by Kate Douglas
Jules shook her head. “Nope. Not yet.”
She might have been, she thought. Thank goodness she’d figured out what a jerk Andrew was before they got any more serious than they had. After discovering what a slimeball she was dating, she figured she’d been lucky getting away with nothing more than a split lip. As much as he’d been screwing around—quite literally—she’d been thrilled she hadn’t ended up with an STD.
Armando—Manny, the guys had called him—laughed. “Women today aren’t rushing to get married like they used to. They have the freedom to hold out for what they really want.”
She sighed, running her fingers along the silky surface of the armoire. “We’re not really holdouts, I don’t think. Mostly just particular. I figure I’ll know when the right guy comes along.”
Manny nodded sagely. “I agree. A lifelong commitment to one person is a huge decision. Not one to be made in haste.”
She loved the way he spoke, like a man from another time. His words were measured and calm, his voice as smooth as silk. Plus, he had long hair. Not overly long, but it was a deep, rich, silky brown that waved over his shoulders in front and curled against his shoulder blades in back. With his neatly trimmed beard and mustache and the slight widow’s peak, he could have been one of the Three Musketeers. He only needed the white shirt with blousy sleeves and a laced neckline to complete the image.
She glanced at his long, long legs. Knee-high boots wouldn’t hurt, though the faded jeans and moccasins worked just as well. “Yeah,” she said, responding to his comment. “I thought I’d met the one a while back. Then he knocked me out when I told him I knew he was cheating.”
Shocked that she’d said exactly what she was thinking, Jules slammed her hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what made me say that. I never talk about what happened. Even my closest friends don’t know the whole story.”
She was still apologizing when Manny moved so quickly she had no idea how she ended up in his arms.
“No,” he said. “Please don’t apologize. It explains so much.” He kissed her forehead and then held her close, comforting her in a strong but gentle embrace that brought her firmly against his chest. “I thought you were afraid of me, but if a man has treated you so badly, you have every right to be uncomfortable following a strange man into the woods. I wish I’d known. I would have made a point to make you feel safe. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” She was so embarrassed. She wanted to push him away, but his arms felt so good around her, and somehow hers had crept around his broad back. He was big but so gentle, and his deep, mellow voice calmed her.
“No,” he said, and she thought his voice sounded terribly sad. “Not mine, personally, but sometimes I feel compelled to apologize for all the bastards who share my gender. We’re not all like that, truly. I can honestly say that every man here reveres women. You are all beautiful to us for so many reasons—we respect and admire your strength and your intelligence. We love your grace, your willingness to step out of your comfort zone and come here to what must feel like the back of beyond.”
She giggled against his chest, and she was not at all the kind of woman who giggled. “It’s not entirely all the way to the back of beyond. You have running water, and the road was mostly paved.” She raised her head and smiled at him, pleased to see he was smiling back. Sometimes her sense of humor was lost on people. Face it, it was lost on most guys.
Armando got it. “True,” he said. “But you know the best thing? We have men who cook and then clean up after themselves. And this man needs to get to the kitchen.”
Then he tilted his head and kissed her. She was so surprised, she gasped. He took her unintended invitation and softly licked the seam of her lips. She tightened her arms around his waist and kissed him back, opened to a man she’d barely met and yet trusted more than any man she’d ever known.
And damn, but this guy could kiss. They were both breathing hard by the time they slowly pulled apart. Jules would have been embarrassed except Armando was obviously as deeply affected as she was, his erection a solid brand against her belly, rising hard beneath his faded jeans. He was close to a foot taller than her five and a half feet and so broad shouldered and powerful he made her feel petite in comparison. He wasn’t bulky at all, but strongly built with a taut, muscular body like a long-distance runner, all lean muscle and long arms and legs. She tried to imagine him naked and realized she was trembling from head to foot.
It took her a moment to recognize it as need. Pure, unadulterated need, and all from one amazing kiss. In her defense, she figured it had been a long time since she’d had any real satisfaction, especially since Andrew had left her wanting more often than not, but she took a deep breath and stepped back.
