Page 69 of Staying for You

“Getting it on? Really?”

“You know what I mean. She’s aware that we’re having sex and approves.”

“Oh really?” He raises his eyebrow, smirk firmly in place and my gosh, the man just oozes sexiness. It should be illegal. Probably is in some countries.

“Mm hmm.”

We learn what outdoor sex in twenty-degree weather is like. And how it’s one of the only times that a quickie is necessary.

* * *

“You know what?”I ask from my place curled into Owen’s side, my arm wrapped around his stomach that’s unfortunately covered by a t-shirt, his feet are up on the coffee table in front of us. A bottle of beer rests on his jean-clad thigh and his arm is draped over my shoulder. We’re watching a movie, hanging out and being complete bums. We’ve been binging on some major junk food, though he used an air fryer to make the hot wings and onion rings so even though it’s technically not fried, it still tastes like it is. And I made monster cookies which we’ve already eaten most of. Which means pretty soon we’ll have to work it off.

Which neither of us are opposed to.

“What?”

“I think what you have here is pretty spectacular,” I tell him quietly.

“Do ya now?” His voice is full of happy, and that makes me happy. Because I know I’ve had a hand in that. At least, I’d like to think I have.

“I really do.”

“Good.” He kisses the side of my head and we cuddle closer, laughing at the ridiculousness ofDumb and Dumber,a classic comedy I’ve seen a hundred times already.

This morning, Owen opened his laptop and I sat next to him as he scrolled through almost a thousand pictures he’s collected over the years since he’s owned The Escape. Pictures he’s taken himself or his guests have sent him after they left. After having such an amazing time that they booked another trip for the next year. And I can see why. What he has hereispretty spectacular. He’s managed to create a little bit of heaven that I don’t think people realize they want or need until they’ve received it.

Life moves fast and he’s making families slow down. The game area in the lodge is a favorite area where moms and dads go head to head against their kids, all of them setting aside social media and posting updates in favor of making memories.

Listening to and watching Owen talk about it stirs up so many emotions in me. Emotions I refuse to investigate the meaning of right now. Instead, I’ll continue to avoid the truth behind them and instead focus on the fun Owen and I are having in our current status of hanging out as friends and having lots of sex. Lots and lots of sex. That part I’m definitely not complaining about.

“I was thinking of a few upgrades.”

“Like what?”

“You know, I love bar-b-que and smoked meat but don’t get it often. Thinking of buying a big smoker and maybe having a bar-b-que night for the guests. What do you think? Would it be dumb?”

“That soundsamazing.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.”

“I think it could be fun. Another way for families to come together or swap stories of their time here. I don’t know. Maybe I’m pushing too hard.”

“No. It’s not like they have to participate. It’s just something you’d offer, right? And hey, if it doesn’t take off, at least you’d have the smoker so you could make your own food.”

“Kind of the way I was looking at it too. But really, how many times could you smell that amazing smell and walk by without going for it?”

“You mean from the smoker?”

“Yeah. What else would I mean?”

I want to say you, because he smellsdivine.Like a mixture of the outdoors and woods and spice.

“I’ve also been thinking about getting one of those projectors so I can show outdoor movies on a big screen. Like they’re at the drive-in. Maybe offer it the same night as the smoked meat. I know that goes against the no technology thing, but it’s not really. These will be family-friendly movies.”

I sit up and turn so I can look at him. His arm doesn’t drop from my shoulder, just slides over a little so his hand is cupping it. “I was right earlier. What you’re doing here is spectacular.”

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