Chapter 8

Vera

I half expectedFisher to show up first thing this morning, but he didn't. I hate to admit it, but I had even waited a bit before I left to start my day. I had been kind of looking forward to seeing him again, though I won't admit that to him.

I head back to the house for lunch, and when I hear the crunch of tires on the gravel, I turn to see Fisher pulling up. He smiles and waves at me as he parks, and I wave back.

This is it. Our third and final date. After this, I'll be a million dollars richer, and my problems will be solved, at least for a little while. Plus, Fisher will be gone.

My stomach drops at the thought, but I try to ignore it. That's what I wanted, after all.

Right?

My stomach clenches, and I know that I have to admit to myself that somewhere over the last few days, my feelings have changed. I don't want him to leave, but it feels like I can't admit that to him.

"Our third and final date," I say as Fisher heads my way. "What do you have planned for us today?"

I don't miss how he flinches and looks worried when I say final date. I swallow hard, forcing the words that want to come out back down.

"Well, I thought that I would help you out here and then take you out to dinner. Then, if you're up for it, we can go to the bowling alley or something."

"Bowling, huh?"

"They're supposed to have glow-in-the-dark bowling at the alley in town. It looked like it might be fun," he says, and I smile.

"I can't remember the last time that I went bowling. I think it was with Cameron and some friends when we were fifteen," I admit, and he grins.

"Me either. I think maybe it was a birthday party when I was in like the sixth grade or something."

"So, you're saying that I might have an edge on you then," I joke, and he laughs again.

"We'll see."

"I was just about to make a sandwich for lunch. Are you hungry?"

"Sure."

He follows me into the house and then into the kitchen. I start to gather the stuff to make our sandwiches, and Fisher takes a seat at the small table in the corner.

"What have you been doing this morning?" I ask him as I make our food.

"Getting organized with some things," he says vaguely.

"Work stuff?" I probe, and he nods.

"Yeah, what about you?" He asks.

"Work stuff."

"And how are the wolves this morning?"

"They're good. I already did the training sessions. I need to fix the fence on the east side of the property in one spot this afternoon. It shouldn't take me long. Do you want me to just meet you in town in a bit?" I ask him.

"I can help. I like hanging out here with you and the wolves."

"Alright," I relent, passing him his sandwich.

We eat and he asks me questions about how the training session went and what we need to do to fix the fence. We both finish our food quickly, and then I'm leading him outside.

"The supplies are in the barn," I tell him, and he nods, falling into step beside me.

"If you didn't have this place, what do you think you would be doing?" He asks me as I grab the replacement wire I prepped before lunch and the tools I'll need.

"I don't know. I like to think I would have still found my way here or worked with wolves even if I didn't grow up around them. What about you? Or was hotels and resorts always the dream?"

"No, I thought about being a police officer when I was a kid. Then I think I wanted to be a pirate," he says, and I grin.

I can picture a young Fisher running around his yard pretending to catch bad guys or sail a ship. It makes a cute image.

"When did you land on hotels then?" I ask as we head out to the four-wheeler.

We climb on and I start it up before he can answer. We ride out to the east fence in silence, spotting a few wolves as we go. I park next to the downed fence line, and we climb off.

"It was when I was eighteen. I had left Clearwater and was staying in this little rundown place while I looked for an apartment. I had never stayed in a hotel before. My family didn't really ever take trips anywhere. Anyway, I got the idea then to open my own place, a better place than that. Turns out that I was pretty good at it," he says with a smile as we kneel next to the fence.

"How do you pick spots to open the hotels?" I ask as I start to tie the broken fence piece with the new one.

"I have scouts and people who look at data and find the best cities to be in. Then usually, I have someone else go look for the ideal location, but I made an exception for this trip."

"Why?" I ask him and he gives me a wry smile.

"Because I heard that one person might be a problem," he admits, and I laugh. "But also, because I was getting bored with things in Miami. I wanted a change of pace, even if it was only going to be for a few days."

I feel like I get kicked in the stomach when he talks about leaving, so I look away from him and finish fixing the fence.

I wipe my hands on my pants and then push to my feet.

"All done?" He asks, standing too, and I nod.

"Yeah, let's head back to the house."

His hands wrap around me as we settle on the four-wheeler. Goosebumps break out across my skin, just like every other time he touches me. I try to ignore my body's reaction to his touch as we take off.

I slow down as we pass by the pack. They're busy and ignore us as we drive by. I park the four-wheeler in the barn, and we climb off.

"Why don't I meet you in a little bit?" I ask him as we close up the barn. "I need to clean up a bit here and then take a shower and stuff."

