“No, that’s not necessary.
“It is and it’s fine. It gets cold in the mountains. You’ll need the extras.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “As you’ve reminded me on a few occasions, I did kidnap you. Let me make it up to you at least a little bit.” Emma blushed. She hoped the saleswoman hadn’t overheard the comment about kidnapping. As mad as she’d been, she was over it. She didn’t want Kai in trouble either. “You wear a size seven boot right?” She nodded. Kai gestured to the pile of clothing “We’ll take it all.”
Emma grabbed Kai’s arm and hauled him to the side, out of hearing range. “This place is very expensive for casual wear and I can’t afford these prices. All I need is some basic clothing so let’s go somewhere else.”
“Why? We’re here and you’ve found things you like.”
Yes, but you buying all of this makes me uncomfortable. I don’t feel right letting you buy me a new wardrobe or spend this much.”
“Em, its fine, Trust me. The money is not a problem and you need the clothes. I want you to have them.” Spoken like someone who’s never worried about trivial things like money.
“I can’t afford these prices though.”
“I can.”
“You just don’t understand,” she huffed and her hands smacked against her legs. “It’s a matter of pride. I can’t pay you back for this, and I hate feeling like I owe someone.”
“Well get over it, ’cause I’m buying them,” he said firmly. “End of discussion.” He says that a lot. Kai ignored Emma. He turned to the saleswoman and handed her his credit card. He’s so stubborn. Then again, so was she most of the time. This time she didn’t see herself winning. Might as well give in gracefully, let him win this battle. We’ve given this lady enough of a show.
Emma’s irritation remained but she said nothing as the saleswoman eagerly applied the purchases to his credit card and wrapped the packages. As much her pride hurt, Emma accepted his generous gifts. It was kind and thoughtful and honestly, she really wanted the red sweater. She had nothing. Her purse was gone so were her keys which also meant her car and her home. Basically, her whole life. It might only be temporary, but she felt so vulnerable.
Now Kai was a whole other story. Spending time with him was far from unbearable. She enjoyed it. Most of the time. When he wasn’t being an overbearing jerk. She felt safe and protected when he was near. That was sexy, and so was he. Contrary to her independent nature, every time they ended up in an argument a thrill shot to the pit of her belly. She enjoyed holding her own against this giant. Sometimes it even turned her on. She’d let him win this time. It was just clothing. She might not find it so thrilling if he tried to interfere with something important.
Kai carried her packages to the car and stowed them in the trunk except for the jacket. He removed the tags then held the warm, down-filled coat open in invitation. She slid her arms into the stylish jacket. Yup, it fits perfect. He’s pretty damn good at guessing my size. The burn heating her cheeks told her she was blushing again. Around him, she’d either die of embarrassment or get thicker skin.
“What do you say we get something to eat while we’re in town?” Kai asked. “There’s a place up the street we could go. The woman at the store said it’s one of the best places in town.”
“Sure. We can do that,” she hesitated. “But weren’t we trying to get back before it gets dark?”
“It’s gonna be dark soon regardless. We might as well eat something here then we don’t have to cook later. Unless you wanted to cook tonight?”
“No that’s okay. There’s no electricity. It will be easier practicing with the wood stove during the day. But let’s finish our grocery shopping first.”
They drove the short distance to the supermarket and picked up supplies. When they left, Kai and Emma loaded the groceries into the trunk together. It was strange, a good strange, the way they’d found such a natural fit. To be fair, they were hardly strangers anymore, they’d shared too much already. They were both loners. It was funny they should feel so comfortable with each other.
It was a pleasant evening for a walk, so they did. The restaurant wasn’t far from where they’d parked. Emma slipped her hand into Kai’s and held it as they strolled. He glanced down at their clasped fingers. He didn’t comment; he just closed his fingers around hers and continued walking.
“Thank you. For everything,” she said.
“It was my pleasure, Emma.” He smiled and squeezed her hand.
