The drive to Carter's parents house seemed to take a year. All at the hands of the dead silence in the car, besides hearing Denver snore. I can't understand how Carter could seem so interested, always watching me, but yet keeping his distance. It makes me feel a bit weird. A small reminder of how unwanted and undesirable I felt with Nick. This entire car ride I noticed he was spaced out, thinking about something or someone clearly not here. But I pushed those thoughts aside. I am not here to try to pursue any type of relationship with him anyway. I am no where near ready to let a man in my life, and fall back into the submissive ways.
We pull up to the house, and I am in awe. I grew up in the hills of California on a ranch, our house sleeping five people but not break 1,500 square feet. Our barn may have been bigger than our home. And this house seems to be at least six times the size of that. It's clear the amazement is shown on my face with the look Carter gives me. I have also been one to show my emotions on my face, no matter how hard I tried not to.
We both get out, and I let Denver out of the back. He starts running around picking at the grass, and throwing it up in the air. We walk up the front steps, and I click my tongue signaling Denver to follow, and he does. Carter looks at me questionably, "Denver knows what you want from him by just a click of the tongue?"
"Yup I swear the dog can read my mind," I respond. In reality, Denver and I have spent every day together since he was 8 weeks old. And most of those days we spent training. He very well can read my mind, or at least assume what I want him to do.
Walking in I see Dr. Reese, and Mr. Reese in the kitchen. They are giggling at something on the counter in front of them, and Mr. Reese spins her around to plant a kiss on her lips. Once they see us come into view, they stopped and Dr. Reese came over to greet me. "Hello my dear!" she says excitedly.
"Hi Dr. Reese" I respond, "Thank you for having me over for dinner."
"Oh of course! and please call me Lori," she says with a wink.
The people here seem to be so much more welcoming than back home. Or maybe they're serial killers and I am setting myself up for a wild ride. Who knows.
We sit down at the table, Carter to my right and his parents across from us. Denver comes over and lays directly on my feet, our normal routine. We had the most delicious spaghetti for dinner, laughing and talking the entire time. Dr. Reese, or Lori, spent a good twenty minutes filling in her husband and son on my educational and career endeavors I have had so far. She speaks of me like she is a proud mother, which surprises me but fills me with a warm feeling. Carter has moved his chair closer to mine by the centimeter every few minutes. As he rests his hand on his lap, his forearm and elbow are nothing more than an inch over my skin.
With this motion, I feel the heat radiating between our bodies, causing excitement to stir within me and dirty thoughts play in my mind. It's almost like he sensed it, I look over to see a smirk on his face and his arm lowers to rest on my leg. The sparks fly once again, and the warmth goes directly between my legs. How embarrassing. I haven't been touched in so long a simple arm on my leg has me turning into a horny bitch. Carter has his eyes closed, and I stare at him with confusion. Looking forward again I see both of his parents have left the table, when? I don't know.
Carter opens his eyes and looks directly into mine, "Are you ready to head back to the cabin now?" he asks. I notice his cheeks look flushed just as much as mine.
"Yeah that would be great" I say offering him small smile in order to break the tension.
Without another word, he stands and grabs his plate as well as mine and quickly walks to the kitchen. Before I can push my chair in, he is walking towards the door with Denver hot on his trail. Damn dog. I thank his parents, Lori giving me a big hug. We get back in the truck, and start on our way.
This time however, I wasn't going to sit in silence for the entire ride. I grabbed the cord connected to the dash and plugged my phone in. I click shuffle on my playlist and set my phone down between us. The first song to play is "Ready to Run" by The Chicks. How fitting. I sit back and quietly sing along. With a quick glance over, I see Carter with a big grin on his face. Embarrassed but not willing to admit it, I shook him a glare. "What are you laughing at?"
"I'm not laughing I am smiling, but I like your singing" he says sending me a flirtatious look.
Uh oh. That look is enough for me to forget my whole plan. "I wasn't singing" I said with a blank look.
"Mhmm" he responds followed by a wink. The warm feeling in my stomach was back. A feeling I was longing for for nearly a year with Nick. A feeling that I have had multiple times today with a guy I barely know. The world works its wonders for me I guess.