Armando’s arms released her, but his hands rested on her hips. “You need to go cook,” she said, fully aware how breathy her voice sounded, that there wasn’t a damned thing she could do about it, even if she wanted to. “I really have to get a quick shower and a change of clothes.” She smiled, relieved that the trembling had eased. “What are you fixing?”
His smile could take a woman to her knees. And the moment that thought flitted through her brain, she wanted to go to her knees, unbutton those worn jeans, and show him just what a woman on her knees could do.
“Chocolate decadence,” he said, rolling the words in a way that left her shivering.
“Mmmm. Sounds wicked.”
“It is, but I don’t think it’s even close to how sweetly wicked you are, my Jules.” Then he laughed, kissed her quickly, and headed for the door. “I want you to think about that. I’m going to want a taste. Later.”
And with that, he was out the door and gone. Jules stood there, body primed, heart racing, staring at the closed door and imagining all the wicked things Armando might do on the way to getting his taste.
Meg checked her hair, decided the long skirt and tank top were appropriate for dinner, and grabbed a light sweater off the bed. She slipped on a pair of sandals and, at the last minute, and only because she felt naked without it, stuck her cell phone in the deep side pocket in her skirt. She left a light on in the kitchen area and flipped on the porch light, even though it was barely five. It would probably be dark when she headed back here after dinner.
She stepped out and pulled the door closed behind her. Something moved in the shadows near the woods where the trail led to the lodge. She stood very still, wondering if it might be a deer, when a massive wolf stepped out of the woods.
“Holy crap.” She reached back for the door handle when the wolf trotted across the open area and then sat on his butt not far from the bottom step. It watched her, ears pricked forward, tongue hanging out like it was a big dog, not something that might consider eating her.
She was already moving slowly back to slip inside the cabin, but his playful expression stopped her. He was definitely a wolf—a very large wolf—gray all over with black tips to his fur, the tips of his ears, and in a line down his tail, but he watched her almost as if they shared a private joke. She knew this place was a preserve for wolves, but she’d neglected to ask anyone if the wolves were running free on the grounds or not. Obviously, at least this one was.
Hoping this wasn’t a truly stupid move, she sat on the top step and studied her visitor. He watched her just as carefully, and she wondered just how tame he was. It didn’t take long before she patted the step beside her, wondering if he’d respond to a gesture most dogs would be familiar with.
He yipped and trotted up the stairs as if he’d merely been waiting for an invitation, but when he got to the top step, Meg realized just how big this animal was. With her still sitting, he towered over her, all sharp teeth and appetite. “Goodness.” She backed away. “You’re a big one, aren’t you?”
The damned wolf yipped, almost as if he understood her. Then he sat beside her and leaned his full weight against her shoulder. Laughing, Meg leaned back. After a moment, she wrapped her arm around his shoulders, a
nd damned if the wolf didn’t snuggle even closer.
“You’re incredible, and you know it, right?”
He sighed and rested his chin on her shoulder.
“And you’re working me like a pro. Sorry, but I haven’t got any food inside, and besides, I need to go meet my friends. Come with me, okay?”
He was on his feet and down the steps in an instant. Meg swung her sweater over her shoulders and followed him into the woods.
Sunday evening
Jules was sitting at a big round table on the front deck of the lodge when Meg stepped out of the woods. Her wolf was nowhere to be seen, though she’d followed him all the way from her cabin. Somewhere over the past dozen steps or so he’d disappeared into the thick undergrowth.
Still, she had to admit that, so far, this resort was living up to everything it promised. She felt absolutely stress-free and, other than missing Zach more than she’d thought possible, was really looking forward to exploring the area and seeing more wolves.
That had really been cool. She crossed the grassy area and waved to Jules just as Trak stepped out onto the deck and spotted her. He disappeared inside, but he was back by the time she’d found a place to sit at the table.
