Ethan

“Wow, this is really good.”

“You didn’t have any faith in me?”

I could tell that she didn’t. Denise wasn’t very good at hiding her emotions and I found that a charming addition to her personality. It was better to not have to guess what she was feeling. It was better because I didn’t have to wonder. She was very clear with her facial expressions.

“Well it’s good. You proved me wrong. I don’t know many men that can cook a deer steak like this.”

I was going to take that as high praise. I had a feeling that Denise didn’t give it very often. She was someone that thought things through and I liked the idea that she had brought me here for a reason. I was attracted to her and she was attracted to me. I knew what was going to happen next, even if she didn’t. I’d claimed Denise as soon as I set my eyes on her when I walked into the restaurant for coffee.

It didn’t have much to do with the bet anymore. Charlie had asked about it, but I wasn’t worried about the money. I wanted the girl and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to cinch the deal now. I still had plenty of time, but my body was sick of waiting when there was something in its sights that I wanted so badly.

“I need to go take a shower Ethan. I can’t stand to wear this anymore and I think I have some in my hair.”

Her words sent my brain into a spiral and as she played with the ends of her hair, I could see that she was nervous. I could see her lathered up in the shower in my mind and it made me smile. I wanted to see it in person because I knew that it would be better than I could come up with.

“Do you need some help?”

It was an innocent question that was meant to gauge her response. I didn’t think that she would agree to it of course. She wasn’t going to be that easy. No one in town had touched her and if they had, they were very good at keeping it to themselves. From what I had heard, Denise was untouchable and I didn’t want to have the same experience. There was something between us and I knew that I wasn’t the only one feeling it, but I didn’t want to push her away.

“What are you going to help with?”

“Anything that you want.”

She giggled and I liked the tingling sound in the air. “That was a fast answer.”

“Come on. I will help you in any way that you need it Denise. I’m quite good at some things.”

I got up and started to move towards the bathroom and she stopped me. “I don’t even know if you would fit in the shower.”

I had been upgraded to into the shower with her. I looked up at the loft bed that she had sprang from earlier in the day and I can’t say  that there was a lot of hope of me fitting up there either. I had more hope for enough space in the shower. If nothing else, I would take her out in her yard because that was pint sized like everything else.

“If I don’t fit, I will just watch, make sure that you get everything.”

Denise had that same giggling sound and she looked away. “You’re naughty. You don’t say three words to me in a week and now this.”

“I didn’t think you wanted anything said to you in the restaurant. You’ve got quite the reputation around town.”

“Really? I don’t like the sound of that. What is being said?”

I was already regretting saying anything. I should have known better, but my stupidity knew no bounds sometimes. I didn’t want to tell her, but I was the one that had opened this can and now I was going to have to deal with it.

“Well it’s said that you aren’t interested in anyone in Nome. No one. Many have tried, fewer got close, and none have won from what I hear.”

Her face was getting bright red and I knew that I should shut up.

“They said that you are cold and distant, a ball buster prude. And there is some still that think you are into the pink palace more than men.”

“Wow, that’s a whole lot of talking. Bunch of damn women gossiping.”

“It doesn’t matter what they say Denise. I think it’s just jealousy. They want you and can’t have you.”

“And you think you can?”

It was a challenge much like the hunting and it was another one that I knew I was going to win. I could see it in her eyes and instead of getting upset about the rumors that I told her about, it seemed like she wanted to prove them wrong as well. Who was I to stop her? I would be more than willing to give her what she needed to do so. I was here to help if nothing else.

“”I sure hope so.”

She grinned at me and there was a light in her eyes as she moved forward to kiss me. I didn’t have to make the move. She was doing it for me and in seconds I was ready to go wherever was needed to feel her underneath me. It didn’t matter where. She had mentioned the shower and I hurried her in that direction. I don’t care how damn small it was. I was going to make it work.