Page 26 of Sweet Rucking Temptation
But Liv's already leaning forward, intrigued. "No, he hasn't. Do tell!"
As Mum launches into the tale of my culinary disaster, complete with flour explosions and a cake that could double as a doorstop, I join in the laughter. Liv fits so seamlessly into my family dynamic. This feels right.
This,thisis what coming home should feel like.
As the laughter from Mum's story fades, I push my chair back and stand up. "How about a walk?" I suggest, extending my hand to Liv. "I'd love to show you around the farm."
Liv's eyes light up. "Sounds perfect," she says, slipping her hand into mine.
We step out into the afternoon sun, the grass crunching softly beneath our feet. The familiar scent of hay and earth fills my lungs, and I feel a surge of nostalgia.
"This place," I say, gesturing broadly, "it's where I became who I am."
Liv squeezes my hand. "I can see why. It's beautiful, Elliott."
We stroll through the paddocks, the sheep eyeing us curiously as we pass. I point out various landmarks, each one triggering a memory.
"See that old oak tree?" I ask, nodding towards a gnarled giant. "I fell out of it when I was eight. Broke my arm. Mum was furious, but Dad just laughed and said it'd make me tougher."
Liv chuckles. "Did it?"
I grin. "Well, I haven't fallen out of a tree since."
As we walk, I share more stories – the time I got chased by an angry rooster, the secret hideout I built in the barn. Liv listens intently, her warm brown eyes sparkling with interest.
Finally, we reach the Waimakariri River, its clear waters rushing over smooth stones. I pause, memories washing over me like the current.
"This is where it all began," I say softly. "My training, my dedication... my 'Iceman' persona."
Liv looks at me curiously. "How so?"
I kick off my shoes and step into the shallow water, wincing slightly at the cold. "I used to come here every morning, rain or shine. I'd run barefoot on these stones for hours."
"Barefoot?" Liv's eyes widen. "Wasn't that painful?"
I nod, remembering the ache in my feet. "At first, yeah. But it toughened me up, taught me to push through discomfort. It's where I learned to stay focused, to keep going no matter what."
Liv watches me, her expression a mix of admiration and concern. "That's... intense. But I can see how it shaped you."
I wade back to her, taking her hands in mine. "It made me who I am. But you," I say, my voice softening, "you remind me there's more to life than just being tough."
LIV
The midday sun bathes us in golden light, casting long shadows across the meadow. Elliott’s fingers trace the curve of my jaw, his touch warm and tender. My heart races, not just from the feel of him close, but from something deeper. This place, this family—it’s nothing like mine, and I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it.
Elliott’s family has welcomed me with open arms, a warmth I wasn’t prepared for. His mother, with her soft, easy laugh and those rough, hard working hands, made me feel like I wasn’t just a guest, but someone who belonged. His father’s quiet strength, the way he looked me in the eye and made me feel like I was more than justElliott’s girlfriend—it’s all so different from my own family. So different from the cold expectations and unspoken judgments I’ve grown up with.
I didn’t expect to feel like this—like I was part of something. But here, with them, there’s this… thisspacewhere I’m not just trying to keep up, not trying to meet anyone’s standards. It’s a feeling I didn’t even know I was craving until now.
But then, as Elliott brushes a stray lock of hair from my face, I realize something—something I hadn’t let myself think about until now. What does this mean? What does this place, this life, mean for me?
I didn’t come here to make decisions. I didn’t come here expecting to feel like this. But Ido—and it’s throwing me off balance.
“Are you okay?” Elliott’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, his brow furrowed in concern as he watches me.
I blink, smiling softly, trying to mask the storm of emotions swirling inside. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
He studies me for a beat, and I can see the weight of his attention on me, like he knows there’s more I’m not saying. But he doesn’t press, just keeps his fingers gently caressing my jaw.
