Page 29 of Merry on the Mountain
“Some do, but many don’t. They just want the experience and the sights, which is totally understandable. The places we go to are beyond what you can see at a scenic overlook.”
“Do you know where you’ll be this summer? Last night you mentioned both the PCT and CDT as trails you guide on.”
“I haven’t talked to the guide company owner about it yet. They usually let me know where to go closer to the end of ski season.”
He nods and finishes off a slice of bacon. “It must be freeing to live the way you do. Out in nature all the time.”
“It is. I could never work a corporate job.”
“Same.”
“Is that why you decided to start doing this after retiring?”
“Yeah. My dad is a carpenter, so I’ve picked up a lot of skills just by watching him over the years. The only other thing I’d be interested in doing is coaching, but I’m not patient enough to do that.”
“That surprises me, you’re so patient with Izzy.”
“She’s my whole world. My little bug. Nothing kills me the way watching her cry or be sad does.” He pushes his empty plate back and leans against the back of the stool. “She was so sad and scared when I was given custody of her. I think she cried herself to sleep for a solid month wanting her mom. It was awful not being able to fix things for her.”
“And she was so little she couldn’t understand.”
“Exactly.”
I reach over and lace our fingers togethers. “If it makes you feel any better, had you not told me about the situation, I never would have guessed you weren’t in her life from day one. Your bond is clearly strong.”
He squeezes my hand. “It does, thank you.”
CHAPTER 11
DREW
Izzy calledme as we were finishing up breakfast, so I stepped out to talk to her. Her grandparents are taking her to a theme park as part of her Christmas gift, so the call was short. It did ease my mind to see her having so much fun. But fuck if I don’t miss her terribly.
Willa told me she had to go into town to run a few errands, so I’m using the time while she’s out to get some paperwork done. Earlier in the year I was looking at buying a property just outside of Vail to renovate and either flip or use as an income property, but it had just gone under contract. Now my broker has reached out, letting me know that the first deal fell through and it’s available again.
Looking through everything he emailed over, I know I’m putting an offer down. It’s too good to pass up, especially when I know the payoff at the end could be so high. I’m lucky to have lived all my adult life well under my means and invested wiselyenough to have the capital to offer an all cash and expedited close.
I hear Willa pull up just as I finish sending everything out. Maya’s unmistakable paw steps muffle the sound of Willa following her up the stairs. Thank fuck they’re here because I’m not sure how I’d navigate this much time alone.
I open the door and grab Willa around the waist, pulling her back against me. “Maya, come,” I command as I step back into my house with Willa in tow.
She giggles and turns in my arms, tilting her head back so I can reach her lips. Part of me was so disappointed when I walked into her bedroom last night and found her asleep. It was even more of a challenge to not wake her when I slid under the covers beside her and realized she was naked. But she worked yesterday, and I’m not an animal. I’d already devoured her pussy and fucked her against the wall.
I can wait for what I really want. And what I want is her, naked and screaming my name on every surface of my house for the next two days. Which is why I cover her mouth with my own and kiss her deep and slow.
There’s a time for hard and fast, like last night where we were both frantic for more. To finally let ourselves give into the growing attraction between us. But now that we’ve done that, it’s time to savor one another.
My hand grabs her coat’s zipper and pulls it down before pushing it off her shoulders. It falls to the floor, and I don’t even consider picking it up as I direct us to my bedroom. Maya, being the smart dog that she is, stays curled by the wood stove.
Willa’s fingers find the bottom of my shirt and push it up my chest. I break the kiss just long enough to tear it over my head. She takes the opportunity to do the same with hers. A plain, black bra cups her small tits. As my lips take hers once more, I reach behind her and unfasten it. The bra falls to the floorbetween us, and I pull her against my chest before bending to grab the back of her thighs and lifting her into my arms.
Her legs wrap around my waist as I walk over to the bed. I need her naked like I need my next breath, so when she drops onto the mattress, I hook my fingers in the waistband of her leggings and tug them, along with her panties, right off. She leans back on her elbows and spreads her legs wide open for me. Her slick, pink flesh is on full display for me.
I fall to my knees quicker than a schoolboy at mass and bury my face in her cunt. The taste of her, earthy and a little sweet, explodes on my tongue. I have to squeeze my dick to keep from leaking cum already. She bows off the bed when I hook two fingers inside her, moving them along the walls until I hit her g-spot.
“Fuck,” she cries out, her thighs closing around my head as I find the rhythm and pressure she loves.
I keep going until she loses herself to the first of many orgasms I plan to give her. The way she calls out my name as I keep flicking my tongue over her clit while tremors rock her body is the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.
