I wake up alone, snuggled into my pillow. I can still smell Dean's muscular scent on the sheets. The scent is strong, so I know he hasn’t been out of bed long. Just thinking about him puts a giddy smile on my face.
He oozes masculinity and with his seductive personality, he can easily make anyone become addicted to him.
Have you ever read a book where they describe the male hero, and he’s everything you ever wanted? Well, Dean fits their descriptions perfectly. He has the perfect muscled physique, along with his chiselled good looks. Hell, even his personality is perfect―perfect to me anyway. He has the muscles of a man who goes to the gym seven days a week with four hours of training, except he doesn’t go to the gym. Not that I’ve seen since I’ve been here anyway.
Those broad shoulders and bulging arms―obviously not too big, but still―had me wrapped up tightly all night, making me feel safe. And God, feeling safe is something I’ve not been able to enjoy in a very long time. Yet, he only has to be around me to evoke those feelings inside me.
Having Dean hold me and take care of me is something I didn’t think I’d be able to grant another man. I’ve given him my heart, something I never truly gave Rick, and I did it happily. Unlike with Rick, I know that giving Dean my body won’t lead to him beating it. I know giving him my time, my love, that he won’t abuse it. I also know he’ll do everything to keep me safe, treasure me like a princess.
Rick manipulated me; used my vulnerability and need for love to get what he wanted. He controlled every aspect of my life. Dean doesn’t want to control me, doesn't want to manipulate me; he just wants me for me. He could have used my vulnerability to manipulate me into bed last night, but Dean wouldn’t do that to me. I know that in my soul.
Needing to see him, I head downstairs, stopping at the bottom when I see the work of art in front of me. Dean is standing at the stove, frying eggs and bacon, his broad shoulders and back on full display, making my mouth water.
He looks hot.
Even the way his back muscles flex as he moves elegantly around the kitchen is sexy as hell. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face when I see the two dimples in his lower back, becoming more pronounced as he bends over, giving me a delicious view of his tight arse.
I watch him for a while longer, liking the fact I can get my fill without him knowing. It’s nice to see him without any guards up―not that I think he has any since he looks pretty much the same, but there’s just something about watching someone when they don’t know. It’s like you get a real chance to see them, not just look at them. You get to see inside their soul, deep within themselves.
He moves effortlessly around the kitchen, each move strong and precise. He looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world at that moment and I smile, seeing a new side to him. Dean’s a contradiction; he looks rough and a little intimidating but would never use it against people weaker than him. He also has a heart of gold, but I’ve known that for a long time, even with years of separation. I don’t think that could have ever changed. But after knowing how some men can be, it’s nice seeing a man who isn’t, a man who has morals and honour.
Knowing I can’t stand around forever ogling him, I take a step down, my bare feet slapping against the wooden flooring.
“Morning,” I call out, taking the last few steps into the kitchen.
Dean jumps, startled, and I giggle. I never once thought I’d scare him. He turns around facing me, a huge smile spreading across his face as he eyes my outfit. I’d put his shirt over my pyjamas and from the look on his face, he doesn’t seem to mind. The way he’s looking at me, you’d think I just made his day. Maybe I have.
“Morning, beautiful,” he greets, and my breath hitches at his sweet endearment. I can’t help but feel vain, loving it when he calls me beautiful. It’s what every girl wants to hear but for me, it’s more than that. I feel ugly on the inside, not just ugly from the scars that I bear on the outside, but somehow he still makes me feel sexy, beautiful.
My belly flutters when he walks over to me, pulling me into his arms and kissing the tip of my nose.
“Breakfast, huh? A woman could get used to this you know,” I say as I pull away to sit down on the breakfast stool.
“Me cooking you breakfast, huh? Well, that doesn’t really seem much of a duty if it means I get to wake up to you.” He smiles.
Realising the hidden meaning behind his words, my lips part and I look at him shock. He steps closer so his groin meets my knees and leans forwards, kissing the corner of my mouth. The touch is only brief, and a part of me wants to groan with displeasure, but he only pulls away to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture is sweet, and it melts my heart. A blush rises up my neck to my cheeks, and I try to look away before he can see, but it’s too late.
