Lumberjack's Surprise Page 3
Damien.
Everything I do, all the decisions I make, they’re all with him in mind and how it will affect his life. I’ve lost friends because of my choice to keep him, forcing me to stay home instead of going to college. I’ve lost my family for the same reasons. Everyone but Chloe.
Walking to the checkout, I’m still surprised at how well Damien has taken to Sebastian. He isn’t talking much, but he watches the older man with such fascination. And Sebastian talks to him as though he’s talking back. It doesn’t seem to matter to him that my son is primarily non-verbal with anyone but me, and even then, it’s only two or three words at a time.
“What kind of movies does he like?” I’m brought out of my head at Seb’s question as he unloads the groceries.
“Anything Marvel. He loves Thor and Iron Man.” Damien has been fascinated with the movies since we watched them when I was sick when he was about six months old. They’re always playing in the background at home in one of our rooms.
“Not Cap, huh?” He looks at Damien, and the way he scrunches up his tiny nose and shakes his head has me laughing. Damien feels all kinds of ways about Captain America because he beat up Iron Man in Civil War. “Alright, alright, I’m partial to the Hulk myself. Big”—he flexes his arms in the middle of the checkout—“Strong.” Turning, I’m shocked when he picks me up and spins me around.
“Oh my gosh.” I can’t hide the blush staining my cheeks.
“Smash!” Damien slaps the handle of the shopping cart.
“He smashes too, but only to save the day.” They share a secret look as I begin putting Damien’s coat and hat back on, and before I know it, Sebastian has paid for everything, and we’re leaving the store.
“I was supposed to help with that,” I whisper as the blistering cold hits us. I can feel the storm in the air. “Are you sure it’s safe for us on the mountain? You’ll have heat?”
“How about you cook dinner instead?” Sebastian counters. He places one hand on my back while pushing the cart with the other, ensuring I walk beside him. It’s oddly endearing. I’m sure my parents love each other, but they aren’t this affectionate at any time. “And yes, we’ll have heat. If the storm knocks out power, I have generators and three fireplaces. It’s not my first rodeo up there.”
“Alright.” It might not be his, but it is ours, and I’d die if anything ever happened to Damien.
After getting the groceries and Damien loaded into the vehicle, we’re on our way in minutes. But not before I see one of the partitioners from our church as she glares at the familiar way Sebastian touches me as we move. I know she’s going to report back to Nancy, who will, in turn, tell our parents.
Apprehension has my fingers fidgeting as we drive through town until we reach the road leading up Bear Mountain. Sitting on my hands, I try to calm my racing heart, but I can already hear the insults that will be flung my way when I go back home.
If I go back.
After this morning, I honestly don’t know if I can.
For so long, my focus has been on getting Damien and me down to Washington to be near Chloe. To break free of this constant barrage of guilt and shame. I need a change. A chance to be the best mom to my son that I can be, and I know it won’t be in Polar Bear, not while living at home.
“You’re awfully quiet over there.” Sebastian’s caring voice has my head turning, and it’s not until he reaches up with a hand to wipe away a tear off my cheek that I even realize I’ve been crying. “What’s with this?”
Wiping furiously at my cheeks, I shake my head and give him a false smile. “Nothing that can be helped.” I don’t know what to say. I never do.
Sebastian
I know I’m pushing her. Maybe even manipulating her a tiny bit, though not on purpose. Paying for the groceries while she was busy with Dam allowed me to take a slight weight off her shoulders. And I would happily do it again anytime. But I didn’t think that’d bring her to tears.
Damien was fast asleep within minutes of driving, so paying attention to EmaLeigh without interruption was easy. I recognized she was troubled from the way she was fidgeting, and ultimately, sitting on her hands only proved it. I’m a simple man with simple needs, and right now, the only thing I want or need is to make her smile.
I know she plans to leave Polar Bear, but the more I’m in her presence, the more I want her to stay. Both of them. I see the way she watches me when I’m interacting with Damien. The worry is written on her face like a bold letter. She silently prays I don’t do or say something to insult or upset the boy. I couldn’t do that. Not to them. But it tells me that she’s had other people who have.