The modest restaurant had cozy little privacy nooks partitioned off from the rest of the tables. The hostess seated the couple near a wide window looking out onto the breathtaking view. Emma gazed out the window at the mountains rising out of the mist while Kai ordered a bottle of wine. They sipped the fruity red wine and discussed the scenery. Both were content, enjoying each other’s company. Emma had little experience but it felt like a date.
By the time their meal arrived Emma was feeling the effects of the wine. She rarely drank alcohol and the wine went straight to her head. Emma was enjoying herself and his company. They talked about countless mundane things over supper and just enjoyed the moment. She wasn’t driving so she tipped her glass more often than usual. Before she knew it, he’d had one glass and she’d finished off the bottle.
The drive back to the cabin felt shorter to Emma in her inebriated state. Kai helped Emma out of the car. She swayed and reached for him to regain her balance. She missed. Her right hand slammed against his chest and she grasped his forearm with the other to avoid falling over.
“Steady now. Are you all right?” If Emma hadn’t drunk so much she’d be more annoyed at his amusement instead she giggled.
“Yup, I’m fine.” She teetered again. “I think I drank a bit too mush wine though.” The fresh air combined with her unaccustomed alcohol consumption packed a punch. It had her swaying and slurring slightly.
“You’re sure?”
“I’m poshhitive. I’m fine. I jush need a moment to stea’y myself. Then I’ll help bring everything in.”
“Why don’t I bring everything in? You go in and sit down. It’ll only take me a few minutes.”
“No. No.” She waved away the suggestion. “That’s not neshessary,” she said. “I can help. How about this?” She planted her hands on his arms and pointed to herself. “I’ll bring in the packages from the closhing store,” she pointed to him, “An’ you bring in the groceries? Deal?” She’d pull her own weight.
“Sure.” Kai grinned. Emma figured he was trying not to laugh but didn’t care. She wasn’t use to someone coddling her. She was fine. She’d show him.
Holding the packages away from her on both sides, she used them for her extra balance. Even then she teetered on the top step. She giggled again. Oops, I guess maybe I did drink too much. She wobbled on her feet and another giggle slipped out. So this is what it feels like to be drunk.
The inside of the cabin was dark except patches of light where the moon’s pale glow streamed through the windows. The sun was still bright and toasty warm when they’d left for town. Now they were back, the sun had set and the fire that warmed the cabin earlier had long since burned out.
Emma set her packages down and stripped off her new jacket. After a few attempts, she finally hung the outerwear on a peg near the door. Cold air puffed from her lips when she exhaled. She shivered and rubbed her arms. Build a fire. She lit a kerosene lamp from the box of matches she’d found on the mantle then dropped to her knees by the fireplace. In her opinion she was only tipsy, but it might be wiser not to play with fire. She should wait for Kai on this one. She giggled at the unintended innuendo. Kai was a whole different kind of fire. But just as hot. She looked up at him as he came through the door. He might be worth the burn. She stifled another giggle.
Kai dumped the grocery bags on the counter and joined her in front of the fireplace. “I’ll start the fire.” He plucked the matches from her chilled fingers. He didn’t think she should play with fire either. “Why
don’t you put the groceries away?” He suggested as he placed kindling in the hearth.
“Yessir.” She mocked. She got to her feet easy enough then tottered to the kitchen. If she stayed busy she’d keep warm while Kai started the fire. She soon finished putting the food in cupboards and the old fashioned icebox. She marched over to the wooden chest she’d discovered while cleaning and withdrew a colorful quilt. Earlier she’d admired the skillful craftsmanship of the intricate wedding ring pattern. Her only concern at the moment was warmth. She came back to the fireplace to tuck herself close to Kai with the quilt wrapped around her shoulders.
“You’re cold.” He draped his arm around her and pulled her close. Heat radiated from his body and from the bright flames licking the wood.
“I’m ffreezing,” she corrected and burrowed the tip of her nose into the quilt. “I ccan’t believe how ffast the ttemperature dropped while we were out.” Chattering teeth replaced her slur.
Kai let her go. “I’ll throw more wood on the fire. You’ll be warm in no time.”