“Aww, did I make you blush? C’mon, we used to share a bed and have baths together all the time as babies,” he teases, a small smirk playing on those devilish lips. “Surely waking up to me isn’t as bad as that. I mean, I know you have bad bed hair and everything, but at least your morning breath isn’t that bad.” He chuckles at my expression.
“Hey, I do not have bad morning breath,” I snap, my hand unconsciously covering my mouth, making him laugh. “Shut up and make me breakfast, wench.” I smack his firm backside, snorting out a giggle.
He laughs, leaning down to kiss me once again before turning back to the oven. And just like that, I give another piece of my heart to the man in front of me.
My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. It feels good, really good, and I can’t help but feel like another piece of the old me is returning.
I just hope I can keep putting these pieces back together.
*** *** ***
As I walk along the beaten path, I think over yesterday and the day I spent with Dean. We decided it would be a good idea to spend another night up here since it carried on raining throughout the day again yesterday, pretty much keeping us inside. The only time we left was to check on the horses to make sure they had enough food and water. I would’ve liked to have taken them out, but with the weather so bad it wasn’t a good idea, especially since Hunter is afraid of storms.
After that we pretty much just snuggled up on the sofa, switching between watching movies and talking. I don’t think I’ve spoken so much to anyone in my life. We talked about everything, including Dean filling me in on the fact he was a police officer. He had mentioned something before, but because of everything being so fresh in my head with Rick the comment blew right over my head.
I wanted to question him more about his old job, but the way he locked up over it had me keep quiet. He asked me what I wanted to do now that I was free. It’s such a loaded question, so much so that I hadn’t really thought about it until then. In the end, I told him to ask me in a week or so when I finally get a chance to sort through everything in my head.
I’d like to say that sorting things out through my head is going great, but it would be a lie. Instead of thinking of what to do next, where I’ll go, how I’ll work, I’m thinking of Dean and all the stolen kisses and small touches he’s been giving me. He’s driving me crazy.
In a good way of course.
“C’mon slow poke,” Dean calls out, making me puff at the hair that’s fallen in front of my face.
That last comment about him driving me crazy? I take back the good part.
Who knew Dean was such a serious hiker. I swear, with his long legs and eager attitude he’s going to kill me with exhaustion. Although, and I will not admit this out loud, I’m actually enjoying the brisk walk, seeing all the trees surrounding us as birds tweet and the smell of the forest fills the air. It’s unbelievable.
“I’m coming,” I pant, balancing on a tree as I take a huge swig of my bottled water.
Okay, I gulp down the whole bottle but sue me, I’m not athletic. I’m seriously unfit, and five minutes into the hike should have been enough to clue me in to the fact that this was going to kill me.
“We’re nearly there,” he calls back, and I look up, narrowing my eyes at him. There’s no sign of exhaustion; he’s not even sweating. I want to push him over a fallen tree trunk for it because I look a hot mess.
I’m starting to wonder if we made the right decision last night when we agreed to do the half-hour hike to the edge of the mountain forest, where the trees end and it opens up to a huge clearing. The only reason I said yes was because I missed the place and the rain had finally stopped sometime through the night. The weather forecast said it was going to be dry, hence the reason we’re taking a picnic up a mountain.
Walking forward, Dean takes off, leaving me to follow behind at a slower pace, his laughter only egging me to move faster on my feet.
A gasp sticks in my throat as I clear the trees, pausing momentarily as I take in the magnificent view. It’s as beautiful and breathtaking as I remember.
The view from here looks all over Cabin Lake and the rest of the Salvatore land, plus more surrounding land. It goes on for miles. It’s phenomenal, the view breathtaking, the atmosphere incredible.
“Are you ready for something to eat?” Dean calls, snapping me out of my trance. I nod and look over at him, watching him take off his rucksack. I take a step forward, breathing in the fresh air as I make my way over.
