Page 48 of Worth the Risk
“What about you? Anymore ladies you’ve met up with?”
“Naw, I haven’t had time really. I’ve been training three new guides and no one has really caught my eye lately.” That’s surprising.
“Really? No one?” He takes a long drink of his beer.
“No one I can do anything about.” He says, looking out into the slowly dwindling crowd and I know he’s tracking Marigold again.
“So, how goes the rafting business?”
“It’s good. These last few months have been crazy with all the tourists on vacation, but it will be slowing down soon.”
“Yeah, I bet. The water always gets busy that time of year. I can’t wait to get out there this weekend.”
“I’m glad we’re going. I should probably head out. I’ve got a big group I’m taking out tomorrow so I’ll have to get to the outpost early.”
“I’ve gotta get home, too. I have lunch at mom and dads tomorrow and I was late to the last one.”
“And Mary gave you hell about it?” He grins.
“Actually no. I think she was just so excited to have me back, but I don’t want to push my luck.”
“No. You do not. I’ll see you next weekend.”
“See you then.” I clap my hand on his shoulder as I walk by.
When I get home I realize how tired I am and my knee is starting to ache again. I stayed too late at Winnie’s last night, or not late enough—like the whole night. I look out my window to her house. It’s dark and quiet. I pull out my phone to send her a text. I’m tempted to send her a ‘U up?Text’ for a laugh, butrefrain. Instead I send ‘Miss you. Wish I was with you.’ After 10 minutes with no reply I come to conclusion she’s asleep.
I go get an ice pack and lay down on my bed. As I feel the bite of the ice sinking into my sore knee, I’m hit with loneliness and longing. I fall asleep wishing that, instead of my pillow, it was Winnie’s hair I was burying my face into, letting it tickle my face. When I wake up in the morning it’s her honey eyes I want to be seeing.
I grab my phone and check the time, 9am. I’m tempted to go straight over and see if she’s awake but then notice I have a message. ‘I missed you last night, too. I was wishing you were in my bed with me.’ Time stamped 8:15 this morning. She’s up. And I don’t want to wait another minute to see her. I get up to change into some sweats and a tshirt. I’m out my front door in five minutes flat, no shoes on and I’m at her door in six. I knock and hear her light footfalls. Then I hear a small thud followed by a low curse and smile. She pulls the door open and I’m greeted by the most beautiful scene I’ve ever had the privilege of witnessing.
She’s smiling wide at me, her golden eyes still sleepy. Her hair is mostly down and untamed. I look down to her bare feet, toes painted a deep shade of green, then up her legs to tiny pajama shorts that are barely showing because of the huge sweatshirt she has on. A sweatshirt with my first pro teams logo on the front. I look back to her face again and her cheeks are pink. Perfection.
“Hi,” she says softly.
“Turn around.” She raises a dark eyebrow.
“What?”
“Please,” I almost beg and she gives me an incredulous look but does as I ask. There it is.Hollowayin big bold letters across her upper back. I like the sight of my name on her more than I ever thought possible. I sweep her legs with my arm and she flails before grabbing onto me tightly.
“Rhett! What are you doing?” Her worried tone turns into giggles and I shut the door with my foot and lay her down on the couch following so I’m laying on top of her.
“Morning, Darlin’.” I take a second to study her face this close. “God, you’re gorgeous.” She blushes and hooks her thighs around me. I kiss her languidly, lazily then with more force. I kiss her until neither of us can breathe and she’s humming into my mouth. I’m breathing hard as I nuzzle into her neck and she huffs out a laugh.
“I like how you say good morning.” I grin.
“Yeah? You should see how I say good night.” I expect laughter but instead I’m met with her stiffening slightly under me. I sit up enough to see her face.
“Winnie, I was only kidding. We’ll take it slow this time.”
“Maybe I should,” she says seriously.
“You should what?” She clears her throat.
“See how you say goodnight.” I open my mouth but nothing comes out. “Maybe tonight?” she asks. My mouth goes dry. I don’t know if she means what I think she means but I’m hoping I do.
“Please,” I say and she laughs then.
