“Me too.” She grinned up at him, then gracefully reached up on her toes and placed her lips over his.
If he hadn’t known he was standing on a dock, he would have thought he was floating. His arms tightened around her, and he sank into the feeling of her wrapped around him.
“I want to take you somewhere,” he said against her skin. “God, I really . . .”
Something caught his peripheral vision, and he noticed a sailboat returning to the dock area. “Damn,” he sighed. “We’re about to have company.”
She glanced over her shoulder and tensed. “Zoey and Damion took a group out for a sunset tour. That must be them.” She took his hand and pulled him down a pathway.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“Hush, they’ll hear us.” She giggled and continued to tug him through the dark woods.
“You’re not taking me out here to tie me up and have your way with me, are you?”
“Maybe.” She winked back at him. “But not likely, since where I’m taking you isn’t very comfortable.” She stopped at the base of a tree and frowned up at it.
“What is it?” He glanced up into the darkness but could only see black sky.
“The rope isn’t here.” She put her hands on her hips. “Damn. I could have . . . oh, here it is.” She walked around the tree, and he followed her.
“Don’t tell me we’re going to climb that?” He frowned at the knotted rope she held in her hands.
“Don’t be silly.” She tugged on the rope.
He watched in amazement as a makeshift wooden staircase unfolded down to the ground.
“Wow,” he said under his breath.
“Wait until you see the rest of it. It needs some updating, but . . .” She turned to him. “Welcome to my hideaway.”
“Who else knows about this?” he asked as they climbed the narrow stairs.
“Joe started building this when I came to live with him full time at ten, so, of course, all of the Wildflowers, and Aiden, since I’ve asked him to make a few repairs on the place. He just finished adding the new staircase.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. “We used to have to climb a rope ladder.”
At the top of the stairs, she turned and pulled another rope that sent the ladder back up into the canopy of the trees. “This way, no one happens upon it.” She turned to him and motioned toward the door. “Well, go on in.”
He opened the door and stepped into the darkness.
She reached around him and flipped on a light.
“It was the first small cabin on site.” She stepped around him. “I’m hoping that eventually we’ll replace the old windows with tinted ones, so the lights can’t be seen at night.” Arms crossed, she glanced out a wall full of single-paned glass windows.
The cabin was one room, and probably just under twenty by twenty feet in size. A giant white bed sat on a wooden box frame on one wall; the opposite wall held a small kitchenette, including a small fridge. A half wall separated the bathroom area, which included a small shower.
The place looked like it could use some major updates, but it was solid enough.
“How long has this been here?” he asked, joining her.
From the windows, he could see across the top of the trees and just make out the lights from the main pool area.
Realization dawned on him. He must have passed this very spot more than a dozen times while searching the grounds. Two large tree trunks entered the space, with at least two more just outside the windows helping support the structure.
“Like I said, Joe built it for me when I was ten.” She turned toward him. “Well, he had a contractor build it. It hangs partially over the stream. It was big enough for me when I needed to be by myself back then. To escape the life of camp and to have something of my own. There’s a balcony.” She waved at a glass door and plunked herself down on the bed. “Stairs lead up to the roof, but they need some repair still. You can see all the way to Destin from up there.”
“Do you come here often?” he asked, sitting down beside her.
“When I need to be alone. I am sharing an apartment with four others, you know,” she said. “Even if we’re best friends, it’s nice to have some time to myself.”
He agreed with that. The camp was a busy place, but he usually had some quiet time when he locked himself in the woodshop.
“Do they come up here?” he asked, picking her hand up in his and enjoying the way her breath caught at the simple touch.
“No.” She looked down at their joined fingers. “They knew it was off limits to them when we started working on reopening the camp. They call it Elle’s Hiding Spot.” She rested her head against his shoulder.
“Great friends.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Who else have you brought up here?” He didn’t know why he asked it, but he had to know.
“No one,” she whispered, her breath floating over his face.
“Not even Jeff?” he asked between kisses. He felt her tense at the mention of her ex’s name, so he slowly ran his hands up her arms and over her back until he felt her relax again.
“No,” she sighed when he trailed kisses down her neck as she leaned back to give him more access.
“Good,” he said before pulling her down to the bed. He covered her body with his, settling between her legs and letting her feel his hardness. She groaned and moved under him, making his cock even harder.
Her fingers dug into his shoulders as his hands lifted her shirt slowly up to expose the soft skin on her flat belly. He kissed her belly button and heard another soft moan reverberate from her.
“Liam.” His name became nothing more than a moan, urging him on.
“I want you,” he said to her.
“Yes, please.” She pushed her hands into his hair, pulling him back down to her.
“Elle.” He shook his head and decided then and there that he knew that, even though he wanted her, he couldn’t cross the line his brother had.
But that didn’t mean he couldn’t blur some lines.
After all, he’d felt like there was more growing between them. He felt something more for her than his just trying to get knowledge from her about his father.
Nudging her shirt up and over her head, he took in her beauty. She was perfection.
“You don’t have a ballerina body.” He smiled down at her luscious tits.
