Falling For You (Honey Leaf Lodge #1)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Violet

It was freezing outside, and I felt like I’d lost my fingers along the trail to my cabin. The soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet wasthe only sound breaking the silence. Thanksgiving dinner at the lodge had been warm and full of laughter, but now that the day’s festivities were over, I was left alone with my thoughts—and Owen.

We hadn’t said much after Vern had dropped that bombshell about Owen paying the difference to save the land. My family had been too shocked, grateful, and stunned to ask many questions. And to be honest, I didn’t know how to process it myself.

He had risked everything for us—quietly, without asking for anything in return—and the weight of that revelation had left me feeling like I’d been standing on shifting ground all night.

I was thankful, of course. But there was something more behind that gratitude, something I hadn’t been able to put into words yet.

As we reached the porch of my cabin, the soft glow of the lights inside spilling onto the steps, I realized I was alone with him again. The realization sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

Owen stopped beside me, his hand brushing against mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. The tension between us was palpable, the chemistry that had always been there simmering just beneath the surface.

“So,” I said, breaking the silence, “are you going to come inside, or are you planning to freeze out here on the porch?”

Owen’s lips curved into a slow, teasing smile. “I don’t know. Are you sure you’re ready to be alone with me in that cabin of yours? You might not be able to handle it.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at my lips. “Oh, please. If anyone’s going to be overwhelmed, it’s you. I mean, have you seen my throw pillows? They’re pretty intimidating. And I could always wear my llama costume to liven things up.”

Owen laughed, a deep, rich sound that warmed me from the inside out. “I can handle a few throw pillows. But I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous about what you’re hiding in that costume.”

I pushed open the door, shaking my head as we stepped inside.

As we walked into my cabin, the warmth from the woodstove greeted us, and the familiar scents of pine and cedar filled the air.

It was cozy, small, and undeniably Wisconsin—a sharp contrast to the high-powered world Owen had come from. And yet, here he was, standing in the middle of it, looking thoroughly at ease.

“Wow. You’ve already decorated for Christmas?”

“If I listen to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, the odds are I’m all about decorating early, too. I have to get ahead of things.” I grinned as he took in my small tree in the corner near the kitchen.

“So,” he said, leaning against the kitchen counter and folding his arms, “I guess I should tell you…”

“Oh, no. Now what?” I joked.

He grinned and laughed. “I have to fly out to Connecticut in a couple of days, take care of a few things back at the office.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Phew. That’s it? No more buying up land and building the next big surprise?”

He shrugged, his gaze flicking to mine. “I think I’ve given that side of me up. I’m just not feeling it.” He laughed. “But I haven’t been back in a while, so I must wrap up some loose ends before Christmas. And then, I plan to return here for a few days before heading out to Wyoming to spend Christmas with my family.”

Wyoming.

I hadn’t even thought about what Christmas would look like for him, or for us, for that matter. He had his own life and traditions, and here I was, still figuring out what this thing between us even meant.

“And then what?” I asked, leaning against the back of the couch and crossing my arms. “You come back here for a few days, and then you leave again?”

He raised an eyebrow, that teasing smile playing on his lips again. “Are you going to miss me when I’m gone? Is that what I’m catching in your tone?”

I scoffed, though my heart skipped a beat at the thought of his leaving. “Don’t flatter yourself. My tone?”

Owen pushed off the counter, taking a few slow steps toward me, his gaze never leaving mine. “Admit it, Violet. You’re going to miss me.”

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t stop the small smile from lifting the corners of my lips. “I’ll survive. Besides, I’ve got a blog to run, a lodge to help with, and a whole town full of people who need my attention. I’m a busy woman, you know.”

Owen was standing in front of me now, his hands resting on the back of the couch, leaning in just slightly, close enough that I could feel the heat of him. “But not too busy to think about me, right?”

I tilted my head, my heart racing as I met his gaze. “Maybe. If I have time.”

He grinned, his eyes darkening with something that sent a shiver of excitement through me. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

There was a charged moment between us, the air thick with the chemistry we’d been dancing around all night. I could feel the pull between usand how my body responded to his presence, and I knew that whatever this was between us was only getting stronger.

“Connecticut, huh?” I said, my voice softer now, though the teasing lilt was still there. “What will you do without me while you’re there?”

Owen smirked, his gaze dropping briefly to my lips before meeting my eyes again. “Probably suffer.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

He straightened, stepping back slightly but still close enough to keep the warmth between us. “But seriously,” he said, his tone a little more serious now. “I’ll be gone for a few days, and then I’ll be back here before you know it. I don’t want to be away from you for too long.”

My heart gave a little flutter at his words, but I tried to play it cool. “Well, I guess I can let you leave for a few days. Just don’t forget about me when you’re back in your fancy city place.”

Owen’s eyes softened, and he reached out, taking my hand and pulling me closer. “I could never forget about you, Vi. Not even if I tried.”

The sincerity in his voice caught me off guard, and for a moment, I was speechless.

This man, who had almost been a part of the deal that could’ve taken everything from our family, was now the person I couldn’t imagine my life without. It was strange how quickly things had changed between us, but it felt right.

