My heart is already thrashing, the need to kiss her tearing in me and I’m about to gently fist her hair and pull her head back, just far enough for her lips to be plump and ready before mine but she jerks away from me.
Rubbing her hands down her arms, she looks like she just did something she shouldn’t have done and my eyes narrow.
“What? Still think the worst of me?”
Her eyes flare in protest. “No! Not at all. I l...like you better n...now.”
The answer makes my mouth pull in self-satisfaction. “Then come over here and let me kiss you.”
To my frustration, she shakes her head, nervousness flooding her face and she blurts something about the dog needing some food and water. Unsatisfied and unable to stay in the cabin with Meadow without touching her, I head out the door and go to the shed for some work.
It’s safer here anyway but I can still see her and she’s occupied with the dogs, carefully moving around the husky who has finally calmed down. But sometimes she stops, looking out the window but she can’t see me from there.
There’s a questioning look on her face as if she’s scared I’ll bail on her because she denied me her kiss. And fuck, not going to lie, that did sting but it doesn’t matter. Sooner or later I’m going to have all of her, only problem is that I can feel my patience running low.
The wild is not tolerant, passive or docile. It rewards those who move fast and secure their resources and I exhale, walking back to the cabin with mistrustful eyes and tense shoulders and Meadow looks up when I cross over the threshold.
I raise my brows at her dog who’s all snuggled up in the growly husky’s fur and Meadow nods, shrugging.
“I know, I know. But I suppose they got the puppy love bug bad.” Still smiling, her face goes to mine and her smile falls. “You’re doing it, aren’t you?”
“Doing what?” I rasp.
She swallows, her shoulders slumping. “Staying here. I know you won’t return to the city.”
“You’re right, I’m staying,” I say and my eyes flash. “But so are you, sweetheart.”
****
To say that Meadow had an unruly night is an understatement. She kept twitching, turning, scrunching her pillow then flattening it again. Then she sat up in bed, wrapped her arms around her knees and looked out the window at the wild.
She had no idea, I was watching her, her left cheek glimmering like diamonds in the light of the stars and my heart felt heavy from the expression on her face. No man likes that look on the woman he desires. It’s a look that says she’s plotting to leave.
My fists clench.Well... I’d like to see her try.
I turn to my side, my gaze fixed on her and I brush off a hair strand from her forehead, cursing myself when her lids flutter.
“D...Dom?” she yawns, still with her eyes closed, “That you?”
“Why, you want it to be someone else?” I say gruffly and her eyes open, her mouth dropping and her brows arc.
“If I say yes, will it provoke you?”
“You know it will.”
“Then the answer is no. It’s the truth anyway.” Glancing at me, she takes a deep breath, getting out of bed and my eyes narrow but I don’t stop her. Putting my hands behind my neck, I look on as she moves around the cabin, tending to the dogs, still dressed in my t-shirt.
Standing by the wooden kitchen sink, she carefully chews on an apple for breakfast but leaves it half eaten. When she notices my gaze she asks, “Is there a possibility you will return to the city?”
“None.”
At that she lowers her gaze, seemingly disappointed before adding, “Have you notified my father?”
“I haven’t. Cell phone signal is not the best out here.”
Inhaling she adds, “Well, I got a ton of plans for the future myself, just so you know.”
I grind my jaw. “Do you now?”