Love At First Sight (Southern Bride 1)

The tent consisted of two giant rooms. The first was the living room, small kitchen, and bedroom. A sofa sat outside overlooking the amazing view.

Chloe looked down at the wood floors and then back up to me. “This stain…couldn’t you see it in the farmhouse?”

My heart did a weird little jump because she was thinking about the farmhouse. And even more so, since she hadn’t called it my farmhouse.

“I can. I’ll ask them what the stain color is.”

Dropping my hand, Chloe walked into the bedroom area.

“Rip! Oh, my goodness, look at this bed. I feel like we’re at a five-star hotel!”

“Well, it did say upscale camping.”

Spinning around to face me, she giggled. “This is not camping, Rip Myers.”

I lifted a brow and walked over to her. “Do you really think the first time I made love to you was going to be in a tent, on the ground, with people only feet away at the next campsite?”

Her eyes sparkled. “You’re buying a house, this must have cost a fortune.”

I shrugged. “Your happiness is priceless to me, Chloe.”

She lifted on her toes and kissed me. “I love you.”

“Love you more.”

Chloe pulled away and walked over to a sliding glass door. It led out to the veranda that also contained a hammock.

“I hope this faces west so we can watch the sunset,” Chloe stated.

“Me too.”

Like a flash, she was past me and walking into the bathroom. “Rip! Rip, come look at this claw-foot tub!”

Smiling, I walked into the bathroom.

“Oh, I love this so much.”

I leaned against the door frame. “Big enough for two, and if it wasn’t, there is a hot tub outside.”

Her eyes widened in delight before she headed out onto the veranda. “No way!”

Not only was there a hot tub, but an outdoor shower, as well.

We walked onto the deck that held the outdoor bathroom, and my eyes caught the shower. I wanted to do naughty things to Chloe out here under the stars. Very. Naughty. Things.

“You look like you’re thinking about something happy,” Chloe said, placing her hand on the side of my face. Her thumb brushed over my unshaven jaw.

“Oh, trust me. What I’m thinking about makes me very happy.”

Her teeth dug into her lip, and she blushed.

“I bet it’s along the same lines as what I was thinking.”

Closing my eyes, I moaned before looking down at her. “I sure as hell hope so.”

Chloe smiled, and it seemed to even make the summer day brighter, if that was at all possible. “Rip, I never imagined a place like this. It’s beautiful.”

“Mike told me about it. A friend he knew from college brought his girlfriend here and asked her to marry him. I told him I needed a romantic place for our first time, he told me about this place. He’s wanted to bring Alyssa here, but it’s always booked.”

“How in the world were you able to book it last minute?”

Running my fingers through my hair, I chuckled. “Pure freaking luck. I called to see if they had a list you could be put on for cancellations. Kim told me they had someone call up last minute and cancel. For tonight and tomorrow night. So that’s why this went from an afternoon picnic to an overnight camping trip.”

“You’re kidding!”

“No!” I replied. “So, I booked it, and here we are.”

Her tongue swept over her lips. “It’s perfect, Rip.”

“I thought so, too.”

And it was perfect. I had dreamed about the day I would finally get to make love to Chloe Parker. And doing that among the trees, with nature singing us a love song, was the perfect way to make that dream come true.

Rip

GIVING CHLOE A wink, I said, “Let’s bring in our bags then make a list of what we want from the store. Once we come back, I don’t plan on leaving until we check out.”

“Agreed!”

An hour later, we had our stock of provisions put away and Chloe was changing into shorts and a T-shirt to walk down to the water.

“It’s a bit of a hike, so make sure you wear your sneakers. I’ve got a couple of towels.”

When she walked out of the bathroom in cut-off jean shorts and a Texas A&M T-shirt that I was positive used to be mine, I felt my entire body warm.

“Ready!”

I couldn’t help but wonder if she had worn my T-shirts when she was with that douchebag Easton. A part of me hoped she had. No wonder the jerk didn’t like me.

I smiled internally.

Chloe talked the entire way down the trail about the farmhouse. “I know I saw at least one claw-foot bathtub in the house. Do you think we can get it restored?”

I fucking loved that she said we.

“Yes, I’m positive we can.”

She smiled, and we walked the rest of the way in silence. Chloe’s eyes were everywhere. Taking in the beautiful countryside. The sounds the birds were making, the rays of sun dancing through the trees. All of it was stunning. Nothing compared to her beauty, though. Nothing.