“Margarita?” He held out a tray with one frozen margarita and a small pitcher filled with more for the table.
“Such service. Thank you.” She smiled at him and thought once again how nice he was, and how really good-looking.
All the men she’d seen here were striking. Trak teased Jules about something inane, chatted with both of them a minute longer, and then went back inside.
Meg glanced at Jules. She looked ready to follow Trak back inside the lodge, and Meg laughed. “Their website doesn’t do the staff justice, does it? Have you ever seen so many truly hot guys in your life?”
Jules just shook her head. “Remember that time we went to see the Chippendales? We thought they were all so handsome, and ya know what? They’ve got nothing on these guys.”
“I dunno,” Meg said. “There was one of those dancers at the club that night who was sporting some equipment under his tight little bikini shorts that I—”
Jules actually snorted. “I remember him, and I thought it looked like he’d tucked a rolled-up sock in his shorts. That was most decidedly not real.”
And the conversation went downhill from there.
CHAPTER 4
They were both laughing when Armando stepped out on the deck and invited them inside. “We’re getting the buffet set up, so dinner will be ready in a couple of minutes.” He glanced at Jules and Meg. “Looks like we’re missing a couple.”
“I know. I wonder where Dar and Elle are?” Meg glanced toward the trails leading to their cabins just as Elle stepped out of the shadows. Darian was with her, and so was a huge, dark gray wolf walking between the two of them. He had distinctive black tips to his fur, which made him look as if he rippled when he walked.
Dar had a huge grin on her face, and Elle looked a bit shocked by her escort, but they waved as soon as they spotted Meg and the others. The wolf peeled off to the right and headed back toward the woods. Dar stopped to watch him go.
Laughing, Elle grabbed her hand and dragged her across the parking area and up the stairs.
“Is that cool or what?” Elle was too excited to sit, but she didn’t hesitate to take the margarita that Manny offered to her. “I was getting ready to walk down here when he just showed up in front of my cabin. I swear he’s the smartest animal I’ve ever seen, and when I asked him if everyone was already at the lodge, he led me to Dar’s cabin.” She glanced at Dar and rolled her eyes. “Because, obviously she wasn’t here.”
“I’m sorry. I took a shower and decided to lie down for a minute, only I went sound asleep.” Laughing, she added, “Guess I relaxed faster than I realized.”
“Come with me, ladies.” Armando had been waiting patiently, but now it was obviously time for them to get moving.
Elle glanced around, looking for Tuck, but there was no sign of him.
The guys had set up an amazing buffet with fresh-grilled trout and a vegetable dish, what looked like homemade bread, some kind of seasoned barbecued chicken that smelled wonderful, and a rice casserole that was absolutely irresistible.
“Save room.” Jules glanced at Armando as she carefully loaded her plate. “Manny said he’s made a choco late decadence for dessert.” All eyes went to Armando, who swept an imaginary hat from his head and bowed with a dramatic sweep. “We most definitely don’t want to miss that.”
“Advice noted.” Meg carefully added a few more things to her plate and walked back over to the table. She paused by the line, where the guys were now filling their plates.
“Gentlemen, I certainly hope you have some activities planned for tomorrow, because I really want to keep eating like this all week and still be able to fit into my clothes.”
Trak saluted. “We will definitely help you work off any calories you consume, dear Meg. Enjoy your meal.”
“Dear Meg?” Jules cocked an eyebrow at Meg as she took her seat.
She blushed. “It’s just the way he talks.” Meg looked directly at her. She wasn’t going to take the bait because she’d noticed the courtly mannerisms of all the men she’d actually interacted with. “In fact, have you notice the speech patterns of most of the men here? Almost as if they’re from another time. Old-fashioned, actually.”
