Chapter 7
The bright sunny morning, flooding through the lightly shaded windows, woke Megan with a smile on her face. Her morning stretch reached to the other side of the bed, which was empty. Thoughts of him
flooded her mind as she remembered the night before. He had been so sweet, kind, and caring. Something she had come to expect from her hunky neighborhood firefighter.
When she turned to her right to read the time on her clock, she noticed a note propped on her nightstand.
M-
Went to feed my small gang. I put my number in your phone under “Hunky Firefighter” (your words, not mine). Call or come over if I’m not back by the time you are ready.
See you soon…
-C
She laughed at the small gang
comment – he remembered. She blushed at the humiliating reminder of her lust-induced lack of filter, admitting he was a hunky firefighter. Her mind was flooded with thoughts of him, how fun he was at the shop the night before, how heroic he was when tragedy struck, and finally, how tender and compassionate he was with her when she felt weak. A regular Prince Charming.
Physical attraction between the two of them had been undeniable. There was blistering heat every time they were within close proximity. He flooded her thoughts by day and consumed her dreams by night. She had never met a man she wanted to explore more, until now. Tangled in her thoughts, she decided that it just might be a risk worth taking.
Getting ready for the day was much easier as small-town Megan Johnson
. Less makeup, less hair spray, Lycra leggings instead of silk. She really liked the relaxed elements of her life in McKenzie. Ready for the day and with Colton still gone, she decided to trek down the beach and meet him at his house.
Day old bread in hand, she cautiously approached the geese that seemed to be giving her less trouble of late, and handed them their broken up treat. Making her way up the small hill to Colton’s yard, she was greeted by Rambo, who announced her presence to the world before giving her a quick nuzzle and running off to work, inspecting the perimeter for intruders. She shook her head and giggled at the idea of Rambo, the watch-Rooster. Who would have thought such a thing existed?
At Rambo’s call, Doug rambled his way to Megan and offered his own greeting while escorting her to the porch where Duke and Boss guarded their family. Thoughts of a missing Nancy had her giggling again as the reality of Colton’s zoo settled in.
“Where’s Nancy?” she nervously asked the squad of furry friends. “Am I really talking to you like you are going to answer? You guys must be rubbing off on me,” she admitted.
“I bet Nancy is with the kittens, huh? Was it time for breakfast? Who names a dog Nancy, and a goat Doug?” she asked, laughing at herself once again.
Thinking back to her first meeting, she stepped out of her comfort zone and cautiously approached the pair eyeing her. She had been speaking to them like people, not sure how else to address an animal, and felt absolutely ridiculous. Colton was kind, so his animals were kind. She recalled how gentle they were—one carried a tiny kitten in his mouth, for heaven sake.
She slowly extended her hand to Duke first. She remembered seeing that on TV once, so figured she would give it a whirl and see how he received her. Surely he would remember her. The German Shepherd replied with a quick sniff and a long slobbery lick as his greeting, followed by a shake from his lone front paw.
“How do you do that?” She questioned, looking under him, trying to determine how he managed to shake her hand and balance as he did on only his two back legs and bottom.
Next was Boss. She took a deep breath while mustering up the nerves to greet him as well. It didn’t help that he had those dark piercing eyes pinned on her every move or that his head was as big as her torso, and sitting, he still came to her chest. Being deaf, she figured he would be easily spooked if she moved too quickly or just the wrong way.
Not interested in losing a hand to a startled beast of a dog, she moved directly in front of him, ensuring that locked gaze was truly on her. She ducked down slightly, eye-to-eye, trying to decipher the intention of his look.
“Shit. Is that a what the fuck are you looking at
stare or a how
can I help you
stare?” she negotiated. “Shit, okay, you can do this Meg,” she encouraged herself.
Closing her eyes tight, she slowly put her hand out in front of her and turned her head to the side so she wouldn’t have to see whatever was about to happen, should her eyes betray her and open. She was saying a silent little prayer when she felt a gentle nudge. Opening one eye, she peeked out of the corner to see if it was a run like hell nudge or a stay a while nudge.
She found a tilted head looking back at her. The dog was confused.
“You and me both, buddy,” she laughed. “Are we friends now?”