"Alright, I can pick you up," he offers, and I shake my head.

"No, it's okay. You don't need to drive all the way out here. Just let me know where to meet you."

"How about the motel? Then we can just take my car around town."

"Okay. Two hours?" I ask, and he nods.

"Perfect. See you soon."

He leans down, brushing a quick kiss on my lips before he heads over to his car. I watch him go and then head inside and up to my room. I make it into the shower before everything hits me at once.

I think I'm in love with Fisher.

I don't know when it happened, but it did. I don't want this to be our last date. I don't want him to leave Wolf Valley or me. How can I tell him that, though?

I take my time in the shower, scrubbing every inch of me and trying to get my emotions under control. I'm not sure I'm successful, but it's time for me to get ready to leave.

Fisher is outside when I pull up to the motel, and I take a deep breath before climbing out.

"Are you hungry?" He asks me, and I pause.

"Not really. Not yet, anyway."

"Want to come up for a moment? I just need to send a quick document over to my assistant, and then I'll be ready to go bowling or whatever."

"Okay."

I follow him up to the second floor and then inside.

"I'll just be a minute," he says, and I nod.

"Take your time. I'm not in a rush."

"Have a seat wherever," he says as he grabs his laptop and sits down on the bed.

I wander around his room, taking in the cheesy motel art and the neatly made queen-sized bed. I stop by the little table, frowning down at the papers there.

"House listings?" I blurt, turning to him, and he looks up.

"Yeah."

That's all he says, and I stare at him.

"House listings for Wolf Valley," I probe, and he nods.

"Yeah."

"Fisher!" I snap, and he sighs.

"I'm planning on sticking around this town," he says, and I blink.

"For what? Opening up the new hotel?" I ask.

Is this some kind of trap? Is he trying to get me to warm up to him as some ploy to get me to sell him my property?

I don't believe that. I can't. Fisher has been nothing but genuine with me.

Right?

Is it true, or am I just afraid that if I admit that he'll break my heart?

"No, I'm staying her for you," he says softly, setting his laptop aside.

"Why?" I ask quietly, and he gives me a small smile.

"Isn't that obvious?"

"No. Not to me."

"Vera," he says, standing and making his way over to me. "I want you. I need you. These three dates were my attempt at getting you to feel even a fraction of what I feel for you, for me."

My heart feels like it's lodged in my throat, and I stare up at him, debating what to do.

Do I want Fisher?

Absolutely.

I'm sick of fighting my feelings. I'm sick of sticking to my little bubble of just the Wolf Sanctuary and town. I want to live a little.

"Vera," Fisher whispers as I lick my lips.

Then I'm wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down to me. Our lips crash together, and his hands grip my hips as he holds me against him.

Fisher groans, combing his fingers through my hair and tilting my head up to deepen the kiss. His lips move against mine, coaxing breathy whimpers from somewhere deep in my chest. He licks his way into my mouth, his tongue dragging against mine slowly, seductively, as if he's savoring everything about this moment. I shiver as he kisses me harder.

"I want you," I whisper as his lips trail down my neck.

"Fuck, Vera," he groans, and I love hearing how I affect him.

His lips find mine once again and I fist his shirt, pulling him closer as I get lost in him once again. Fisher tightens his hold on me as he devours me. Every touch, every kiss, or flick of his tongue against mine has me burning hotter.

We make out until we're both out of breath. When we break apart, Fisher starts to back me towards the bed.

"We don't have to do this tonight," he says.

I can see the lust burning in his eyes, and I swallow.

"I want you," I tell him.

"Thank fuck," he growls, and then his hands are reaching for the hem of my shirt and he's pulling it over my head.

I suck in a sharp breath when I'm left standing before him in just my bra and jeans.

"God, you're so beautiful, Vera. The most gorgeous woman I've ever seen in my life."

"That can't be true," I protest, and he shakes his head.

"It is, or rather, I never even noticed women before you. You're all I see, all I want," he whispers, and I think that I fall a little more in love with him then and there.

"Show me. Show me how badly you want me."

He grins at the challenge and then his lips find mine again, and I lean against him, wanting to feel his strong body against me. My knees shake with the intensity of his kiss, and I can feel the thick length of his erection pressing against my stomach, I start grinding against him without thinking about it. My body just takes over.

It feels so freeing to turn off my brain and just feel, just listen to what my body needs.

I need him.

"Fisher. Get naked," I order, and he nods, already reaching for his shirt.

He pulls it off easily, and my eyes run over his body. He's so toned and muscled. His dark hair is tousled, and I want to fix it, but I kind of like him looking like this. He's always so put together and polished-looking. I have a feeling that I'm the only one who gets to see him like this, and I love that.