“I like it.” Jules took a bite of her trout and groaned. “This is so good.” She chewed and swallowed and then scooted her chair aside for Evan, who was coming her way with his plate loaded. “Anyway, I’d forgotten how nice it was to have a man open doors and carry heavy things.” She added rice to her fork as Evan set his plate down on the table between her and Meg. “And cook,” she said. Meg thought her smile at Evan looked just a bit proprietary. “Can’t forget the fact these guys are great cooks.”
“And they take turns,” Elle added. “Drew told me that when they first opened up, the only one who could cook was a guy named Brad, who’s gone this week. He’s been teaching the rest of them.”
“That he has.” Lawz took a seat between Dar and Jules, who scooted their chairs over to make room. “I mean, we’re all bachelors, so we had some rudimentary skills.”
“Very rudimentary.” Trak took the spot at the head of the table, closest to Meg, which brought a searching glance from Dar, seated on his left. “I think Manny was our most advanced.”
“Yeah.” Drew pulled a chair from another table and stuck it between Evan and Elle. “Manny had progressed from boiling water for freeze-dried camping rations.”
“Hey, jerk. Give me a break.” Manny took the empty seat beside Jules. He turned to her and said, “I’m a forester, so I was out in the woods and roughing it most of the time.”
“You didn’t let me finish, Armando.” Drew drawled the man’s given name. “I was trying to say you had progressed from boiling water to using a microwave.”
“Don’t tell me you made your choco late decadence in a microwave!” Jules laughed, and Manny merely shook his head.
“No. I. Did. Not. Jules.” He carefully enunciated each word, sniffed, and gave her a look that reminded Meg of a deeply affronted master chef. “I followed a recipe. It required a stove, measuring, and many steps to ensure my exquisite creation.”
“That’s the thing.” Evan managed to get an extra chair in between Drew and Meg. “And for this we need to give Lawz some credit. The engineer among us discovered a cookbook, and his love of numbers and measurements superseded his fear of cooking not being a manly operation.”
“What?” Elle laughed. “Every woman knows there’s nothing sexier than a guy who cooks.” She paused and took a bite. “Well, unless it’s one who cleans the bathroom.” She glanced at the rest of the table and frowned.
Meg realized the huge man who’d walked Elle to her cabin hadn’t arrived yet. Before she could mention his absence, Elle’s face lit up, and she smiled.
“Tuck!”
Her eyes actually sparkled, until Meg realized she was smiling right along with Elle and everyone else at the table as the missing man in question walked through the front door. “I wondered if you were going to join us for dinner.”
Tuck paused beside Elle, leaned over, and kissed her. Meg shared a secret grin with Dar. Obviously Tuck had done more than merely carry luggage.
“I’m sorry I’m so late. Had a trapped wolf cub that needed a rescue, and I need food. I’ll be right back.”
Tuck went after his dinner, and Elle grabbed a chair for him and stuck it at the foot of the table between her chair and Manny’s.
Tuck was back a minute later with a loaded plate. “I was getting ready to come back to the kitchen when I heard a pup whining near the creek. There was a little guy from that late litter”—he grinned at Manny—“who’d gotten himself wedged between a rock and a big branch. Mama couldn’t get him out, and his feet were in the water, so he was really chilled. I wrapped him in my vest, warmed him up, then stuck him back in the den with his two sisters. He is now his mama’s worry.”
The conversation flowed as if they’d all been friends for years. The guys all had wolf stories, some of them fun, a few that were sad, but it was obvious these were men who loved their lives here, loved the fact they were so close to nature.
Once dinner was over, Manny brought out his chocolate decadence, which was even better than he’d said it would be. He poured glasses of rich, dark red port wine to go with it.
Meg couldn’t help but think of Zach. He would be loving every minute, and she knew he would like all the guys. She really wished he was here with her. As she watched her best friends pairing off with the men they’d met when they arrived, she felt left out. She glanced at Trak. He was sitting back in his chair, watching the interactions much the same way she was.
It was a nice way to unwind after the long drive and wonderful meal, but then Trak glanced her way and smiled and nodded toward the front deck. She wasn’t sure what he wanted, but she stood and reached for their plates.
