The Stars at Night

by Gerri Hill

  She sighed. Yeah, she would be easy to fall in love with.

  Chapter Thirty-six

  “I can’t believe I agreed to this.” Lexie felt on the nightstand for her phone, silencing the annoying alarm by hitting snooze. The bedroom was dark and cold, and her head fell back to the pillow.

  “One thirty in the freakin’ morning,” she muttered as she burrowed under the covers again. Only an idiot would agree to this. She needed a shower to wake up. She needed coffee. Her eyes opened. She could always call Kyler and tell her she’d changed her mind.

  She’ll never go for that.

  With a sigh, she tossed the covers off, quickly pulling on the sweatpants that she’d removed last night. A sweatshirt followed and she shoved her feet into her fuzzy house slippers. She shuffled into the kitchen, pausing to up the heater a bit before turning on the Keurig. She yawned as she sorted through her coffee pods, finding a dark roast.

  The alarm was going off again, and with a groan, she went back into the bedroom to get her phone. She eyed the bed longingly, then jerked the covers up, halfway making the bed before heading to the bathroom and a hot shower.

  After she’d showered and dressed—and after two cups of coffee—she felt almost awake. She was a little excited, she admitted. She had no idea what to expect from a meteor shower. It wasn’t really that, though. It was getting to see Kyler, be with her.

  She hadn’t spoken to her but had gotten a text yesterday afternoon, reminding her to get to bed early. And asking if she preferred coffee or hot chocolate. She’d chosen the hot chocolate, simply because she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had it. Certainly not in her adult life. Besides hot chocolate, there would be sleeping bags. There would be quilts. She smiled. It could be fun. Or, if there were pillows, she might very well fall asleep.

  At ten minutes until two, she was out the door. The gust of wind hit her, and she shivered. She glanced up into the sky and frowned. Where were the stars? The wind whipped around her, and she knew the forecasted cold front had come in earlier than anticipated. She paused at her car, again looking to the sky. It was totally clouded over. There would be no meteor shower.

  Her shoulders sagged with disappointment. Should she go back to bed? No. After two cups of dark roast—and another for the road—there would be no going back to sleep. So should she call Kyler? Did Kyler already know the front was here? Another gust of wind nearly blew her against her car. She looked back at the door to her apartment, indecisive. Finally, she opened the car door and got inside.

  She was awake. Wide awake.

  She drove around the lodge and past the restaurant. She kept a watch out for the little pigs and was startled to have three deer dart out from the woods instead. She drove through the park, surprised at how familiar she was with it already. She took the little service road to Kyler’s cabin. Lights were on inside and she pulled to a stop beside the Jeep. The wind was brutal when she got out and she hurried to the door. Kyler had it opened before she could knock.

  “I didn’t think you’d come.”

  Lexie went inside, rubbing her hands together for warmth. “Damn, but that wind is cold.”

  “Come by the heater,” Kyler offered, leading her to the propane heater against the wall.

  “The sky is cloudy.”

  “Yeah. The front is about two hours early. I’m sorry.”

  “Oh, well. I’m three coffee cups in of a dark roast. I didn’t see the point of going back to bed.” She frowned. “Or were you?”

  “No. I’m on my third cup too.” She set down the cup she’d been holding. “Might get snow though. We need the moisture, that’s for sure.”

  “Snow would be fun.”

  “Yeah, everything will be pretty and Christmasy. I love getting out on the trails when it snows. The birds are very active. Deer come out. Everything has a sense of wonder about it. It doesn’t snow every year, and when it does, it’s sometimes only a dusting. If we get a good amount, the animals are as curious about it as we are.”

  Lexie smiled at the excitement in her voice, which only moments earlier had hinted at disappointment. She loved that about Kyler. She was disappointed that the meteor shower was clouding over but excited that perhaps they might get snow. The old Lexie, the one who had been stuck in a city, would have been content to sit inside and watch the snow from afar. She could now see the allure of getting out in it, though. If it did snow, maybe Kyler would invite her along on a trek through the woods.

  “Look at us. It’s two in the morning, and we’re discussing the weather. What are we doing?”