"Your turn," he says, nodding to my pants, and I take a deep breath before I unbutton and unzip them.

I slowly push them down my legs and then kick them to the side. My fingers toy with the band of my panties, and Fisher swallows hard, his eyes locked on my hands.

A bolt of confidence shoots through me. I can see how badly he wants me and it makes me feel sexy and bold.

I pull the panties down my legs and then I'm standing in front of him, completely naked.

"Fuck," he hisses, and I blush.

"Your turn," I whisper, and he hurries to strip.

I giggle at his enthusiasm, and he grins at me.

"You look like a dream, Vera."

"You look like a piece of artwork," I say as my eyes roam over him.

His cock is hard and pointing straight at me. He's so much longer and bigger than I thought was even possible.

"Touch me," I whisper, and he's at my side in an instant.

He reaches for me, pulling me against him. and I shiver as I feel his hot muscles against my curves. He backs me up against the bed. and I gasp as I tip backward, falling onto the mattress.

"I wish that this was our house or a five-star hotel. Not here," he says as he comes down over me, and I smile.

"This is fine with me. I need you. Please don't make me wait."

"Never."

His lips land on mine, and I cling to him as he kisses me. I can feel his hard length between my legs, brushing against me, and it has me getting wetter and wetter. I try to move my hips to get him where I need him the most, but he has me pinned to the bed.

"Not yet," he tells me. "I need to make sure that you're ready for me."

I want to ask him what that means, but he's moving down my body before I can.

His hands cup my breasts, and I moan, arching up into his hold. His thumbs pluck at my nipples, and I cry out. It feels like every time he does that, my core gets even more drenched.

I wiggle on the bed, and he groans, pinching my nipples as he kisses lower.

"I need to get my mouth on your tits, but it will have to be a little later."

I nod mindlessly, and he chuckles as he kneels at the edge of the bed and spreads my thighs wider.

"Fisher," I gasp, and then he's burying his face between my legs. "OH!"

I shout, trying to catch my breath as Fisher's mouth works me over. His tongue licks a path up my core and then finds my clit. He teases that little ball of nerves, and my hands tunnel into his hair as I hold him to me. He sucks that little pearl into his mouth, and I explode, coming harder than I ever have in my life.

Fisher licks up my release, and I jerk against him as his tongue licks over my clit again.

"Please," I beg, and he kisses the inside of each of my thighs before he stands.

His lips and chin are still wet with my orgasm, and I shiver at the animalistic look on his face.

Fisher drags me to the center of the bed and then comes down over me. He cages me in with his body, and I wrap my legs around his waist, needing to feel closer to him.

He kisses me and his cock nudges at my opening. I inhale at how good it feels already and I can see Fisher gritting his teeth. I lift my hips, my heels digging into his ass, and his cock slips into me an inch. We both groan, and his eyes lock with mine as he thrusts forward a bit, lodging another thick inch inside of me.

"Fisher, God," I pant, and he nods.

"You feel so damn good. So tight. So fucking perfect," he grits out.

He thrusts forward again, and we both hold our breaths as he nudges against my virginity. His eyes lock with mine, and I nod.

"Make me yours," I tell him.

"You've been mine since we ran into each other at the grocery store."

My heart races and tears sting my eyes at his words.

Fisher kisses me and thrusts forward, popping my cherry and claiming me.

"You're so fucking tight and wet, baby," he groans as he pauses inside of me.

He lets me get used to the feeling of us being joined, and then he starts to move.

We both moan as we find our rhythm together. Our bodies move in sync, and soon, I'm lifting my hips to meet each of his thrusts.

"I've never felt anything so perfect," he groans as his movements start to get faster and harder.

His words have tingles spreading throughout my body, and I grip his biceps, my nails biting into his skin there as another orgasm starts to build inside of me.

"I'm so close," I pant, and Fisher starts to pound into me.

I can feel his cock starting to swell inside of me, and I know that he's close too. I look up, meeting his dark gaze, and what I see there sends me over the edge.

"Fisher," I cry out, and he buries his face in my neck as he reaches his own peak.

"Fuck, Vera."

He kisses my neck and I sigh, my eyes starting to fall closed.

"I don't want to go bowling," I tell him, and he starts to laugh as he pulls out of me.

"Yeah, I think we can find something better to do than that."

"Hmm, what did you have in mind?" I ask him, rolling onto my side to face him.

"Well, I thought that first, I would feed you, and then…" he says, trailing kisses up my neck.

"Switch those and I'm in," I moan, and he grins against my skin.

"It's a deal."