He blew at the base of the fire until the glowing embers flared and licked over the wood. The rough bark burst into flames. Kai replaced the screen, shielding them from the fire as it crackled and sparks popped. He wrapped Emma in his arms and tugged her against his side, sharing his body heat.
“Is that better?” Emma bobbed her head. She clamped her chattering teeth together making her chin quivered instead. “Liar.” Kai scooped her into his arms and sat in the armchair with her settled on his lap. He took the quilt from her shoulders, spread it over the two of them and drew her tight against him. He rested his chin on her hair while he rubbed warmth into her shoulders and back. The friction ignited a heat of a different kind.
Emma buried her nose in his neck, inhaling his unadorned woodsy scent. Emma snuggled closer and brushed the pulse beat at the base of his throat with her mouth. His hands stilled, his breath caught mid-inhalation. She tasted salt on his skin and slipped her tongue out to run the tip along the corded column of his neck. Her lips moved toward his ear where she sucked the sensitive lobe between her lips. Kai’s shudder encouraged Emma to continue her exploration.
Her hands grew bolder gliding down the smooth muscles of his neck and the lightly peppered hair on his chest. She meandered her way back up again. Her lips travelled sensuously along his strong jaw. She plunged her fingers into the hair along his scalp and gripped the soft strands when her lips found their destination. She pressed her parted lips against his and slid her tongue along the closed seam of his lips.
Chapter 13
Hunger jolted through his body like a lightning strike at the first brush of Emma’s lips. He’d fantasized about her for days and in the moment of truth, he held back. He’d buried his sense of honor eons ago and it chose now to rear its head? Why, when everything he never knew he wanted was here in his arms, would he feel compelled to hold back? He kept his desire in check with iron control while she explored his mouth with her own. He waited. How far would she take this? All the way? Yes! That’s what he wanted.
Despite his belief that he should leave her alone, he knew he'd lost the battle the moment her lips touched his. He was no longer the master of his wavering control and he wasn’t waiting any longer. He held her face in his hands and opened his mouth to deepen the kiss. He plunged his tongue into her sweet mouth and sucked her tongue into his mouth. She tasted of the sweet wine lingering on her tongue.
Kai scooted off the edge of the chair onto the floor with Emma still draped across his lap. He adjusted her legs so they straddled his hips. Her pelvis pressed intimately against the hard ridge beneath his jeans. Kai’s tongue delved into the moist recess of Emma’s mouth, his hands slid along her ribs to her breasts and sucked her lower lip. He lifted and plumped the soft mounds through the fabric of her shirt then trailed his hands down her back and grasped her firm bottom.
Emma took back control. She rolled her hips against the hard ridge of his sex, setting a slow sensuous rhythm. Kai released the luscious curve of her rear long enough to undo the zipper on her jeans. No longer restricted, his hands were free to slide beneath the fabric. He pushed it down and squeezed and kneaded her bare bottom. She moaned and his excitement rocketed.
He was on the verge of losing his last shred of control. Tempted beyond reason to tear off their clothes and plunge into the sweet heat of her body. What the hell! Where was his iron control? This tiny slip of a woman sent him over the edge and it scared the hell out of him.
It took herculean effort to rein in his passion. But he did. He’d wanted her from the start, but not like this. Not unless she knew full well what she was doing. She drank a lot at the restaurant. Did she understand how close they were to passing the point of no return? Did she care? Did he? Kai felt obligated to give her a chance to back out before they went any further. Damn, I hope she chooses this! I don’t want it to end. He dragged his mouth from hers and pulled away and captured the soft marauding hands before they roamed into the waistband of his pants.
“Hey let’s slow down. We don’t have to rush into this.”
“No, I want you.” Resist! Damn it! She pulled her hands free from his grasp. She wound her fingers into his hair and tugged him closer for her kiss.
“Emma, we have to stop,” he said against her lips. He strained to say the words, his breath ragged. Damned honor. Torn between desire and what he knew was the right thing to do. Kai pulled away enough to look her straight in the eye. “There is no going back if we continue. This will only end in one way. I doubt I’ll have the strength to stop. It will be up to you.” He knew he sure as hell couldn’t do it.
