Chapter 16

16

SUTTON

T he next morning, breakfast was delivered to our room. Then we had sex afterward in the shower. I was insatiable when it came to Wes Calloway. I’d repressed these feelings for so long, and now that I could indulge, my desire was unquenchable.

Each time we came together, I fell deeper when it was supposed to be temporary. It was as exciting as it was scary, but I wasn’t ready for it to end.

I was on a runaway train that couldn’t stop, and I didn’t want to. I was along for the ride, and I was going to enjoy every second of it.

Wes asked Teddy to drop off Otto at home, so he greeted us at the door. Then we changed into hiking gear, packed water and snacks, and took off on the paths behind his house that led around the lake.

“Are you sure you want to do the loop your first time?” Wes asked.

“Yep.” I had this thing where if I started something, I had to finish it. It was probably why I couldn’t let go of the estate whereas Wes probably would have walked away years ago .

Otto drifted into the woods from time to time on the trail of an animal, but always came back when Wes whistled for him. “You don’t have to prove anything to me.”

“I want to know what you like. Experience it with you.”

Wes raised a brow. “You want me to be your coguide on the estate?”

“I don’t know. You might not have a good demeanor for it,” I teased.

Wes’s expression turned serious, and he said hesitantly, “I’ve watched the videos you’ve posted.”

I stopped in the middle of the trail and turned to face him. “What?”

“I could probably replay them by memory, I’ve watched them so many times. You’re so animated; it drew me in. Every item holds a mystery, and I want to know the secrets.”

My heart thudded. “I had no idea.”

“I didn’t tell you because I figured it would only embarrass you if someone you knew was watching.”

I nodded, still trying to wrap my mind around what he’d admitted. “That’s true.”

We resumed walking, and I said, “Your energy is infectious.”

“It’s the same way you get when you’re talking about a particular tree or type of fish.”

“We know where our passions lie.” The occasional branch snapped under the weight of our feet as we ambled over the uneven terrain. We had all day to make the hike, and for once, I wasn’t in a hurry to do anything else.

“The only problem is that my business relies on me keeping the Rosesmith Estate. If Grandmother sells it, I won’t have anything to tour or anywhere to hold events.”

“That’s why we got married, so you could ensure you kept it,” Wes hooked me with an arm around my neck and pulled me into his side. Then he kissed the top of my head. It was an affectionate move, one that seemed easier after a night of intimacy.

We’d blurred the lines, and we’d only been married for less than twenty-four hours. It was going to be hard to protect my heart going forward. He was infiltrating every inch of space in my head and body.

We hiked in silence for a while, the only sounds the rush of the wind through the tops of the trees, the chirping of the birds, and the movement of the water against the shore. We stopped to eat snacks a few times, but I wanted to keep going. I wanted to show him that I could keep up and finish the hike. When my feet started to hurt, I didn’t say anything.

I worked out but I didn’t usually hike fifteen miles. By the time we made it back to Wes’s house, we were starving.

“I wasn’t anticipating that we’d hike the entire path when we set out. I’ll throw some steaks on the grill. Can you get the baked potatoes ready? We need a hearty meal.”

“I can do that.” But first, my feet hurt.

I sat down on the bench on the deck and pulled off my boots, then peeled off my socks. The blood on the white cotton wasn’t a good sign. But it made sense with the pinch of pain I’d been getting the last few miles.

Wes fell to his knees in front of me. “Why didn’t you say you were hurting?”

I shrugged. “I wanted to finish.”

Wes growled his displeasure. “You have to take care of yourself better.”

I didn’t take offense because I knew what he meant. I was determined to finish anything I started, even if I skipped meals or didn’t get enough sleep. I’d always been a hard worker .

“I’ll grab my first aid kit. Don’t move,” he said as he rose and went inside the house.

His dog jumped onto the bench, leaning his weight against me. He turned his head and tried to lick my face. I ducked out of the way, giggling as he kept lunging toward me.

Wes returned with a first aid kit and fuzzy socks. “Otto. Down.”

Otto immediately responded to the command in his voice and hopped down.

