Page 68 of The Wiener Across the Way

“When did you have time to pack this fun-filled picnic basket?” It was too well thought out with dog treats, condoms, and delicious food to have been thrown together last minute.

Declan swallowed a laugh. “Everett and Hayes did it. Hayes is too smart for his own good, and I’m sure he’s the one who thought of the treat toy. But Ev is definitely the one who threw in the condoms. He’s a horny safety guy.”

We dressed and walked back to the cabin. The rustic interior was actually much nicer than I’d noticed in those first few minutes we were here. It was welcoming and warm, promising respite and seclusion. There was definitely a woman’s touch. He had said it was his mother’s. I wanted to ask about her but didn’t want to break the spell of serenity we had right now.

I flopped onto the plush bed, which was the only place to sit, and sunk into the feather comforter and big fluffy pillows. On the opposite wall was a huge picture window with a gorgeous view of the wilderness beyond. This was a place to breathe, to heal.

It hadn’t even been an entire day on this semi-enforced vacation, and I already felt better, mentally lighter, than I had in ages. Declan had been so right to make me take this break. Already today I was finding my way back to the music that pulsed in my veins—a melody not born of obligation but of joy. I was ready to embrace the silence, to listen to the whispers of myown heart, and perhaps in those whispers, discover a song that was mine alone to sing.

“Hand me my guitar?” I wanted to play a little with a tune for the lyrics that were popping into my head for a song about chunky dunkin’.

“Nothing would make me happier, as long as it doesn’t feel like work,” he chastised, but smiled so big it crinkled the corners of his eyes with genuine affection.

I shook my head. “This isn’t work, Deck. It’s... something else.” My hands strummed idly over the strings, coaxing out a tentative melody that had been simmering in the back of my mind all day. “An idea that you gave me today.”

I moved through a couple of chords and the notes grew bolder, more confident. The song was raw, as if it had broken through a dam within me, flooding out without permission. “It’s about breaking free from... insecurities so you don’t miss out on life and having fun.”

A laugh erupted from Declan’s chest, deep and genuine. “Chunky dunkin’?”

“Yup,” I replied, my fingers dancing over the strings with newfound vigor. “You know, for those of us who’ve skipped skinny dipping because we’re worried about what others might think of our bodies.”

“I love it, babe. I’m going to go start a fire and we can sit outside in a bit.” He moved off the bed and Pooh took his place but then realized he was going outside and trailed after him. “Sing it for me when it’s ready?”

I normally held my songs close to the chest until I had something a little more solid. But this one felt different from the beginning.

I played with lyrics about sunlit lakes and sun-kissed skin, about the freedom of diving into cool water unashamed and unafraid. I sang of laughter bubbling to the surface, echoingacross the water, a celebration of every curve, every line, every imperfection.

With each verse, I felt lighter, as if the song was lifting away the weight of the early years of my own struggles with body image. I did everything I could to show my fans, especially the girls that looked at me as a role model, that all bodies were beautiful and I loved my curves.

But all women had days where they didn’t feel great about the way they looked. And the pressure on me to be positive, happy, and confident all the time was... probably part of the problem with this bout of exhaustion. It was a lot of work to be what the world wanted me to be every day.

“Damn, Kels,” Declan popped his head in the doorway. “That’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.”

“Thanks,” I whispered, suddenly shy under his intense gaze. “It feels good to sing about something so... real.”

“Real is good.” The way he said that made me think he meant it in a way that was more than just about my song. Was he talking about us? I hoped so.

Later, as darkness settled around us and the stars blinked awake one by one, we sat side by side. His hand found mine, our fingers entwining naturally, as if they were always meant to fit together this way.

The fire crackled, its sparks dancing like tiny stars against the night’s canvas, and the warmth of its embrace wrapped around us as we nestled close on the log meant as a bench. Declan’s thumb traced idle patterns on the back of my hand, his touch feather-light and not meant to stir up sexual tension, but it was.

“Kelsey,” Declan said softly, his fingers tracing patterns on my back, “I’ve never felt like this before.”

“Me neither,” I admitted, the vulnerability in his voice echoed in my own. “It’s scary, isn’t it?”

“Terrifying,” he agreed, smiling. “But there’s no one else I’d rather face my fears with.”

“Same,” I replied, sealing our pact with a kiss that spoke of hope, love, and a tomorrow that we’d face together.

He stood and put out the fire, and then in one fluid motion, he lifted me up, his strength on full display. My legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, craving the closeness, the connection that only he could provide. “A girl could get used to being carried around everywhere.”

“I could get used to always having you in my arms.” He carried me back inside, waited for Pooh to come waggling in after us, and then kicked the door shut before laying me down on the bed.

“Ready to get some sleep?” The glint in his eye suggested other activities might precede rest.

“I’m not a good sleeper, you know that.” I stretched and yawned because after our walk to the lake, a couple of swims, and three amazing orgasms, I thought I could actually sleep. “Know anything that could help wear me out a little more?”

“I might have a few ideas.”With deft movements, he pulled off my shirt and my bra, exposing the swell of my breasts to the glow of the moonlight streaming in the through the big window. The cool air kissed my skin, but his mouth was warm, worshiping me with each brush of his lips. I gasped as he took my nipple into his mouth, sucking gently, coaxing moans from deep within me.In no time flat, we were naked, he grabbed a condom, and pulled the soft blankets over our bodies.

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