Chapter 56

Hal

Hal waited in the living room for Jesse to come out of the guest bedroom. He had experienced mixed feelings about putting her in the guest room but ultimately decided that he didn’t want her to feel anxious or pressured into staying in the same room with him. Maybe their rooming situation would develop into something more later, but for now, he would be content with the way they were.

Hal heard Jesse coming down the hallway, and he immediately rose from his seat on the couch in the living room. His easily excited cock twitched a little as he saw Jesse approach in a tight fitting athletic shirt and a pair of tight yoga pants.

He took a deep breath through his nose to collect himself and calm his hardening cock.

“You look ready for a great adventure,” Hal appraised her, his eyes flitting up and down her body once again. He was rewarded by her blush.

“So do you,” Jesse noted, and he was sure that her eyes lingered at his crotch. He vaguely hoped his arousal wasn’t evident.

Hal had changed into a pair of hiking boots, some durable shorts, and a breathable button-up shirt. He had counted on them going hiking and was glad that Jesse had been thinking along the same vein.

“Well,” Hal clapped his hands together, “we may as well head out while there’s still daylight. Maybe we could go down to the river?”

“Sounds great!” Jesse said excitedly, and Hal smiled.

He held out his hand to her, and she took it, and he led her through the cabin to the door that led outside. Jesse took a sharp breath as she saw the pool and Jacuzzi that were protected by an awning not far from the door. Hal loved that particular feature of the cabin.

“It’s salt water,” he explained to her. “So it’s a lot healthier for your skin.”

“Wow,” Jesse said, nearly breathless.

“Maybe we can hop in after we get back,” Hal suggested with a smile.

“I’d like that,” Jesse replied with a smile of her own.

With that said, Hal led her further away from the house and toward a narrow trail that would eventually take them out to the river.

“So,” Hal spoke up, “do you go adventuring a lot on your own?”

“Not really,” Jesse answered, laughing. “Usually, the closest I get to the great outdoors is a rooftop garden.”

Hal couldn’t help laughing.

“Same here,” he said softly. “I spent so much time in the city all my life. The first time I actually saw anything like this was when I was shooting for a film in New Zealand. I just fell in love with being outside all the time, and I decided that I needed a place like this where I could get away if I wanted to.”

“Have you used it as much as you wanted to?” Jesse asked, looking up at him with innocently curious eyes.

“No,” Hal answered, shaking his head with a sigh. “Most of the time, I stay holed up in the city. It’s my own fault, really. I let myself get involved with this event and that dinner. And I mean I guess I was really focused on my film for a while.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re a pretty busy man,” Jesse laughed, and Hal frowned to himself, brooding a little.

For a while, he was silent, and Jesse turned to look up at him.

“Hey,” she said and took his hand up in hers. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Hal nodded, shaking his head a little. “Just thinking a few things over, you know.”

“Oh, yeah?” Jesse raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Hal shrugged. “Just … my life. I mean, honestly, I have everything I ever wanted, everything I ever dreamed. It just … you know, when I think about it, I thought I would end up happier.”

Jesse was quiet and seemed to be thinking. Hal felt her gently rub her fingertips along the back of his hand.

“Well,” she finally spoke up with a sigh, “maybe you just want something now that you just never thought of before.”

Hal blinked at Jesse’s words, and they struck a chord in him.

“I think …” Hal stopped walking and stepped in front of Jesse to look her in the face. “You may very well be right about that.”

Hal smiled slowly as Jesse blinked up at him and blushed.

“But …” he went on, lifting his hands to place them gently on her upper arms. “I’m starting to think of something … someone … I really want …”

Hal heard Jesse take in a sharp breath, and her eyelashes fluttered as she took in his words. He felt his heart surge with warmth as she looked up at him. For the first time since he was a much younger man, he really thought he had a chance at true happiness. A chance he thought he had long since forfeited.

Now, though, he knew that his hope for a life filled with love had been revived. And he knew that Jesse was his chance at a life that he thought he would never have, a life full of happiness and love.

For now, though, he knew he had to reign himself in. Even for him, this was all unfolding very quickly, and the last thing he wanted to do was frighten Jesse away before they had a chance to grow into their own relationship together.

“All I want right now, though,” Hal spoke softly, “is to spend time here with you. Still want to see the river?”

Jesse seemed to take in his words slowly, and she blinked before nodding and smiling.

“Definitely,” she said, and Hal took her hand and led her further along the trail to where he knew they would soon meet the river.

Hal had to admit that he hadn’t felt so peaceful in a very long time.