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I feel my cheeks go warm at my mom’s comment, but Sean just laughs politely. I watch him as he takes a bite, anxious to see his reaction.
“Delicious,” Sean declares. “Wow. Can I take the rest with me when I go?”
My parents both laugh at that. Meanwhile, I quietly bask in his compliment. I’ve always secretly questioned whether my cooking is any good. My mom always raves about whatever I make—and my dad always finishes off whatever I put in front of him—but as much as I’ve appreciated my parents’ flattery, it’s still coming from my parents. No one else has ever tasted it, let alone a man who looks like he probably comes from someplace where there’s great food.
Over the course of our breakfast conversation, I find out the answers to many of the things I’m curious about. I learn that Sean lives in a small town a three-hour drive from here. I learn that he has three older brothers and that he’s close to his parents. And I learn just how passionate he is about the wilderness; when he tells us about the other hikes he’s been on and the awe he has for Mother Nature, his whole face lights up and he gets this really wonderful look in his eyes.
“It’s my dream to live like this someday,” Sean says, gesturing to our cabin.
“It’s certainly a good life,” my dad says. “Not an easy one, by any means, but a good one. It’s not for everyone, though, obviously. Not even if they grew up in it.” My dad looks at me when he says that last bit, and guilt plucks at my heart.
“Dad,” I say quietly.
For the last year, I’ve been feeling a growing desire to see what it’s like to live in a city—or even just a small town. I’ve loved growing up on the mountain, and I wouldn’t change that for anything, but I also know it’s time for a change. My dad has been disapproving of this desire, to put it lightly. Meanwhile, while my mom has been sad about the idea of me leaving, she’s also been supportive of me going out and living my own life. She’s always quick to remind my dad that I’m twenty-six years old and not a little girl anymore. Not even close.
Today, I think the only thing that stops her from saying that is the fact that we have a guest in our presence. Instead, she chooses to simply change the subject, asking Sean if he would like more of any of the breakfast food.
“No, I’m stuffed. Thank you, though,” Sean says. “Can I help clean up?”
“No, no, I’ll take care of it,” my mom says, stacking the dishes. “Tessa, honey, why don’t you run a bath for our guest? I’m sure he could use a good soak after two days of challenging hiking and a snowstorm.”
“And an angry bear,” my dad adds.
3
SEAN
I’m trying my hardest not to stare at Tessa’s generously round ass as she bends over the bathtub to shut off the faucet, but it’s like my eyes are incapable of looking anywhere else. She’s the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
It’s a relief, actually, to finally find myself attracted to someone. I was convinced it was never going to happen.
As a man in my thirties, I’m not proud to admit that I’ve never had a relationship. I’ve tried dating, but it’s never felt right. Hell, I even went to a gay bar once, just to see if maybe I was in denial about my sexuality. But that didn’t do anything for me, either. So I more or less accepted the fact that romance and intimacy simply wasn’t going to be a part of my life.
But now, having met Tessa, it’s like my entire perspective of the world has changed. My body feels alive in a way it never has before. I feel charged. Electric. I don’t know what to do with this feeling, but goddamndoes it feel amazing.
“I hope the water’s not too hot for you,” Tessa says, straightening up and turning around to smile at me. “If it is, you can drain a little out and add some cold water. Not that you need to be told that. Oh, let me get you a towel.”
She steps over to a tall wooden cabinet and pulls out a fluffy towel. As she hands it to me, our fingertips brush, and I feel the brief moment of contact surge through me.
“Thanks,” I say, struggling to maintain my composure.
“You’re welcome, Sean.” She smiles at me again. “Is there anything else you need before I go?”
All I can think of are indecent answers. “No. I’m good. Thanks again.”
“Just call out if you need anything. I won’t be far.”
Then she’s gone. Still feeling out of my mind with desire, I set the towel down and undress. My cock is rock-hard and desperate for attention. But it feels too filthy to jerk off with Tessa and her parents in the other room, so I force myself to ignore it and get in the bath.
The hot water feels incredible. It’s a good distraction. So is thinking about how quickly Tessa’s dad would grab his shotgun if he knew I was this turned on by his daughter. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to survive my time here, but I don’t have any option other than maintaining my self-control.
I stay in the bath until it feels like I’m risking being a bad guest, and then I pull up the drain plug and grab the towel to dry myself off. It’s at that moment that a knock comes on the bathroom door.
“Hey, Sean?” Tessa’s sweet voice calls out. “I just wanted to give you a robe so you have something cozy to wear.”
I wrap the bath towel around my waist and walk over to the door. I don’t think Tessa expects me to open it all the way, because her eyes widen when I do. Her gaze drops to my bare chest and then starts to trail down over my abs before she snaps her gaze up to my eyes.
“Here,” she says, swallowing as she pushes a big fluffy robe into my arms.
