Page 22 of Save Me

A few minutes later, he returns carrying a square serving tray loaded with food. I stand. “Do you need some help?”

“No, I have it.” He ducks past the fabric, then deftly unloads the dishes onto the table, setting the tray aside. “Okay, I think that’s everything.” He sits down and smiles. “Go ahead. Help yourself.”

Conversation is sparse as we dish out food and tuck in. I have to admit I’m incredibly pleased when Jamie makes groaning noises as he tastes my sauce. The wine is wonderful; the food is delicious, and I can’t imagine a more romantic evening, especially with how frequently we laugh, and touch. Conversation flows easily and covers a range of subjects, but eventually we end up talking about my not-so-secret love of wine, and my very top secret, undeclared major in Oenology.

“Wait, so for your bachelor’s you graduated Summa Cum Laude from Washington University, got your master’s in a year, then a PhD in Biochemistry, and landed a job at one of the most prestigious drug companies in the country, but your parents would have been upset that you took a few extra classes in winemaking?” Jamie seems as impressed as he is incredulous, and I can only nod, a little off-balance at the unbridled joy and pride Jamie is taking in my accomplishments. Then I realize it’s because I’m bracing myself for criticism of some aspect of my personality or education, but it never happens. Not from Jamie.

“Yes. Furious actually. According to them, I would have picked all of that up for free, while growing up, if I’d only paid attention. They would have considered the degree a waste of time and money. Thankfully, by that point I didn’t have any contact with them, but habits die hard. I had enough credits for the double major, but I never officially got the degree.”

“Damn! I knew you were smart, but now you’re starting to intimidate me.”

“Book smart, I may be. But you’re the one with the really impressive life skills. You protect people. You give them hope and new lives and a future. You put criminals behind bars.” I glance around and wave my hand toward the house. “You can build useful things like homes, and doors, and furniture. You have survival skills.Thatis intimidating.” Jamie’s smile is soft and his eyes glow like molten amber in the firelight. He stands and walks around to my side of the table, and I can’t tear my eyes away from his gaze. My stomach does a little flip.

“Dance with me.” I stare up at him for a moment, not really sure if he’s serious, but then he holds out his hand and smiles. “Come on, Ash. Dance with me.” I place my hand in his and he gently pulls me to my feet. We duck past the gauze, and Jamie stops near the fire, turning to pull me close. It’s like we’ve done this hundreds of times before, our bodies naturally fitting together as Jamie slowly guides us around the small clearing.

I stop thinking about anything but how perfect it is to be in this place, right now, with him. “Thank you for this. For taking care of me. For everything, really.”

“My pleasure. Truly.” Something in his voice makes me open my eyes and lean back so I can see his face. The way he’s looking at me takes my breath away. I’ve never had anyone look at me like this. There’s desire, but so much affection and a genuine openness, like he’s here for whatever this is between us, and is unafraid of it. “I will always be here for you, Ash. No matter what.” I’m overwhelmed and can only hold him close and savor whatever time we have.

We dance through a few songs, but eventually Jamie brings us to a stop with a sigh. “I don’t want the evening to end, but we probably should clean up out here before it gets too late. If we were in the city, I’d say leave it all until tomorrow, but with the wildlife around here we really can’t do that.” Reluctantly, I nod. I’m not willing to risk waking to bears, or worse. Before I can step back, Jamie pulls me closer and brushes a soft kiss against my lips. “I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

“You must be joking. You have nothing to make up. All of this…” I gesture at the beautiful setting. “I’ll remember it forever.” Our eyes meet as we quietly hold each other. It’s like we know when we let go the faerie spell will break and the mundane world will seep in again, and neither of us wants that to happen. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Jamie finally backs away with the sweet smile. “I loved doing it for you.” He holds on to my hand and pulls me toward the tent. “Come on. There’s not much and we’ll finish before you know it.” I sigh dramatically and fight the grin I can’t seem to keep off my face. I pile dishes onto the tray and carry it inside as Jamie puts out the fire and brings in anything that might attract wildlife. When I enter a dark kitchen and remember we don’t have electricity, I stop in my tracks. “Wait, how’d you power the music and the lights?”

