Page 134 of Burning for You
Levi
I would’ve taken her hiking through Yellowstone backcountry, but Carolyn has grown big, and by her own admission, she walks like a penguin. But I wouldn’t have her any other way. I could fondle and play with her round belly (and deliciously perky breasts) all day.
On the way to a holiday lodge, where I’m going to execute my secret plan, I show her the progress of our house at Little Random Lake.
She goes from room to room, checking every view. “I can’t wait to move here,” she says.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. It will take some gettin’ used to living around here. At least you can ride a horse.”
She smiles shyly, pulling me out of the house and leading me to the lake. “I have you. I’ll learn the ropes.”
I will teach her everything I know. And I will do anything I can to support her and keep her comfortable.
“You’re really ready to leave New York? Sass? Your Manhattan place?” I know she loves her home there. “And how about your dreams of building a better New York?”
She ponders while admiring the new blue dasher tattoo on my neck. “No,” she says.
I’m glad she’s honest about it.
She continues, “But it doesn’t mean I can’t be with you here. I’ll still stay in Manhattan every now and then. Sass is fine. Like a grown-up kid, it doesn’t need its mother anymore. And as for a better New York, I have so many talented people working on the projects. They’ll do a better job than me. I can support them from wherever I am. So, lucky me, I’ll have the best of both worlds.”
The wind carries her sweet scent to me. After what we’ve been through, I still can’t believe that this woman is with me.
I look at the time. “Shall we?” I say, folding my arm around hers.
“Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you to a beautiful spot at Grand Teton. And I’ll make you a nice brunch.”
She smiles, but she doesn’t seem to be onboard.
“Are you feeling alright?” I ask.
She pouts her lips, contemplating. “Levi, I wanna stay here.” She steps backward, gazing at the Little Random Lake, and then she turns around to face the almost-finished wooden cottage.
“Are you sure?” I say. “I mean, this place is weatherproof, and we can use the fireplace to keep ourselves warm, but the mattress won’t be comfortable for you.”
“The mattress will be fine. But that means you’ll have to sleep on the floor…”
I hug her. “I have an extra mat. Don’t worry about me.”
“I really can’t wait to move here, Love Bug.” She goes back inside, exploring every room once again.
I feel a rush of emotions, like the world is heaven and I’m at the center of it. “You know, Carolyn, when I drew this place on paper, my plan was to live here alone—as a hermit, maybe even a loser, for the rest of my life.”
“A loser? Levi!” she says. “I know a loser when I see one.”
“I thought it was ‘I know a liar when I see one’?” I tease her.
“That, too,” she says.
“I never thought I’d meet someone, let alone have a family,” I say. “Promise me you’ll be honest. If this new life drives you crazy, tell me. I can live in the city.”
She smiles. “I promise. You just have to be patient with me. I won’t always get things right.”
“I won’t either.” I let my eyes roam down her body. “Damn you look good.”
Pregnant or not, she’s the most beautiful woman in the universe. But with her body like this, my body changes too, internally, I just crave her, and the craving feels new every day.