  “We were looking forward to each other’s company,” Kyler stated simply.

  She supposed that was true, despite the ridiculous hour. She turned her back to the heat and looked around. It was cozy. The lights on the Christmas tree were on, the overhead light was off. She looked up, smiling as she spied mistletoe hanging on the ceiling fan.

  “Was that there the other night?”

  “It was. Mistletoe is a Christmas tradition. This particular one, I climbed halfway up an oak tree to snag it.”

  Lexie met her gaze. “And did you climb this tree before or after we met?”

  Kyler laughed. “Yeah, it would have been last week.”

  Lexie smiled at her sweetly. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “So you put it up for me?”

  “I did.”

  Their eyes held for a long moment and once again, Lexie saw everything clearly. It was two in the morning. She knew there’d be no meteor shower, yet she’d driven over anyway. At two in the morning. A part of her tried to hold on to her habits, wanting—needing—to dissect everything she was feeling right then. Put it in perspective. But only a small part. She was surprised at how easily she pushed that nagging voice aside.

  She moved away from the heater, going to stand under the mistletoe. When she met Kyler’s gaze again, the teasing smile she’d seen there was gone. She arched an eyebrow and so did Kyler. She nodded, answering Kyler’s unasked question.

  Yes, they would kiss. And yes, she knew it would lead to more. She didn’t want to fight it. Perhaps because it was two in the morning and the Christmas lights were twinkling around them. Or maybe it was simply that her desire had won out over her cautiousness.

  Still, Kyler hesitated. “Lexie…”

  “I know it’s two in the morning. Is that too early? Too late?”

  Kyler took a step toward her, then stopped. “What is it we’re contemplating?”

  For four, five…six seconds, they stared at each other. Kyler was searching her eyes for something. Lexie wondered if maybe Kyler had changed her mind.

  “You’re not my type,” she finally said. “And I’m not yours.”

  Kyler’s mouth twitched in a smile. “But?

  “But I’m standing under mistletoe waiting for you to kiss me.”

  She took another step toward her and Lexie took her hand, tugging her even closer. The kiss was fiery hot, and she tried to temper it a bit, tried not to seem so needy, so urgent. She failed totally. Mouths, lips…tongues. Hands touched, caressed…stoking the fire that was already blazing. Her heart was hammering in her chest and she couldn’t seem to get enough air. She felt lightheaded and she moaned loudly when Kyler’s hand cupped her breast. Yes, they were really going to do this. There was no stopping now. She didn’t have the strength—or the want to—to stop.

  Her jacket was shoved off and she let it fall to the floor behind her. Her hands tugged at Kyler’s sweatshirt, pushing it up. Kyler whipped it over her head, flinging it to the ground in one quick motion. Lexie’s hands slid under the T-shirt beneath it, feeling warm skin against her fingertips. She felt Kyler tremble and it made her want to get closer, to touch more. Then her own sweatshirt was being removed. She held her arms up, letting Kyler pull it up.

  Their eyes met in the soft light—the Christmas tree flashing reds and greens and blues. It calmed her. She took a deep breath, feeling a little more in control now
. It didn’t last, however. Kyler drew her close, one hand snaking under her T-shirt, finding her breast. A thumb rubbed across her nipple and she sucked in a sharp breath, her hips moving hard against Kyler.

  She was surprised she was able to walk when Kyler led her into her bedroom. Her legs felt wobbly and she held on to Kyler. It was dark and Kyler didn’t bother with lights. Their fingers tangled together as they fumbled with buttons and zippers and jeans. Shirts and bras were discarded, and hands replaced clothing. Kyler’s skin was like silk. She moved up her body, cupping her breasts, feeling her nipples harden as her fingers touched them.

  Kyler’s kiss stilled her hands and she moaned into it, her mouth opening, her tongue fighting Kyler’s for control. Neither won the battle. She finally cupped Kyler’s face, bringing that hot, wet mouth to her breasts. Her eyes slammed shut as her tongue teased a nipple before she sucked it into her mouth.

