Nick grinned, though there was a problem. He suspected his blood had frozen. His cock hovered between hard and soft even though his brain was sending all sorts of encouraging signals. But sharing body heat was a good idea. He didn’t want to worry Hollie, but he was beginning to think the snow wouldn’t stop and they might be there all night.
He followed her into the back seat.
“Right, this is what we’re going to do,” she said. “Under the coat, I’m wearing a T-shirt and a sweater.”
“No bra?”
Her cheeks pinked. Christ, she was adorable when she blushed.
“I’ll give you the sweater and then I can wrap the coat around both of us.”
“Okay.”
But it wasn’t okay. He’d lost feeling in his fingers and fumbled to unfasten the buttons on his jacket.
“Let me.” She gently brushed his hands aside.
When he sat bare-chested on the back seat and didn’t feel any colder, he started to worry. Hollie dressed him like a child, tugging her—oh God, pink—sweater over his head. It was too short, too tight, too pink, but warm from her body, and the heat sucked directly south so his stupid cock started to get ideas again. She wrapped the scarf back around his neck and put her coat on over her T-shirt, but didn’t fasten it.
“I’ll keep the mittens,” she said, pulling them on. “You put your hands on my back, under the coat.”
She climbed onto his lap, put her knees on either side of his hips, and wrapped her thick coat around them both, tucking it in behind him. He slid his cold fingers on her back and even though the T-shirt protected her skin, he felt her flinch.
Their faces were inches apart, their bodies pressed tight together, and his cock came the rest of the way to attention.
“Well, this is cozy.” Nick wondered if he should apologize for his erection.
“Rub up and down,” Hollie whispered.
What?
“Your fingers.” She blushed again. “Friction creates heat. Keep moving and you’ll get the blood flowing.”
Nick stroked her back. She was tall and slender, not huge in the breast department, and suddenly that didn’t matter. His blood was definitely flowing to one extremity.
“That’s not going to do a thing. Faster and harder,” she said.
He swallowed his laugh and did as he was told. His fingers tingled as blood rushed back. Not going to think about my toes. But he moved them inside his wet shoes and reminded himself to keep doing it.
“Is that better?”
“My lips are cold.” He stared straight at her. “Yours look hot. Is there a way to warm mine?”
“Well,” she whispered, her sweet breath washing over his mouth, “I’ve got a packet of mints in my purse. Extra strong. Suck one and you’ll breathe fire.”
Oh God, she’s funny. But even after she’d sat on his lap and pressed her belly to his cock, he still wasn’t sure and one thing he needed to be was very sure.
Hollie shifted almost imperceptibly closer, wriggling against his cock, and Nick gulped. His hands slid down to her butt.
Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her, yelled his cock.
She edged forward and so did he. The moment their lips touched there was a loud bang on the window and they jumped apart as if they’d been zapped by a cattle prod.
“What the fuck?” As he reached to wipe the mist from the glass, Hollie scrambled off his lap.
A concerned, male face stared at them. Nick opened the door.
“Everyone okay in here?” the stranger asked.
“Cold and wet.” And annoyed. Nick tried to hide his erection by pulling down the pink sweater.
The man’s gaze dropped to Nick’s crotch. Oh fuck.
“I’ll take you to my place,” he said.
“Thank you.” Hollie grabbed her purse and bolted from the car.
Nick sucked his teeth. So was she pleased to be rescued or relieved to be away from him? He picked up his wallet and followed, wincing as the snow whipped his cheeks. A large tractor, engine idling, stood a few yards ahead.
“There’s a pull-down seat on the left side,” the guy said as they trudged through the snow. “She’ll have to sit on your knee.”
When he was in the warm cab with Hollie in his arms, her back to his chest, Nick’s erection returned with a vengeance. What the hell must she think? Still, it was good to know that even in the most extreme situation, his cock wasn’t going to let him down.
Firing squad—erection.
Avalanche—erection.
Tidal wave coming—yep, so would he.
He’d probably get a hard-on on his death bed. He imagined a tented sheet freaking out a nurse and smiled.
