Chapter 168 Chopping Wood
A few days later, Emily woke up to a grey and rainy day, but she was eager to get out of bed. It was the day of their trip.
Byron was already up, pulling a tight t-shirt over his muscular torso. He looked way too awake for the earliness of the hour.
“Today’s dress code: motorcycle gear,” he said, eyes shining eagerly.
“It’s a road trip?” Emily exclaimed.
“Yes indeed!”
They could have flown anywhere in the world on their private jet, but for some reason Emily was more excited about a trip to the nearby mountains, just like they had always done. It reminded her of the early days of their relationship when they swiftly fell in love, and she had fallen in love with everything about this landscape too. And in some ways, not that much had changed.
“It’s going to be a rugged journey,” Byron said, “but don’t worry, I’ve prepared some amenities at our destination.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” she asked.
“You don’t need to pack too much stuff, just your basic clothes.”
They left the kid and the dogs under Sylvia and Hazel’s watchful eyes. Emily wasn’t worried about them at all, just excited about the trip. She mounted her motorcycle, having packed only some clothes and a toothbrush. Soon they were zooming down the highway together on their bikes.
Emily kept her eyes on the road, glancing every now and then at the mountainous landscape, and over at Byron, riding just behind her, sometimes pulling ahead of her on his bike.
After a few hours’ ride, he signaled with his arm that there was a turn-off, and they left the highway to follow a smaller gravel road. Byron led the way, and soon they ended up in front of a Swiss style cabin nestled in a pine forest.
Inside, the whole place was decorated with fine furniture and draped with silken fabrics. Emily would never have guessed it judging by its outside country cottage appearance.
On the table in the middle of the suite sat a basket filled with cherries and chocolates.
“How did you do this?” Emily asked.
“Let’s just say one of my agents dropped it off for us.”
“I thought you said this was going to be a rugged journey,” she said, chuckling.
“But not too rugged,” Byron replied. “I know how excited you get about free treats in your hotel rooms.”
“Aww, you know me too well.”
“I have a little secret to share with you.” His eyes looked appropriately mysterious, while his lips showed the tiniest curve. “Follow me.”
They went to the back of the cabin, and Emily was surprised to find there was absolutely nothing interesting there except a pile of logs heaped into a pyramid shape against the wall.
Byron kept smiling cryptically as she looked around.
“Well, what’s the secret?” she asked.
“When you’re upset or angry about something, the best thing to do is chop wood,” he said, picking up an ax that was lodged into a nearby log and handing it to her. “Try it.”
Emily thought he might be on to something. The smoothness of the handle and the heaviness of the ax felt good in her hands.
“Do you know how to chop wood?” Byron asked.
“Of course I do. My dad taught me.”
“My dad taught me too,” Byron said, “You know, it’s funny. A few years ago, I would have had a pity party being reminded of my dad and thinking of how he didn’t love me. Now, thanks to you, I’ve made up with him.”
“Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later,” Emily said.
“No, you made it happen. You really encouraged me to get to know my father again. I don’t want to get too ‘sentimental’ as your brother would say, but I want you to know you helped me so much.”
“It’s what I do,” Emily said, giving him a wink.
“I know. You saved my life, and you keep saving me over and over.”
“Now we’re really getting sentimental,” Emily said, “Come on, let’s chop some wood.”
He put one of the logs onto the bigger one that served as the base. Emily’s first strike was a bit cautious; it had been a long time since she used an ax while camping with her family. The log cracked a little, and when she hit it again, it split down the middle with a satisfying thud.
“You’re right, this is fun,” she said, “hand me another one.”
“Yes, madame.”
They took turns hacking at the wood. Emily grew less cautious and put her full strength into her blows, which helped to release a lot of frustration. Each time a log cracked, she felt more alive.
“Thank you,” she said, breathing harder than usual, “this really helps. A good workout too.”
“Are you feeling hot?” Byron asked.
“Actually, I am,” she replied, catching his hint. “Do you know a remedy for that?”
“I know just the thing.”
Emily put down the ax and stepped forward into Byron’s warm embrace. Her lips found his. Her heartbeat suddenly raced, her whole body filled with warmth from a kiss so sweet and exhilarating even after so many years of being together.
His breath was like the freshness of the forest, and the sudden expression of his desire as his hands caressed her body filled her with wild yearning.
Clinging to each other, they stumbled inside the cabin and fell into the silken softness of the bed.