  Then cool sheets on her heated skin, Kyler’s weight on top of her, her thighs opening, letting Kyler inside. She was in a state of glorious delirium. Kyler’s mouth seemed to be everywhere at once—her lips, her ear, her throat, her breasts. Gentle hands moved across her skin, from her neck to her hips, burning a path as they moved steadily and surely.

  Kyler’s mouth was on hers again and the sound of their moans filled the air around them. She was certain she’d not been so thoroughly kissed before, and when Kyler’s touch moved lower, she arched into it, gasping as fingers slid into her wetness.

  Kyler’s tongue circled a nipple and Lexie held her there as Kyler’s knee urged her legs apart, fingers filling her—moving inside her.

  God, yes. Had she really wanted to fight this? Right at that moment, she didn’t care in the least if Kyler was her type or not. It felt good. So she gave in to it, letting Kyler take her where she wanted, giving her free rein to do as she wanted.

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  “Stay a little longer.”

  Lexie snuggled against Kyler’s warmth for long moment, then finally rolled over. “It’s nearly five. I should go.”

  Kyler rolled to her side, her hand moving under the covers, across Lexie’s hip. “You’re not sorry, are you?”

  The bedroom was still dark—the Christmas tree lights and the lamp in the living room didn’t offer enough to see by. Lexie tried but couldn’t read Kyler’s eyes. She leaned closer, lightly kissing her on the mouth. Kyler’s voice was husky from their lovemaking, and she let her lips linger, feeling her desire flame again.

  “No. I can’t seem to get enough of you.”

  Kyler smiled against her lips. “So stay. It’s cold out.”

  “Yes. I hear the wind.” She finally pulled away. “I should go, though. When Mark walks down to open the restaurant, he’ll notice my car gone. I’m not ready for questions.”

  “He’s going to take one look at me and know. I don’t think we can hide it.”

  “I don’t think I want anyone to know, Kyler. They’ll all jump to conclusions, especially my mother.”

  Kyler sat up and touched her face gently. “We don’t have to make an announcement or anything. We slept together. It’s not anyone’s business but ours. Let’s enjoy each other and see where it goes.”

  She turned her head, kissing Kyler’s palm. She finally nodded. “You’re right. We’ll just play it by ear.”

  She kissed her again, then got out of bed. The room was cold, and she shivered. Where were her clothes? She found her underwear, but the jeans she picked up were Kyler’s, not hers. She placed them on the bed, then retrieved her own. She went into the living room, seeing her sweatshirt on the floor where Kyler had tossed it earlier. She picked it up, holding it to her as her eyes landed on the Christmas tree.

  She felt almost hypnotized as she watched the blinking lights—red, green, blue, white. She’d been as aroused as she’d ever remembered being. They’d touched as if they knew each other well. She’d been so ready, so wet. She remembered holding Kyler’s mouth to her breast, remembered pushing Kyler downward, her hips arching to meet that very mouth. She closed her eyes, feeling a strange fluttering in her stomach. Kyler had brought her to orgasm so quickly, she barely had time to register her mouth on her. She’d clutched Kyler’s shoulders so tightly, she must have left a bruise.

  Kyler had climbed back up, finding her lips again. When Lexie tasted herself there, she’d flipped them over. Her fingers had found Kyler’s wetness and she’d—

  “Lexie?”

  She opened her eyes, blinking rapidly, the lights of the tree coming back into focus. She turned, finding Kyler standing in the doorway of her bedroom. She had on sweatpants, but her feet were bare. Her torso was bare too and her arms were wrapped around herself as if in an attempt to get warm.

  Lexie dropped the sweatshirt she’d been holding. She walked purposefully back toward the bedroom, her gaze locked on Kyler’s.

  “Maybe I’ll—” She cleared her throat. “Maybe I’ll stay for a bit longer.”

  Kyler tugged her closer for a kiss, then led her back into the bedroom.

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Kyler held the coffee cup between her hands, staring out as the first snowflakes started to fall. The wind was ferocious, and it blew them about, carrying them away before they landed.

  “I should have stayed home.” Tammy came up beside her. “We had three cancellations already. I doubt we’ll have any campers for the next few days.”