“Whatever it is, I’m not here to judge,” I say as we pull into my driveway a short time later.
Without responding, she climbs out of the vehicle and goes for Damien. Rubbing his eyes, he blinks up at her a few times before letting out a scream loud enough to wake the bears across the state. “Ssshh, baby, Mamma’s right here. I’ve got you.” Cradling him to her chest, I watch while I pull out the bags from the back as she rocks him back and forth, ignoring the biting winds and freezing temperature. Right now, he’s the only thing in her world that matters, and I think it’s this that cracks me open.
It’s humbling seeing the complete adoration and love for someone who means the world to her. I’ve never seen anything like it. As an only child whose parents weren’t responsible enough to care for themselves, let alone an infant, I grew up on this mountain, was raised by my grandfather. He loved me, sure, but he wasn’t the kind of man who said, “I love you” before I went to bed every night. Didn’t mean I didn’t know; I’ve just never seen it in such a pure form before.
“Come on, you two need to get inside before you catch a cold.” Ema barely hears me as I herd them up to the door. Turning the knob, I push it open and wait for them both to enter the house before kicking it shut behind me.
“You don’t lock it?” she asks, standing just inside the entry.
Pursing my lips, I look from the door and down at myself. “Who do you think is going to try and steal from me?” Her eyes follow the same path as mine before a sinful smile works across her luscious lips, making me want to pull her into my arms and kiss her until she sighs for me.
Damien’s whimper halts any further thoughts. “Living room is through there. Why don’t you two go relax while I put this stuff away.” I don’t phrase it like a question because I know if I do, she won’t. After a minute of nibbling her lip, Ema finally nods before kicking her boots off and pulling off Damien’s.
Dropping the bags on the counter, I head back out to get the rest. Snow has begun falling in thick flakes, creating a near whiteout. Spotting movement by the woods, I see Jack, my wolf dog, come barreling through the trees like his ass is on fire. For what should be a wild animal, he hates when it snows. Usually refuses to go outside when it does.
“You’re such a fool, Jack.” He barks as I’m walking back to the house, nose to the ground because he can smell the new scent of our guests. “Be nice,” I instruct as I open the door again. “Sit.”
His tail is wagging so hard his body can’t remain still as he hears Damien still crying and Ema singing softly to him. I could listen to her sweet voice until the end of time; I just wish the boy didn’t have to suffer for her to do it.
“So, I should have told you”—I walk in the room with Jack on my heels—“I have a dog.” He grunts and tilts his head up at me. “Fine, a wolf dog.” As he walks around the couch, head down as he sniffs, Ema gasps. He’s a big beast.
“Is he safe?” she asks as Jack catches Damien’s attention. With one hand wrapped tightly around the totem, he reaches for the beast with his other, but Ema won’t let him touch Jack just yet.
“Yes. I trained him myself. Loves kids, hates snow or rain or anything that will get him wet.” Jack drops to the ground with his snout on her feet as he whines while his tail swishes back and forth across the carpet.
“Mamma, down,” Dam requests, and she reluctantly lets him go. As soon as he’s on the floor, Jack rolls over, presenting his belly to Damien.
“He also loves belly rubs.” Kneeling next to the beast, I show Damien how to scratch his belly and sides. “He’s almost five now, but he’s still just a big old puppy. When I’m not around, Jack’ll keep you safe and alert you to anyone or anything coming around.” I’m half hoping she misses the bomb I just dropped.
“A wolf dog?” Ema reaches down and scratches under his chin, making his hind leg kick rapidly with pleasure.
“Yeah, my neighbor’s husky bred with a wolf that had been sniffing around. Jack and one other survived. I took Jack, and they kept his brother.” This oddball dog has gone on every logging trip with me since I got him, but he’s getting up there in years, and having Ema and Damien around means I’d be able to leave him home where he can enjoy retirement. I don’t bring that up yet, though; Ema is nowhere near ready to hear that.
