Sure, the tension between us for the past months hadn’t been anger, but simmering chemistry, which decided to boil over last night. There was definitely something between us, something more than just sex.
But she tried to leave you, asshole.
Clothes dry, there was nothing I could do about her shirt. And I didn’t really want to. I loved the fact that she was wearing mine.
I had tried to keep myself busy making coffee and breakfast earlier that morning, but nothing helped. She was like a magnet and I couldn’t stop wanting her. Even now I knew her panties were in the dryer and she wore no bra and I could see out of the corner of my eye her breasts sway with every rut and bump of the damn dirt road on our way in to town.
Did she have any idea the affect she had on me?
A few minutes into the drive, Anna leaned back in her bucket seat and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry I tried to leave this morning without saying goodbye. It’s just… complicated. I don’t want a relationship, I don’t need anything mucking up my chances of getting out of Alaska. Don’t take it personal,” she added with a short glance in my direction. I perked up at the comment. Getting out of Alaska.
“Where are you going if you leave Alaska? Don’t you have family here?” I asked, eyes focused on the bumpy, pothole-covered dirt road.
“No, my dad died last year,” Anna mumbled sadly. “I figured you knew since he’d been the one to make deliveries before me. I have no reason to stay up here, aside from our house. I’ve tried to sell it, but no takers yet. Once that sells, I’m out of here,” she told me, her gaze on her intertwined fingers in her lap.
“I didn’t hear about your father. I’m sorry,” I said and let the quiet fall over us for a second.
“Thanks,” she whispered and we both settled into a comfortable silence for the rest of the drive. My brain didn’t shut off, though, as I thought about this fiery, beautiful woman who wanted to leave Alaska. Who wanted to leave me and run headlong into the chaos and noise I’d been running from for the past year.
Alaska, my middle of nowhere cabin, had become home for me. But as I tried, unsuccessfully, to ignore the passionate woman sitting next to me, I wondered how long that would remain true if she left Alaska, and me, behind.
When we arrived at the mercantile, Anna stomped inside excitedly, my clothes on her all rolled up and oddly adorable. She’s so low-maintenance, I marveled as I walked in behind her. My thoughts flew back to Victoria, to the manicures and constant hair styling. To the thousand dollar purses, to the nursery bedding. To the baby.
Nope! Not going there, Simms. Focus.
I shook off the memory and the sting that came with it and looked around the store.
I grabbed a basket by the front door and worked my way down the first shelf. I grabbed a few things I knew I needed, that I didn’t need to pay Anna to fly in. Peanut butter, toilet paper, magazines, the usual. I didn’t know how fucking boring Alaska was until I’d lived here for a few months. Now, I never underestimated the value of a good magazine.
I heard Anna’s voice at the back counter, clear as a bell. She talked in a gentle, familiar way, like she knew the person. As I approached, I heard her ask the clerk about his arthritis. The older man asked questions about her in turn, and they gossiped for a bit over other townies.
By the time I got back to the counter, I’d added only one other item to my basket and I smiled in anticipation of Anna’s reaction. She turned and watched me approach, and her eyes trailed from my boots to my forearms, exposed by my rolled-up sleeves. They lingered in all the right places and I grinned when her gaze finally reached mine just to make sure she knew that I’d noticed.
“Well? Any luck?” I asked as I leaned against the counter. The clerk smiled kindly at me, an old man with fisherman’s skin, rough and weathered. “Sorry, sir, but we don’t have the floater she needs for her craft. It’ll have to be flown in from Anchorage, and that’ll be a few days.”
Anna groaned, clearly unhappy about this turn of events. I bit my lip to keep from smiling, but failed miserably.
“It would appear we are stuck together for the week, Ms. Jackson. Is there anything you want to pick up? I’ve got a few staples, but feel free to add to the basket.” Right on cue, Anna peeked into the basket, where her eyes fell on the large box of condoms I had placed right on top. She rolled her eyes and made a very unladylike noise in the back of her throat. I chuckled as she stomped off down the food aisles and I unloaded my loot on the counter.
As we piled the bags of basic goods into the back of my truck, I heard Anna’s stomach growl. I chastised myself as I realized she hadn’t eaten much. I’d cooked breakfast, but she’d barely nibbled on a piece of toast. She hadn’t complained, but I knew that wasn’t her way. She was a challenge, an enigma I would be forced to unravel until she trusted me to take care of her.