He slid his hands around Hollie’s waist and held tight. When she wrapped her mittened fingers around his, his heart leapt.
“Thank you so much,” she said. “We were already talking about who’d eat who.”
The driver laughed. He looked a little older than Nick and had tanned skin, bright blue eyes, and a mouthful of white teeth. He wore a thick coat, waterproof pants, rugged boots, and had a fur-lined hat. Nick hated him.
“I’m Hollie Armstrong. This is Nick Walker. I’m the bad driver. My car’s the one wrapped around his bumper.”
“Chris Moretti. I don’t think you’ll be the only ones to come adrift in the snow today.” He turned the tractor and headed up the track he’d cleared, pushing more snow aside with his plow.
“How did you know we were here?” Nick asked.
“I spotted your hazard lights flashing.”
“Thank goodness you saw us. No mobile reception,” Hollie said.
“Actually, I thought you might be my missing guests.”
She turned to look at him. “You’re from Mulbery Manor?”
“Ah, if that’s where you’re headed, then you’re on the wrong road.”
Hollie wriggled in Nick’s lap, causing untold problems. He swallowed his groan.
“But I looked it up.” She frowned. “From the B784 take the road to Upper Swinton.”
“There are two roads. If you’d driven a little farther on the main road, you’d have seen the sign for Mulbery Manor. It’s all lit up. They keep that lane plowed.”
Of course they fucking do.
“The sat nav directed me down this road.” Nick tried and failed to keep the defensive tone from his voice.
“You can get to Mulbery Manor this way. It might be marginally shorter, but it’s a narrow, winding track with a steep section. Impossible in this sort of weather.”
The tractor pulled off the lane into a courtyard, the sign at the gates obscured by snow.
“Ohhh,” Hollie gasped. “This is beautiful.”
He begrudgingly agreed. Ahead of them, illuminated by floodlights, was what looked like an expensive farmhouse conversion, two long buildings joined by a glass roofed entrance.
“This isn’t a farm,” Nick muttered.
“Actually, it is. I raise rare breeds of sheep, but I also run this as a guesthouse with my girlfriend.”
Nick liked him again.
“Is there any chance of getting to Mulbery Manor this afternoon?” Nick asked.
Please say no.
“I doubt it.”
Nick loved him.
“Leave your keys with me and I’ll bring your cars back here if I can. I doubt our guests are going to make it through the snow. You’re welcome to their room.”
As Nick pressed his lips together, he felt Hollie stiffen. The pause went on too long, but as he opened his mouth to speak, she got there before him. “That would be great, thank you.”
Every cell in Nick’s body agreed. Some agreed more than others.
***
Hollie stamped the snow from her boots and shook thick flakes from her coat before she stepped into the glass foyer. A seven foot tall Christmas tree smothered in red and silver balls sparkled at the foot of the wooden stairs.
“Genna,” Chris called.
Nick levered his
shoes off just inside the door. He dropped his socks in a sodden lump next to them and then groaned. “Ooh, under-floor heating.”
“Your toes look frozen,” Hollie said.
“They are.” He pulled off the hat and scarf, shook them, and ran his fingers through his hair.
Hollie took in how tall he was, how gorgeous he was, and how wrong she’d been to think blond what was she liked. Muscles twitched between her legs.
“Until I’ve reunited you with your luggage, wear something from in here.” Chris pushed open a door on the left.
Hollie followed Nick into the room. Walking and Wellington boots were lined up under racks holding jackets and waterproof trousers. There were shelves of chunky-knit sweaters, hats, and gloves, and racks of fishing rods, kites, and riding helmets, plus two sleds.
“Hollie ran her fingers over the smooth plastic runners. “You have a hill to sled on?”
“You’re not thinking about going out in the snow again now that we’ve escaped from it?” Nick stared at her incredulously.
Yep. “I haven’t sledded in years.”
“Leave your things in here to dry,” Chris said. “There are packets of slippers in that box. Genna will make you a hot drink and something to eat and you can decide what you want to do. We might not be Mulbery Manor, but we do offer an equally high standard of service and accommodation. Though no extravagant party tonight, I’m afraid.”
