His expression remained tight and a muscle in his cheek twitched rhythmically. “I’m not going back, but I’ll take you to the cabin and you can call someone to come get you.”
“That’s it?” She sat forward. “End of conversation? Don’t I have a say at all?”
He cocked his head to the side and met her stare through the mirror. “What else do you suggest, Miss Cavanaugh?”
“Well, what if you turn around and take me to the nearest town with an airport so I can go home tonight?”
“Sorry, no deal. I’m not turning back for anyone or anything. The nearest town that has an airport is several miles away, and you can just forget about me doing that for you. Besides, we’re about ten minutes away from the cabin.”
He started the Jeep and pushed it into gear. The vehicle lurched forward, causing her to fall back, bumping her head against the seat. Reflex brought her hand up to smooth the ache. Ouch! He was so impossible.
Brooke folded her arms. “Excuse me, but I’d like to bring up a point you’ve seemed to overlook. If I go back to the cabin with you and call someone to come get me, I’ll have to wait for them to pick me up, which, as you’ve rudely mentioned, is a three-hour drive. Since you want to be alone, why don’t you take me to the nearest town and leave me there to wait for my ride?”
A growl-like huff escaped his throat, but he kept driving. The obstinate man only raised his chin higher. “You have a point, but it’s still too far to drive in this snow. You’re coming to the cabin with me like it or not. I’ll figure out some way to keep you out of my hair until your ride comes.”
She slumped in the seat, still glaring at his reflection in the mirror. He treated her like some unruly child, yet he was the one throwing a temper tantrum.
Moving her attention away from the mirror, she pursed her lips. Once in a while she could feel his heated look upon her, but she wouldn’t give in to the temptation of returning his annoyed expression with one of her own. For all she knew, Mr. Meanie might take it upon himself to dump her in a snow bank and leave her until spring.
As soon as the Jeep stopped, she pushed open the door and flew out. When her high-heeled shoes sank into the almost calf-deep icy snow, a fierce shiver spread through her body. Frigid air came up from behind, biting at her bare legs, chilling her as large flakes of snow continued to cover the trees and ground in a heavy, white blanket. The shock to her system immobilized her limbs, making her body shake from the piercing cold. She took a few steps, stumbled, and lost her shoes in the process. She kept moving until the coldness penetrated all the way to her bones and she couldn’t even lift her legs to move.
Grumbling, she bent to find her shoes, but another gust of wind blew from behind and unbalanced her. Her cold legs gave way and the front of her head met the ground faster than she’d expected. A layer of snow coated her face like a mask.
Justin climbed out of the Jeep and laughed. Anger burned through her but did nothing to warm her skin. With frozen hands, she brushed off the snow and glared at him. If not for the quaking of her body, she would have believed she’d turned into an icicle.
The laughter stopped, but this time the slight lift to the corner of his mouth irritated her. Through her paralyzed state, she wanted to bellow out her frustrations, but couldn’t utter a sound through her chattering teeth.
“Well,” he asked, “are you going to stay in the snow and freeze or come in and get warm?”
Her body remained still. “I – I – I’m so c-c-cold. I c-c-can’t move.”
Justin shook his head. “Oh, for goodness sake.” He clomped over to her and scooped her up in his arms. “Women,” he mumbled.
Brooke wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to his warmth as he carried her to the cabin.
He awkwardly balanced her and slid the key into the lock. Although she’d sworn off men – and this one in particular – she gripped him tightly as he carried her into the cabin, relishing in the slight warmth from his all too masculine body. He carried her to a couch and set her down, practically peeling her arms away from his neck. After escaping her hold, he draped an afghan over her.
“I’m going to build a fire. Will you be all right?”
She managed a small, shaky nod.