A few more songs play through, and we arrive at the cabin. I can't wait to hop in the shower and put on my pajamas. I walk into the house making sure Denver is with me and not his new best friend. We go into my room, Denver hopping on the bed and curling up on the pillows. I remove my boots and belt, tossing them next to the dresser. The bathroom has a door into both bedrooms, so I make sure to lock the door into Carter's room. I turn on the shower, and strip naked piling the clothes on the floor.
I step under the water and warmth encompasses my skin, tingling as the water increases temperature. I probably was in there for an hour, time was no concept to me. But as I got out, I finished my nightly routine for my skin and curly hair. I put on my grey spandex shorts I sleep in, and my brother Cody's large shirt, tucking the front into the shorts.
I make my way to the kitchen to see if there is any ice cream. Thankfully Carter isn't anywhere to be seen, he must be in his room. I still sneak around the counter, hearing the clicks of Denver's nails as he follows me. I open the freezer, so not quietly and begin searching. Perfect. Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. I pull it out, and begin opening drawers to find a spoon and ice cream scooper. Well there's a spoon but no scoop. I look at the ice cream debating whether or not I should just go for it out of the carton. "You can just eat it out of the carton if you want," Carter said behind me. As he speaks I drop the spoon and carton onto the counter and jump.
"Jesus fucking christ bro" I say before catching myself placing a hand over my mouth. Wow. So classy I know.
He gives me an amused look, "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you."
"It's okay, I didn't realize you were here I thought you were sleeping or left" I said.
He pulled back a chair and sat down at the island, and I grabbed a second spoon handing it to him. I lean on the counter with my elbows, the ice cream carton between us. He looks at me surprised, but digs a spoonful out. "So what are you doing here?" he questions.
"What do you mean?"
"Well this is a small town in no where Alabama, not many new people come through here to stay." he says taking another spoonful of ice cream.
I look past him, thinking of the best way to put the situation. "It was just time for me to move on from my home town, so I started driving. This place reminds me a lot of home, but not exactly the same. So I decided to stop here."
"Oh that makes, you look like you'll fit in here just fine. Don't you have anyone at home that will miss you though?" he says.
I step back and place my hands on the counter, causing Carter to give my outfit a once over. He takes a second look at my large mens t-shirt and furrows his brows. "Yeah my parents back home probably miss me, and I know my older brothers do. I miss them too," I saw gesturing towards the shirt, and see Carter's face relax.
"No boyfriend?" he asks while looking down at the spoon in his hand.
"Nope. Not anymore" I saw with a bitter laugh. At this point I have came to terms with what happened. I still miss Nick, but not the Nick I left a few days ago. The Nick that had been by my side as a child is the Nick that I miss. And it's just a thought, there is no chance that Nick will be at home waiting for me.
Carter looks into my eyes, and I can tell he knows a nerve was struck with that one. He gives a dismissive nod and points toward the couch. A perfect exit out of that conversation. I plop onto the cushion Carter was sitting on earlier and he gives me a look. Someone is particular. I scoot over and he sits down in "his spot." I grab the remote and hit the power button, NCIS turns on instantly so I just put the remote back down. He laughs, "You really like this show."
I throw him a sideways look and rest back into the couch, digging my spoon into the ice cream between us. I click my tongue twice and Denver runs from the bedroom hopping on the couch next to me. I stretch my legs out and lean towards Carter and the pillow propped between us. Without hesitation Carter puts the ice cream on the coffee table and rests back placing an arm over my body. I lay my head on the pillow, and Denver crawls up my side pushing his head in my armpit as usual.
A few minutes pass and I feel myself growing tired, I am petting Denver's head slowly and he starts to snore. Carter laughs and I look up to see him looking at us longingly. Almost a look of love. I close my eyes, I must be hallucinating. I feel him staring at me still and his hand falls onto my back and begins to rub small circles. The same fire as every touch before returns, the repetitive motion giving me a feeling of bliss. I slow my breathing to calm down and slowly drift to sleep. Carter moves his hand up to my hair and pushes the strands behind my ear. With this I fall into a deep sleep. My last thought being..what have I gotten myself into.