A woman with long, blonde hair popped her head around the door and smiled. “Lost sheep?”
“Genna, this is Hollie Armstrong and Nick Walker. They’re stranded. They were on their way to the Manor.”
Genna walked over to shake their hands. She was tall and elegant, wore a blue silk shirt, gray pants, and had dazzling blue eyes. Not Hollie’s idea of a farmer’s wife. Nick’s gaze was fixed somewhat lower than Genna’s eyes. Hollie shook her hand, and swallowed the lump in her throat. If he was into big breasts, she might as well give up now. She looked like a pre-pubescent teenager compared to Genna.
Hollie hung her coat on a hook and put her mittens on the radiator beneath before she bent to unfasten her boots. A packet of slippers landed on the floor next to her and she ripped open the plastic and slipped them onto her feet.
Chris bent to kiss Genna. “I’ll go take a look at their cars before I see to the sheep.”
“Thank you,” Hollie said.
“Be careful.” Genna brushed her fingers over Chris’s lips and Hollie’s heart lurched at the sweet intimacy of the gesture.
Genna picked a shirt and sweater off the shelf and offered them to Nick. “I think they’ll fit.”
“Could we call the Mulbery?” Nick dragged his fingers through his hair. “I’m supposed to be meeting someone.”
She shook her head. “Sorry, the phone line’s down. No internet connection either.”
He peeled the pink sweater over his head and handed it to Hollie. Oh God. She had an unimpeded view of the contours of his chest, the sharp definition of his abs, rounded pecs, tight nipples. She felt her cheeks heat and yanked the sweater on, mentally sighing as she inhaled the citrusy scent of him.
As her head emerged, Genna beckoned to her. “Let’s leave him to change. Follow your nose to the kitchen when you’re ready, Nick.”
***
Hollie’s stomach was growling before they got there. The kitchen was like something out of a glossy magazine with stylish, pale wood units, a huge, red stove, and a polished flagstone floor. She could have fit most of her apartment inside it.
“Vegetable soup okay?” Genna carried a loaf of crusty bread and a pot of butter to the table.
“Lovely.” Hollie sat down.
“Tea, coffee, champagne?”
She gulped. Oh God, how much is this going to cost? “Tea, please.”
She’d already budgeted for Mulbery Manor. The New Year’s Eve party was expensive and would still have to be paid for because she hadn’t cancelled. Maybe even if she had cancelled. Now she’d have to pay for this, too. She could almost hear her credit card throwing a tantrum.
“Does Nick like vegetable soup?”
“He loves it,” Nick said from the doorway.
He dropped down opposite Hollie, smiled at her, and suddenly she found it hard to breathe. His eyelashes were long and thick, his eyes like pools of ink. She hid trembling hands beneath the table.
“This is fantastic.” Nick looked around. “A warm house, gorgeous interior, the food smells delicious, and my toes have risen from the dead. Hallelujah.”
Genna put bowls of soup in front of them. “Tea, coffee, champagne?”
“Tea would be great.” He stared across the table at Hollie. “Don’t want to sled under the influence.”
Her heart jumped. “You sure? You were really cold.”
“You warmed me up before. I’m sure I can rely on you to do it again.”
Gulp. No mistaking that look. Another bolt of lust hit her, and she clamped her thighs together.
“The best hill’s that way.” Genna pointed out the window behind them. “Looks like the snow’s easing up. Anything you two can’t eat, won’t eat, prefer not to eat tonight?”
“Can’t eat snake, won’t eat alligator, prefer not to eat puffer fish,” Nick said.
Genna laughed. “I was thinking steak.”
“Great.” He didn’t take his eyes off Hollie until a chunk of bread fell from her fingers to splash into her bowl.
“I’ll leave you lovebirds to it. Your room’s at the top of the stairs.”