Justin stepped to the fireplace, settling the wood and crumpled newspaper into place. Within minutes, flames licked around the pieces of wood. He stood and walked back over to her. His handsome face still held an irritated expression, but then he surprised her with his kindness when he picked her up and carried her to the raised stone hearth, sitting beside it as he settled her on his lap. The heat from the fire touched her cold legs, and within seconds re-awakened her body. After a minute or so, her teeth stopped chattering and her body relaxed, but her lips remained numb.
He glanced at her bare legs. Raising one foot, he rubbed her foot between his hands. It was strange having a man do this for her, especially when she’d promised herself never to let a man touch her again, but the friction warmed her skin and she didn’t want to stop him. He rubbed his palms underneath her feet and over the tops, bringing her body slowly back to a normal temperature. She bit her bottom lip, holding back the moan of satisfaction dying to be released from her throat as heat slowly filled her body.
Warmth spread through her, and painful tingles ripped through her blood. She didn’t know why her brain had shut down outside the cabin, but as soon as the sudden jolt of bitter cold had pierced her skin, all logic refused to work.
It was a helpless feeling she didn’t like at all.
After Chuck left her, she’d decided she was never going to rely on a man again. She wasn’t some simpering female. Yet here she sat in front of the fireplace on this strange man’s lap, while he rubbed her cold feet with his large hands. What was wrong with this picture? She shouldn’t allow him to touch her this way, but the warmth flowing through her body felt good – too good. Yet, she needed to take control.
Brooke pushed herself off his lap and scooted closer to the fire. “I’m much better now. I really appreciate your help.”
“No problem. I just wanted to get you warm.” He shook his head. “Good grief, woman, your lips were nearly blue.”
“Yes... well, thank you for your help.” She avoided his eyes and stared into the fire for several long moments, breathing slowly to regulate her heartbeat. When she was once again in control, she faced him.
She hadn’t noticed his attire until now. Although his clothes looked expensive, he actually resembled a cowboy. His shiny black boots matched the black jeans that hugged his thighs. The long-sleeved blue shirt didn’t have any fancy western designs, but still stretched across his wide chest.
Justin was magnificently built, and the hypnotizing good looks that matched his physique only made it worse. When he focused on her, his warm gaze pierced through to her soul, causing a turbulent range of emotions to build inside of her.
She shivered. “I guess I should call for someone to come get me.” She reached into her coat pocket and withdrew her cell. She quickly dialed a number, but there was no service this far in the mountains. She grumbled. “I don’t have any service.”
He pulled out his cell phone to check it. “I don’t either.” He pointed to the room across from them. “There’s a phone in the kitchen if you want to try that one.”
On shaky legs, she moved to the kitchen and found the phone. Frantically, she punched in her sister’s number, praying that Tiffany would be home. There was no way she wanted to spend three hours alone with such a handsome man.
THREE
JUSTIN WATCHED BROOKE enter the kitchen, and he couldn’t help but take careful note of her beauty from head to toe. He guessed her to be in her early twenties, and despite her bulky coat, she had quite a curvy figure. Her hips were small, legs nicely shaped. The few moments he’d held her, he couldn’t believe how well she fitted into his arms.
Curse him for thinking this way, especially when he had more important matters to worry about. He strode to the h
earth and stretched his hands forward, welcoming the heat.
“Shoot.” She slammed the phone down. “I don’t know why Tiffany isn’t answering her phone. She must be busy with the wedding rehearsal. What time is it anyway?”
He glanced at his wristwatch. “Seven-thirty.”
She sighed. “Then she’s probably at the dinner the family had arranged. But it doesn’t explain why she’s not answering her cell.”
He arched an eyebrow. How could they still have a dinner without the groom? Brooke had no idea who he was, yet she must have known someone in the wedding party. “Do you know the bride?”
“Yes.” She came out of the kitchen and stood beside him by the fire. “Robin is my cousin. Her father is my mother’s brother.”
Funny, but Justin didn’t remember Robin mentioning anything about a cousin named Brooke. He did, however, remember hearing the Cavanaugh name.
