by Kaylea Cross
After some digging, it hadn’t taken long for Shannon to locate a cousin of Avery’s, and a little bit more investigation after that had informed her about this big, fancy wedding. From other family members’ social media posts, Shannon had been able to get the date and location. She’d banked on Avery being here as well, and so far, all the effort Shannon had put in and the risks she’d taken had paid off.
There was one thing Shannon hadn’t anticipated, however.
Avery was with a man. A huge guy, maybe in his thirties, wearing a black cowboy hat. He radiated a palpable confidence that said he could handle himself. A cop, like Avery? And were they actually together? The online posts about the wedding she’d read where Avery’s name was mentioned had made it sound like she was single.
He was big, and the way he carried himself, the way his gaze scanned the lobby, told her he was more aware of his surroundings than the average person.
Their gazes collided for a second.
Shannon quickly looked away and nonchalantly began wiping down the exterior window next to her, keeping her body angled so she could still watch them out of the corner of her eye. The man glanced away and she breathed easier.
Her question about Avery’s relationship status was answered a moment later when the guy turned Avery toward him and kissed her. Avery looked a bit stiff as she stared up at him, but whatever. Maybe they’d had a fight or something earlier.
The man took the key from the clerk, wrapped an arm around Avery’s shoulders and started for the door at the rear of the lobby, leading out to the grounds. Shannon was surprised. They weren’t staying in the main lodge with everyone else?
She grabbed a pile of linens from a chambermaid’s cart and followed them, keeping her distance so they wouldn’t notice. Her stolen resort uniform helped her blend in easily, but that big guy had already caught her watching him once. She couldn’t let him notice again. People dismissed her with a polite smile as she passed them, not giving her a second glance.
Outside, a gravel path split into two as it reached the main lawn in the center of the grounds, each leading away from the main lodge. To the right it led to the chapel and gazebo. To the left, a row of private cabins overlooking the lake.
Fury burned in her gut as she followed Avery and the big guy toward the cabins. They were three times the price of a room in the lodge. Avery and her man were apparently living the high life this weekend.
She maintained her distance, battling the anger with every step, her hands crushing the linens. Avery and the guy turned up the path to the second cabin from the end.
Shannon kept her face averted and continued past it, scouting out the location as she did. The Ponderosa. It was set back from the others toward the lake, making it the most private of the cabins. She could just imagine the spectacular view from the luxurious bedroom up in the loft.
She clenched her jaw as her feet crunched over the gravel. It wasn’t fair that Avery got to be with her man and spend the weekend fucking him in that gorgeous, romantic cabin when Shannon’s was still behind bars because of her.
At least now she could get revenge. She’d wanted a chance to ruin Avery’s life, and had the skills to make it happen. Fire was one, and she’d used it in various ways over the years. Its destructive power could be used in subtle ways that still caused great fear. And she had her firearms training to protect herself if necessary.
A direct, physical attack would have to wait, however. Avery was trained, so Shannon would have to catch her with her guard down, and that would be even harder with that guy around.
When Shannon did strike, she wouldn’t make it quick. First, she wanted to torment Avery, then wreck her career. Starting here.
A cold, hard smile stretched her lips. Shannon prided herself on her creative talents. And now she had a whole weekend to put her plan into action.
****
Here we go.
Avery put on her mental armor as she and Mason reached the main lodge for the family-only dinner reception an hour later. She even managed not to stiffen when he reached down to grasp her hand, but the contact sent a jolt all the way up her arm. His hand was so warm compared to hers, his strong fingers twining with hers.
“Nervous?” he murmured as they reached the massive French doors at the back of the lodge.
“No.” She was totally nervous. On pins and needles at the thought of faking this in front of her family, and of running into her ex again, and Mason looking so dark and sexy and smelling so amazing wasn’t helping matters—though it was a major confidence boost to walk in there on his arm. “You?”
“Nope. I’ve got the most beautiful woman in the whole place on my arm.”
She aimed a bland look at him, but the hint of a grin on his face and the admiration in his eyes stopped her from making a sarcastic comeback. Hell. She didn’t know what to do with him when he dropped the cocky front and became human with her like this.
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you,” he whispered close to her ear as he pulled the door open for her, sending a tiny shiver of arousal down her spine.
His tone was a little teasing, but he was serious, she realized. She softened a little more. “Thank you. I’ll protect you too, from my family. They’re nosy.”
Relatives were all over the place as soon as they walked in. Avery stopped to say hi to some of them, introducing Mason, then continued on to the main reception room on the opposite side of the lobby where the buzz of voices was coming from.
Her parents and sister were already at their table, and their gazes shot to Avery and Mason the moment they stepped into the room. Her mom shot to her feet, beaming at them as they approached.
“Hi, Mom,” Avery said, hugging her.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” She squeezed Avery, then kind of shoved her aside to look at Mason.
“You must be Mason.” Her mom scoffed at the hand he extended and grabbed him in a hug instead. “I’m so glad you’re here too.”
He returned the embrace, grinning at Avery. “Nice to meet you.”
“Not as nice as it is to meet you.” Her mom beamed up at him. “My, she didn’t tell us how handsome you were.”
