by Alexa Riley
My treacherous feet move closer to her and I curse under my breath as a mixture of heat and anger swirls inside me. They’re fighting to see which one takes control and even I don’t know which one will win.
“Whatever I want?” I confirm, and I think about how long it’s been since I’ve had a woman.
Her tongue darts out on her bottom lip and the sight of her wet mouth makes a groan form low in my stomach.
“Tea?” Simon asks from directly beside me and the moment is shattered.
I take a breath and then a step back to see him holding out a clean shirt for me. I yank it from his outstretched hands and tug it on, then turn and stomp towards the house. When I don’t hear her footsteps behind me, I call over my shoulder.
“Are you coming or not?”
Chapter 3
Pippa
I stand there for a moment watching Timber stomp away from me. He’s asking if I’m coming with him but he doesn’t actually seem like he wants me to follow him.
“Go,” Simon whispers to me, and I jump, realizing I was staring at Timber’s backside and thighs. Normally I’d think someone behaving that way would be rude, but his grumpy attitude is kinda cute.
I speed walk to catch up with the man; he moves pretty quick for a giant. “Timber!” I shout his name so that I can catch up to him. This house is so massive I could easily get lost, and just as my thoughts begin to wander he turns around and I run right into him.
My small body bounces off his and I squeeze my eyes tight and brace to hit the floor. But to my shock, strong arms wrap around me to keep me from going over. My face presses against his solid chest and I kind of wish he hadn't put his shirt on. Embarrassment at my dirty fantasies heats my cheeks and I tuck my chin so he can’t see. His chest is so broad and thick he won’t be able to tell. He really does live up to his name.
“You should watch where you’re going,” he tells me, but he doesn't release me from his hold.
When I finally summon the courage to look up at him, I have to crane my neck all the way back. He’s got the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen and they’re framed with dark long lashes I would pay good money for.
“Thanks,” I manage to get past my lips. My backside would have hurt for a few days if I fell on the beautiful marble flooring.
When I take a deep breath, his scent invades me. He smells like hard work and a man, not a boy with body spray on. It is outdoors and oak, and I had no idea it could be so hot. Watching him do manual labor has my body in overdrive.
I didn’t know what to expect when I came to talk to Timber Grayson, but this is far from what I was thinking. I thought for sure it was going to be some old curmudgeon that didn't much care for people. While Timber might be less than inviting, he’s far from old. He’s in his prime and looked like a freaking lumberjack out there chopping wood. I bet he doesn't even need that axe. He could rip the logs in half with his bare hands like Captain America. Those strong hands are holding me in place ever so gently at the moment, but I can feel the power radiating in them.
“I have short legs.” I smile up at his grumpy expression. “It’s hard to keep up.”
He lets go of me and practically jumps back to keep from touching me. I think my sister is wrong about my dimples having special powers. The more I smile at Timber, the grumpier he seems to get. At least I’m getting somewhere. Myra couldn't even get on the property so I guess this is progress.
He turns and stomps off again and I notice this time it’s at a slower pace.
We enter what looks like a sitting area near the patio. I’ve never been in a house big enough to have all these different fancy rooms. This place really would make a wonderful venue for a party, so it’s a shame he wants to hide the home away. Maybe it shouldn’t be filled with parties but a family of some kind. This place is so remote that I wonder why Timber chose to isolate himself from the rest of the world. It really is a castle out of a fairytale, but it could be so much more if it was filled with life.
“This place is really something.” I turn in a circle, taking all the history in.
An old painting of a woman in a beautiful ball gown hangs over the fireplace. I’d guess the picture to be over two hundred years old and likely Timber’s great-great-something because they have the same green eyes. A man stands behind her and he has his hand on her shoulders and she’s reaching up to hold it. The beautiful ring on her finger makes it clear they are husband and wife.
Timber doesn’t say anything at my comment and I turn to see he’s taken a seat. He picks up the teapot and I watch as his giant hand engulfs it. I have no idea how he’s going to hold one of the little cups. I don’t wait for an invitation because I don’t think I’m going to get one, so I walk over and sit down in the chair next to his.
“For me?” I ask, motioning to the cup. It looks so delicate and I’d bet that’s real gold that lines the top.
“I guess. Simon’s never done this tea shit before.”
I bite my bottom lip to keep from smiling. Ah, Simon. I don’t know how I talked him into letting me in but it might have had something to do with me standing in front of the gate until someone tried to pull in. I’d stolen the moment to corner Simon, though I don’t think it counts as cornering him. He’d looked me over and told me to come back in two hours. It was as easy as that.
“Sugar please.” I point to the little cubes stacked in a neat pile. He doesn’t use the tongs to place one of them into my teacup. Instead he picks it up with his fingers and tosses it into my cup. This time I can’t fight the laugh that bubbles up from me and I don’t miss how his jaw tightens. “Why are you so angry?” I think it’s endearing he isn’t being proper and it puts me more at ease.
“I’m not angry,” he huffs, suddenly reminding me of a giant teddy bear.
