by Kelly Moore
“I try to have all my bases covered.”
“We should probably eat and head out before it gets too late,” she says, blowing on her food.
“We are staying the night here.” I take a big bite of my ravioli.
Her gaze bores into my skull. “What?”
“I thought we would spend the night here. I’m not leaving you alone, and I can’t take you to my house.”
She fidgets in her chair. “We could go back to the cottage where there is a spare bedroom.”
“I’ve already told you, nothing is going to happen between us unless you say so. I’m a grown man and can sleep next to a beautiful woman without touching her.” I lift my eyes to hers. “I think,” I say with a wink.
“Did you bring me here too, hoping I would remember something?”
I put my fork down. “Maybe. Is that such a bad thing?” I lean my elbows on the table and fold my fingers together.
“No. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up, David.”
That’s the first time she’s called me David, and it feels so damn good. “My hopes have been up since the day I found you under the bridge.”
“I meant it about me remembering. I’ve tried, and nothing more than a few feelings surface every now and then.”
“Feelings for me?”
“I do feel a connection to you. I’ve felt it since the first letter. Being near you makes me weak in the knees.”
I smile and pick up my fork. “I like that I make you weak in the knees.”
We spend the rest of our evening in front of the fireplace with me telling her stories of Emmalyn. She hangs on every word with tears threatening to fall, but I have her roaring in laughter at some of the stories.
Her hand covers her mouth as a yawn slips out. I glance at my watch, and it’s after midnight. “Come on, sleepyhead. Let’s get you to bed.”
I follow her up the stairs with a bag in tow. She pulls down the covers, and when she turns around, I throw the bag to her.
“What’s this?” She peeks inside and pulls out red thermals.
“It’s what you’re going to sleep in.” I pull off my jeans and T-shirt, leaving only my boxers.
“You’re sleeping half naked, and I’m supposed to sleep in this.” She holds it up and sees that it will cover her from chin to toes.
“That way you will be safe.”
She surprises me again when she throws the thermals on the floor and strips out of her clothes, snuggling under the blankets naked. I gladly scoot so that our bodies are touching. Her head lands in the middle of my chest, and her hand is dangerously near my cock.
“This is not safe,” I mutter.
“I don’t want safe.” Her eyes blaze with desire.
Abandoning all thought of control, I roll her to her back and breach her lips with my tongue delving inside her mouth. There is no stopping what she’s started now. I’m not even going to give her the option of taking it back.
My lips trail to her perfectly round nipple, and I draw it into my mouth. I hiss when her nails dig into my shoulder. Her touch obliterates my senses as I keep moving south. I feel her body soften as I continue to kiss every sweet inch of her. I spread her legs and look up at her as I kiss her cleft. Her gaze is on me as she arches up.
She smells of lilacs just like I remember. I lick and suck at her folds until she’s squirming with need. As I continue enjoying her, I push two fingers inside her, coaxing her orgasm. This used to send her spiraling over the edge. Her chest heaves harder as her fists grasp the sheets. I drive in deeper with my fingers. I flare them out, and she bucks upward as her orgasm takes control of her body.
My cock starts to throb as I watch her body come undone. I lose my restraint and crawl up her body, penetrating her, causing her to go into waves of orgasms. It’s been so long for me that her moans and quivering core take me with her.
Chapter 15
Shay
I want to taste his full lips as he sleeps. My body is sore from the multiple times we had sex last night. But as I lie in bed next to him, propped on my elbow, I still want more. I resist my urges and let him sleep. Unwrapping from the sheets, I slip on the thermals he bought me and my coat.
It’s crisp and white outside with a fresh layer of snow. This whole area is so serene. It’s like something out of a fairy tale. Two chipmunks scurry off as I make my way to one of the rocking chairs. I admire the handiwork of whoever built it.
Everything has happened so fast with Keegan; my head hasn’t had time to catch up. My heart plays its own tune when it comes to him. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the time I’ve spent getting to know him the past couple of days, but I’m not ready to give up my life for him, and I still have my doubts about being Timber. I admit we have some similarities according to him. I haven’t seen a picture yet, but being that we are both American Indian, our features should resemble each other. My heart will ache for him when he realizes the truth. Mine will feel the same way because in our short time together, I’ve fallen for him.
The door creaks open, and Keegan steps out with the bedspread wrapped around his shoulders. His hair is all a mess, going in every direction. “Good morning, beautiful.” He sits in the rocker next to me.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.” I see him clutching something in his hand. “What do you have there?”
He lowers his head. “When I went to the outdoor store yesterday, I took this picture off my desk.”
He hesitantly hands it to me. “This was taken right before the accident.”
It’s like looking in a younger mirror. No wonder he thinks I’m his wife. The woman in this picture could be my twin. I twirl a lock of my hair, thinking mine has a little more curl. Her eyes seem a brighter shade than mine. Our olive skin and cheekbones match. There are subtle differences between us.
“I see what you mean…but I see someone else in this picture, not me.” I hand it back to him.
He hugs the picture frame to his chest. “You see age differences, nothing more. This is you in this photograph.” He rolls his shoulders like he’s trying not to be tense.