“Mom,” Avery said on a groan, reaching out to hug her sister and dad.
“What? He is.”
“Avery said I’d like you,” Mason said to her mom. “And she was right.”
Avery refrained from rolling her eyes and introduced him to her dad and sister. Mason pulled out her chair for her and pushed her in, trailing his fingers down the side of her neck as he moved to his own. She stiffened, sparks of heat snapping over her skin.
Her dad was watching them curiously, but her mom and sister both leaned forward to prop their chins on their hands and stare at them. “So, tell us about you guys,” her mom said. “How you met, your first date.”
Avery opened her mouth to respond but Mason smoothly cut her off. “We met through a mutual friend.” He gave her a heated, approving look that made her insides flutter. “And I still owe him for it.”
Avery flushed a little, trying not to fidget with her hands in her lap. “He only moved into town a few weeks ago. That’s why we’d never met before.”
“The first time I laid eyes on her, I knew I had to make her mine,” Mason said. “It wasn’t easy, but eventually I managed to convince her to give me a chance.”
Avery shot him a warning look but her mom and sister both sighed, utterly charmed. “You must have made a real impression on her,” her sister said. “I didn’t think Ave would ever risk a relationship again.”
Avery shot her a quelling look but Mason nodded, his expression turning serious. “I’m grateful every day that she was willing to give me a chance.” He draped an arm around her, pulling her close to kiss her temple.
Avery smothered the urge to laugh, caught somewhere between amusement and shock. Mason was coming on strong. Damn, he was good. Everything he did and said looked and felt sincere, even though she knew it was an act.
&n
bsp; It also hurt a little, too, because even though it was all fake, deep down she’d missed this. The affection, sure, but more the feeling of being important to and valued by her partner. It’s what she’d craved from her husband throughout their marriage and never gotten.
As if he somehow sensed her inner turmoil, Mason bent his head to whisper to her, his nose nuzzling her ear. “Loosen up a bit. You look freaking terrified and you’re ruining the plan.”
She summoned a smile and forced herself to relax, leaning into him until she was cuddled against his shoulder. Of course, that only made the tension inside her worse. Every time he got close, every time he touched her, her body lit up and tingled.
All over. In places she didn’t want any tingling where he was concerned. It made her start thinking about the idea of more with him. Sexy, erotic things she couldn’t help imagining.
“Tell us about your first date,” her mom said, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Mason was partway through some fictional story about going hiking for a picnic up in the mountains when the bride and groom arrived to a raucous round of cheers and applause.
Avery sighed in relief and joined in the applause. The couple addressed the guests, thanking everyone for coming and acknowledging their immediate family and those who had traveled from far away. After a short grace, people began heading for the buffet.
Mason led her to it with a solid hand on the small of her back, just inches from the base of her spine. Her skin warmed, heat spreading out in all directions and pooling low in her abdomen. It felt good. He smelled good, and shit, he was so damn sexy in the cobalt blue button-down shirt, dark slacks and his black cowboy hat.
She could feel the curious eyes on them as they waited in line. She reached for a plate but Mason beat her to it, and insisted on filling her plate for her. Avery went along with it, playing it up like it was the most normal thing in the world to have a man take care of her, when it was exactly the opposite.
On their way back to their seats, Avery caught the way her mother’s face tightened slightly as she stared at someone behind Avery. Then her gaze darted to Avery, and Avery’s stomach clenched.
Before she could even turn around, the familiar scent of Doug’s cologne wafted to her. She tensed instinctively, her hands tightening around her silverware. Had he seen her? Was he—
“Avery.”
Steeling herself, she turned to face him and pasted on a civil smile. “Doug. Hi.” He was still handsome, but thankfully this time there was no punch to the gut, no swell of hurt or sadness when she looked at him. She could feel everyone staring, though. Watching to see what happened. “How are you?” She only said it to be polite, because she actually didn’t give a shit.
“Good. Busy.” His smile was the same. Charming as ever. Then he glanced behind him at someone, and a sharp pain lanced Avery’s chest. His wife Keely was blond and tiny and petite, the swell of her belly outlined beneath her dress. She was probably sweet and submissive, too. In short, polar opposite to Avery in every way.
“I see that.” It hurt to look at her, but the damn proud smile on Doug’s face made her long to scrub it off him. With sandpaper.
A strong, heavy arm wrapped around her shoulders, jolting her from her thoughts as Mason hugged her into his side. Avery leaned into him, battling the stiffness in her muscles, grateful for his warmth because she suddenly felt chilled.
Doug’s gaze shifted to him, and she could practically see him sizing Mason up, looking for shortcomings as if Mason was some sort of rival.
Avery had had more than enough. “Well, enjoy the dinner.” She started to step past him, eager to escape.
Doug’s eyes snapped back to her, and she took satisfaction in seeing the confidence bleed from his expression. “Yeah. You too. We’ll see you around.”
Hopefully not. She gave a tight nod and let out a quiet breath as he and Keely walked away.
“You okay?” her mom murmured when they reached the table, watching her anxiously.
“Of course.” She picked up her wine and took a sip, ignoring her ex as he crossed the room.
