him away. Would ending now be less painful than ending later? Who the hell knows, but either way, it sucks. I could’ve easily made up an excuse for the chill that had run through me, could even say it was building passion. But I didn’t want any lies or secrets between us. I wanted him to feel as though he could trust me just like I trusted him.
Tossing the towels on the bed, I said, “Maybe we can go to the waterfall tomorrow. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
I knew my tone wasn’t holding the playfulness it usually did, but there was nothing funny about what I needed to tell him. Jace picked up on it and asked, “Want to talk in here or outside on the bench?”
“I think outside. I might just need the fresh air.” He took my hand as we walked outside. Once seated I said, “I’m not sure where I should start.”
“You have my full attention for as long as you need it. But Shannon, I hope you know you can tell me anything.”
It wasn’t about that. I just really didn’t want to. I hadn’t been able to share it with Betsy or