Chapter Fourteen

Jack was going to burn for this. He’d led Bridget to think he was staying long term while his family was hounding him to wrap things up and get back home. He wrapped his hands around the thick wire from the yarder and his leather gloves bit into his skin. He welcomed the sting of pain as he hefted the wire and turned to hoof it down the side of the hill. He relished the unrelenting work of running back and forth from the top of the hill and down a mile and a half to where the felled trees lay. Once he dragged the steel cable from the yarder down, he wrapped it around the giant base stump so they could attach the trees and haul them ski-lift-style back up to the top where the machine sat and the trucks waited to be loaded to carry the logs in for processing.

“All set,” he spoke into his walkie-talkie. The loud churning of an engine broke the relative silence of the forest and he climbed back up to grab another cable attached to the larger one to wrap around the trees. The work was brutal and exhausting and long. Jack forced his head to be mindful of every moment. He deserved this kind of work today.

Bridget loved him. She’d told him that last night when they’d made love the second time and it had driven him so crazy he’d made her come again just to hear her say it once more. There was no doubt she meant those words. She wasn’t the type to throw that around without meaning it with all she was. After she’d fallen asleep in his arms, he’d brushed kisses along the crown of her head but had held those words back. They echoed and ached in his heart, but he couldn’t allow them free. He couldn’t promise Bridget anything and she was certain to hate him once she learned what his family’s company planned to do. He needed more time to convince his father that they needed to change the way they wanted to approach this acquisition. A phone call to his dad was in order.

After securing another wire around a trunk, he pressed twice on the loud horn he had attached to his belt and the line began pulling the log up the side of the mountain. Breathing heavily, he paused for a few moments. Maybe he needed his father to come to the work site to believe that they couldn’t reallocate other workers to do this type of job. His background in construction meant nothing when it came to logging. Neither was like each other besides the fact that they were both manual labor. They both required skills that couldn’t be easily picked up. A person had to be taught and it took time to master. He was nowhere near where he needed to be and the other guys made him look ridiculous as they worked alongside him.

Yanking his thoughts back to the present, he focused on the work at hand. He had to get through today so he could put his plan into action for stealing Bridget away for the weekend. She needed a break and he needed to pamper her. She might freak out a little, but he felt confident he could persuade her to enjoy their getaway. For once, his money would serve a purpose to help him, not hinder. After all, he’d never met a woman who didn’t enjoy his wealth.

Hours later, exhausted from his exertions in the forests, Jack made his way back home. He sent a quick text to Bridget that he was too tired to hang out tonight. It wasn’t untrue, and he also wanted to tie up a few loose ends for the weekend.

The next morning he rose, rejuvenated and revived for the weekend ahead. Grabbing his bag, he tossed it into his truck and headed off to work for a half day. Once that was done, he drove over to Three Sisters and walked in. Gran, Sarah and Bridget were there and the smiles they gave him had warmth buzzing inside his chest. They had made him welcome and a part of their family, despite not knowing him for long.

“Jack, what are you doing here?” Bridget walked over to him and kissed his cheek. “This is a surprise. I thought you had to work and I wouldn’t see you until tonight.”

He grinned at her and wrapped an arm around her waist. “Well, I have a couple more surprises in store for you.”

The corners of her smile dipped down and she furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?” She stepped back and he hated the space between them.

For the first time since putting things in motion, he questioned whether or not this was a good idea. “I’m stealing you for the weekend. I thought we could go up to Portland.”

“Portland? This weekend.” She took another step back and crossed her arms. “I have to work, Jack. We talked about this. There’s the store and the festival tomorrow. I can’t just up and leave.” She closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened her eyes again, they had softened. “I appreciate the gesture, but I can’t.”

“You can,” Gran interjected. “This delightful boyfriend of yours arranged with us to cover the shifts at the store and the festival. Between myself, Sarah and Becca, we have it all sorted.”

Bridget looked between Gran and him. “You asked my grandmother to take over my work for me? Who just had a heart attack?” She shook her head and made a frustrated sound before walking off to the back of the shop.