“No,” she chuckled. “I did before . . . these came in.” She wiggled under him. Then closed her eyes as his hands moved gently over to cup her. “God . . . Liam, please.”
“I’m right here,” he said, gathering her closer and running his calloused hands over her soft skin. He needed to show her tenderness. She deserved it.
“I want.” She nudged his shirt off and bit her bottom lip as her eyes ran over him. Then, slowly, she reached up and ran her fingertips over his chest.
“I like this.” She traced the tattoo that he’d gotten on one of his first trips to Hawaii. The simple lines sat on his left pec. “Hawaiian?”
“Yes, supposedly it will ward off evil water spirits.” He smiled. “Remember, I was a future marine biologist back then.”
She chuckled before pulling him back down to press her lips against his.
“I have protection.” She started to move.
“Elle.” She stilled and tensed at her name. “I want to make love to you”—he rested his forehead against hers—“very bad, but . . .”
She shoved his shoulders until he rolled off her. “God, I’m such a fool.” She got up, wrapped her arms around herself, and moved to the windows.
“No.” He moved over and took her in his arms. “It’s not . . . I want to make sure it’s for the right reasons.”
“What better reasons are there than pleasure?” she asked, avoiding his eyes.
CHAPTER TEN
She could see Liam struggle with his decision. God, was it so hard for a man to decide to sleep with her? She knew it was probably some of Jeff’s old rejection surfacing, but when her eyes fil
led with tears, she had to turn away from Liam to hide the pain.
“Hey.” He stopped her movement by putting a finger under her chin and lifting her face to his. “Don’t.” He gently brushed his lips across her forehead.
She was stronger than she had been in the past with Jeff. She’d grown so much and had thought she’d ditched all her past hang-ups.
Making a decision quickly, she shifted closer to him, more determined to show him what she wanted. To make him want her in return. It was now or never.
She watched his eyes close with pleasure when she began rubbing him through his jeans.
“Elle, if you keep doing that, I’m going to forget why I shouldn’t touch you.”
“Good.” She moved closer to him, enjoying the primal lust she saw in his hazel eyes. “I want you to forget.” She leaned up and, feeling surer of herself, brushed her lips over his jawline, then sunk her teeth into his chin lightly.
A low growl emanated from his chest just before he hoisted her up and carried her to the bed. She hit the mattress with a bounce before his body covered hers. Once again, he settled between her legs; this time, however, she wrapped her legs around him and promised that she wouldn’t let go.
His hips thrust against hers, causing his cock to push against her pussy through her shorts. She was so wet, she wondered if her shorts were soaked at this point.
“Liam.” She reached for his jeans, but his hands circled her wrists and hoisted them above her head. She tried to push against him, but he was so much stronger and more determined.
“No, we’ll do this my way. Say it.” His eyes bore into hers.
“Yes!” She arched, trying to get his body next to hers again.
In one quick move, he had her shorts down her legs, along with her silk panties. She thought she heard material rip but didn’t care, since he shifted and covered her pussy with his mouth.
A scream was ripped from her lungs as she buried her fingers into his hair, holding him to her as he used his tongue to push her further than she’d ever gone before.
Her shoulders jerked from the bed as she cried his name and felt the sweetest release. When her back touched the cool sheets again, she closed her eyes as he slowly kissed the insides of her thighs, his fingers making small circles on her skin. The movement almost matching her rapid heartbeat, slowing it down until she drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
When she woke, it was to her cell phone chiming. As she reached for the dresser, or where her dresser normally was, she landed on the wood floor of the cabin with a bang and cursed.
“You okay down there?” Liam chuckled.
Pushing her hair out of her eyes, she glared up at him. “You let me . . .” She held up a finger and fumbled for her phone, then answered it in a calm voice. “Elle.” Hearing Julie’s calm voice on the other side had her questioning the time. She glanced around and realized there wasn’t a clock in the place. “I’ll be right there. Thanks,” she said and hung up, then turned to Liam, who was lying on the bed, still in his jeans. “You let me fall asleep.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t let you do anything.” He tilted his head. “Well, maybe I let you come on my tongue.”
Her eyes narrowed as she started to move. Then she realized she was stark naked and gasped. Moving quickly, she tried to pull the blankets out from under him so she could wrap herself in them. However, with his full weight on them, she fell back on her butt, causing him to chuckle.
“You know, for a princess ballerina, you sure fall on your ass a lot.” He laughed.
“Shut up and get up.” She tried again, only for him to reach down, put his hands firmly under her armpits, and hoist her up.
“No, not until you come up here.” He sat her on his chest and then scooted down. “Put those sweet pussy lips right here,” he said against the inner side of her thighs. Causing her to moan and hold herself up. Her hair fell in knots around her face as she looked down at his eyes, which were watching her.
“Ride my tongue,” he said and slid it up over her clit, then dipped it into her already-wet pussy.
“Oh god!” She held on to the wood bed frame and did what he asked, riding his tongue until she felt herself building. “Liam, I need . . .” She didn’t get any further before he dipped a finger into her heat and sent her once more into an explosion.
