Once and Forever

Sophie’s POV

I stepped out of the car and walked over to the front, bracing myself for what I might find under the hood. With a deep breath, I pushed open the bonnet and stared intently into the engine, as if I could will it to reveal the problem—as if I knew a thing about cars.

“Sophie! Get out of that sun. You’re no mechanic,” my mum called out to me from the car.

Of course, it was just our luck to have the car break down in the middle of nowhere—no other cars in sight, no cell service, and no clue as to what was wrong. I sighed heavily and leaned against the car, feeling the frustration and helplessness start to bubble up inside me. After dad’s first heart attack in his office, my parents had decided it was time to retire, and what better place to do it than in the mountain town? It was idyllic and quiet. And the crime rate was negligible.

I still couldn’t believe I had just landed a job as a secretary at the Federal Court House in the mountain town of Crestview, especially as I was only 19. I had been searching for months, sending out countless resumes and cover letters, and finally, my persistence had paid off. I was thrilled to be starting my new life in this beautiful town, far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

So we’d packed up the car with our essentials and set off for Crestview. The rest of our stuff would be arriving later. Except now we’re sort of stuck out here in the blazing sun, stranded with the weeds. I watch the majestic mountains range along both sides of the road, their tips capped with snow that wouldn’t melt.

I strolled along one side of the road, straining my eyes to see into the distance, I had never been to this part of the country before, and I didn’t know what to expect, more reason being stuck on the road wasn’t such a hot idea. I made my way back to the car and settled into the driver’s seat beside mum, who was eating some grapes. She never seemed to be able to survive without the damned things.

Suddenly, the silence was broken by the sound of an approaching engine. Relief flooded through me as I turned to see a truck coming down the road toward us. It really hadn’t been fun, stuck in the sun like that. The truck slowed as it came closer and I could see a man behind the wheel, his face obscured by the glare of the sun.

As the truck pulled up beside me, the man rolled down his window and called out, “You ladies need some help?”

I hesitated for a moment, feeling a twinge of unease. But then again, what choice did we have. “Yes,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Our car broke down, and I have no idea what’s wrong with it. My dad has gone into town to get the tow truck.”

The man nodded, his eyes scanning over me for a moment before he stepped out of the truck. As he approached, I could see he was tall and muscular, with short-cropped hair and a stern expression. “Let’s take a look,” he said, striding over to the front of the car and popping open the hood with ease. I watched as he peered inside, his fingers deftly moving over the engine as he diagnosed the problem. After a few minutes, he straightened up and turned to me. “Looks like the alternator’s shot,” he said, his voice gruff but not unkind. “I can give you ladies a ride into town, and we can get it fixed up for you,” The man gave me a small nod and added, “we could wait until your dad makes it back of course.”

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me at his kind offer. “Thank you,” I said, relieved that we wouldn’t be stranded on the side of the road anymore. It really had been too hot. Now if only dad would arrive. We waited a full twenty minutes before dad arrived, apologizing for keeping us so long. He hadn’t been able to get anyone to come out here in the middle of the afternoon.

“I can find you someone, but you’ll have to leave the car behind sir and don’t worry it’ll be safe out here,” he said, looking at my dad. Dad thought for a moment before giving a nod and moving towards the trunk of the car, which he popped open. As he helped us gather our things from the car, I couldn’t help but notice his rugged appearance. His beard was thick and well-groomed, and his eyes were a piercing shade of blue that seemed to stare right through me. I found myself staring at his broad shoulders and muscular arms, which flexed as he lifted my suitcase into the truck. There was something undeniably attractive about him. Also something very forbidden, he was way older than I was. We got into the truck and sped off down the road toward the town. His strong, rough hands gripped the steering wheel with ease, and his deep voice rumbled through the truck as he hummed along to a country song on the radio. I was intrigued- whipped maybe by him but I did everything to avoid being caught staring cause I wouldn’t know how to explain myself.

As I take a peek at him again, our eyes locked contact and a hint of a smile appeared on his lips but only for a moment before I looked away, my heart was pounding, I wondered if he had been checking me out or it was all coincidental but one thing I knew for sure is that nothing in this world is coincidence.

Jackson’s POV.

I wanted a cigarette.

Badly.