“I don’t want to stop,” she said in a breathy whisper while she pressed her body closer. Any closer and the two would be one.
“It will complicate things. I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
“I won’t. I promise.” She sucked the fleshy part of his ear between her tongue and lips. A shiver raced down his spine charging his body with electric sensations. He shuddered at the sheer pleasure she aroused.
“Em, we should stop. There are thousands of reasons why we shouldn’t do this,” Oh damn, but I want to! He groaned and ground their pelvises together. The action contradicted his words.
“Yes, we should. I want you…and you want me too.” She wriggled her hips which elicited another involuntary groan.
She’d convinced him. He was too easy. He cursed this weakness, but after centuries of denying himself, he didn’t have the will to refuse. Kai licked the seam of her lips. Without hesitation, she parted them and drew him into a deeper kiss. Damn the consequences. I don’t want to fight this! I want her and she wants me. Had she been anyone else there wouldn’t be an internal battle or any hesitation. Had she been anyone else, he wouldn’t have wanted her this desperately.
Releasing the carnal beast from its slumber, Kai gripped her calves and pulled her to him roughly, sliding his hips into the juncture of her thighs. Her legs straddled him and he wrapped them around his waist. He groaned and rotated his hips. The new position pressed the denim covered core of her sex against the hard ridge of his. A gasp escaped her and she smiled. No fear there.
He flipped her onto her back and followed her body down to the floor. With arms braced on either side of her, he held the bulk of his weight from crushing her. He dipped his head and plunged his tongue into her mouth. He didn’t linger and explore her mouth the way he wanted. Instead, he left her lips and nuzzled his way down her neck to her breasts. His tongue left a blazing trail of heat.
He tugged her shirt up to her collar and pushed the material out of his way exposing lace covered breasts to his hungry gaze. He flicked open the plastic clasp nestled between the soft mounds. He swooped down to suck the tight pink tip into his mouth, shifting his body to draw her other distended nipple between his thumb and forefinger. He rolled and teased the tip until a moan of half pain, half pleasure erupted from her.
Rather than frighten her, his aggressiveness sp
urred her passion. Uninhibited she ran her hands in a tortuous journey of exploration over his body. She matched his aggressiveness. She shoved his shirt away from her target and leaned over to lick his nipple. The licking turned to sucking and electric currents surged straight to his groin.
Kai had to feel her bare flesh against his own. He shoved her shirt over her head and flung it aside. Frantic to catch up, she tugged his t-shirt off with equal fervor and her eager fingers fumbled with the fastening of his jeans. They tore the remainder of their clothes off and tossed them in a heap, never once losing contact with one another. It was tricky, but with a few rolls, Kai maneuvered the quilt under them forming a barrier between them and the cold hardwood floor.
Kai offered a last chance to back out even though he’d said he wouldn’t. He pulled her face to his and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Sweetheart you’ve gotta tell me now if you want me to stop ’cause we’re at the point of no return.”
“I don’t want to stop. I’ve never wanted anything more.” She looked him straight in the eye, “I’ve told you. This is what I want. You’re what I want.”
“You’re sure? Because if we continue,” his gaze captured hers, “this is for keeps. You need to know that. I'm not sure I'll find the strength to stop again. I want you too badly.”
“I’m sure. You’re what I want.” Emma raised her head and kissed him.
That’s all Kai needed. He dropped his head to hers to devour her lips once again. There was no stopping now. He renewed his exploration of her body, licking and tasting every contour. His tongue trailed over the softness of her belly and dipped into the hollow of her bellybutton then further down. Shocked, Emma grasped his hair trying to stop him from his goal. He tugged back and continued his journey. Emma squirmed and gasped as he flicked and delved his tongue, preparing her for a more intimate act. Shudders wracked her entire body. Her fingers gripped his hair and tugged him upward. Kai refused to rush; he nuzzled his way up her body. Tongue rasping and flicking, he teased her most sensitive areas, prolonging the delicious agony and heightening the anticipation.
Out of Darkness Page 8