CHAPTER 3
emaleigh
After a few tears, a lot of whining, and a promise from Seb, I finally let Jack sleep with Damien. Since being introduced, the two haven’t left each other’s sides longer than it took for me to help Damien go to the bathroom. It’s kind of sweet since Jack looks like a horse compared to my son. I have the distinct feeling that if Damien wanted it, Jack would become one for him too.
As soon as they met, Damien calmed down. He wasn’t as anxious as usual. I was able to make chicken stew for Sebastian and me and a grilled cheese for Damien without having to carry him on one hip while doing so for the first time in far longer than I remember.
After making a cup of tea, I’m sitting in front of the fireplace watching the flames flicker as Sebastian gathers more wood from outside, wondering what the heck is happ
ening here. There is no doubt that we are attracted to each other. He seems to really like my son, which is a bonus, but we’re leaving; I can’t start something with him. It would be unfair to all three of us. And yet, that’s exactly what it feels like we’re doing.
Sipping at the hot drink in my hand, I listen for Damien with one ear while waiting for Sebastian to come back in so we can talk about what this is. I don’t like to mince words, which means I have to be direct.
Stomping feet alert me to the man’s arrival at the back door off the kitchen. Standing, I head that way to grab the tea I made for him. Staring down at the steaming drink, I wonder if it’s too tame for him. Maybe he would have preferred coffee.
With arms stacked full of wood as Seb pushes through the door, kicking it shut behind him, I barely let him off-load the lumber before I blurt out my question. “What are we doing? This, us, me and you...Why are we here?” I watch as he brushes the snow off his hair, still amazed that all he wore out there was a flannel shirt and gloves. I noticed he had a lot of body hair when we were here yesterday, and his remarkable muscles must keep him warm.
“What do you mean? And because I invited you and you said yes.” He quirks a brow at me as he toes off his boots and steps into the kitchen, stalking over to me. Less than a foot away, Sebastian towers over my shorter physique, forcing me to tilt my head back to meet his stare.
Swallowing, I hand over the mug. “It’s tea. I made myself a cup and thought maybe you’d want one too.” A faint grimace flashes across his lips before he hides it. “You don’t have to drink it; I wasn’t sure. Just wanted to do something nice,” I finish lamely.
Taking the offering, Sebastian downs it in one gulp before placing it on the counter behind me and then grabbing my hips in his meaty hands. Lifting me up, he puts me on the same surface and steps in closer. “Oh.” That’s all I can muster when I feel the bulge in his pants.
“From the first time you touched me at the polar plunge, I’ve wanted you. Under me, on me, in front of me. However I could have you. Showing up here saved me the time of trying to find you. I wasn’t about to let another day pass without you by my side.”
Stunned, I don’t know what to say. I had no idea he noticed me that day. He sure left an impression on me, though. “We’re leaving soon.”
He shrugs. “Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I’ll give you a reason to stay.” I don’t get to protest as his lips crash down over mine. Swooping his tongue into my mouth, I’m speechless. I’ve never been kissed so deeply, so passionately before. It’s addictive and thrilling.
His hands move swiftly to push my sweater up enough so he can slip them up my back, clutching me nearer to him so we’re as close as we can be for the moment. I whimper when I feel his impressive manhood straining against me intimately. The arousal that forces its way through my veins is surprising and welcoming. Sebastian is the first man I’ve been attracted to in years. My heart pounds against my ribs as our tongues tangle, and when I feel his hands in my hair, dragging my head back so he can kiss me more intensely, I moan out his name.
Pulling away from me with great reluctance, a growl releases from his throat as he stares down at me. “I don’t want to pressure you. Make no mistake, EmaLeigh, I want to fuck you dirty and raw, but not until you’re begging me to. Until you’re ready to admit we could be something special.” Sucking my lower lip between his teeth, he tugs on my hair again before slowly releasing me and backing up.
It’s then I see how truly imposing he is. It’s like he has a third leg in his pants. “Where am I sleeping?” I barely get the question out. My body is flushed with arousal and ready to beg him now.
A sexy smirk plays on his lips as he replies, “With me.”