“Who’s your sister? The one whose car you thought you were in?”
“Tiffany. She’s one of Robin’s bridesmaids.”
He nodded. He knew Tiffany. “So, she’s your sister, huh?”
“You know her?” Her delicately arched brows rose.
“I’ve met her.”
“Who do you know better?” she asked. “The bride or the groom?”
“The groom.”
She sat on the sofa and crossed one shapely leg over the other. Her natural grace nearly oozed from her in her speech and actions. Although Robin was beautiful, she’d never acquired such refinement as her cousin had.
Brooke’s gaze narrowed on him. “So, why don’t I remember seeing you at the wedding rehearsal?”
“I was in the back room talking to the best man.”
“Oh.” Her gaze scanned the living room’s décor.
The cabin looked like any other from the outside, but on the inside, it was a poor man’s dream come true – thanks to Brad Young’s expensive tastes. Decorated in a western style, the wooden furniture was hand-carved, and hand-woven rugs lay on the varnished oak floors. Two enormous fans with beautiful wooden blades hung from the ceiling. The dark oak kitchen cupboards blended with the rest of the cabin, the same color as the dining room table and the six high-back chairs.
“Is this your cabin?” she asked.
He held back a grin. Should he try to impress her? Although they’d never met, the more he stared at her, the more attracted he became. Her beauty and elegance bewitched him. How long would it take to charm her?
He shoved aside his wandering thoughts. The fire must be melting his brain. He walked away from the heat. Why else would he want to charm her? He didn’t come here to have a relationship with another woman – although if his days were numbered, that’s exactly what he wouldn’t mind doing.
“No, this cabin isn’t mine,” he answered her. “It belongs to my best friend.”
“Oh, I see. Well, tell him I think it’s beautiful.”
“I will.”
She rose from the couch and meandered into the kitchen. His gaze strayed to the gentle sway of her hips until she disappeared behind a wall. Not another word was said until the slam of the phone on the receiver echoed from the other room.
“She’s still not answering. Maybe Dad’s home.”
Her father! The man was after all, Robin’s uncle, and if Robin’s uncle knew he was here, Justin would be in trouble, especially since Mr. Pierpont was behind the contract on his life.
He hurried into the kitchen. “Wait!”
“Why?” Caution laced her voice as her forehead creased.
“Well, um... wouldn’t your dad be with your sister at the rehearsal dinner?”
Her shoulders slumped. “You’re right.” She leaned against the wall. “But who else am I supposed to call?”
He rested his hip on the counter. “How about a friend?”
She shook her head. “What friend would drive three hours just to take me home?”
He shrugged. “How about a boyfriend?”
“No.”
Her reply came much too fast. Had she recently been through a breakup? Her narrowing gaze let him know she had a story behind those sad eyes.
She turned toward the window. “I’ll just have to wait until the wedding dinner is over. Hopefully, we won’t get snowed in before then.”
Justin moved to stand beside her and peered out the window. The heavy snowflakes fell faster than before. Just as his gut had told him earlier, this was turning out to be one bugger of a storm. So yes, they would be snowed in, if they weren’t already.
He shifted his gaze and studied her profile. Even up close, her skin looked like silk... smooth and begging for his touch. He rested his eyes on her perfectly shaped lips and a mouth made for kissing.
Blinking, he tore his attention away, cursing his thoughts again for wandering in that direction. What was wrong with him? He’d always been a flirt, and women loved his zany sense of humor. Since meeting Robin, that had all changed. For some reason, he’d changed and had become more serious. And he never even thought about flirting with another woman when Robin was around.
Whatever was making him act this way had better stop. There was too much to worry about. He didn’t need extra stress.
Justin rubbed his tense neck muscles. “I wonder how long the storm will last. We’ll have to turn on the TV to see the weather forecast.”
“Yes, I suppose we will.”
As he turned to go back into the living room, she moved in the direction of the kitchen. “Are you coming?” He pointed to the TV.