Chapter Three
Nick trudged up the hill alongside Hollie, their sleds dancing behind them. After they’d finished eating, he’d wanted to tug her upstairs and unwrap her like a late Christmas present, but a sobering thought that he might be reading the signals wrong slowed him down. The snow had stopped, but the lowering afternoon sky held the promise of more flurries to come. By the time they got to the top, he was relieved she was panting as hard as him.
“You can tow me when we climb up again,” Hollie gasped.
He laughed. “Right.”
“Wow, look at the view. Isn’t it great?”
Nick stared straight at her. “Breathtaking.”
Want her, want her, want her.
“Think that’s Mulbery Manor?” she asked.
He turned to look. A large, country house stood a few miles away through snow-drenched fields. “Probably. Do you mind missing the party?”
“No. I like where we’re staying.”
“Me, too.”
Hollie had agreed to one room. She’d blushed like crazy when Genna called them lovebirds, assuming they were together, and neither of them had corrected her.
“Race?” Hollie asked.
“Okay. Marks, get—”
She flung herself face forward on the sled and shot down the hill. Nick rolled his eyes and went after her. His heavier weight propelled him to catch up and pass her. The little devil in him made him swerve to cross her path, but he underestimated her speed and their sleds collided sending them both tumbling down the hill.
When he crawled over to check she was okay, she lay flat on her back not moving, and he panicked.
“Oh fuck. Hollie?”
Her eyes opened a fraction of a second before handfuls of snow hit his cheeks. Nick spat out a mouthful of powder and growled.
“Maybe the crash this morning wasn’t my fault,” she said. “You just veered into me, boy racer.”
“You ran into the back of me both times, girl blunder.”
She raised her eyebrows. “I’m supposed to read your mind, am I?”
Nick’s heart hammered, and he licked his lips as he stared at her. “Try.” I want to fuck you.
He scooped up armfuls of snow and tossed them over her. Hollie squealed, scrambled to her feet and ran, dragging the sled behind her.
He chuckled. He didn’t bother running after her, but walked. As he expected, halfway up the slope, she slowed to a crawl.
When they reached th
e top, Hollie collapsed onto her back. “Oh God, I’m out of condition. Can I blame the altitude?”
“I doubt we’re more than a few hundred feet above sea level.”
“Damn.”
Kiss her, kiss her, kiss her.
But as Nick moved in, she jumped up. “Think you can make it all the way to the bottom standing up?”
She grabbed the rope, planted one foot in her sled, and pushed forward with the other. He set his sled in her tracks and followed. He fell off twice then sat in the snow watching her elegantly glide to the bottom. She leapt off and jumped up and down.
“Yippee. Hey, lying down on the job?”
He balled a lump of snow and threw it into the air. It arched high and came down on her pink hat. She squealed.
“You were supposed to move,” he shouted.
She bent and began to roll a ball. He sledded down to join her.
“Making a snowman?” he asked.
She narrowed her eyes. “No, a huge snowball to throw at you.”
“Fine. You throw it. I’ll just stand here.” There was no way she could lift it.
Hollie wrapped her arms around the ball and to his amazement, she did manage to lift it. But only a few inches off the ground. She staggered a couple of feet and then not only dropped it, but fell on top of it. He laughed and pulled her up from the heap of snow. He brushed flakes from her face and before thinking stopped him, and he knew it would, he gently pressed his lips against hers. Cold turned hot in an instant. Nick’s groin throbbed and his cock hardened.
She was so soft, so sweet, and she kissed like he imagined a kitten would, nibbling at his lips. The tip of her tongue teased the seam of his mouth seeking entry and it was all the encouragement he needed to kiss her harder. Arms wrapped around each other, bodies pressed as close as they could, they kissed with the wonder of the first of their species and the desperation of the last.
Nick’s level of lust soared into outer space. Her tongue was in his mouth, exploring, licking as his heart rate rocketed. Then it was his turn and he nipped her tongue to make her give way. His head swam. They ate at each other with a greedy pleasure that verged on violence. He forgot to breathe, forgot to let her breathe. He wanted to climb inside her, lose himself in her, not let her go. Ever.
On The Right Track Page 2