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. “Good,” I said softly. “Because I don’t want you to.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice low and teasing. “Does that mean you’re going to miss me after all?”

I laughed, playfully shoving him. “Maybe. But don’t get too cocky about it.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Owen chuckled, stepping back and running a hand through his hair. “I’m looking forward to it, though. Spending Christmas with my family is important, but I’m also excited to return here. To see you.”

I bit my lip, feeling a surge of warmth in my chest at the thought of his returning to Buttercup Lake. “You’re really coming back?”

He nodded, his expression sincere. “Of course. I meant what I said earlier. I don’t want to be away from you for too long. This place… it’s different. You’re different. And I like that.”

I felt my cheeks flush at his words, the warmth of his gaze making my pulse race. “Well, I guess I’ll have to ensure the lodge is in good shape when you return. Keep everything running smoothly while you’re off playing businessman.”

Owen grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “I have no doubt you’ll have everything under control.”

We stood there for a moment, the silence between us comfortable, the tension simmering beneath the surface. I could feel the chemistry between us building with every glance and every word. It was undeniable, and I knew that whatever happened next was only the beginning.

“So,” Owen said, his voice dropping slightly. “Do you have any plans for the rest of the night?”

I raised an eyebrow, my lips curving into a teasing smile. “What in particular are you thinking? The town is closed down for the holiday.”

I sat on the couch and grinned.

“Oh, I don’t know.” He sat next to me and brushed his hand against mine again. “I’ve got some other ideas.”

I laughed, realizing how good it felt to let go. “All right. Let me have it. Tell me what you think we ought to do tonight?”

Owen grinned. His hand slipped into mine as the warmth of his touch sent a shiver through me. “I’m ready for whatever you throw at me.”

Excitement built with every second. It was as if we were both tiptoeing around something bigger, something more, and I sensed that tonight—right here, in this cabin—was the start of something even more thrilling.

He kissed me softly as his hands skimmed my cheeks, sending a frenzy through me.

A moan buzzed against his lips as his tongue swiped my bottom lip. “This feels right.”

I nodded, kissing him harder before breaking away. “More than right.”

His eyes steadied on mine as he slid his fingers through my hair, and I smiled.

“Don’t slow down on account of me,” I teased.

He laughed, and my belly clenched as the electricity crackled between us.

Owen slid his knee toward me and cradled my chin in his palm as his lips swept over mine. His eyes locked on me, and a flutter of excitement flitted through me as he studied me in a protective way.

This was it.

This was how I imagined our first time. His loyalty and gruffness mixed with something unspoken between us, a softness.

Owen’s eyes bounced down my body as I lay back against the couch, and he nudged his leg a little closer before caging me in with his arms.

Everything about this moment was intoxicating. The closeness and awareness we had for each other created an unstoppable connection. His mouth pressed down to mine as the bond between us heightened.

Owen’s lips tasted sweet as his tongue slid deeper, and I let out a happy moan. The vibration buzzed between our lips as his hand slid under my top.

My fingers already skated across his bare skin. My thumb grazed over his pecs as a burning ache settled within me, wanting so much more.

I tugged his sweater over his head, our kisses barely stopping as he helped me with mine. His mouth skated down my neck to my breasts. Unfastening my bra, he slid it off as his lips teased my sensitive skin. His hands reached my jeans, and he expertly unbuttoned them as I shimmied them off.

I’d thought about this moment so often, and now the need was nearly crippling.

Owen kissed the soft spot on my neck as he balanced with one arm, shoving off his pants with the other as I let out a whimper of need.

He brought his mouth back to mine as he nudged my legs wider. I writhed underneath him, hoping to encourage him, but his mouth continued to tease and taunt as his fingers slid over my bare sides.

The coolness of his skin against mine, the heat of his lips against me, and the heaviness of his body sent a shiver of something unexpected.

I craved all of this man—the mental, physical, and everything in between.

He ran his hands along my bare legs, sending a wave of goosebumps over me as his lips followed his fingers.

Owen’s warm breath skated over my thighs as he came back over me. I opened my eyes to see him studying me.

“You’re so beautiful.” His voice was gruff as he slowly moved some hair from my shoulders.

“Please don’t make me wait any longer,” I said, feeling my body heat under his. “Don’t make me beg.”

His lips curled slightly. “I might like to hear what that sounds like sometime.”

I giggled as his mouth came down on mine, harder and needier than before. My fingers dug into his back as he moved slowly into me, finding the rhythm we needed. His fingers worked in between to match my breathing as I ground into him.

Owen growled a little throaty sound as my hips rolled into him at the same time he pushed deeper. The surge of emotion nearly outweighed the explosive sensations pulsating through me as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

“So amazing,” he whispered with each continued thrust as my body arched into his.

For the first time in my life, it felt like I was becoming one with another human.

A moan escaped as my body exploded in pleasure. Owen buried his lips along my shoulder as his body shuddered against mine.

And then we both collapsed, breathing hard and realizing there was no turning back.

Because here, in this cabin, with Owen by my side—I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. And when he finally had to leave Buttercup Lake, I knew it wouldn’t be the end of us.

It was finally the beginning.