“Shit,” he mumbled and trailed after her. He pushed through the door and found her pacing the back room. “Honeybee, I’m—”

“Stop. Don’t do that. Don’t try to sweet-talk your way out of this. What were you thinking, Jack?”

“I’m sorry. I thought it would be fun to surprise you. We’d talked about going away for a weekend and you were open to that.”

“Yes, after the fall festival season was done and Gran had more time to recover. I told you that. This store is mine. My responsibility to keep running. Mine.”

“And you do a wonderful job of everything, but you’re also burning yourself out. I know it’s hard, but you have others you can rely on. Trust them, Bridget. Let people help you.”

“I’m—”

Sarah came through the door and stood next to him. “He’s right, Bridge. You can’t do everything all the time. You need to hire an actual employee to help cover the store so you can focus on the big picture. And do things like take a weekend off to run away with your boyfriend. He worked hard to surprise you and make sure all of the responsibilities were covered. We’ve got this. Go with him. Relax. Enjoy yourself.”

She hugged her sister and whispered something he couldn’t make out. Then she stepped back and smiled at him. “Both of you have fun. Her bag is in the corner.” She pointed to where a large box sat. “Behind there.”

After Sarah left, Jack looked at Bridget. Apprehension raced through his veins and his heart thumped fast. “Honeybee?” He put all of his hope into that one word.

“I don’t like surprises.”

He blinked. “Okay. Then I guess I should fill you in on the others I have planned, huh?”

She sighed and pushed her curls off her cheeks. “No, don’t do that. I like little ones, but something like this… It’s not my strong suit. I like order and planning in my life.”

“I gathered as much, but sometimes it’s good to relinquish some of that control.”

“I know.” She reached out and slid her hand into his. “It’s hard for me, but you’re right. So I’m going to say thank you for putting all of this together and go get my bag.”

He couldn’t stop his smile and relief dripped through his limbs when she grinned back. A tiny note of anxiety still remained. Jack needed to be sure he made this weekend worthwhile or she might not agree again. He stepped in and kissed her, wanting her to know how much she meant to him. “Thank you. I’m really looking forward to taking you away for a couple of days.”

She bounced on her toes once. “I’m excited, too. Now that I’ve accepted this is happening, at least.”

 

* * * *

 

The hour drive from Fallbank to Portland was spent with Bridget peppering Jack for details on what he’d planned for them, but to no avail. She eventually subsided her interrogation and enjoyed the views of the trees and low-hanging clouds floating among them. It gave the world a gothic vibe. When there was a gap in cars, it was as if they were alone in the world.

Soon though, the firs gave way to open farmland and eventually the streets and skyline of Portland came into view as traffic picked up. He navigated while she looked around at the familiar sights of the city. “I haven’t been to Portland in a while.” She tried to remember, but it had to have been months, if not over a year. Since taking over the store, she hadn’t had much time for a day trip to go hiking or shopping or check out the food scene. “I guess I do need to make more time for taking breaks.”

Jack smiled indulgently at her. “Then think of this as your first, with more to come. I’ll try to keep the bar high to motivate you to come back to see how much better each trip can be.”

He navigated through the streets and they ended up in the heart of downtown Portland outside The Nines hotel. She ran her gaze over the Art Deco building as they hopped out of his truck while a valet assistant waited for them.

“This is a really nice hotel, Jack. Spectacular.” Expensive. The word rang through her head and she couldn’t seem to shake it. One night here had to cost a couple hundred dollars and they were staying for two? She swallowed back her apprehension.

He put his hand at the small of her back and leaned in to kiss her. “I wanted to treat you. This is our first trip together.” He winked. “I had to make this special for my honeybee.”

“You know you didn’t have to do this, right?”

Shifting his hand from her back to lace his fingers with hers, he said, “I know. I wanted to. Come on, let’s go check out the inside.”