Scooting my rocker around to face him, I say, “Let’s say for one minute, I’m not Timber. Does that change what’s happening between us? Are you able to open your heart to another woman? Are you ready for that? Are you ready for a long-distance relationship? How do you think your daughter is going to handle having a woman in her life that looks so much like her mother?” I rattle off each question in rapid fire.
He raises a finger in the air, stopping me. “This is you.” He points to the picture. His jaw is set with determination.
“Play devil’s advocate with me, David.” I soften my tone.
He tilts his head toward his shoulder, and I hear his neck crack. “I don’t have the answer to any of your questions.
I get down on my knees in front of him, placing my hands on his legs. “How do you feel about me? The person kneeling here in front of you?”
“I love you.” His lower lip trembles.
“You mean you love Timber. You’ve only known me for a few days, and I’m not sure you really see me. Even if by some slim possibility I am the woman in this picture, I’m not her anymore. Are you going to be able to love me when you figure that out?”
“Did I not prove to you last night that I love you?” His eyes frost over.
“The only thing last night proved is that we have great chemistry together.” My words come out harsh as I stand. I need him to be realistic.
“You’re still thinking of this as a fling, aren’t you?” He’s on his feet.
“Last night was a mistake.” I march back into the house and up the stairs to change clothes as Keegan follows behind me.
“This is not over. You don’t get to just leave.” He throws the blanket on the bed.
“I need you to take me back to the cottage.” I stand nose to nose with him.
“The only thing I want to do right now is bend you over my knee.” His nostrils flare.
&
nbsp; “You wouldn’t dare!”
His fists clench open and shut at his sides. “You’re right. I won’t because I would never do it in anger.” He snatches his boots off the ground and runs downstairs. A few minutes later I hear the door slam.
Gathering my things, I head after him. He’s got both snowmobiles cranked up and ready to go. He doesn’t say a word as he pulls on his helmet. I follow suit, and we head out.
The ride back to the cottage was quiet. I would glance in his direction every now and then, and I would see his lips moving, but no words were coming out. I think he is going to drop me off, but he storms past me. Using his own key, he unlocks the front door.
As soon as the door slams shut, he starts talking. “If you’re not Timber, I will still love you. I have already opened my heart to you. I don’t want to do a long-distance relationship, but if I have to, I will. Emmalyn will love you for you.”
Now I know what he was practicing saying in the car. He answered every question from earlier.
I want to believe him. “You understand that I have a life and it doesn’t belong to Timber.”
He takes my hand in his and drags me over to the couch. “I can’t explain it to you. I felt something for you from the first time you wrote me back, and that had nothing to do with Timber. I didn’t know who you were or who you looked like.”
“I believe what you are saying”—I place my hand on his heart—“but what about in here?”
“I know what my heart wants, and it’s you, Shay Fox.”
I lean back on the arm of the couch. “Can’t we spend the rest of my vacation getting to know each other?”
“Unfortunately, we can’t. It’s Christmas in a couple days, and I need to spend it with my family.” He takes my hands in his. “You could spend it with us.”
“And how are you going to explain me to Emmalyn and your parents?” I laugh halfheartedly.
“You’re right. I’ll sneak out and bring you a plate of food after our Christmas dinner. I’ll make some excuse, and we can spend the rest of your time here together.”
“I would like that.” I curl into his arms, and he holds me.
“We need to go get your blood drawn today, and I have some Christmas shopping to finish.”
“Here’s the deal. I’ll get the testing but no more talk of me being Timber.”
“Deal.” He kisses the top of my head.
“I want a long, hot shower. Do you want to join me?” I tilt my head, so I can see his eyes.
“Sweetheart, you never have to ask a man if he wants to shower with the woman he’s crazy about.”
He has his clothes peeled off before we make it up the stairs. His hands are tugging at the hem of my shirt. I lift my arms, and he basically rips it off me along with the rest of my clothes. He’s a man with one thing on his mind, and I’m not resisting one bit. Snaking my arms around his waist, my hands lay firm on his backside.
“You can hold on to that anytime you want, but I have another body part I’d prefer you grasp.”
I can’t help but grin. I wonder if he was always so verbal about what he wanted. I know he’s only been with one woman. “Have you always been kinky?” I say, pulling him into the shower with me.
He bites his bottom lip. “No, not always. It became natural between the two of us…I mean Timber and me. We never held back anything. She always made it very clear what she wanted and had no trouble giving to me either.”
“I like that,” I whisper.
“Can you tell me what you want?” he asks, lifting my chin to meet his eyes.
“I want you to make love to me. Me…Shay Fox.”
He devours my mouth, pressing his tongue inside like a starved man. He turns us around so that my back is against the tile wall. We are skin to skin, but I’m able to get my arms free and wrap my hand around his cock. He hisses.
“I want to taste you,” I rasp.
He takes a step back and puts his arms out to the side. “Who am I to argue with what a woman wants.” He has a cocky smile, but lust still fills his eyes.