“No. I hope you don’t mind if I look for something to eat. I’m starved.” She moved to the dining room table and shrugged out of her coat.
It was mentally unhealthy for him to watch as she removed her coat and hung it over the back of a chair, but he couldn’t tear his gaze away. The tight pink sweater hugged her perfectly, emphasizing her curves even more.
Quickly, he tore his eyes away. Good grief! What had possessed him to think like this? He was a grown man, not some teenager experiencing interest in a woman for the first time. But right now, his hormones jumped around so much he could have been fourteen years old instead of twenty-six.
“There are some sandwiches and chips in the Jeep,” he said. “We might as well eat those.”
“All right,” she replied.
Her green eyes met his and she smiled. A twinkle flashed from her stare and made his gut twist.
“I’ll be back,” he said over his shoulder as he took off into the storm.
Perhaps the shock of the cold temperature would change his thoughts. If not, he was in big trouble!
JUSTIN BALANCED THE food and six-pack of soda in his hands, opened the cabin door, and stepped inside. With his hip he pushed the door closed, then he stomped the excess snow from his boots before placing the items on the long coffee table. His attention moved to Brooke sitting on the floor, switching stations on the big screen TV.
He hadn’t been outside that long, but the cool temperature had subdued his system and his logical thinking returned. Letting his anger settle, he inwardly cursed Brooke for being here. Although a stupid mistake, she may have inadvertently put herself in danger, too. If the man searching for him found Brooke, he might not hesitate to kill her. Tony Pierpont was a ruthless man. He wouldn’t let anything get in the way of something he wanted.
If, by chance, the killer didn’t find them here, Justin was still in trouble. Having a woman this beautiful in his presence wasn’t good, either. The only logical plan was to figure out a way to get her away from him. Fast!
Folding his arms across his chest, he moved to stand behind her. “What’s the weather look like for tomorrow?”
She glanced up at him and shrugged. “It appears this big storm is continuing into tomorrow and won’t let up for at least another forty-eight hours.”
Grumbling, he turned and plopped down in a heavily cushioned chair closest to him. There was too much on his mind to keep her entertained. “I can’t believe I’m going to
be stuck with you for at least another day or two.”
She shot him a scowl. “I’m sorry for sabotaging your little getaway, but if you had taken me back to town as I’d asked, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
He glared at her then leaned over to the coffee table and grabbed a can of soda. Curse her for making sense. Again.
“Okay, Miss Know-It-All,” he said, snapping open the lid on his drink, “what do you suppose we do? I can’t take you back to town now. The snow is coming down so hard I couldn’t see in front of me a minute ago when I returned from the Jeep.”
She stood, moved to the fireplace, and threw on a log. “I don’t know. It’s obvious you don’t want me here, but it’s also clear I can’t leave.”
Relaxing in the chair, he gulped his drink. He didn’t think anyone would come get her in this storm anyway. “How would you feel about staying in one of the bedrooms until someone comes for you?”
She threw him an evil glare. “And how would you feel if I kicked your butt out into the snow? You may be bigger than me, but you haven’t seen me when I’m mad.”
His lips twitched as he tried to imagine a petite woman like Brooke trying to physically toss him out. When he pictured how hilarious that would be, Justin let out a chuckle that grew into laughter.
She gasped. “Oh. You think it’s funny? Would you like a demonstration?”
Doubling over, he laughed harder. The more he imagined Brooke trying to do that very thing, the more volume erupted from his chest. He held his sides together and enjoyed the joyous ringing coming from him – a sound he hadn’t heard for quite a while.
Her lips pursed. He’d irritated her, but he just couldn’t stop laughing. Moisture gathered in his eyes and his sides hurt, but he needed this kind of healing power.
A small grin appeared on her mouth, softening the lines of anger from her face. She walked to him, standing above him with hands on hips in a square stance.
The Billionaire's Secret (The Tycoons, #4) Page 2