Jamie maneuvers past me, setting one of the oil lamps on the counter. He grins sheepishly and rubs his neck. “Same way we have water pressure in the house.” I give him a blink a few times. I don’t know how the two are connected. He takes the tray of dishes from me and sets it on the counter next to the lamp. “Sorry, okay. There’s an electric pump that moves the water into the house and another one to move the wastewater back to the septic tank. There’s also a hot water tank, which is why we don’t freeze when showering.” I rinse and stack the dishes next to the sink as Jamie puts the leftover food in zipper bags to store in a cooler. “The pumps and hot water tank are powered by solar panels on the roof, and there are a few strategically placed outlets outside for emergency use, but my dad never wired the rest of the house. It means we have some power for essentials, but that’s about it.”

Huh. Well, I could have charged my phone after all. I give him a look that clearly says I’m not amused at his withholding such key information, but I’m too happy with the evening to do more than give him a passing glare. He grins sheepishly, and I immediately forgive him. “And the rest of it all? The tent and gauze. Where did that all come from?”

“The storage shed. We’ve had more graduations and showers here than I can count. All that stuff gets hauled out for whatever family function my parents decide to host here. The gauze and fairy lights are from my sister’s wedding.” He shrugs and grins sheepishly. “I stole the idea for tonight from her reception.”

I shrug and squeeze his arm. “You still went to a lot of effort to make tonight happen and nothing you’ve told me changes how special it was.” I scan the kitchen for stray dishes or pots to rinse, but it seems like we’ve done a thorough first pass. “Well, I think that’s it. Should we wash the dishes now or…” The words become unimportant as I glance over at Jamie. With the intensity of his gaze, it’s a wonder my clothes don’t burst into flames.

“Leave them.” He takes my hand and picks up the oil lamp from the counter, pulling me out of the kitchen and through the living room. My entire body tingles with anticipation as we climb the stairs in silence. It’s not until we’re in the master bedroom that he hesitates. With a sincerity that only Jamie could manage without sounding foolish, he squeezes my hand and looks me in the eye. “You sure this is alright? We don’t need to do anything if you’d rather not. I’d be happy just to hold you.”

“Jamie.” I step close and slip my fingers into his curls, pressing against him from chest to hip. “I want this.” I nuzzle against his jaw, letting my need for him fill every word. “I want you. I have wanted you since the day we met.”

His whole body relaxes, and he pulls me further into the room, setting the lamp on the dresser. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to hear you say that.”

“Good. Then let me show you, too.” My fingers are back in his curls, my lips against his, our mouths sliding together, tongues and hands never still. I touch everywhere I can reach, chest, arms, back, ass, as I guide him toward the bed. When his calves hit the frame he stops, but I don’t, and we tumble onto the mattress.

He glances up at me, eyes dark, sparkling with amusement, his hair a mess from my fingers. Fuck, he looks edible. “Very smooth.”

I smirk and cock an eyebrow. “Wait till you see my other moves.”

His beautiful eyes stare into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. “Show me.”

He pulls himself further up the bed, and I eagerly follow. I want to go slowly, take my time and savor every moment, because this may never happen again, but I can’t seem to get my body to cooperate. I need him like I’ve never needed anyone, and it’s dictating the pace. “I’ve imagined this for so long, so many ways.” I grin down at him. “I can’t decide how to debauch you first.”

His answering smirk is wicked and teasing. “Is that so?” He grips my hips firmly and grinds against me in a steady, rolling pressure. “I have some suggestions, if you need them.” I crash my mouth down on his and he moans loudly and hooks a leg around my thigh, pulling me in with each thrust of our hips. Fuuuuck yes!

Jamie slides his hands up the fabric of my shirt and when his fingertips reach my nipples, he pauses. “You’re pierced.”

I freeze, unsure if he likes that or not. “That okay?” Not that I could do anything about it right now.

His eyes grow wide and dark as a slow grin spreads across his face. “It’s fucking sexy as hell, Ash.” He tugs the bars gently through the cotton, and I gasp and close my eyes. “I want to touch you.”

“Fuck!” I gasp again as he continues to tweak the bars through my shirt. The pleasure is so intense I’m momentarily unable to make my brain work. I inhale sharply, and my cock twitches eagerly as he flicks the bars again. “Yes, please. Touch me.”

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