“Damn you,” she said, standing under the shower a few minutes later. She threw a glare across the room at him as he reclined back on the bed, still in his jeans, smugness emanating from him.
He chuckled. “Why? Because I can make you come?”
“No, because I wanted . . . you.” She tossed her hair out of her face.
“You had me.” He shifted until he could see her fully in the shower. She pivoted, trying to keep the solid half wall between them. “I’ve seen you naked, you know,” he added and tilted his head once more.
“Well”—she twisted the shower off—“now you’ve seen me naked and wet.” She yanked the towel off the hook and covered herself.
His smile grew. “And I’ll see all of it again. That’s a promise.”
“I have to go.” She hunted the small space for her clothes and, finding them in a pile on the floor, shook them off. After quickly pulling the wrinkled things on, she twisted her long hair into a knot and glanced at herself in the mirror. “It will have to do. Do you think you can find your way down from here?” she asked, tugging on her shoes.
“I’ll be fine. Go. I’m not due anywhere for a few hours.” He rested back on the bed. “I’ve never slept in a tree house before.”
She walked over and surprised him by kissing him on the lips. “Thank you,” she said and watched his eyes flood with tenderness.
“Anytime, princess,” he said before she turned and left.
When she walked into the lobby, Julie was talking with Aiden.
“Morning,” she said, trying to avoid the curiosity as to why she’d entered through the front door and hadn’t come down the staircase. “What’s all this about a problem with plumbing?”
“There’s a shortage of new pipes going out to the new cabin,” Aiden said. He’d started to follow her to her office when the front phone rang.
“What?” They heard Julie’s gasp behind them. “Yes, I understand.” She hung up and screamed, “Bear!”
Elle had somewhat prepared for this. After all, it hadn’t been the first time a predator had been on the grounds. “Put us in lockdown. Call everyone and send out the notices to the cabins.” She started to rush toward her office to make some calls herself.
“No, I mean, yes, but Zoey!” Julie cried out.
“Oh god.” Elle must have turned white, because Aiden gripped her arms tightly.
“She outran it,” Julie added quickly.
Elle could barely breathe. “Is she . . .”
“She’s okay. She’s with Carter. They’re going to head over to the new cabin—the one that’s almost done. That’s where it was spotted. Dylan is locked in the cabin. The bear’s just outside it.”
Carter was one of the veterinarians on staff at the Alaqua Animal Refuge, which sat just on the other side of town. She’d convinced him to stop by a few times each day and act as part-time caregiver to the horses they kept in the stables.
She glanced at Aiden, who confirmed her unspoken thoughts. “Aiden and I are going there,” she said to Julie. “Just handle the lockdown.”
As Aiden drove, she thought about Zoey. Her heart beat faster as they got closer to the new cabin. Cabin. Liam! She fumbled for her phone and punched his number.
“Miss me so soon?” he answered.
“Don’t go outside,” she said. “There’s a bear. Your brother—”
“Where?” he broke in.
“The new cabin . . .”
“The one that’s almost built?”
“Yes, but . . . damn it!” she said after he’d hung up. The truck came to a dusty stop, and before it settled, she jumped out and rushed to Carter’s truck, where Zoey was sitti
ng in the passenger seat, hugging Dylan.
Elle hugged Zoey tight. “Are you two all right? Julie said you outran a bear.”
“I didn’t—I just snuck past her. Dylan was the one she chased,” she answered.
“It’s a good thing you two walked by this morning,” Aiden said as he came up behind her; then he walked over and looked at the tranquilized bear from a few feet away. “I’d hate to think of what would have happened if a guest had stumbled upon this.”
The way that Zoey was avoiding Elle’s gaze made her realize she was hiding something. Then she noticed the flush on her cheeks and smiled. “It’s a good thing the place had a door and windows,” Zoey added. “Otherwise Mama here would have joined us in the cabin.”
“Mama?” Aiden asked, turning back toward the bear.
Carter walked over to them. “Her two cubs are stuck in the dumpster. They look okay, but we’ll want to check them out to make sure. Which is probably why she made such a big mess last night.”
“Damn it,” Aiden said and headed to the dumpster. “I told my men not to throw food trash in here. The smell of leftovers probably drew the bears in the first place.” He glanced over to Elle in frustration. “I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
“Thanks.” She grinned at him, knowing he’d take care of it.
Just then another golf cart skidded to a halt in the dirt. Owen and Liam leaped out and rushed to their brother’s side.
“You okay?” they asked at the same time.
“Yeah.” Dylan suddenly looked uncomfortable.
Elle broke in. “If it’s okay, I’ll take these two back up to the main building in your truck.”
“We can . . .” Liam started but stopped when she gave him a look.
On the trip back to the main building, Zoey filled her in a little more on what had happened. How she had slipped out of the small bathroom window in the back of the cabin and run through the woods toward the stables to tell Carter. Due to running through the thick woods, Zoey was covered in scratches that needed to be cleaned and looked at. Elle convinced her to allow Dr. Val to examine her when they returned.
“I didn’t know you had prepared for cases like this.” Zoey reached over and squeezed her hand. “You thought of everything.”
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