PART 4 CHAPTER 170 JESS
The warmth in Eric's cabin settled aroundlike a blanket, the steady crackling of the fire adding a comforting
rhythmn to the quiet. | took a deep breath, feeling the familiar flutter of nerves, but | pushed them down,
determined
to just enjoy this night. | reached for the bottle of red wine on the kitchen counter and poured two glasses,
watching the rich liquid swirl in the firelight.
Eric was crouched by the fireplace, adding another log. He'd been so incredibly patient, never pushingor
makingfeel like | had to rush. It was nice-calming in a way | wasn't used to.
Taking a deep breath, | walked over and settled onto the thick rug beside him, handing him his glass. He turned
to me, his eyes crinkling as he accepted it. "To a perfect night," | said, raising my glass. His smile grew, and he
clinked his glass to mine.
| took a sip, savoring the warmth spreading throughas the wine mixed with the fire's heat. "This place is
beautiful," | said, taking in the cabin. "When you said 'cabin," I'll admit | thought you meant ssmall, spider-
filled shack with no electricity. But this... this is gorgeous."
He laughed, his dimples deepening. "I'm Glad it lives up to your expectations. | designed it myself years ago, and
| wanted something entirely off the grid." He gestured around the room, pride shining in his eyes. "It letsstay
out here, away from everything." | nodded, impressed. "How do you work with no signal out here?"
"In the winter, | spend more tin the city," he explained, his tone easy, "because the weather messes with the
signal. But csummer, I'm here, and the connection is usually great."
| glanced at my phone, where my messages were still stubbornly unsent. "No luck for me, though," | muttered, a
little more disappointed than | wanted to admit.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEric shrugged, smiling. "It'll probably go through in the morning. The weather's been unpredictable."
| nodded, letting it go. The fire had warmed the entire cabin, and | slipped off my coat, draping it over the arm of
a nearby chair. | noticed Eric's gaze flicker to my shoulder, where the thin strap of my tank top clung snugly
against my skin. I'd picked it on purpose, a small reminder to myself of why | was here.
This is what | wanted, | reminded myself, taking another sip of wine. Eric had waited and had been nothing but
understanding and gentle, and tonight, | wanted him to see | was ready for this.
We just sat like that, sipping wine and listening to the wind and the fire crackle. The last bit of light filtered out,
and the cabin becthis cozy little haven.
| was about to say something when Eric took my glass of wine and placed it on the table behind me, leaning over
me. | stared at him, then his mouth and back up to his eyes.
Eric leaned in. His lips were soft at first, his kiss tender and inviting. | leaned into it, trying to let go of the
fluttering nerves twisting inside me. He deepened the kiss, his tongue grazing
25.485
mine. His hands moved to my waist, fingertips slipping just beneath my shirt. His mouth traveled down my neck,
warm breath ghosting over my skin. My body stiffened as | tried to relax, to be present, but something just
wouldn't let me.
He pulled back slightly, eyes searching mine. "Relax, Jess," he murmured, his voice soft and steady. "We don't
have to do anything you're not ready for. | know it's been... a while. You can trust me."
| swallowed, feeling my pulse race even as | nodded. "It's not that," | said quickly, scrambling for an excuse. "I,
um... | think I just forgot something upstairs. Giveone sec?"
| shot to my feet and made a beeline for the stairs, clutching my phone and hurrying up to the small bedroom.
The polished wood floor was cool beneath my feet. | placed my phone on the dresser and stared at my reflection,
catching my own wide- eyed, slightly flushed face. | took a deep breath, hands braced on the edge of the
dresser.
"Con, Jess," | whispered, closing my eyes for a second to steady my breathing. "You're ready for this. You
like him; he's a good guy. This is normal, so why are you acting like you've never done this before?"
My eyes drifted down, and | found myself laughing softly. It's not like you're sclueless teenager; you're an
adult, and you've had sex before. But the thought only brought Aiden's face flashing into my mind, then Luke's,
both tangled somewhere in my memories. But the Aiden and... Luke. | shook my head, trying to shove them both
from my thoughts.
"Okay, no thinking about Luke or Aiden," | muttered. "Think
08.51
PART 4 CHAPTER 170
about Eric. Erio. He's here now, and he's everything I said | wanted.
| gave myself a firm nod, exhaling as |
straightened my shoulders. | could
do this; | wanted todahis Erie Ws
ajgenuihelfhice guy, thoughtful,
2 . '
patient-everything I'd told myself |
needed. So why did | still feel so...
off? The content is on
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmnovelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Pushing down the last tendrils of
hesitation, | smoothed my hands
over my top and Shere yO Mm
Shoei my choice, my
decision. | wanted to be with Eric. |
had to focus on him and let the rest
of it go. | could do that. | would do
that. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
| took one last look in the mirror,
og AN
willing my nerves {osetie (Its it,
I G p
whigpetedOJus think about E The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!