He offered another nudge with his head, followed by a large sandpaper tongue slopping drool all over her fist. Overcome with a sense of pride and joy, she reached for both dogs, giving them loving ear scratches while bouncing in place and squealing.
“Look at me, bonding with friggin’ nature! Go me!” She cheered. “Did you see that Doug? Me and the dogs, buddy. You want a scratch too?”
Colton heard a voice and followed it to the porch where he found Megan, sitting in a rocker, surrounded by his dogs, with a goat head resting on her lap. Even Rambo was perched on the table next to her, watching the world from his new post while listening to her talk. The voices were all from Megan. It seemed she had a different one for each animal she addressed.
“Hey! Sorry, I was in the shower and didn’t hear you. It’s just me here. Next time, just come in. No need to knock,” he said, announcing his presence with a delighted smile.
She smiled back at him, happy to see him and for him to see her new pack. “Yep, just makin’ friends over here!” she said radiating excitement. “Where’s Nancy though – haven’t seen her yet?”
“Oh, she’s inside with the kittens. They just ate.”
“Ahh, that’s what I thought,” she said in a sing song voice, scratching Rambo’s neck. “She’s such a good mama, huh, Rambo?”
Colton was impressed by the dissipation of her previous apprehension where the animals were concerned. She seemed perfectly comfortable, even enjoying them as much as they were enjoying her. He understood exactly why they were so mesmerized by the lady petting them and talking sweet to them. He was completely smitten too.
Megan found herself spending more and more time with Colton as the days passed. They spent their time taking walks along the trails that trace the property, leading to the mountains that surround them. Jax was much too heavy for Megan on that type of walk and that type of terrain, so Colton carried him in the hiking pack without hesitation. At night, they would eat easy dinners and watch the sun set before Colton would walk them home.
It was becoming a regular routine that both were enjoying immensely. Jax had become cranky on their hike to the waterfall the day before, so they had scrapped the plan until his playdate with Sam’s kids. There was something special about the falls that Colton was excited to share with her.
They made their way through the increasingly rugged terrain, something she wasn’t used to. An obvious city girl, she was starting to find her way through the hiking experience, swatting at fewer bugs and finding different elements less disgusting. She didn’t even need to set out a blanket to sit on a rock or log anymore.
The views were stunning, the nature breath taking, and the hike rigorous. As the ascent became more challenging, Colton slowed the pace and helped her through the tougher spots…even a gentleman hiking. She hesitated slightly as a loud rushing sound seemed to intensify to a windy roar. Colton smiled and encouraged her to continue, boosting her up one last step before the thunderous sound came into view.
“Wow, this looks like heaven on earth, Colton,” she said in a near whisper.
They had made it to the falls. It was stunning. The water rushed from the brim above in a rapid fall, landing in a beautiful pool of bright mossy rocks and boulders, surrounded by old fallen trees scattered about. The water gently rushed beyond, leaving the soothing sounds of a tranquil creek in its path through the forest.
“It’s amazing, right?” he asked, knocking her from her water chasing trance.
“It’s more than that. I’ve not seen anything like it before,” she admitted.
“Take off your boots and socks,” he stated rather than asked.
“Excuse me?” she questioned with a puzzled look about her.
He removed his boots and socks and began to roll his jean cuffs when he said, “Trust me – you need to try it.”
“Colton, its fall. The snow is already falling at higher elevations. That water has got to be freezing
. It’s beautiful, but I’m not interested in frost bite,” she lectured in shock.
He picked her up and effortlessly put her on a boulder nearly as tall as he was and pulled at her boots and socks. “Colton, seriously, I don’t do cold water. I’m not one of those exhibitionist, polar plunge types. I like warm feet.”
“Do you trust me?” He asked with a hopeful look, her bare feet in his hands after sliding her leggings up to her knees.
She sat in silence, eyes wide, and pondered his question, considering the look of anticipation on his face which was as innocent as a small child. His question was more than a quick, can I throw you in the water
inquiry but more of a where do we stand
? She smiled a sweet smile and nodded her head at his question. She really did trust him…with everything. That idea frightened her as much as it exhilarated her.
“Good!” he said with excitement and grabbed her off the rock, carrying her to the water.
She squealed in delight at the prospect of potentially being tossed in the frigid water. “Don’t throw me in, please
. Just don’t put me down!” she begged.
