Finding Home

Chapter Eighteen

"Tom, you startled me" I said as I was watching him, I was not used to having someone watch me for no reason. "Sorry Athena, I just wanted to make sure you were okay, and I saw the waterfall and I didn't want to disturb you" he said.

Tom went to turn and walk away, "it's okay, and you know this place now, so you are more than welcome to swim or just hang out here if you want" I said going back to putting my feet back in the water.

Being around Tom, I felt no distrust or anything bad, quite the opposite, around him I felt safe. It was a weird feeling since I only ever felt that with Devon, but now with Tom.

Tom walked over and took his boots off and rolled up his jeans a bit, stepping in Tom sucked in a breath, I laughed "cold isn't it" I said, "yes" was all he said and laughed.

"This really is a beautiful spot, when you bought this place did you know it was here?" he asked. "Not at all, one day when I was exploring the woods, I just happened to come across it and this has been my spot to just take a breath and relax ever since" I said watching the water come down and glide over the rocks that were at the bottom of the falls.

Tom walked in a little bit farther, "careful it has a wicked drop off" I said but not in enough time as he went right under. He came to the surface right away, "holy crap Ath, a little warning next time" he said as he made his way to where I was standing.

"I did try to tell you, but a little too late I guess" I said and tried to hold in my laughter I really did but I could not help it, seeing him soaking wet and the pouting look on his lips I busted out laughing.

"Oh, it's funny now" he said, and before I could say anything, he picked me up and tossed me in, I came right up "you ass" I said and laughed, Tom dove in next to me and we were treading water.

I splashed him a little when he started to swim near me, "oh little one, you don't want to provoke the big bad wolf now" he said and splashed me right back. "Big bad wolf huh, more like a puppy dog" I said laughing.

"That's it" he said as he launched at me, and I tried to swim away but he grabbed me by the waist and tossed me in the water. I came up spitting out water, "just for that I'm feeding you dinner on the floor" I said laughing, but before he could grab me, I ducked under the water.

I came up near the falls, and he was treading water watching me, I saw something move behind his eyes again, I still could not figure that one out, I made a mental note to ask later.

He dove under the water, and I knew I should have gotten out as Tom came up behind me, but I did not hear him until he wrapped his arms around my waist and held me against his chest.

"Do you give in to the big bad wolf?" he asked breathlessly in my ear, I could feel how hard he was with my body molded against him, "maybe, but then again maybe not, I'm not one to give in easily" I said and pushed slightly against his chest.

I stilled when I heard a growl, it was low and menacing. I looked up and there was the biggest wolf I had ever seen, "oh shit, I didn't know I had wolves this close to my house" I said quietly.

Tom froze behind me but did not let me go, "Tom we need to get back to the shore, I'm worried about Eternal" I said starting to get nervous. I could see my horse in the woods grazing lazily on some grass he found.

Before I knew it, Tom was growling just as low and menacing as the wolf that was standing on the shoreline. "What the hell is this growling shit" I said as I turned my head to look at Tom.

"Ath, I think once we get back to the house you and I and Devon need to have a talk about a few things" he said and then Tom let go of me. I swam to the shoreline seeing that the wolf was not paying attention to me at all.

His sole focus was on Tom, which I thought was odd, but I snuck out of the water and went over to Eternal. I hopped on "Tom you need to get out of the water and get on my horse so we can get back to the house" I said.

"Ath, just go back to the barn, I'm used to dealing with wolves and while I have him distracted you get out of here, I need you safe little one" he said.

I sat on my horse for a moment until that big wolf looked at me and growled, I screamed, and Eternal took off like a bullet, he was not going to wait around for nothing after I screamed.

I got to the barn and jumped off, Derek and Darryle were in the barn feeding the animals. "Tom, I think he needs help, there's a huge wolf that has him cornered near the pond" I yelled.

"Ath, Tom can take care of himself trust me please" Derek said walking towards me, seeing me shaken up he helped take my horse and he took off the track and let Eternal go back into the pasture as if nothing was wrong.

"Why don't you go into the house and change clothes and get some coffee and warm up, once he's back I'll send him to you, okay?" he asked. I just nodded and went back to the house.

Once inside I started the shower, pulling off my wet clothes and putting them into the sink for me to wash later. Once the water was warm enough, I stepped in and scrubbed myself till I could feel my limbs again.

After I washed my hair and was about to get out, Devon was naked and stepping into the water. "Holy crap love" I said before he claimed my mouth with his. He was not gentle but was not rough he was demanding and my molded into his.

After an hour we were dried off and dressed, "sweetheart when did you get home?" I asked. "A little while ago, I wanted to surprise you" he said and I walked over and kissed him, "I am, and I love your surprises" I said and went to the kitchen to start dinner.