When the truck stopped, I realized we’d reached the front, and together both Landon and I slid out of the driver’s side. He gripped my waist to ensure I landed safely from the monster of a truck.
It was strange to witness him withdrawn and hesitant. I didn’t like it and made it my sole purpose of this trip to remind him just how much he and I were what mattered the most.
Hand in hand, we walked toward the large glass doors that led inside a massive welcoming space. Upon entering, two women looked up and offered us a smile. “Welcome to Forrest Hills,” the younger of the two offered, looking more toward Landon than me. He’s a good-looking guy, I knew, so it didn’t surprise me.
“You two are simply adorable,” the older woman chimed in and gained my attention. “Newlyweds?”
“No.” I looked over at Landon to see if the idea of it freaked him out, and he seemed unfazed. “We’re here for—”
“A romantic getaway with my gorgeous girlfriend.” Landon stepped around and slid in behind. “I have a cabin reserved through Sunday afternoon. Under Layne.” He pressed a kiss to my temple and willingly took in the closeness. The entire four hours in a truck traveling he’d barely talked and when possible all I was given was a quick kiss. I’d missed his attention and hoped that he was over his sulking so we could finally move on.
“Here we are.” The older woman turned to gather a key that hung on a long chain with a number attached. “The cabin has been stocked with all the items you requested. Here is the map of the property so that you are familiar with all we have to offer. Food, activities,” she grinned wider, “if you decide you’d like to venture outside of Cupid’s Hideout.”
Wrinkling my forehead, I looked back over my shoulder to see Landon gleaming. That smile I’d seen very little of had returned. “We’ll take the map just in case, but I’m not sure how much of the outdoors we’ll be exploring.”
I nudged him with my elbow in his stomach, his chuckle deepened, and the woman gave her own humored tuck of her chin to hide her smile.
“In that case, this is a list of the items that can be ordered for delivery to the door of your cabin if you should need anything more than what we’ve already stocked. We hope that you enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you.” Landon grabbed the key before I could and quickly nudged me forward. Once we were tucked back into the cab of his truck, we followed the signs that led us to our cabin. Sure enough, it was hidden back in the wooded area, surrounded by tall, full trees that gave us the seclusion I thought he was hoping for.
Putting his truck in park, he turned off the engine and started to open up his door. “Wait.” Placing my hand over his thigh, I paused to ensure he remained inside before looking up. “If I go inside with you, I need you to promise me that it’s just us in there.” His nostrils flared, but he remained quiet. “I need you to let go of this insecurity and irritation and stop picturing some dream in your mind, because I can promise you that what took place when I was seventeen with a guy who just happens to be a fellow firefighter of yours is nothing that you have managed to conjured up. It was nothing amazing, nothing earth shattering, so make me a promise right here and now that the minute we walk up the steps of that cabin, it’s over and gone. You’ll stop picturing things you don’t need to picture and instead you’ll be here with me and me only.”
“Okay.” Landon leaned in and pressed his lips to mine, and for the first time, it felt like he’d finally relaxed. His tongue brushed along my sealed lips, and immediately I parted mine to accept his. “But I can’t promise you that at some point I won’t end up hitting the guy.” I laughed against his lips, and he kissed me with more force, gripping the back of my neck to hold me close.
“How about we move this inside?”
“I like the sound of that. In fact, we should hurry it along.”
We walked up the steps side by side, and Landon used the key to unlock the door and pushed it open. Sunlight filtered in through all the windows that lined the back of the cabin, and I paused to take it all in. The smell of cleaning products, something lemon fresh, filtered through the air. The deeper we got, the more I fell in love. There was a small bedroom tucked back in the corner with a four-poster bed and canopy. Long flowing sheer material hung along the top and dragged the ground at each corner. Deep reds and cream filled the space. There was also a large jacuzzi in the opposite corner where the structure of the cabin formed an octagon shape that was surrounded by large windows. Thankfully, there was nothing more than woods outside.
There was a small kitchen, and a living room with a wood-burning fireplace and a lovely back porch we could sit out on late at night.
Turning to face him, I found him watching me instead of looking around. “What do you think?”
“It’s perfect.” Walking toward him, I placed my hand on his chest and lifted up to press my lips to his. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
The sound of the bags hitting the floor as they slid
