Page 28 of Mountain Dreams

Just then, the front door of the cabin he was loitering in front of opened, jolting him out of his daydream. He rolled down his window the rest of the way and greeted the guest. “Morning. I’m here to do some touch-up painting.”

“Right,” the man said. “My girlfriend and I are just leaving.”

Cody’s work was on the outside of the house, specifically the front door and around the windows, but he didn’t argue, especially given the state he was in.

“Take your time. I have to unload some supplies.”

The man nodded and went back inside.

As Cody opened the truck gate, he chastised himself for behaving like a horny teenager. He’d done the same thing in American history class, drifting off during the lectures and daydreaming about Maddie instead. He’d glance over at her profile, noting how serious she was, and wonder what she’d be like when she let her hair down.

She’d worn reading glasses, and she’d carefully remove them from the case and slip them on, seemingly embarrassed by them. If she only knew how much the glasses added to his fantasies! She had that sexy buttoned-up-librarian vibe, and he’d wanted to muss her up. He’d envisioned her buttons popping as he ripped open her shirt and her whipping off her glasses and tossing them aside. In reality, she would have carefully removed them and set them somewhere safe so they wouldn’t get broken. He smiled at the thought of it.

During class, he was grateful that his arousal was hidden underneath the desk, and she seemed oblivious to the reaction she caused. They talked, laughed, and flirted (well, mostly him), but they never crossed the line, nor did he get the impression that she wanted to. In a way, it was a refreshing change from a lot of girls in school, who’d made their interest in him crystal clear.

Somewhere along the line, he realized her friendship was more important to him than getting in her pants, but that didn’t mean he stopped fantasizing about it. Then, about halfway through their senior year, she started dating Wyatt, which was the equivalent of throwing a bucket of ice-cold water on a fire. A few embers remained, but mostly the fire had turned to ash.

He’d become resigned to the idea that she’d never be more than a friend, and he’d learned to be okay with that. However, now that she’d come back into his life without Wyatt, the flame was flickering to life again.

As he climbed the porch steps with his painting supplies, the guests came out the front door.

“Enjoying your stay?” he asked.

“Very much so,” the man said.

“It’s so beautiful here. I never want to leave,” his girlfriend enthused.

Cody smiled at the familiar sentiment. The Smoky Mountains had been his home since birth, and he couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

“We’re only here for a few days,” the man said.

“To celebrate Valentine’s Day.” His girlfriend smiled up at him.

Valentine’s Day. Why did Cody keep forgetting? Oh, right, because he’d never celebrated the holiday before. At least, not since elementary school when he’d been forced to distribute valentines to his classmates, even the ones he didn’t like.

“It’s not until tomorrow, but you know how women are. They make it into a week-long celebration,” the man teased.

“Hey!” said his girlfriend.

Cody chuckled, but he also felt a twinge of envy. The couple was obviously in love and excited to spend a romantic weekend together. What was more romantic than a cabin in the mountains? The views were spectacular, and the cabins, while rustic looking, were equipped with all the modern amenities. If someone tired of the peace and quiet, they could take a short drive to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg and enjoy the shops, restaurants, and nightlife.

He waved at the couple as they drove away, and then he got to work. The sooner he finished, the sooner he could get back to Maddie. He pried open the can, stirred the paint with a stick, and then dipped his brush in.

I wonder what she’s doing right now. Maybe she’s taking a shower… He imagined her taking off her robe and pajamas and stepping into the shower—his shower. Then she’d massage shampoo into her pretty blonde hair, the soap suds trailing down her body and pooling at her feet. Next, she’d take the bar of soap, rub it into a lather, and run her hands over her body. What would she think of when she touched her breasts? Would she remember how her nipples hardened at his nearness? When she moved her hands down, would she pause between her legs? Would she pleasure herself, knowing that she was all alone in his house?

A car drove past and shook him out of his musing. This was getting ridiculous! He hadn’t thought about her like this in a long time, so why now?

Duh. Last night, she slept in my cabin, and right now, she could be naked in my shower!

As he brushed red paint on the front door, he thought of Valentine’s Day and the woman who, as luck would have it, he’d be spending it with this year. He would never have guessed he’d be spending the romantic holiday with his high school crush…

Ten

After Maddie recovered from the embarrassing incident in the kitchen, she went upstairs to take a shower. She gathered some clothes and toiletries and went down the hall to the bathroom. She hung her clothes on the hook on the back of the door and set her cosmetic bag on the counter, but then she had an idea.

She went back into the hall and turned toward Cody’s room. He’d left his bedroom door open, and she peered inside with a mix of excitement and guilt. I won’t touch anything. I’ll just look around.

She stepped inside, feeling like a teenager entering the bedroom of a boy she liked. The first thing she noticed was that he’d made his bed, and neat freak that she was, it made her smile, especially since he could have left it for the maid.