I could bum a smoke but what I couldn’t do was light a cigarette when I had company. I was driving to work and noticed a car pulled up by the side of the road, I slowed down my truck to help, there were two women in the car. My eyes lingered on the younger one, she was young, her hair, spilled like a cut of raw silk over her shoulders was a deep red, nearly brunette. She wore cuff earrings that wrapped around the outer curve of her ear, her eyebrows were shiny and dark, perfectly shaped over her green eyes. Her beauty was beyond compare and my mind went blank for a moment as I searched for references in my mind to describe her but found none.

I popped open the hood of their car and easily diagnosed the issue and offered them a ride to town, I wouldn’t want to leave a little beauty stranded under the blazing sun. After her father arrived, they all got into my truck after he was convinced that someone would be able to fix the car. The drive to town was pretty quiet aside the country songs playing on the radio which I hummed along. I felt the little beauty eyes on me more than a few times but she would immediately distract herself. I turned to glance at her but at the same time she turned to look at me, our eyes locked and for a moment my breath hitched and released when she looked away.

I turned to focus on the road and tried to get her image out of my head.

She inspired comfort.

She had a certain willful and free femininity that defied a characterization.

She sparked comfort and if I was to be truthful about it, I would label it as sexual and admit to myself that my attraction to her was one sided and none of her doing. She was so young and innocent and the last thing this woman meant to convey was a come on. When we finally arrived in town, I pulled the car to a stop.

“Do you have an address? I don’t mind dropping you off at your doorstep.” I glanced at her parents who were sitting in the back seat.

“No, no. We can find our way from here.” The man responded as he and his wife stepped out of the truck, from the side of my eyes, I caught the expression of displeasure that flashed on the little beauty’s face.

“Are you sure? I really don’t mind.” For some strange reason, I wanted to spend more time around the little beauty, she intrigued me and I’m fascinated, I wish to know more about her but it might be impossible with her parents around.

“Yes. Thank you so much, we don’t want to impose on you.” The woman flashes a smile at me and I reciprocated.

I didn’t dare to insist anymore to prevent them from misunderstanding my intentions. “It seems that you aren’t a local so let me be the first person to welcome you to town.”

“Thank you do much for your help, I’m Sophie.” She stretched out her hand and I slowly wrapped my larger one around it. “These are my parents Adam and Lexi Reeds”

“I’m Jackson.” Her hand was so soft but I could only reluctantly let go in the end. I nodded my head in her parents direction in acknowledgement.

“Soph, your mother and I will be right back. Stay here and don’t wander around.” Her father said and the two of them walked to the direction of a nearby store.

I watched as Sophie gently shoved the weight of her hair over her shoulder, the movement, natural and wholly unconscious gave me the barest glimpse of the lace and silk of a red coloured camisole beneath the lapels of her black jacket. My eyes lingered an instant too long and when I met her gaze, I found her regarding me, gently chewing her lower lip.

“Do you like it?” She let her fingers hover near the delicate lace of the camisole, her small wrist cradled between her ample breasts.

The breath in me froze, my lungs ceased. I understood perfectly that she was coming on to me with her question and subtle gesture. Her hands had fallen away away from her breasts but I let my gaze drift there again. “I like it. Yeah.” I let my gaze linger on her chest before it found its way back to her face.

I only meant to fight her fire with mine, to play her game and bear her at it. To let the lengthy pause suggest that I would in fact prefer the camisole off her altogether.

Her cheeks reddened and she turned away. “Uh- okay. Can you help me with the suitcases?”

There was rising sexual tension in the air and she needed a way to diffuse it before it goes out of proportion so I decided to indulge her. “Sure, no problem.” I walked back to the trunk of the truck and started lifting out the suitcases, her eyes were fixed on me the whole time and I flashed her a smile every time we locked eyes. She tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ears that were already as red as her cheeks.

After dropping the last suitcase, I could see her parents returning with a woman between them. “Hello Marshal.” The woman waved with a cheeky smile on her face. I nodded at her in acknowledgement and tried to keep a neutral expression on my face.

“I would be taking my leave now, I’ll ensure that your car is fixed soon.” I turned around and left without another word, but as I passed Sophie, I could see the trace of reluctance on her face. I didn’t want to leave her but at the moment I had no other choice. As I drove back to my office, I looked forward to meeting her again, she had ignited a flame of desire in me.