Wes carefully cleaned the area, placed a foam piece and then a bandage over the blister. “This should help keep the pressure off until it heals.” Then he helped me put on the socks over the bandages. “No more hiking for you.”

I loved that Wes worried about me. It was something I hadn’t gotten from my family. And when was the last time anyone brought me fuzzy socks to wear? I wanted more time with him. “Can we go out on the water tomorrow?”

“Fishing might be our best option. You can just sit on the rock and cast.”

“That sounds nice.” It felt like we were dating, but technically we were married. It was messing with my head a little because I was getting that warm and cozy feeling you only got in a committed relationship. And we weren’t that. Not exactly.

Wes stood and narrowed his gaze on me. “I’m going to throw on the steaks now. You okay to get the potatoes ready?”

“Absolutely.” I was starved.

We went inside together, where he grabbed the steaks from the fridge, and I cleaned the potatoes. He seasoned the meat, then took the platter outside to fire up the grill.

We’d been living together, but there was something about preparing a meal together that heightened those feelings of domesticity.

I cut a slit in each potato and rolled them in tin foil, then placed them on a plate to carry them to Wes.

“What else can I do? Maybe whip up a salad?” I asked, racking my brain for what was in the fridge.

Wes took the plate of potatoes from me. “You can, but you don’t have to.”

I smiled. “I want to.”

Inside, I tossed the lettuce in a large bowl, adding parmesan, tomatoes, and olives. I wondered if Wes felt the same way. Or was he immune to the benefits of sharing his house with someone?

I’d only lived in the big house, then the smaller one by myself. Both felt empty to me, even when the mansion was filled with staff and guests. The estate and my last name were bigger than me.

Living with Wes and doing these normal, everyday things with him was nice. His house was bigger than mine yet cozier somehow. Maybe it was the wood floors and paneling or the cool white marble in the kitchen. Or it was the fact that Wes lived here?

It wasn’t a museum or a showcase. I scanned the wall between the kitchen and the living room where framed photos of his family hung. I’d seen them a billion times, but they never got old.

I loved the smiling ones, the goofy ones, the ones where clearly one child wasn’t cooperating, the exasperation on his mom’s and dad’s faces. It was life.

The slider opened. “The steak is done. I’m just waiting on the potatoes. Want to eat outside? I fired up the heaters and fireplace. ”

I smiled at Wes, and his answering grin filled me with warmth. “That sounds perfect.”

Wes moved close so that his arm brushed my shoulder. “You were looking at the family photos?”

“You look so happy.” Our family photographs were done by a professional and were stiff. There were no candid shots.

“We were before Mom died, and we got there after, but it took time. Back then, we never considered that we’d lose her.”

“I’m sorry you did.” I curled my hand around his.

“It shaped our family moving forward. Teddy changed schools to live closer and help Dad. I supported him in that. Fiona seemed to move further away emotionally by staying gone. We tried to help Jameson find his way. Then Daphne found her place in the kitchen. She loved to cook and bake.”

My brow furrowed as I considered him. He rarely talked to me about this time in his life. “And you?”

He glanced down at me. “I helped Teddy.”

“What was your role if Teddy was another father figure for you and your siblings?”

“I gave him a hand. Kept the peace.” Wes’s expression was grim.

Was Wes the one who stood in Teddy’s shadow, helping out, being a good kid but never standing out? I wasn’t sure if that was something to note about him.

Wes lifted our joined hands to see the rings sparkling on my finger. “This is the first time I did something that wasn’t expected. A fake wedding to a friend is something Jameson would do.”

“Marrying me was unexpected?” I asked, wanting to encourage him to keep talking.

“I’ve always done what was expected. Go to college. Go into law enforcement. Help my siblings and the farm. But it was a good decision. I’ll always help you.”

I kissed his cheek, not sure how I felt about his admission but sensing I knew him better than I thought I did.

My stomach rumbled.

Wes grinned. “Let’s eat. You worked up an appetite.”

I was sore and tired in a way I wasn’t when working on the estate. It felt good to be in nature. I wondered, if we stayed married, would hiking and kayaking be something we’d do often?

Did I want that? Would I like it? There was only one way to find out. This honeymoon plan of staying home and taking advantage of the outdoors and Wes’s passions was one way to find out.

