“I do.”
“This weekend is about us, Emi. I'm going to show you a piece of my world and hope to hell you like it because it means something to me. My land, my cabin, my parents. This is the first and only time I've chosen to share this with a woman. Because when it happened, I knew it would be my future.”
GAH! He's slaying me. He's always had a way with words, but today, he's showing me a side I never knew was possible. His raw honesty has me ready to jump on his lap and give him all the sons he wants—starting today.
“I'm going to love it, Walker, because I love you. But unless you want to introduce me to your parents as a blubbering mess, and explain that I'm not actually unstable but only reacting to the most sacred and beautiful declaration of love ever made, I suggest you shut up and kiss me.”
His dimple pops as he pulls me to him. “We wouldn't want the girl who doesn't cry to be a blubbering mess,” he says against my lips right before his tongue touches mine.
I sink into him, meeting him stroke for stroke and feeling calmer by the second.
By the time we break apart, my face is flushed for a whole new reason. My whole body is alive, electricity zinging through my veins.
“You better now?”
“I am, and I think tonight may be the night you get to experiment with those wicked and filthy things when it comes to my nipple rings.”
His reaction is exactly as I hoped as his eyes drop to my chest. “Jesus, fuck. Thank God my parents live miles away.”
I start to giggle as he adjusts his pants and gets back on the road.
“I’m never leaving. This is paradise,” I announce with a little slur.
Walker’s mom, Leslie, giggles and refills my drink.
“Mom, I think she’s had enough,” Walker tells her, eyeing me.
“Son, you’ll learn the hard way when to keep your mouth shut.” Travis, Walker’s dad, nudges his elbow.
“I’m serious. I could work from here. I can work from anywhere. This view is much better than my boring walls.” I motion to the expansive land around us.
Walker left out many details about where he grew up. For one, it’s enormous. Walker has cleared out the area around his cabin, explaining that during hunting season, men bring their trailers up to stay for those months. He, Marcus, Travis, and a few of the men built a large building for gatherings that has running water and plumbing; it’s basic but quaint.
His cabin, though, it literally took my breath away.
It’s only two bedrooms and bathrooms, but it’s still larger than my place. The inside is exactly like his home, minus the deer heads mounted on the walls. It’s rustic and manly, yet comfortable and inviting. His furniture isn’t nearly as lavish as his home, but it’s still cool. And his bedroom is legitimately the largest room in the whole place, with a private bath and built in fireplace.
One of the best features of the cabin is that it sits perfectly east-west. We are currently on the back porch facing west, watching the sun disappear. We finished eating about an hour ago and came out here to have some drinks and watch the sunset.
Yep, I could live here.
“Emi, get that dreamy look off your face. We’re not moving out here.”
“You don’t have to move, but I’m not leaving. You can come visit me on the weekends. Leslie and Travis will make sure I’m okay.” I peek between them for reassurance.
They nod, his mom a little too enthusiastically.
“Can y’all stop encouraging her? I’m not leaving her here.” Walker pins me with his eyes, with a look that says knock it off.
“Spoil sport,” I mutter, or at least I think I do until Leslie starts laughing loudly.
“Emi, you are welcome here anytime. Maybe when Walker’s finished with this case, it’ll free up some time, and you’ll be able to come more often,” she says to me but looks at her son.
“That we can do. Besides, if we’re out here, I can ensure Emi stays out of trouble.”
My entire body straightens, my Zen disappearing as fast as the sun. “I do not get in trouble!”
“Here we go,” Travis says with a chuckle and crosses his arms, focused on me.