He waggled his brows at her and she couldn’t help but laugh. “Lead the way, boyfriend.” She shook off her nerves and stepped into the opulent modern-met-Art Deco lobby. She turned in a slow circle as Jack checked in. There were statues and paintings and funky art displays paired with rich textured seating and plush carpets and playful wallpaper. It was a kaleidoscope of color and sensory input that came together in a beautiful way.

“All set.” Jack walked over and tugged her toward the elevator. “Time to go investigate our room.” He flashed her a wicked grin as he hit the button. As soon as they were inside and the doors slid shut, Jack grabbed her close and slanted his mouth over hers.

She sighed and leaned into the heat of his lips and tongue stroking against hers. Lifting her hands, she grabbed his pullover with her fists and held on as her knees trembled. His hands were at her waist, then he drifted the roughened skin of his fingertips along her back. She shivered and pressed her body along his. God, but this man drove her to abandon all sensible thought and action. What was she doing full-on making out in an elevator? Yet she couldn’t stop herself. A moan vibrated in her throat as he dipped his hand beneath the waist of her jeans to caress the top of her ass. Her whole being burned with need and when the bell dinged, they stumbled from the elevator together.

Jack glanced up for a brief moment, then walked her backward down the hall.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and let him guide her, giving her trust to him. She nuzzled close and ran her lips along the column of his throat, loving the low, rumbly noise he made when she nipped him with her teeth.

Suddenly she was suspended in the air as he tossed her over one shoulder and raced down the hall. “Jack!” She screeched and laughed. Her hair was a mess hanging down in her face and she bounced against his firm muscles with every step, but his hand on her butt kept her from falling. The urgency thrumming between them made up for any discomfort. The sounds of the key card beeping then the door opening reached her, and she wriggled.

With a grunt, Jack smacked her bottom. It made her ache and throb and turn liquid between her thighs. She stilled at the shocking sensation he’d evoked with one playful move. Before she could think too deeply about it, he plopped her onto a massive, soft bed where she sank into the downy comforter and Jack collapsed next to her. Then he was kissing her and she forgot anything else around her.

 

* * * *

 

Much later, when she surfaced from her sex-induced haze, Bridget blinked and peered around them. “Is this a suite?”

“I got us upgraded at check-in.” Jack shrugged and flopped onto his back. He turned and smirked at her. “Damn, honeybee. I’m not sure I’ll be much good this afternoon. I thought we could go walk around and check out the restaurants and shops, but my legs are still shaking.”

Heat warmed her cheeks and she swatted at him. She had gotten more feisty than normal, but who could blame a girl when she had a sexy-as-sin man in her bed to do with as she pleased? And she was very pleased. “Quit embarrassing me,” she grumbled.

“I can’t. You’re too fetching when you blush like that. I especially love when you’re naked and I get to watch the pretty pink color spread all the way down to those perfect breasts of yours.” He grinned lasciviously at her and stared at her chest.

“Jack!” She covered her face with her hands and rolled onto her stomach.

He swept a hand over her bottom and growled even dirtier words in her ear. With a groan, she grabbed his face in her hands and kissed him again.

 

* * * *

The next time they surfaced out of their lovemaking nest, the sky had darkened and Bridget’s stomach growled. Jack laughed and brushed his fingers across her still dewy skin. “I need to feed you, huh?”

She batted a pillow half-heartedly at his head. “You did wear me out.”

“I thought I worked you out,” he joked.

One dark brow rose on her gorgeous face. “Keep making jokes like that and we’ve never going to end up leaving this bed.”

He leaned up on one arm and hovered over her. “Is that a promise?” His cock sure hoped so. Despite their number of rounds in bed this afternoon, he still found himself getting aroused all over again.

Her stomach let out another rumble, this one louder than the first.

Laughing, he said, “Okay, okay. I give. Let’s get dinner and then we’ll come back for dessert.”

She twined her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. “Promise?” she asked against his mouth.

“Oh, hell yeah, honeybee.”

He tugged her out of the fluffy duvet and pillows and she looked around.

