Christmas Escape

Chapter Ten

Peyton

The days went on in the same way. I would wake up after a night of dreamless sleep, feeling like I was being held in a warm embrace. I’d join Micah in the kitchen to help him make breakfast and then to prepare dinner. Sometimes Micah would do bookwork while I cleaned the rooms of those that had left that morning.

I couldn’t stop smiling. I’d never felt so relaxed before. I spoke to Mom and Dad every day to keep them in the loop. I couldn’t wait for Christmas morning, when I knew that they would arrive to join me in Badger Valley. It was the first Christmas I would have had with them since I was a child.

Mom and Dad said that they hadn’t heard anything about the case against Jason, only that he was in jail, because he hadn’t been able to afford the bail. I was relaxed. I knew that I couldn’t stay like this forever, I was going to have to find a job and a home to live in more permanently.

I’d been at the lodge for a week when I found Micah in his office after I finished cleaning one of the rooms and bathroom. He was frowning at the screen of his laptop. Glasses perched on his nose. His blonde hair was tied into a messy bun at the back of his head.

He was a really good-looking guy. So different to Jason. Where Jason’s body had been forced to be muscular by hours spent at the gym and pumping his body full of steroids, Micah had a naturally muscular build that was a little soft around the middle. I liked it a lot. The more time I spent with him, the more I would find myself taking notice of all the little things. Like how his nose would scrunch when he was concentrating. Or how he would lick his bottom lip as he kneaded pastry.

I found it all sexy. I didn’t think I was ever going to even want to get close to another man after Jason. But with every moment I spent with Micah, I found myself thinking less about Jason and wanting to get to know Micah more.

Micah glanced up at me and leaned back in his chair with a groan. He twisted cracking his neck and stretching his arms above his head. “I hate paperwork,” he groaned.

I giggled and entered his office. Reaching out with my one unplastered arm I began to knead his neck and shoulder. Micah dropped his head forward with a moan. “Oh, I’ll keep you if you do that,” he said with a chuckle.

I laughed and continued to knead at the tight muscles. “I’m not much good with only one hand.”

“It still feels good,” he said huskily.

My tongue ran over my bottom lip as the atmosphere seemed to thicken around us. I honestly didn’t know what I was doing or if this was even a good idea. But I couldn’t seem to stop my heart. It wanted what it wanted, and I felt powerless to stop it.

Micah placed his hand over mine stopping the massage and turning in his seat to look at me. “How are you doing? Really?” he asked.

I looked down into his dark blue eyes. “I’m honestly doing well. I’m surprised. You have made me feel so free here.”

Micah smiled and nodded his head. “I’m glad. I want you to heal. I want you to enjoy your freedom. I want you to see that here you are safe.”

Micah stroked his thumb over my hand that he still held in his. Butterflies were taking flight in my stomach. “I. um, I don’t know what I’m doing Micah and I’m probably going to mess everything up, but I really like you.”

Micah didn’t say anything but continued to watch me. He studied my face. His hand warm engulfing mine. “I like you too. But” he started, and I felt my heart start to plummet into my stomach. “I’m worried that this is moving too fast for you.”

I sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Micah I never loved Jason. I fell out of love with him the first time he hit me. We were together since we were fifteen. He first hit me when I was sixteen. But I felt like I was stuck. By the time he did this to me, I hated him. I prayed he would one day just kill me so it could be over.”

Micah winced at my words. He slowly stood from his seat and let go of my hand. Gently he ran his fingers up over my cheeks and held my face carefully. The bruises were barely visible now. He looked down into my eyes.

“So, if I was to kiss you, it would be alright?” he said licking his bottom lip nervously. I followed the movement before looking up into his eyes.

“Yes,” I replied huskily.

Slowly, giving me enough time to back out, Micah leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. His lips were warm and soft. The prickle of stubble on his chin scratched at my skin deliciously. I opened my lips and licked across the seam of his mouth. My eyes closed and I sunk into the kiss. Micah tangled his tongue with mine. He didn’t move his hands from my cheeks as he continued to kiss me more passionately than I had ever been kissed before. When he pulled back, I was out of breath. I looked up at Micah with a shy smile.

“I think we need to do that again,” I whispered. Micah barked out a laughed and pulled me into his chest.

“Yeah, we do,” he agreed as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

For the first time since I could remember I felt completely happy. Completely whole. It was a unique feeling. One that I loved and didn’t want to give up any time soon.