We sat at the table with the heaters on high and the fire blazing in the new fireplace, eating the dinner we’d prepared together. We didn’t talk much other than to comment on something we’d seen on the hike: a fox, a particular bird we wanted to look up to identify.

After we cleaned up, Wes asked, “You want to try out the new hot tub? I haven’t had an opportunity to take off the cover since it was built.”

“I’d love to. Do we need bathing suits?” I asked him, knowing the neighbors couldn’t see us.

Wes grinned. “Not on our honeymoon.”

I was excited to do something else that was outside of my comfort zone. I’d never gone skinny-dipping or done anything so risky. There was always my family’s reputation to consider, and I was used to falling in line, doing what was expected. When I was with Wes, I could let go of that and just be. It was freeing.

Outside, Wes removed the cover, and we stripped off our clothes, dipped our toes in the water before easing our bodies in.

“This is heaven,” I said as I tipped my head back to get my hair wet.

Wes reached for me, his gaze on my breasts. “I’m starting to think that you’re heaven. Our friendship, the way our bodies respond to each other…”

“We are pretty great together, aren’t we?” I didn’t ask the obvious question. Did being together change anything for him? Did this feel like we could be in a relationship?

Wes pulled me between his legs, his hands on my hips. “You’re gorgeous. Between the moonlight and the fire, you have this ethereal feel.”

“I like the sound of that.” I’d never felt more beautiful than when Wes was admiring me.

“It’s hard to believe you’re mine,” he said right before he kissed me, his hands gliding up my sides until they cupped my breasts.

And maybe it’s because I didn’t feel like his, even with the rings and the vows, and the living arrangements. I needed something more. A declaration that our deal was off. That he couldn’t live without me. But it was too soon to ask for more. He was helping me, and it had to be enough.

He lifted me so that I was straddling his lap, and I eased myself over his hard length, slowly filling me up. Then he helped me move over him, his jaw tight as he held himself back from taking over. I couldn’t think of anything better than making love in the hot tub with the fire illuminating our bodies.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on for the ride. I was exposed in a way I hadn’t experienced before. At the same time, I felt closer to Wes.

If we were on our honeymoon, if we were married, we’d be whispering words of love to each other, telling each other how we felt, but instead we both held back. This wasn’t our honeymoon.

Wes kissed me, and I let the worries fade away. I would enjoy this time with him. I wasn’t sure I’d get this opportunity again.

He eased his hand down the front of my body to my clit, and when he touched me, it created the friction I needed to go over. I spasmed around his cock as he continued to lift me through it, and then he thrust hard and deep, groaning his release.

“It just gets better,” Wes said as I moved off him and to the side.

“It does.” But the real test would come when this honeymoon period was over, and we were back to our normal routines. Him at work in the outdoors and me at the estate. Would my family intrude on our happiness? Would his think this fake relationship was too much? I couldn’t help but think that moments like these would dwindle over time. The stress of our situation would eventually be too much to overcome.

Early the next morning, he took me fishing. He wanted to give my feet time to heal. So we casted off the rocks around the shore near his house. The park owned the piece of land between his house and the water, but we were free to use it to enjoy the lake.

Wes caught a few fish big enough to fry up for lunch. I made a pasta salad while he gutted the fish and cooked them on the grill. We ate, and while we were enjoying the quiet, Wes said, “You want to try paddleboarding? You don’t need shoes for it.”

“Why not?” I’d always wanted to try but was scared to go out by myself. I trusted Wes to take care of me.

We cleaned up lunch. Then we changed into swimsuits. I decided to go for a red string bikini. When I met him downstairs, his eyes heated as he stalked toward me. He pulled me against him, and my core tightened. He was all hard muscles and a warm body.

“How am I going to concentrate on paddleboarding?” His voice was gruff.

I tipped my head to the side. “I don’t think you’re supposed to.”

He dropped his head, kissing me, slow and deep. I was ready to hop onto the counter and spread my legs, but he pulled back. “We’d better go now before we get distracted.”

“I was trying to distract you.”