“Fine. You’re not angry.” I roll my eyes before I stand up and walk over to the bar on the other side of the room and grab an empty glass. I bring it back to pour another cup of tea in it. There’s no way he can drink out of that tiny teacup and he isn’t even going to attempt it.
I add sugar and milk to make it the way I like it and then hand him the glass. He stares at me for a moment before taking it from my hand. Our fingers graze one another for a brief moment and I can feel the rough of his hands from the manual labor he does.
“So.” I sit back down in my seat and cross my legs as I pick up my tea. “What is it that you want?”
“I don’t like people,” he says before throwing back his tea in a few gulps.
“I don’t think I can get you to like people.” I take a sip of my tea to hide my smile.
“I like you.” His eyes flick to my bare shoulder.
I notice they keep going there, but what I’m wearing isn’t exactly sexy. With the way he looks at me you’d think I was in a tiny little dress, but he’s quick to hide his desire.
“You like me? I find that hard to believe.” His eyes like me but his words say otherwise.
“If you want to have a party here, you will host and coordinate it. I would have to make an appearance and you would be my date.”
I stare at him. I don’t know how to host or coordinate anything.
“Your date?” I ask, and I don’t know why that is the first thing that pops out of my mouth because there are so many other things he’s said that are problematic.
“Yes. You would stay at my side. You could talk to people for me; that way I wouldn’t have to.”
It only takes me a half a second to think it over because I know Myra can walk me through the rest of it. All that matters is that he says yes.
“I can do that,” I agree, but I have no idea why he’s okay with all of this. He could shut it down and just say no since he isn’t getting anything out of it. He turned the money down so why is he saying yes now?
Me going as his date is not what I thought he’d go after. What if he demanded I have sex with him? The thought should send me into a rage but my body tingles with the idea of him having hi
s way with me. In all my life, I’ve never had thoughts like that, but with him they come flooding in.
I don’t want to stay any longer and embarrass myself, so I stand.
“I’ll be in contact. The party is only…” My mind blanks as I try and think of how many days we have left. I’m terrible with the details, so this should be a total disaster.
“I’m not finished.” Timber breaks me from my concentration as he leans back in the chair.
His dark hair is a mess and his beard really needs a trim. I can’t help but wonder what he looks like under all that scruff.
“There is something else I want.” Heat floods my body once again as I wait for him to continue. My heart races and I’m not sure what I want him to say. He could probably get me to do just about anything in this moment.
My dimples might have superpowers but his green eyes are my kryptonite.
Chapter 4
Timber
“You’ll stay here for the duration of the planning.” I set my glass down on the side table and watch her mouth fall open.
“B-but that’s weeks away.”
“Then I should have someone sent to your home today to get your things. I’ll have Simon send a team.”
I stand up and she holds out her hands. “Wait a second, you can’t just tell me I have to stay here as part of the deal.”
“Yes, I can.” I take a step closer to her, and to her credit she doesn’t retreat. “You want something I have and there is a price to pay for it.”
“They’ve offered you any amount of money you want.”
A wicked smile tugs at the corner of my lips. “Money is the one thing I don’t need.”
“I don’t think you know what you’re asking.” She huffs as I turn around and walk out of the room. Her heeled boots follow me at a quick pace. “Mr. Grayson, Timber, please let’s work this out. There will be a lot to coordinate and I’ll need to speak to my sister.”
I stop abruptly and once again she runs into my back. I turn in time to steady her and then let out a quick breath. “You’ve either got to stay a few feet back or walk beside me,” I say sharply, even as my hands linger on her arms a bit longer than necessary.
“Listen I’m going to be honest with you. I can do this, but I can’t do that if I stay. This is all the way out here in the middle of nowhere and it is going to take a ton of coordination.”
“Exactly.”
“Ugggrr,” she growls, and it’s kind of cute.
“You just said I’m in the middle of nowhere,” I say, and she nods. “Which means that there will be a lot of trips out here for people to look at the space and location. You’ll need to measure off distance for planning out tables and catering. Am I right?”
“Um, yes?” I cock my head to the side at her unease but she straightens her shoulders and gets a serious expression on her face. “Yes, of course we would need to do all of those things.”
“Which is why I will need to have someone here full time. I’m allowing your sister’s company to use this space, but I won’t be inconvenienced. I’ve got enough work on my hands as it is that I don’t want to be distracted with whatever soiree you’re planning.”
I begin to walk again and this time she’s right beside me, practically skipping to stay in my line of sight.
“I just don’t understand why I should be here full time in order to do that. I can make whatever trips are necessary and be here anytime someone needs to show up.”
I sigh and stop once more, pinching the bridge of my nose, reaching for patience. I take a second, and when I look up at her maple honey eyes, my muscles soften and I want to give in. I really do. But I won’t let her go.
“Exactly how long did it take you to get here today from the city?” She furrows her brows and begins to object, but I hold my hand up to stop her. “Let’s ballpark it at over an hour. That’s two hours of commute for you every day and that could mean either multiple trips out here each day if you have more than one crew coming at a time, or late-night driving through the woods, which isn’t exactly safe.”