Since the ground is still damp from all the rain, we had to bring some plastic tarp to put down before the blanket. I watch, twiddling my thumbs and still trying to catch my breath as he lays it all out before looking up at me. His eyes are questioning, and that’s when I realise he’s asked me a something.
“Yes, please.” I smile, looking around at the spot he chose for us. Dandelions cover the ground, millions of them scattered all over the place.
I look around, finding one that hasn’t been destroyed by the rain, and mindlessly pick it up before moving closer to the edge of the mountain, the drop high enough to turn my stomach inside out.
Twirling the dandelion between my forefinger and thumb, I think of the last time I’d seen one of these. I’m pretty sure it was as a kid. My mom loved them. She would always make me pick one whenever we saw them, no matter where we were, telling me to close my eyes, blow, and make a wish, that all my dreams would come true.
My eyes water as I bring the dandelion closer to my face, taking in the beautiful fuzzy ball, each seed looking umbrella-like. Closing my eyes, I take in a deep breath before blowing out. “I wish it all away,” I whisper before opening my eyes and watch dozens and dozens of fluffy white seeds floating off into the sky, carrying my wish into the wind.
Wiping my eyes before Dean can catch me, I turn around, shocked for a second to find him already staring at me intently. I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile before walking over to where he has everything laid out on the carpets.
“Are you okay?” he asks, before I get a chance to sit down.
“Yeah, just… just memories,” I tell him, not wanting to divulge too much, or sound like a dork.
Knowing I’m hiding something, he pulls me against him, his lips coming down on mine and kissing me until I can hardly breathe. By the time we pull apart, he’s gazing down at me with such care and desire that my body sags into him. Before I chicken out, I reach up for another kiss, shocking him.
“Thank you,” I whisper breathlessly, and I don’t mean for the kiss. For distracting me, knowing I needed a moment to myself and letting me have it and then not pushing me to explain.
“C’mon, sit down.” He smiles, tucking another loose strand of hair behind my ear even though it’s a lost cause. I’ve stopped bothering to tie it back whenever a piece gets loose because seconds later a new strand will fall.
I sit on the blanket next to Dean, grinning when he hands me a lunchbox tub of pasta salad that his mom clearly made. She sent Jeff back up with a picnic full of food this morning, which was good considering we didn’t really have anything.
“Mmm, this is so good,” I moan, taking another mouthful.
“Careful,” he rasps, and I blink my eyes open, bending my head down shyly when I find him staring at me, his eyes filled with lust.
“Sorry,” I say, biting my bottom lip.
He groans and leans forward, capturing my lips with his. I fall back onto the blanket, my pasta long forgotten as he moves on top of me, the kiss becoming more heated.
I lose track of time, so I have no idea how long we were kissing each other breathless. I just know time may have stopped for us, but still gone round for the rest of the world. I love it when we get into our little bubble. It’s like only Dean and I matter; no one else exists.
“What are you thinking?” he whispers as he lies on his side above me.
“Everything.” I grin.
“About me then?” He smirks, kissing the tip of my nose.
I melt, giddy at his affection. I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of that, of him being so openly affectionate and for saying the most romantic things to me. But mostly for how protective he is of me.
“What about you? What are you thinking?” I sigh, tilting my head to the side.
“You. Always you, Lola,” he tells me, all teasing gone from his tone.
“Oh,” I whisper, a little overwhelmed. “Thank you.”
“For what?” he asks, his eyes scrunched together.
“For everything,” I tell him, not looking away. “For bringing me here. It’s like heaven. For giving me peace and for giving me you, but most of all, for giving me everything I didn’t feel I’d have.”
He lies on his back, like my words knocked the wind out of him. His chest rises and falls heavily. I stare dumbly, not knowing what to do with myself, but then he speaks, his voice gruff and raw.
“C’mon, lie with me,” he says, pulling me against his chest. I don’t bother hiding my soft smile or the excitement in my eyes. His arms have become my favourite place to be. I don’t know what it is about having him hold me, or for me to just lie there on him, but it makes me feel all kinds of things.
“I wish we could stay like this forever,” I whisper before closing my eyes, knowing it ends tomorrow morning when we have to go back down to the real world.