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I choose this very moment to step on something sharp. Yelping, I lunge forward to keep from cutting my foot any deeper. Before I know it, I'm tumbling forward....
And River, the dashing man that he is, actually catches me.
He hauls me to him, and I'm suddenly staring into his gorgeous sapphire eyes. There is warmth there, a playful twinkle. I step forward again, pressing my hips against his. He surprises me then, because he's half-erect. I know all too well what his long, proud cock looks like.
I've only fantasized about it every night since I saw it.
Looking into River's eyes, there is a moment of connection. He seems to know what is on my mind.
I press up on my toes to meet his lips. He makes a muffled sound of surprise but he responds, his warm, soft lips against mine.
Then he pulls away and looks down at my foot. "You're bleeding," he says gently. "I think you stepped on something that cut your foot."
I pick my foot up. Sure enough, there is a decent amount of blood seeping out of a gash just below my toes. Now that I am focused on it, there's a very mild burning sensation. "Fuck." I grimace.
In the next second, River shocks me by sweeping me up in his arms and carrying me back toward where we left our shoes. He leans down and whispers in my ear, “Now I’m going to take care of you. Just hold on and enjoy it, Pearl.”
So I take his advice and try to feel cared for.
Nineteen
River
Isit on the patio of Pearl’s Airstream trailer, my mind wandering. I left work early and came back here, but Pearl’s not home yet. I brush the pine needles off the table and kick my feet up.
I look at Pearl’s yard. It’s evident that she has put in some time here. There are several bright pink flamingo lawn ornaments set up on the lawn, and around each of them Pearl has planted several concentric circles of pink and blue pansies. The decorative shrubs next to her trailer have been carefully trimmed. The mailbox at the end of the gravel driveway is freshly painted. The little white picket fence that runs around the Airstream is in pristine condition.
I have some misgivings about living here, even temporarily. But I will say this: it might be a trailer, but it’s a well-loved home.
Pursing my lips, I pull out my phone. Speaking of my arrangement with Pearl being temporary, I need to pull the trigger on the next phase of my plan. It’s that, or I have to get used to living in this damn trailer forever.
I compose a text to Sam.
Since I am engaged now, will I gain access to my trust? Cole said that he did when he got engaged.
I put my phone down on the table and fold my hands on my stomach. Looking around the wooded area, I wonder if I should be worried about ticks. Especially because I am going to have to go for a run in these woods very soon. I usually run on my name brand treadmill and lift weights in my home gym, also known as my home office.
But there is no room for a treadmill in Pearl’s trailer. No room for most of my things, even though I live relatively simply.
My phone buzzes. It’s a text from Sam.
Sam’s text messages always end as though he were writing a letter. I’m pretty sure that he programmed his phone that way fifteen years ago and never thought about it again.
Hello River. I am not convinced that your engagement is real. However, your mother has told me to get the stick out of my ass. So I will call the trust fund manager and start the process of thawing your trust. Yours in Christ, Sam Bennett.
I pump my fist triumphantly and hiss, “Yes!”
Gravel crunches on the road, alerting me to Pearl’s return. I sit up, dusting my jeans off to remove the clinging pine straw from the pines all around the trailer.
Pearl pulls her car up along the yard, and huffs as she gets out. She glares at my big truck in the driveway. “River,” she scolds. “It’s not right for you to park in my driveway.”
Getting to my feet, I spread my hands. “Why? I live here now.”
She balls her mouth up and marches up the steps to her trailer. “It has been a long day already.” She unlocks the door and steps back, waving me inside. “I still have a lot to do today. Please don’t make my life harder.”
I feel a pang of guilt. Here I was, thinking about me. Now that I look at her, Pearl does look quite tired. “Give me your keys. I’ll go move my truck and park your car in the driveway.” I put my hand out.
Her expression is pained. She shakes her head. “No, thanks. I just want to move on. It’s nice of you to offer, though.” She gives me a look as she points in the trailer door. “Are you coming?”
