Bennett
I'vealwayslovedcampingbut I can't remember having a better time on a camping trip than I did these past few days with Willow. It wasn't just that I got to hold her and kiss her at night. Because that was amazing too. Mainly it was how much we connected and how comfortable it was being with her. When I finally admitted to her that I knew she was running from something, but I didn't care, she finally let down her guard and seemed to relax and trust me. Hopefully, soon she'll trust me with the story of what is going on but until then I can be patient. Well, at least for now.
Today is Cash's wedding and she's in our room getting dressed. I can't wait to see her in the dress that she picked out and I’m excited to show her off. Even though it’s to friend and only up here on the mountain.
When she steps out of our room, she looks absolutely stunning in the dark blue dress that hugs every curve.
"Are you sure about these shoes?" she asks me.
She wanted to wear heels to go with the dress, but it's an outside wedding on the mountain, so I was able to convince her to wear flats.
"I promise you're going to want to be in the flats. Your feet will be so much more comfortable." I try to reassure her.
Taking her hand, we head out to my truck. It's just a short drive there but I can tell she's a bit anxious.
"They already love you. There is no reason to be nervous." I take her hand and bring it to my lips and place a soft kiss.
Jana and Cole will be getting married in two weeks and she agreed to go to their wedding with me as well. But I get the feeling she's thinking about the fact that sometime between there will be our wedding.
While I want to give her a huge one, I also want her tied to me as soon as possible too. Three weddings in three weeks on the mountain. Who would have ever thought? Certainly not any of us.
The wedding is being held outside at Cash’s house. It's just a very simple wedding with only their closest friends because they don't have any family.
After the wedding, everyone mingles. The girls form one group and the men stick to the other. As I'm talking, I feel her eyes on me and every time I look up she's smiling at me or she'll gives me a cute little wink. She's very flirtatious today and I hope that means that she's more comfortable with me.
"She seems a lot more relaxed today," Phoenix says as he catches me watching her.
"I agree. We went camping and had time to talk and take it easy which seemed to help quite a bit," I admit.
"That's what worked for us too." Cash has a smile on his face as he watches his new bride.
For about an hour, we all stay, talking and snacking. Finally, Hope and Cash kick us out so they could properly celebrate their wedding night.
During the ride home, Willow holds my hand and tells me about what the girls talked after the wedding. If it meant just hearing the sound of her voice, I could listen to her talk about anything.
Once we’re home and inside, she gets shy like she wants to say something but isn't sure.
"What is it, sweetheart?" I pull her into me.
"It's just... when we were camping, I got really used to you sleeping beside me. Will you sleep in bed with me tonight?"
I groan because that sounds like the sweetest torture I can imagine, but I can also read between the lines. She felt safe with me there and if that's what she needs then I will give it to her. Even if it means the worst case of blue balls I've ever had.
"Of course, I will. Now go get ready for bed."
As she gets ready for bed, I walk around the house and do a security check making sure all the doors and windows are locked and that nothing is out of place. She trusts me to keep her safe and I won't break that trust.
Once she crawls into bed I go to the bathroom and take a few minutes to calm myself because the last thing she wants is for me to jump her the moment I get into bed.
When I get into bed with her, she wastes no time snuggling right up to my side. I love the fact that she's comfortable with me because I absolutely love having her in my arms.
"So, I was thinking," she says and my whole body tenses because this could go either way. She rubs her hand over my chest as if she's trying to relax me before she continues.
"I think we should get married. Just a small, simple courthouse wedding next weekend. Something your friends can attend as we don't really have a family to invite."
My heart literally skips a beat because I want nothing more than to make her my wife. But I want to make sure she's doing it for her and for the right reasons.
"Why the change of heart?"