The story North told me about his grandparents was the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. When you come from a town that is Christmas all year long, there are dozens of sweet love stories. But that one is my favorite by far, and it’s no wonder a lot of people say there is magic in the air here. The longer I live here, the more I believe it to be true.
I spin the wedding band around on my finger and think to myself that it really is a beautiful ring. One I could never afford. It’s simple, but with all the diamonds around it, it looks expensive. It’s different because it’s a wedding band and usually only men wear them. Traditionally a woman has an engagement ring and then you slide the band against it during the ceremony. I guess North and I are anything but traditional.
While I ate up the story of his grandparents, I understand why North didn’t give me that ring. It’s a big deal, and it’s meant for true love. I felt a small spark when he said sometimes love has to meet in the middle, but I don’t think North has feelings that are anything like love toward me. Honestly, it’s hard to get much of a reaction from him at all.
Was the sex out of this world? Yes. Although what do I have to compare it to? He’s the only guy I’ve ever slept with. I’ve been in Troping for months, and he’s never shown interest in me before last night. That was only to see if we were compatible sexually, and it turns out that wasn't a problem at all. I thought it had to mean something, but maybe I’m mixing love and lust. At this rate, the only thing I’m going to end up with is a broken heart.
North was right about one thing. The small touches when we were out for breakfast felt natural. He’d never done that before, and when I think back on it, I realize that he never touches anyone. At the diner, he played it up, and everyone believed the story that we’re in love and got hitched quickly because of it. I’m sure the rumors are already swirling. They might think we’ve been hiding the fact that we were married or—
“What’s wrong?” I pull my eyes away from the fire to see North standing next to me. He had to step away to take a call, and he must have come back without me hearing him.
“Why do you think something is wrong?” I lick my tender lips.
“I know you, Joy. Something is on your mind.” I suppose he does. We’ve worked closely together over the past few months, and I’ve noticed North is good at reading people.
“I was only thinking about how everyone is probably gossiping about us.”
“Good. The word needs to spread quickly, then people will move on,” he says as he sits back down beside me.
“It was so quick. You know what they’re going to think?” I peek over at him.
North isn’t watching the fire because his eyes are on me. I notice he’s spinning his wedding band around on his finger too. Both of us are getting used to the feeling of it being there, and I wonder if it annoys him. Actually, I’m sure he’s happy to have the shield. Now it will be easy for him to fend off women by merely lifting his hand and saying he’s married.
“That you’re pregnant,” he says, and I nod.
They’d call it a shotgun wedding back home. He keeps staring at me, and for all I know, I could be pregnant. Though he might think I’m on the pill since a lot of women are. I never felt the need, plus my parents were strict and would’ve frowned on me getting on it without being married.
Is he waiting for me to confirm I’m on something? He doesn’t push or show a bit of worry over the subject. I suppose I should be asking about other things besides getting knocked up. I know North made it clear he hasn’t dated or ever hooked up with anyone in or from Troping and to my knowledge, with how closely we work, he hasn’t left town since I’ve been here. The man is always at work, and even on the weekends, he’ll still email and call me about random things. I usually run into him around town too.
Before last night, I would’ve guessed North is the type of man that would never forget protection. He’s always so by-the-book, but even now, there’s not a hint of worry on his face. How does he always have such a stoic expression? I’m starting to wonder if this is the expression he uses to mask what he’s actually feeling. I wish I could do the same since everything shows on mine. It's why I always glance away.
“So,” I say, licking my lips again, and his eyes drop to my mouth, “I should shower, but I don’t have anything here.”
“If you want, you can wear one of my shirts when you get out of the shower. Your things should arrive this afternoon.”
“What? My things?”
“Yes, it’s who I was talking to on the phone. Ben and Sons moving company are going to pack up your place.”
“No!” I jump to my feet because I know Ben and all his sons. They hang holiday lights around town as well.
“Don’t worry. Jenna is going to pack your clothing.” I know he means my panties and bras, and I am thankful it’s her doing that and not them.
“It’s not just that.” I wring my hands together, feeling super embarrassed.
“What?” He rises to his feet.
“There are things I don’t want them to pack,” I whisper, dropping my eyes from his.
“What things?” His hand grips my chin to pull my face back toward his. “I’m your husband. You can tell me anything, sweetheart.”
Gah, I want to melt into him at those sweet words. North was hard to resist before all the touching, and now this?
“It’s not like this is real,” I point out, more for myself than anything, and North’s grip on my chin tightens a fraction. It’s not painful, but it is noticeable.
“Do I need to remind you how real this is?” His other hand grabs my hip and pulls me flush against his body. His erection presses into my stomach, and a flutter lets loose inside of me. Sex. He’s only talking about sex, I remind myself again. “Now tell me what you don’t want the movers finding? A diary?” I shake my head, knowing my face is already getting warm. “Tell me,” he orders.
“My night stand.” I finally force the words out. “I have a toy in there.”
“What kind of toy?” He smirks, showing me that playful side I only see when it’s the two of us. One that’s only come out in the last twenty-four hours.
“It’s just ah, vibrators.”
“For your clit?” he asks for confirmation, and I nod.
“Should I be jealous?”
“Jealous?! Why would you be jealous?”
“Did you enjoy it more than me?”
“No,” I say in complete honesty because that toy will never live up to North.
A full, sexy smile lights up his face, and he clearly loves my answer. “I’m the only thing that’s ever been inside of you, aren’t I?”
“North,” I whisper.
He leans down and claims my mouth in a deep kiss that takes all the air out of me. I cling to him and let him kiss me. I love when he has control and takes what he wants. It wakes up a desire inside of me I didn’t know I had. Sure, books would pique my interest sometimes, but reading it and experiencing it are two different things.
When he breaks the kiss, we both gasp for air, and I realize my fingers have dug into his shirt. I’m clinging to him, and I never want to let go. To me, he feels so right.
“We have to stop,” he grits out and takes a deep breath before he steps back, and I let my hands fall from him.
“Right,” I agree and step back too.
“If we don’t we’ll end up in our bed and I can’t let that happen.” His words confuse me. It’s our bed, but we can’t end up in it together? I’m still not sure if I have my own room or not. All of this is confusing, and I don’t have it in me to ask the questions I should be asking. If I’m honest, it’s because I’m scared of the answers and what they could do to me.
“Okay,” I agree.
“You shower. Explore the house. I’ll be back.”
“You’re leaving?”
He is already heading out of the room, and he has to call back over his shoulder. “You think I'm going to let another man touch my wife’s vibrator?”
“No?” My response comes out as a question.
“Joy, I’m not sure what’s going on in that head of yours, but when something is mine, I can be pretty possessive of it.”
“Really?” I never thought of him as the stingy type.
“When it comes to some things, yes.” His eyes rake up and down my body with a heated gaze. “I’ll be back. Don’t leave the house.”
I don’t get a chance to respond. How could I leave? I don't have a car. The mayor's house sits on one of the mountains and has a beautiful view of the town, but it’s a good ten-minute drive if not more with the weather going up and down the road.
I’m not going anywhere.