“Oh, you’re going in!” he announced, sloshing through the water, headed to the pool just below the falls.
“No! Please, no!” she managed to get out between her deep belly rolling laughs.
He stopped just below the falls, in front of a tall boulder that slowed the flow to the creek, making it passable. Slowly, he slid her down the front of him while holding her tight. She held her feet up as long as she could before he finally dunked her legs in the water. Her anticipatory screech was quickly dulled to a breathy ‘wow.’
“It’s warm. Oh, gosh…its sooo warm! How?” Her playfulness continued as she sloshed around, splashing water on each of them.
“The hot springs are up above. The overflow runs into the water above, warming it. Be careful, the moss is…”
He didn’t finish his warning before she lost her footing on the slippery, moss covered rocks below the water and began to fall. He quickly swept in and scooped her into his arms and held her against him. Her breath caught with the shock of it all but more so at the feel of his rock-hard body against hers. The warmth she felt flowing through her was not from the water. It was all
Colton.
“…slippery,” was all he got out before leaning in and kissing her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, not wanting to lose the closeness as his long, hard kiss sent a shiver through her heated core. She gave as much as she received, letting go of every doubt and giving in to every fantasy. He was hot – sex on a stick – whatever you want to call it…it was Colton.
He slowly shifted them back, leaning her against the large boulder behind her, pinning her with one of his arms on either side of her, never losing their connection. Slow, unrushed, and full of pleasure, he continued to have his way with her mouth while his right hand drifted down her body, feeling her as he went. He leaned her back, arching her over the round boulder, moving his lips down her neck to her collarbone and to her breasts while he unbuttoned her shirt. Leaving it open, he reached for the clasp that stood between him and tasting more than her mouth. He pulled away for only a moment when he freed her breasts to take in her beauty.
“You’re beautiful,” he said, running his hand from her neck, slowly to her breasts, before pleasuring one with his mouth the other with his hand.
His free hand continued the descent, breaking past the elastic band of her pants, where he found her bare and more than ready for him. No panties. He was hard as hell. He stroked her core while she rocked her hips against him, trying to find a quicker pace to her greedy climax. She felt him everywhere. The sensations were so overwhelming she could hardly stand the touches she was craving more of.
The sound of nature’s rushing waterfall, the warm water at her feet, and Colton’s gift of pleasure, stole her breath as her body convulsed in pure ecstasy while she cried out his name. Kissing him deeply, she reached for his belt, but his hands intercepted as he slowly pulled away. She looked at him, confused by his actions, suddenly insecure.
“No. Not like this,” he said, holding her head in his hands, looking into her eyes so deeply she could feel him in her soul. “You deserve better than this. Not wild
in the woods.”
She gave him a sweet smile, appreciating his sincere gesture, but she wasn’t one to just take. She liked to give just as much. “But you didn’t get to…” She paused, waving her arms in front, indicating something to do with his groin area, flustered and rosy cheeked.
“And I don’t need to. Today is all about you, sweetheart. As much as I want to have you right here, hot, heavy, and hard on this rock…” He took a deep breath and gathered his wits before he completely came undone just thinking about her. “I’d rather it be special, sweet, so I can show you what you mean to me.”
Her mouth opened and closed, but her words were absent. Completely flattered by his chivalrous gesture, even if it left her a little pent up, she couldn’t believe that this was the man who wanted her heart. She wondered how he made it this long unattached. He was perfect.
“What if I want it…long…hard…and hot against this rock?” she asked in a breathy voice, arching her back so her chest was proudly displayed, trying to seduce him.
He tossed his head back, let out a deep sigh, followed by a chuckle. “You’re killing me! You are so tempting,” he said in between small sweet kisses, “But, no…this isn’t the way it’s supposed to be.”
She put on her best pouty face, bottom lip protruding and all, while he buttoned her shirt back up. He picked her up and wrapped her around his waist, giving her one more lasting kiss to remind her of what was to come. He set her down and said, “Besides, now we have something to look forward to, and this…this we’ll revisit another time!”
He turned her around and smacked her ass, encouraging her to make her way back across the water so they could find their way back down the trail. Hand in hand, a lot of laughs, and plenty of kissing along the way, the heat never quite dissolved. It likely wouldn’t until they finished what they had started. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.