Lover's Crest: Part One

When Joe had told me about Lover's Crest, the property he and his late wife had dreamed of restoring and offering as a paradise for couples, I wasn't prepared for the beauty of the Oregon coastline from it's viewpoint. The turn-off from the main road led to a dwindling unpaved road that was scarcely more than a path, and it gave the impression of a secret place, though in definite need of improvement.

Since Joe was offering up the property as a place I could work and stay in one place for awhile, I took in many details of work that needed to be done, and that was before I got to the house and four cottages. Joe was in front of me, and pulled his vehicle to the side in front of a gate made of logs, and it was long past time for replacement. I withheld comment and got out and followed him on foot.

A quick run-through of one cottage, and then the main residence, and all the while my friend turned new employer outlined the work. I didn't even have a fucking tablet to take notes. He finally turned as we exited the house, and told me he didn't expect me to remember, and he sure didn't expect me to do all the work.

"You can hire anyone you might need. Get anything you need," he said.

I knew little of my workout friend, but he clearly wasn't concerned with the expense. I followed him towards the sound of the sea. We got to the edge of the crest of trees, and a barrier fence lined the edge. He mentioned that it would also need replacement. The view? The view was fucking amazing and I felt emotion stir in my chest.

"You feel it, don't you, Mac?" Joe asked, looking at me from the corner of his eye.

I told him about Kris.

That was two days ago, and it had taken all I had to hang on to the secret of Lover's Crest, but then I finally let Kris know I would be working not too far away, and the work might last awhile. I asked her if she would like to see it. Her joy that I would not be taking off for work several hours away was written on her face and showed in the sudden lightness of her step. 'My God, she does love me,' I thought.

I hadn't kissed her in so long, it seemed. Now, I grabbed her arm, and when she looked into my eyes, I saw wonder, love, the questioning of her heart...

I pulled her to me, a little rougher than I intended, and looked hard into her eyes. She said my name, and the end of it was caught in my kiss, my mouth open and desiring her in every way. I sensed her briefly tense, and then soften into my arms, her mouth and body open and warm, inviting me, letting me know she wasn't afraid. No, she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

I broke off from the kissing after a moment, and said, "I think I should show you where I will be working before we lose daylight."

She was clearly disappointed, but agreed that she wanted to know where I would be at. I had told her very little about Lover's Crest, including the name.

Joe was leaving as we arrived, quickly meeting Kris and telling me he could understand why I had been keeping her a secret. He kissed the back of her hand, winked, and left us.

I showed Kris the four cottages quickly, and the view from the crest of the ridge. I showed her the trail winding down to the beach.

"Mac, this place is a piece of heaven! I can't wait to see everything get upgraded! Oh, I love this! I wish I could live somewhere like this."

I told her I would be staying on the property during the renovations, and she asked, "Do you have to? It's only about twelve miles from my place. You can sleep there and drive over, can't you?"

I told her I thought it would be be much better for me to just bring my stuff and stay in the main house, in which I already had a room I could use. After I said that, I told her to come do a walk through of the house, and she followed, but slowly. She was less enthusiastic now, drifting through the mostly empty rooms without comment. Then I opened the door to one room, and told her, "Kris, this could be your room, if you want to come stay out here, and work on your art projects here."

Her eyes were moist. "My room? And you have your room?" She swallowed, and took a deep breath, "Mac, I know we haven't been DOING ANYTHING, but it has really meant so much to me for you to be sleeping and close to me in my bed. Are you trying to say you want to stop? You don't even want to just BE in the bed with me, even if we do absolutely NOTHING?!"

The tears refused to be held back.

"Kris," I said, "Kris, what are you talking about? This room is yours. It is yours for you to use for your art projects, or whatever you want. Come here, come here, I want to show you something."

I took her out into the hall, and walked to the end, opening the larger than regular size ornately carved wood door, and had her walk in with me.

There was only a bed, and a small table for two. The table was set, and had a rose, wine with glasses, and a small tray of fruits and cheeses. The bed was large, seeming larger because of it's beautifully carved Myrtlewood headboard and footrest. The bed was freshly made, all in white, with large fluffy pillows, and a white down comforter.

"Kris, this room is OURS."