Camp Hardwood by Alexa Riley
Chapter Eight
Zara
Ilick my lips and I can still taste Moose on them. I’m pretty sure his flavor is branded in my mouth forever. He’s eased some of my fears about someone taking me from him and I could tell from the glint in his eyes when he said he’s keeping me there was no room for argument. Not that I’m going to be the one to argue. I wouldn't want to be the person to come between Moose and something he wants. He’s a big man and I watch him practically throw the tree that fell on the trail so we can get to his Jeep. I had no idea the storm was so bad last night, but my focus was clearly on Moose. The rest of the world didn't exist to me, including Mother Nature. Nothing could stop us last night and I have a feeling nothing ever will. Not with the way Moose keeps touching me.
“Keep your tongue in your mouth or we’ll never make it back to camp.”
I fight a smile. I’m not sure if he’s teasing or not. The man can’t stay off me, and the feeling is mutual. His giant hand resting on my thigh gives a possessive squeeze.
“I like tasting you,” I admit, because I always want him to be close enough to me so I can have it when I want it. So I can kiss him whenever I want.
“That’s good because you’re going to spend the rest of your life doing it.” I don’t fight my smile anymore as I glance over to him.
He drives the path back to camp and as we bounce along I think it’s a makeshift road that only goes to his place. It’s a muddy mess and he’s had to stop twice already to move branches out of the road.
“You know, I don’t know much about you,” I say, my eyes lingering on a scar I see on his elbow. It has me thinking about what life with Moose will be like.
“I’ll tell you anything you want to know, sweetheart. We’ve got all the time in the world.”
“Promise?”
I bite my bottom lip and he pulls his eyes from the road for a moment. I know he already said he’s keeping me, but I like hearing him say it. He can play it on repeat for me and I’ll never grow tired of it. I can only think of three words that might be sweeter.
I’m not used to being wanted. With him it feels as though he needs me to breathe. At least that’s how I feel. There’s no way he can’t feel it too. Why else would he be saying he’s keeping me so fast? Is it fate or love at first sight? Whatever you want to call it, I knew from the first time I spotted him he was different and I couldn't keep my eyes off him.
“It’s a vow, Zara.” This time he uses my name so I know how serious he is.
“Like a wedding vow.” I nod in agreement. A vow sounds better to me than a promise because it’s unbreakable.
“If you want a wedding vow, too, I’ll give you one,” he says easily, like getting married isn't a big deal and he’d do it in a second if it’s what I want.
“If we were married then no one could take me from you. It would be like I belonged to you,” I say as I look out the window, knowing we’re getting closer to camp. The Jeep comes to a rolling stop and I turn to see if something is blocking the path again but there’s nothing but open road.
“I don’t know much about you either, do I?” He stops the Jeep to look at me and our gazes lock.
Did I go too far with saying I want to belong to him? I don’t know. It might be the world I grew up in, but there’s always paperwork that needs to be passed from one home to the next. I was shuffled around in the system for so long, going from one place to another. I never got adoption papers, not that marriage is adoption, but I have this need inside of me to belong to him, that on every level I will always be his.
“How did I not see you at Camp Hardwood? Have you been hiding from me?”
My eyes widen a fraction and that’s not at all where I thought this conversation was going.
“Yes,” I admit when his hand squeezes my thigh. This one is harder than the last and I know he wants an answer. I wiggle in my seat and the small ache between my thighs reminds me that he always gets what he wants.
“Why?” He searches my face and I shrug.
“I watched you, but I didn't want you to catch me.” His grip tightens and I gasp. It doesn't hurt but it’s his way of reminding us both who I belong to.
“Catch me staring,” I correct. My face heats and I have no idea why. Out of all the things we’ve done in the last twenty-four hours, me admitting I watched him is nothing in comparison.
“How long have you been at Camp Hardwood?” he asks, and I can’t read his mood.
“Seven days now.” I was supposed to be going home, and I guess I kind of am. I was dreading it but now it’s something completely different since my home is going to be with Moose.
“Seven days.” He growls his response. Yep. He’s mad. My nipples tighten and my sex is slick with desire. My body has this reaction to everything he does.
“I could have had you seven days ago?” he grumbles, and I don’t remind him that I wasn't legal the whole time because I don’t think he would have cared.
“I’ll make it up to you,” I rush to say, not wanting him to be upset. I’ll spend forever doing anything he wants.
“I know you will.” He leans over. “Give me that tongue.”
He grabs me by the back of the neck and kisses me fiercely. But it’s over too quickly as he pulls his mouth from mine and the Jeep is moving once again.
“We’re too close to camp to have you here.” I don’t know if he’s telling me or reminding himself. Either way I know why he pulled so quickly from the kiss because it wouldn't have stopped there.
When we pull up to the main camp cabin, Moose hops out of the Jeep. I can’t bring myself to do the same as I wring my hands together in my lap. He opens the door for me and his eyes are full of concern.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asks softly. Now he’s the one looking a tad unsure and wondering if I’ve changed my mind.
“I don’t want Honey to be mad.” I shake my head. “Mrs. Cyprus,” I correct quickly, knowing her husband doesn't like people calling her Honey, even if it is her name. She’s only his Honey. It’s ridiculously sweet and funny and their love is the kind people dream of having. They’re living their happily ever after.
Mrs. Cyprus has been good to me and I know how protective she is over the girls around here. Mr. Cyprus is the protective shadow behind her, supporting whatever she says. I don’t think she’s going to just let Moose take me, even though she can’t really stop us. I’m eighteen now and I can do what I want, but I don’t want anyone fighting over this. I just want everyone to be happy.
I know that the Cypruses are close to Moose and I don't want to come between anyone, I only want to be a part of it. All I’ve ever wanted was to belong somewhere. I have a feeling Moose was a loner once upon a time. I can spot one after being one myself. He has roots here now and I don't want to mess that up for him or anyone.
“I’ll make it okay,” he tells me. He leans down a little so we’re more eye level. “You have an adventurous spirit, Zara, but the world has made you leery to take what you want.”
I swallow because I think he’s right. I always get myself into messes, like me getting lost in the woods isn't shocking. I’ve always been curious, but being in the system stifled me in so many ways. His big hand slides into mine and I love how he can be both gentle and hard when it’s needed. I don’t know how he mixes the two for me but he does it perfectly.
“You get to be your adventurous self and not worry because I’m always going to be next to you. I’ll make sure you’re always taken care of. That you’re loved and protected as you always should’ve been.”
“Love.”
“Yeah, sweetheart. I love you,” he says, and I fling myself into his arms.
“I love you too,” I mumble against his neck and close my eyes.
“Good. That makes keeping you a lot easier.”
I smile as I lean back to look at him, and his whole face is lit up. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile like this before and he holds me close as I cling to him. I catch Honey and her husband standing on the porch to the main cabin watching us and Honey has a secret smirk. Her husband is holding her close with his arms wrapped around her waist, and I can see that this isn't going to be a fight. If anyone knows what true love is, it’s them.
It looks like I’m getting my happily ever after too.