She opens her mouth but then closes it quickly as I continue.
“I’ve made it perfectly clear that I don’t like people, so having a bunch of them in my space is going to put me in a really bad mood.”
“I can’t imagine what that’s like,” she cuts in, but I keep going.
“The more likely I am to deal with your vendors, the more likely I am to call this whole thing off. Is that what you want?”
“No.” She’s quick to agree and I see her realize she’s got hardly any options on the table. Good.
I cross my arms over my chest and cock my head to the side. “Then this is how it’s going to go. You’re going to live here full time while this planning takes place. You will deal with everyone and keep them out of my hair. The upstairs to the castle is private and I aim to keep it that way. No guests or anyone else who visits the property is allowed up there. Is that clear?”
“Crystal.” She nods with wide eyes.
“Simon!” I call, and like he’s made of thin air he appears. “Have Miss Michaels’ things brought here.”
“Pippa,” she says, and I look over in time to see her cheeks flush as she tucks her chin. “I guess if I’m going to be staying with you for a while we should be on a first-name basis.”
“I know, Pippa.” I take a step towards her and lean in. Damn, why do I like the way her name sounds on my tongue? “But the staff will refer to you as Miss Michaels because that’s what pleases me.”
“I’ll make sure it’s done,” Simon agrees.
“Today,” I say, looking over at him, and he nods.
“Of course.”
“Pippa will give you the details. I’ve got to finish the wood before the storm rolls in.” My muscles protest as I take a step back from her and it’s got nothing to do with being sore.
“It’s not supposed to rain,” Pippa calls to me as she looks out the window.
I turn around one last time and shake my head. “Don’t let the sunshine fool you, princess. There’s a storm coming.”
Chapter 5
Pippa
The rain pours down as I stare out the window into the darkness. A flash lights up the back of the house and it’s eerily beautiful here. A few seconds later thunder rumbles and I pull my sweater around my shoulders. The house has gotten a little colder since the sun went down and the storm Timber said was coming rolled in fast. The movers barely got my belongings into the house before the rain started to pour down.
Letting go of the heavy curtain so it falls back over the window, I turn to look at what will be my new home for the next few weeks. Boxes fill the space in front of me and it looks like they brought everything from my bedroom but the bed. My things look out of place in the beautiful room with rich colors and heavy drapes. The crown molding alone likely costs more than everything I own. The bathroom is bigger than my freaking bedroom, which is just nuts. I really don’t think I need all this stuff for only a few weeks, but what am I supposed to do? It wasn’t as if I had much say in the matter.
There’s a knock at the door and I tell whoever it is to come in. I’m surprised when I see Timber standing there in the open doorway with his knuckles still resting on the solid wood. He fills up all the remaining space in the room with his presence alone.
“You don’t invite people into your room without knowing who it is first.”
God, why is he always so grumpy? My eyes roam over him, and he might be a grouchy butt, but damn he’s handsome. He cleaned up from his day out chopping logs and even though he’s still in jeans and a shirt, he looks like he belongs here. My eyes flick to the fireplace that’s going and I wonder if he used the wood to light it himself.
“I knew it was you.” I smirk. “No one is allowed upstairs in the castle but you and Simon,” I remind him.
I remember him saying it and I knew he wasn’t joking because I watched as the two of them lugged all my boxes up to my new room and nei
ther of them let me help. I was told to have a look around, which I did, and it worked out because my sister wants as many pictures as possible. She wants to see the first floor so she can start preparations for the party.
I’m lucky she’s out of town at the moment because she’s not going to be down with me staying with Timber. Her boss took her on an unexpected business trip and I’m hoping that when she gets back she’s okay because she sees I’m alive and kicking. At that point, she can see that Timber hasn't kidnapped or harmed me and she’ll be okay with me staying until the party. We don't have much of a choice if she wants this to happen.
“It could’ve been Simon.” He stands a little taller as he steps inside the room.
“So? What does that matter? The door is open and it’s not like I’m running around naked.” I left the door open because this place is so big it’s kind of scary, and more so with the storm.
I watch as his eyes narrow on me and he clenches his jaw. “No one is allowed in your room.”
“Simon helped with the boxes,” I point out.
“He brought them to the door.” His tone is flat.
“And you brought them inside?” I laugh, not really understanding.
“Yes.”
“Just like no one is allowed in the upper part of the estate but here I am.” I motion around the beautiful room. It’s not going to be a hardship staying here. It feels like a fancy hotel.
His only response is a grunt and we stare at one another.
“You’re always smiling.”
“What’s wrong with smiling?” It’s actually hard not to smile when he’s being so grumpy. It’s kind of adorable but I’m not telling him that. “I’m sorry that bothers you. Is there something you need?”
“Why haven't you unpacked?” He looks to my boxes. “What’s in all these?” He walks over to one and rips it open easily.