He grabbed the life jacket that he’d left on the counter and put it over my shoulders, buckling it. “You’ll love paddleboarding. Think how good you’ll feel when you do it.”

“If I don’t fall in,” I mumbled as he led me through the woods to the edge of the water.

He let go of my hand to show me how to kneel, stand, and to catch my balance. When I got it, we waded into the water, and he held the board while I climbed on and got into position.”

“Now try to use the oar to move.”

I used a similar motion to what I’d do with the kayak, and it glided easily through the water.

“Perfect. You’ve got it,” Wes said with a satisfied grin before moving to his board .

“I think the real test is standing,” I said as he climbed easily onto the board, kneeling like me.

He rested his arms on his thighs, his limbs golden tan from working outdoors. “You know some people actually do yoga on the boards?”

I glanced dubiously down at my knees. “I can’t imagine standing up, much less attempting a downward dog.“

Wes chuckled. “You’ll get there.”

“I’ll be happy if I don’t fall in the water.” I moved my hand, and the board rocked precariously.

Wes laughed harder which made me think I was going for a swim today.

We rowed farther into the water, and Wes said, “Are you ready to stand?”

My nose scrunched. “Not really.”

“Just go slow. One movement at a time. Then check your balance. Eventually it will get easier.”

“Uh-huh,” I said, not quite believing him.

He stood easily. “Your turn.”

I looked up at him. “I’m happy on my knees.”

Wes’s eyes flashed with heat. “You’ll have more fun standing. It’s an incredible feeling standing on a board with very little between you and the water.”

With a shaky breath, I said, “Okay.”

I tried to mimic his motions, but the board rocked harder than it had for him. My stomach dropped.

“Remember to go slowly, intentionally, checking your balance with each shift.”

I half expected him to say be one with the board. I went more slowly this time, placing one foot, then moved to stand. The board rocked, and I held my breath while I struggled to maintain my balance.

“I told you you could do it,” Wes said from my left .

I turned my head to catch his expression. Then I lost my balance. I screamed, then tried to right myself, but it was too late. I was already falling.

My back hit the water with a splash, and I panicked before remembering I was wearing a life jacket. Then Wes was in the water, dragging his board behind him.

“I’ve got you.”

Instead of helping me onto the board, he held me as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

“I’ll always catch you,” he said before he kissed me, making me forget where we were.

When we finally came up for air, he said, “We should get back on the board and try again.”

“I’m already wet. What else could happen?”

This time, I wasn’t as scared. I was already drenched, and I knew what would happen if I fell— Wes would catch me.

When I was finally on two feet on the board and could look up without losing my balance, Wes asked, “How do you feel?”

“Incredible.” I looked around the lake where there were very few boaters. Only kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes were allowed. So it was quiet. The trees surrounded the water. Hawks glided through the air. “It feels like we’re alone out here.”

“I always feel small when I’m on the water. Like I’m this tiny piece of a magnificent world.”

“I get that too.” And the other thing I felt was connected to Wes in a way I hadn’t been before. He’d saved me when my car hit a tree, and he’d offered to marry me when I needed a husband. But now he was showing me something new, which was incredible.

When I was more comfortable on the board, I pulled out my phone from the plastic case around my neck. I held it out and hit Record. “I’m out on the water today.” I panned the camera to Wes, who looked confident standing on the paddleboard. “With my new husband. Wes is teaching me how to paddleboard.” I panned the camera back to my wet hair. “I already fell in. But thankfully he was there to catch me. We’re still on our honeymoon, doing all of the outdoor things my husband enjoys, but I have to say I love it too. So, if you have an opportunity to get outside today, do it. It will do your body and your mind a lot of good.”

I clicked off, then made a mental note to upload it when I was home, not quite believing I’d referred to Wes’s place as home.

We paddled for a while. With each stroke of my oar, I felt more confident and freer. When we tired, we straddled our boards and drifted. The sun glinted off the diamond on my left finger. I couldn’t believe I was married to my best friend. It was even more astonishing that we were having sex and sharing life like a real couple. We couldn’t seem to keep our hands off each other. Yet we enjoyed making and sharing meals together and going on new adventures.

But what would happen when we went back to work? Would real life break us, or would it bring us even closer together?