  “There’s still an RV there. I saw it this morning when I was filling the bird feeders.”

  “That’s those folks from Abilene. Todd said they knew the storm was coming and decided to ride it out here instead of rushing home.”

  “I hope we get some decent snow.”

  “You do?”

  “Sledding,” she said, thinking of Lexie. “It’ll be fun.”

  “Not in this wind. And not when the temperature is in the teens. Not fun.”

  Kyler looked around. “Where is everybody?”

  “Brian and Todd have the day off. Jim said he’d be in later. Maybe.” Tammy shrugged. “I don’t know where the others are. What’s there to do in weather like this? They’re probably holed up in the maintenance shed by the heater.”

  “Yeah, this is a great week for me to be on restroom duty. There are no campers here. At least I don’t have to worry about a toilet backing up.”

  “So this probably isn’t a good time to tell you this. The handicap shower’s hot water is not working.”

  She frowned. “Who’s used it?”

  “Well, it’s a big, private shower and dressing room. Mrs. Armstead—that’s the lady in the RV—uses it. Went to take her evening shower yesterday and had only cold water. I got her message this morning.”

  Kyler blew out a breath. “Well, I guess there’s nothing else to do. At least there’s heat in there.” She moved to top off her coffee. “I’ll go take a look.” She paused. “After that, I’m going back to my cabin. Call me if something comes up.”

  Tammy waved her away. “Don’t mind me. I brought a book with me and my thick quilt. I’ll pretend I’m at home, sitting by the fire.”

  “You should ask Jim if you can put up the self-pay signs. Like you said, the chances of getting customers today are slim.”

  “I’ll probably do that after lunch.”

  She put the hood of her jacket up as she ran toward her work truck. The wind seemed to cut right through her, and she got inside and quickly slammed the door. The truck had been sitting out overnight and she knew it was pointless to put the heater on. She would be at the handicap shower long before it began to emit something other than cold air.

  Oh, but once she was out on the road, the trees blocked the wind somewhat. The snow flurries whipped around her, and she slowed, taking it all in. A cloudy, dreary day—a rare treat. Their skies were usually blue and sunny. Even during the so-called rainy months of July and August, the skies were clear, save the odd thunderstorm that popped up, dumping much-needed moisture. She hoped the cloudy, snowy weath
er would stick around for a day or two. The north wind would die down tomorrow, and with luck, they’d get a few inches of snow. She could already envision a sled ride with Lexie. She’d love it.

  She smiled. And after a sled ride, she could envision them back at her place, lounging on a comforter near the fire…hopefully naked.

  For a second, she forgot about the cold as her mind flashed back to earlier that morning. Oh, yeah…she forgot all about being cold.

  * * *

  “That wind is strong enough to rattle the windowpanes,” her mother said as she filled her coffee cup again. She took a sip, eyeing her over the top. “You’ve been awful quiet this morning.”

  “Have I?” Lexie yawned. “Getting up at one thirty in the morning will do that, I guess.”

  “Shame you went to all that trouble and didn’t get to see the meteor shower.” She sat down across from her at the desk. “Your father was up at six. Said you weren’t back yet.”

  She tried. She really, really tried to keep the blush off her face. Yes, she did. She felt the heat of it, though, and she turned away from her mother, feigning interest in an email.

  “I don’t remember when I got back. We…we visited, and Kyler had made hot chocolate so we…we had that…and breakfast. She made breakfast,” she lied. She hadn’t eaten a thing and her stomach growled now at the thought.

  “That was nice of her. What did you have?”

  Oh god…really? “Umm, just toast and scrambled eggs.”

  “It’s so nice that you two get along as well as you do. Kyler is special. She’s got a good heart. Her family acts like she’s not good enough, you know. They are all doctors, I think. Her sister too. They kinda look down on Kyler. But she doesn’t change who she is.”

  She looked at her mother then. “She didn’t mention that they were doctors. She did say that she had planned to go to medical school herself at one time.” She rested her chin in her palm. “I know she’s not close with her family. She said they only came up here one time.”