“Wow, this is massive.” She wandered into the bathroom and squealed. “Holy cow! Look at the size of the tub! And the shower! Oh! The vanity even has one of those stools to sit on while you put on your makeup!” She spun around with wide eyes. “I thought that was something that was just in movies. I don’t even wear makeup and I have to try this out.”

He followed his gloriously naked girlfriend into the bathroom and watched as she cooed over every detail. He loved it. He loved her. Now if he could figure out how he was going to keep them together, he could tell her those three words, too. She hadn’t said them outside of the bedroom and she hadn’t brought up the fact that he hadn’t repeated the sentiment to her.

A stabbing bolt of guilt shot through him. He was horrible for not being honest with her. He just needed more time. He wanted to come up with a plan to save the town and keep Bridget as his girlfriend. As more than that if things kept going so well between them. He was already picturing them with kids and cats and a massive garden she could fill to overflowing. He’d started looking at land surrounding Fallbank to find an ideal spot to build a house that wasn’t too far from town. She’d want to be close to Gran and the store.

His thoughts trailed off as she perched on the plush blue velvet ottoman stool at the vanity. His mind plummeted into all sorts of dirty, sexy scenarios and other parts of him agreed wholeheartedly. Forcing himself to turn around, he called out, “If you don’t get dressed, we are never leaving this room. We will be having sex in this bathroom in multiple places, and you will starve tonight.”

Her throaty chuckle was his only clue at her approach. She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her still gloriously naked body flush to his back. “Don’t threaten me with a good time. I’ll hold you at your word.”

He swore and started to turn around, but her stomach roaring again stopped him. “Food. You need food. Then more sex.”

She kissed his cheek. “Sounds like a plan.”

Once they had dressed, they walked out of the bedroom and into the main living area. Again, she fussed over the fireplace and plush couch and mini kitchen with a fully stocked wine fridge. Her excitement over their “upgrade” gave him another pang of guilt. He was trash for leading her to believe they’d magically gotten upgraded to the best suite in the hotel. Of course, Bridget didn’t know these were their swankiest rooms, but still. He’d reserved the suite for them. For her. To treat her in ways she’d never been treated before. He would lay the world at her feet if he could. Given the amount of money he had, there was a significant amount he could give her. And she had no idea.

For the first time in his life, being rich was something he was afraid of her learning about. It was a bizarre twist to his money being the main thing women cared about when it came to dating him. Now he had no idea how she would react. And the longer he put off telling her about his wealth, the worse this could backfire in his face.

“Should we go forage for food?” Jack held out his hand and she slipped hers into it.

“I know of this great pub a couple of streets over,” she offered. “They have amazing fish and chips and tons of beer options on tap.”

“Perfect. Lead the way.”

After leaving the hotel, they walked over to the British pub a few blocks away and into the warm atmosphere. Finding a booth, they sat together and she cuddled up against him. “Is this okay?”

“One hundred percent,” he answered and looked over the menu that a server slid onto the table as she walked by with a tray of drinks.

“I’ll be back in sec,” the server called over her shoulder.

Jack skimmed the listings and his own stomach let out a cry for food as he took in all the options. “What are you getting?”

“I’m debating between the pot pie and the veggie pasty. What about you?” She looked up at him and his heart stuttered.

How had he gotten lucky enough to find this woman? How was he stupid enough to find himself on the verge of losing her? He had to find a way to fix the acquisition of Timber Logging. This had been his project from the start. He’d find a way to save the jobs and the town and stay with Bridget. His dad could go jump in a lake if he had a problem with it.

“Jack?”

He cleared his throat and pasted a smile on his face. “Sorry. I was distracted by your beauty.”

She rolled her eyes, but he caught the light hint of pink in the apples of her cheeks.

“I’m serious. But I’m thinking the fish and chips since you said it was so good.”

“I did say that, didn’t I?” She pursed her mouth and looked at the menu again. “I’m getting the same. And a local beer. There’re too many great breweries around here to not. Plus, it helps the local economy.”

Yep, he was dangerously close to everything blowing up in his face.