I get down on my knees and cup him with one hand. I look up at him as I slowly place him on my tongue. His cock jerks when I take him further into my mouth. I love the taste of him and his smell. It’s intoxicating. I quit thinking about what I’m doing and go with the flow of it. Listening to his moans brings on my own ache. I drop the hand that was cupping him and reach between the well of my legs. I groan with him in my mouth and his cock jerks again several times. His hand grabs my hair and pulls my head back. “Do that again,” he commands. I slide him deep inside as I shamelessly rub circles on my nub. His smoldering look begs for more. I stroke him at the same time I draw him in and out of my mouth. I’m unrelenting in my endeavor, and I moan loudly, vibrating my lips on his sheath.
He lets out a loud roar and arches back, stiffening as he releases in my mouth. I swallow every last taste of him. I find my release with the last heated pulse of his cock.
He lifts me off the ground to stand with him. His lips begin to travel down my neck, over my shoulder and onto my nipples where he sucks me in, rolling the tip between his teeth. I can already feel him growing hard between us again. I wrap my leg around his hip, placing his tip at my entrance. He shifts his hips and enters me in one forceful move. His thrusts are primal as his rigid cock slips in and out of me. I grip his tousled, wet hair, yanking his head back and trailing bites down his neck. My nails sink into his flesh, and both of our needs become more volatile.
His thrust slams me against the wall, and then I yank his hair. The intensity between us has my heart racing. I’ve never felt such hunger for another person. My body can take no more as I scream out his name and draw him further in with each wave of my orgasm, causing him to come with me.
Chapter 16
Keegan
I can’t quit glancing over at her as I drive us into town. I think her face is still a little flushed from our romp in the shower. She seemed really relaxed until we got into town. Now she’s rubbing the back of her neck, and she keeps biting the inside of her cheek.
The clinic parking lot is empty. I park right up front and jump out to open her door. She has her head between her knees, breathing rapidly. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
I squat and lightly rub her back. Her shirt is damp from perspiration despite the cold weather. “I think you’re having a panic attack. Try to slow your breathing.”
She gets it back under control and leans her head back against the seat. Her hair around her nape is wet. “I don’t know why I lost it. It’s not like we will get the results today, right?”
“No. I’m sure it will take a couple of weeks. Come on. Let’s get this over with.” I hold out my hand for her to take and as soon as she’s upright, I wrap my arm around her waist and kiss the side of her head.
She fills out the paperwork, and I tell the receptionist where to get Timber’s records from. “Do you want me to go in with you,” I ask her.
“No, don’t be silly. It’s only a lab draw.”
I watch her until the door to the lab shuts behind her. I made a promise to her that I wouldn’t mention Timber’s name again. That might be a little difficult, but I think for the first time, I’ve seen her as Shay. She is different in many ways from Timber. Maybe it’s age that has changed her. More than likely, everything she’s been through. Timber was always such a free spirit. Shay is much more guarded, even though today she loosened up some with me. I’m sure a stupid smile covers my face. I haven’t been this happy in twelve long years. I’m looking forward to spending more time with her alone.
She comes back out with a Band-Aid on her right forearm. “The lab technician said it would take about two weeks to get the results back.”
“Where are they sending them?”
“I told them if they’d call me, I’d come pick them up since I don’t have an address here.”
I wish she would have had them sent to me, but I’m sure she wants to get her hands on the resul
ts before I do. “Promise me, we’ll open it together.”
She nods.
Her rental truck is being delivered when we pull up to the cottage. “Now that you have some wheels again, I really need to get home for a few hours.” I hand her my cell phone. “Program your number in for me. Text me a list of things you need, and I’ll get them for you.”
“I don’t want to be trapped here. I saw on the map there is another little town not far from here. I’ll go get a few groceries, so I won’t be seen in town.”
I walk her to the door and kiss her. “I’ll come by later. Promise me, you won’t leave town on me.”
“I will stay here until we figure things out.”
As soon as I pull up to work, Emmalyn is leaving the store.
“Hey, Dad. Did you find her?”
It takes me a minute to think about what’s she’s asking. “No, so far, it’s a dead-end lead, but I’m not giving up finding Wolfe’s sister.” I swallow hard, hating to lie to her.
“Where are you headed?”
“Grandpa is taking me ice fishing. We’re going to be out all night. Will you be okay?”
“Sure, why do you ask?”
“I know this time of year you’re lonely. I can skip the fishing if you want.”
I rub the top of her head. “Don’t be silly. Have a good time. I have work here I need to catch up on.”
“Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Don’t forget we open our stockings before bedtime,” she says, skipping off.
I hit my office long enough to check my messages, then I run downstairs to finish up getting stocking stuffers for Emmalyn. A piece of jewelry that I’ve never seen in here before catches my eye. It’s a long silver beaded necklace with an etched feather dangling from it, surrounded by two turquoise beads. I take it to the counter and pay for it, then have it gift wrapped.
I stuff it in the glove box and head for my house. Mom is in the kitchen making her traditional sausage and cheese meatballs. I pop one in my mouth, and she smacks my hand.