A strange thought hit her. What did I ever see in him? She pitied Keely in a way, because it was only a matter of time before he tired of her too and quit trying because the thrill of the hunt was gone. Worse, there was a child involved now and would be for its whole life.
At least Avery didn’t have to go through life being tied to him that way. In a way, he’d done her a favor because now she was free. Being lonely when she was free was a whole lot better than being lonely while married.
“You did great,” her sister said, squeezing her arm in support. “Very dignified. More than I would have been.”
“Because she’s classy,” Mason said, planting a kiss on her cheek.
His lips lingered, nuzzling. Tempting her into imagining what it would be like to turn her head and meet them with her own.
Tingles scattered across her skin, fanning out in a wave that tightened her nipples and made her core clench.
God. He was only playing and she was ready to melt. It made her wonder what it would be like to feel the full power of his sensuality directed at her. Goosebumps rose and she squeezed her legs together to stem the throb there.
Mason’s hand rubbed over her shoulder. “You cold?”
“A little,” she lied. Try turned on. Hot, and getting hotter.
“So, Avery, tell us more about your first date,” her sister said, mercifully changing the subject.
She looked at Mason, got lost for a moment in that potent, pale blue gaze. “Do you want to tell the story?”
Amusement gleamed in his eyes. “No, you tell it so much better.”
She couldn’t help but grin a little at him, and just like that, all the residual tension inside her eased. The worst was over. The people she loved most had met Mason, and the dreaded first encounter with Doug was over.
As the conversation flowed around the table, she began to relax even more. Mason was attentive and charming, allowing her another glimpse beneath that cocky intensity he usually wore.
He told a funny story about his time in the military and she laughed along with everyone else. The way he looked at her made her belly flip in the most delicious way, the attraction between them growing by the hour.
By the time the meal was over, she’d started to truly enjoy herself, and Mason’s company. Maybe a little too much. On the plus side, she’d forgotten about Doug and Keely completely.
“Well, hate to be a wet blanket, but I’m ready for the kipper,” her dad said, pushing his chair out from the table. “Think I’ll turn in, it’s gonna be a long day tomorrow.”
Her mother poked him in the shoulder. “It’s going to be a fun day,” she corrected.
Well, it would be interesting, if nothing else. But not as interesting as the night ahead of her.
As everyone began to leave, she stood too. Mason helped pull her chair out and was right there to wrap his arm around her.
He felt so damn good, and a few times tonight as she’d watched him, she’d had to remind herself of why she needed to keep her hands off him. He tempted her in ways she’d never experienced before. Like he’d woken some dormant part of her she hadn’t even known was there until now.
And now that it was awake, she couldn’t seem to shut it off again.
He kept his arm around her as they stepped outside of the lodge onto the gravel pathway. The October evening was cool and crisp, with a light layer of mist clinging to the grass, and she finally felt like she could pull in a full breath again.
“How’re you feeling?” he murmured.
She didn’t pull away even though they were outside and away from curious eyes, enjoying the warmth of his body and the feel of his arm around her. It was only in case someone was watching, she reminded herself, struggling a bit not to fall under his spell. “I’m good. You?”
“It went better than I thought.”
She glanced up at him, amused. “Did you think i
t would be that bad?”
“I like your family,” he said, evading the question.
“I like them too. And they liked you.” Her mom practically seemed ready to accept him as a son-in-law.
“Your ex is a total fuckwad, though.”
She laughed. “That’s funny. But you’re not wrong.” When he didn’t say anything else, she looked at him again. “Why, did you think it would be bad? Did you think I’d lose it when I saw him?”
“No.” He stared straight ahead, avoiding her gaze. “I’m just not comfortable in crowds.”
Avery’s smile fell. Damn, she was aware that he battled personal demons, from things Tate had inferred and that Mason had a service dog. She’d never even considered that being around so many unfamiliar people might make his PTSD flare up. And he didn’t even have Ric with him.
It made her feel selfish and inconsiderate. “God, I never even thought. I’m sorry—”
“No, it’s fine,” he said, shrugging it off. “But if your ex keeps trying to push your buttons while we’re here, he’s gonna wind up pushing mine.” He gave her a pointed smile. “And then he’ll wish he hadn’t.”
Avery stared at him, unsure what to say. Damn, when he got all protective like that, it was a hundred times harder to keep her hands to herself. To know that he cared enough to protect her and had her back was… Well, she’d never expected it, or the ache it caused deep in her chest.
The cabin windows glowed with warm lamplight as they walked up the path. Inside the Ponderosa, the staff had already been in to turn on a table lamp inside the door and light the fire in the hearth, bathing everything in warm, golden light. The entire setup oozed romance, and heightened her awareness of being alone in such an intimate space with the man she needed to keep at a distance.
She glanced up at the loft, resigned. He was six-three, she wasn’t going to insist he try to squeeze onto the loveseat, or sleep on the floor. There was a comfortable king-size bed upstairs.
She looked over to find him watching her in a way that heated her insides. “Can we be grownups about this?”
His eyes gleamed with a trace of humor, and something more. Something far more unsettling than seeing Doug and Keely earlier.