“Oh boy.”
Sebastian
Torture.
Sleeping with Ema is fucking torture of the best kind. Since kissing her in the kitchen, my dick hasn’t gone down, and I refuse to relieve myself. I want her to do it for me. I want my cum to release into her body the next time I feel pleasure.
Soft moaning from the beauty next to me quickly woke me up a few minutes ago. I have no idea what time it is, only that it’s nearing morning, and I’m relieved there hasn’t been any noise from Damien’s room. I’m hoping that sleeping with Jack eases the boy’s anxieties when he wakes up, and his mom can have a break from the torment of seeing him so upset.
“Mmmm, Sebastian...” My ears perk up at Ema’s words, and I turn to see she’s shed the blanket slightly to reveal that her shirt is pushed up her belly and exposing the underside of her perky tits. Convincing Ema to sleep in the same bed as I, hadn’t been easy, but I promised her nothing would happen, and I’m having a hard time keeping my hands to myself now.
Rolling to my side, I watch her sleep. Her face is relaxed, and even while mumbling and sighing, she’s adorable. With how long it took her to get to this state, though, I have to wonder just how much sleep she’s been getting. And for how long it’s been going on.
I get the feeling that even though she lives with her parents, there isn’t much help there. That for nearly three years, she’s been doing this all on her own. Every mom needs a break, time to recuperate. And from the bags under her eyes, I can tell she isn’t getting that. I don’t expect her parents to take over her duties, but to give her some time to herself now and then wouldn’t be uncalled for. Frustration eats at me as I think about how lonely Ema’s life has been, even being surrounded by people.
Getting up from bed, I head to the kitchen to make coffee. Passing Damien’s door, I open it quietly to let Jack out, but he doesn’t even acknowledge my presence when I give a gentle whistle. Laying with Damien’s legs over his belly, the two snore in unison. Pulling it shut behind me, I carry on to my destination. It only takes a minute to get the strong brew going before opening the kitchen, dining, and living room curtains. It’s just after six in the morning, and there’s still no sign of the sun. It’s mornings like this that I usually sit on the front porch while drinking my coffee, but my desire is to be in the bedroom with EmaLeigh. Soon...soon, I’ll get to do that. For now, I collect my coffee in a mug, slip on my boots and a sweater and head out the back door to the barn, where I plan to carve out the trees on Damien’s clock and start burning the grains of wood to the right consistency.
Two feet of snow greet me when I open the back door, with more continuing to fall. Shoving the thermos in my pocket, I grab the shovel from the hook in the coatroom and begin moving the heavy snow until I’ve made a path out to the barn. Sweating by the time I get there, I drag open the large doors and flick on the light switch. Despite the freezing temperatures, I remove my sweater because my passion for woodworking always gets me perspiring.
Using my smallest chisel, I begin the painstaking task of getting every tree line right, every branch precise, and by the time I get to drawing out Ema and Damien on the surface, the sun is finally starting to rise. I check my watch to see that it’s mid-morning and decide to take a break and check on the little family in my house. A family I hope will one day be mine and grow.
Shoveling back through the newly fallen snow, I hear giggling as soon as I open the door. Jack races towards the entrance and jets out before I have a chance to walk through, causing Damien to throw himself back in a fit of laughter.
“Where’s your mom?” I ask him, and he stares up at me and blinks a few times from the floor in the dining area as I take off my boots.
“Sweeping,” he finally says, clutching the totem to his chest.
“You like that?” I nod at the wood piece, and he gazes down at it before nodding. “Want another?” He stands so quickly, he nearly falls over before toddling over to me.
Crouching down to his level, I wait for what he has to say or plans to do before moving. “More?” His one-word responses worry me a little because, surely, it should be more, but I know it’s not my place, so I won’t bring it up with Ema unless she does first.
“I’ve got lots. After breakfast, we’ll go pick out another one, okay?” He nods vigorously. “How do cereal and a banana sound?” He picked out some fruity stuff yesterday and grabbed three bunches of bananas, so I assume he eats both enough that it’s a safe option.