It’s clear to see that. I love that she appreciates the simpler things in life. But someone as vibrant as she is should at least see some of the world. I’m starting to understand what Walt meant during our talk this morning.

“But now I’ll get to go on my first vacation with you,” she says excitedly, as if I’m taking her to the Caribbean instead of a fucking cabin in the Ozarks.

Well shit. “Don’t get too excited, baby. It’s not much, but it’s quiet and does have some kick-ass scenery.” I love it there, but I haven’t been since my dad died. I haven’t wanted to face the memories, but it will be easier with Liv there. She’ll be the perfect distraction.

“Mmm.” She leans in close and presses a warm kiss to my mouth, her lips titled with a smile. “It’ll be perfect because I’ll be with you…alone,” she whispers, giving me another kiss.

I clutch her hips with a growl, trying to restrain myself from throwing her on this kitchen table and taking her right now. “Yeah, baby, we’re going to be alone, and I’m going to put that time to good use.”

Her cheeks flush red, desire swirling in her warm brown depths. Jesus, if I don’t get out of here now I’m going to lose my precious control, then Walt will really put a bullet in my ass.

I stand, lifting her with me then drop her to her feet. “Pack a bag, Liv. I’ll be back soon.”

“Now look who’s being bossy,” she sasses with a smirk.

Curling my hand around her neck, I tug her close and drop a hard kiss on her mouth. “Pack a bag, Liv… Please.”

“Okay,” she replies breathlessly, making me chuckle.

“Be back soon, baby.”

CHAPTER 20

Olivia

Surrounded by nothing but wilderness, I stare out the window at the beautiful scenery as we drive down the winding road. It seems like another world out here, nothing but peace and serenity, something that I’m in desperate need of. Even the faint smell of pine trees filling the truck soothes me.

Grayson gently squeezes my hand where our fingers are linked between us on top of the console, his thumb stoking the inside of my wrist. “We’re almost there, baby. Just a few more minutes.”

With a smile on my face that hasn’t wavered since we left, I look over at him and my tummy dips with excitement. Considering I’ve been in this truck with him for the past eight hours, and he can still make me feel this way, proves how lethal he could be to my heart if I’m not careful. I’ve enjoyed the long drive with him. We talked a lot about ourselves, and I’ve gotten to know so much more about him. What his likes and dislikes are, his childhood, how much he loved football and sometimes misses it. Pretty much everything that shaped him to be the man he is today, and knowing it all has made me love him even more… I tense at the thought.

Whoa, slow down, Liv, isn’t it a little too soon for that?

Though, if I were being honest, this isn’t the first time the thought has floated through my mind, and it has surprised even me. Of course I care about him, how could I not after everything he has done for me these past few weeks? I’ve always had a crush on him, just like almost every other girl in Harmony Falls, but it’s more than that. Getting to know the real him, not Deputy Taylor, not Harmony Falls’s town golden boy and football star, just Grayson. I’ve come to learn he’s far more than I ever thought he could be. Being on the receiving end of his friendship and affection, has my feelings growing deeper by the day. I’ve never felt this strongly about anyone before.

Heat invades my body when I think about the way he touched me last night and how he brought pleasure to both my body and soul. He began healing a part of me I worried might have been dead but Grayson proved it wasn’t. With just the small touch from his skilled fingers and that low, smooth voice of his, he gave me the most extraordinary pleasure I’ve ever felt. I can only imagine what it will feel like to be all his, for him to claim every part of me like he said he was going to. Just the thought has a small ache starting between my legs. But my favorite part about last night was sleeping in his arms. It brought me the safety I’ve yearned for. To know I will get to feel it again for the next few nights has me feeling happier and calmer than I have in a long time.

“Here we are.”

At the announced arrival I pull my eyes away from Grayson, realizing I was just gawking at him like an idiot, and look out the windshield as we pull up to our destination. Unable to contain myself, I hop out of the truck as it barely comes to a stop and take in the beautiful, rustic log house. It’s bigger than your average cabin but smaller than a family home. It’s clean and well maintained with freshly potted plants decorating a large porch. I wasn’t really sure what to expect since I’ve never been to a cabin before, but I have seen a few. I expected something a little more…worn and weathered, maybe? But that’s not the case at all, if I didn’t know better I would think someone was living here.

Grayson comes around the truck, standing beside me with our suitcases in hand. “Looks like Vilma went above and beyond, as usual,” he says, with feigned annoyance.

“Vilma?” I ask, looking up at him.

“Yeah, she and her husband, Jim, are good friends of my parents. They live in Riverbend, about ten miles from here, and help keep the place up. I wired her some money with a grocery list, asking if she would be willing to grab us some food for the next few days. Obviously, she did a hell of a lot more than that.”

I can tell by the way he speaks of them that they’re people he cares about. “Well it’s beautiful, more than I could have ever expected.”

His lips quirk with that sexy smile. “Come on. I’ll show you the rest.”

I reach to take my suitcase from him, but he refuses my attempt with a sharp look that has me rolling my eyes and following him up the steps. As Grayson unlocks the door, I inhale the fresh scent of flowers.

Walking inside, I take in the large, open living room. With a fireplace, leather furniture, rustic coffee tables, and a flat screen TV, the small area is warm and inviting. I move to the fireplace where a few pictures decorate the mantel. Some are Grayson’s parents, his mother and father looking madly in love, one of them as a whole family, and others of just Grayson and his father on their adventures here. Smiling, I reach up and pick up one from when he was a boy, wanting to get a better look at it. He’s maybe eight years old, a proud smile lighting up his face as he holds a fish almost bigger than he is, his dad helping him hoist it up to take a photo, looking even prouder than Grayson.

“That was my first catch,” he explains quietly, coming to stand behind me. “I’m not sure who was more excited, my dad or me.”

I look up to see pain embedded in his eyes yet a fondness at the memory. We spoke a little about his father on the way here. It’s easy to see how much he misses him and how much he respected him. It’s something I can understand, considering I lost both of my parents. Even losing them at such a young age, I still miss them every day.

“Come on, baby. I’ll show you around.”

Putting the picture back in its place, I follow Grayson as he shows me the kitchen, fully stocked with everything we need to cook for ourselves, including food and drinks, thanks to Vilma. Next, he leads me upstairs to the master bedroom, that’s more like a loft than an actual bedroom. I gasp, my feet skidding to an abrupt halt as I take in the king-size bed occupying most of the space, flanked by large, picturesque windows, offering a breathtaking view.

I move to the sliding glass door and step out onto the spacious deck. Resting my hands on the railing, I take a deep breath and inhale the fresh mountain air, instantly feeling relaxed. The lake stretches on for miles and miles with no end in sight as the evening sun begins its descent, reflecting the last of its golden light off the surface like tiny mirrors.