Page 49 of Staying for You

Either way, being here at The Escape has given her what she needed to feel ready to write again.

So today I promised myself I’d leave her to it. Let her have the space she needs and had been looking for when she made the reservation with me. She needs time alone and not around someone who just wants to grope her constantly.

First thing the next morning, I wandered outside to cut wood because if I didn’t give myself a task I knew I’d be barging through her door, pinning her against a wall and finishing what we started last night.

I loaded up the bed of my pickup with wood to bring down to her, determined to show her how to start a fire in the fireplace. But then I stopped myself because I knew if I did that, it would take away from what she needs. Went back inside, started to clean up my apartment above the lodge and take care of placing some orders for summer.

Now it’s been three days since I’ve laid eyes on her and to keep my feet from taking me down to her cabin, I’m deep cleaning the lodge. Pent-up energy has me moving around and not able to sit still. I don’t know what’s stopping me. She said she was okay with what we agreed upon. I know she is. But taking that step, it feels final. Like that’s all we can be.

Cleaning up the lodge isn’t necessarily something that needs to be done but feels good to take care of, nonetheless. Scrubbing the floors and wiping down the walls. Cleaning out the cooler and freezer, pitching old food that expired. Dusted the shelves and cleaned up the pantry, too. I even organized the fishing gear that I have for sale and went through The Escape branded clothing people have started buying more and more.

It takes me all day and it doesn’t matter because I still can’t get Cami off my mind.

I should have gone down to her cabin. How can I just barge in there when I want so badly for her to know that she’s worth more than that?

“Fuck, stop overthinking this shit,” I mutter to myself.

The door to the lodge opens just as I’m finishing up behind the front counter.

“Avoiding me?” Cami asks, shedding her coat and hanging it up on the hook right by the door. She removes her boots and walks my way.

Dark gray leggings. A black sweater that’s showing a little bit of her left shoulder. No bra strap, which has my imagination immediately running rampant. I didn’t get the chance to kiss that skin the last time we were together and I have my first regret. Her hair is down, a little messy from wearing her beanie on the way here and removing it. Cheeks are rosy and I wonder if she’d been outside longer than just the walk from her cabin to here. It’s not a long walk. Her lips are a light shade of pink, glossy, and her eyelashes are coated in thick mascara. But I think that’s the only makeup she’s wearing.

“Obviously. I’m too irresistible for you. I was only doing you a favor so you could, what did you say? Get your words in.”

“How very noble of you.”

She leans over the counter, elbows resting on the dark multi-colored laminate.

“I’m a giver.” I smirk, matching her position and laying my hands on the counter. Another inch and our hands will touch.

She responds with sucking in a breath, licking her lips and eyes growing hooded. Looks down at our hands and back up to me. Those blue eyes of hers look like the ocean at night. Dark and fathomless. They’re telling.

Not good for my self-control or decision to let her have her space.

“It’s quiet in here.” She looks around, standing up and walking around. Turning to look over her shoulder at me, she asks, “Did you clean?”

I can’t speak so I nod. I don’t know if it’s because I know the sounds she makes when she comes or if it’s because I know how her lips feel on mine, soft and pliant, but she’s more beautiful now than I’ve ever seen her.

Something in her… a lightness that wasn’t there before, maybe. It’s like a weight has been lifted and she’s truly happy. For the first time I’ve met her.

“It looks good. Smells good.”

She has her back turned to me now so I have to speak. “Thanks.”

“Were you planning this for today?” she asks, knowingly.

“No.” No reason to not be anything but completely honest with her. She knows exactly why I spent my day cleaning.

“About done?”

“I am.”

“Got any other plans?”

“My schedule is free.”

She turns around slowly, facing me. Grins. I come around from behind the counter and lean back against it, resting my hands on the edge.

---