“Never met the right girl?” Olivia asked.
“Just the opposite. I’ve met her but she’s not interested.”
The truck swerved a little then, probably because Olivia glanced at him so quickly. “Sorry!” she said and corrected her course. “You just surprised me.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I guess I thought you could have any woman you wanted.”
Spencer shook his head, even though her compliment pleased him. “Well, it didn’t work out that way. Maybe I should go back to school.”
Olivia frowned. “And give up your success? Any woman who doesn’t see what you’ve achieved in Honey Hill isn’t worth having.”
Spencer smiled at the endorsement. “Thanks, Olivia.”
“It’s true,” she said, her color rising. “You’ve done a great thing there, creating jobs and opportunity in a small town that really needed both.”
“It’s just a bar and restaurant.”
“And a menu that brings people in from miles around. I know that you and Gabriel have done a lot to invigorate that town. You’re making a difference and that’s awesome. Once you get the lodge renovated, the impact will be even bigger.”
Spencer basked in her praise, all the more precious because it was unexpected. They drove in silence for a long while, and Spencer just enjoyed the sense of coming home. He’d get a fire started and just sit in front of it for a bit, staring into the flames. Too bad it was too cloudy to see the stars. The snow was falling harder now.
“You’re going to come in, right?” he asked as Olivia took the exit.
“It’s getting late.”
“But you can’t just drive me home and not let me say thanks.”
She flicked a look at him that he couldn’t read.
“Gabriel said he’d bring some groceries. Let me make you a cup of tea or cocoa, a sandwich.”
“Just for a minute, though,” Olivia said, to his relief. “I don’t want to be too late getting to my mom’s. She’ll be waiting up.”
“I’m not sure you should drive alone. It’s colder and the snow is really coming down now.”
It was true. It was almost all white outside and the road was already obscured. Spencer knew the plows would wait until the morning at this point.
“I could drive you,” he offered. “And crash at the lodge tonight.”
“Don’t worry so much,” she chided. “I have my phone and drive all over the place by myself.”
“So, call me when you get to your mom’s, just so I know.”
She smiled. “Yes, big brother.”
Spencer almost winced at the reminder, but instead he made a joke. “It’s a rotten job but someone’s got to do it.”
“I have a big brother.”
“Yeah, well, I won’t hold my breath on Brandon looking out for you.”
Olivia laughed. “Me, neither.” She peered at the road ahead, slowing down, and saving Spencer from an answer. “Which turn is it?”
“There.” He pointed and she took the turn. “Then just up there on the left. The red mail box.”
It was almost too easy.
Liv had expected Spencer to argue but he didn’t. There was a two-track driveway through the forest to his cabin. She’d never been to his place and was curious to see it. She knew he’d bought the land and had it built after he and Gabriel had bought what was left of Wolfe Lodge, and understood that he’d done a lot of the work himself. The snow was coming down fast and thick. It made her feel as if she was driving into a Christmas card.
Well, if all went as it should, she’d be getting a gift soon.
Her heart skipped at that.
She felt Spencer’s surprise that the lights were on, glowing in welcome.
“Who’s here?” he muttered, but there were no vehicles parked in the driveway or carport.
“Maybe whoever was here left,” Liv suggested, indicating the tire tracks in the snow. “You said Gabriel was going to drop off some groceries.”
“But he wouldn’t have left the lights on, and he shouldn’t have left a fire burning untended.” Spencer was out of her car as soon as she stopped. He took the stairs three at a time to the front door and she heard his keys. She took advantage of his departure to turn around and back into the carport to make departure easier for Lexi.
She also sent a text message to Lexi that they’d arrived.
Then she took a deep breath.
Here went nothing.
It was one hour.
She could make it count.
Spencer’s place was bigger than a cabin but smaller than the rural retreats that many people built in the area. Olivia thought it looked like a one-bedroom bungalow. It was made of logs on a stone foundation and she could see the stone chimney rising from the middle of the peaked roof. There was a small porch on this side, but almost certainly a large deck on the other side.
She couldn’t see the sky with all the snow coming down, but Liv figured there’d be a great view of the stars on a good night. It was quiet and the big flakes of snow were pretty. The forest came close to the house and driveway on three sides, making it seem as if there was no one in the vicinity.
Spencer had his own corner of the world here.
Lucky, lucky.
He came back out the door to get his bag from the truck. “Something else to chew Gabriel out about,” he said with disgust. “He did leave a fire burning unattended.”
“Well, it means the house is warm, anyway.”
“It could have burned down. It would have served him right if I’d had to go live with him until I could build another.”
“You worry too much.”
“It’s my house. It took a lot of time to build. I’d like to enjoy it a bit longer.”
Liv laughed.
Spencer smiled at her and took a deep breath. “But forget Gabriel. Come on in. Name your poison and I’ll make it for you before you go.”
“Cocoa sounds great. Thanks.”
“No guarantees on ingredients, but I can probably make you a sandwich, if you want.”
“I’m fine, thanks. Just the cocoa.”
They climbed the stairs to the porch as Liv’s heart thundered and Spencer ushered her in with a flourish. “Well, welcome to my castle.”
Liv looked around with curiosity. The furnishings were simple and unexpectedly modern. It was cozy, decorated in natural colors with the occasional touch of red. The opposite wall was all windows and even at night, Liv could see the snow on the forest.
The interior was dominated by the chimney of river stone that was in the middle of the house. They were standing in the larger section created by the fireplace wall, which had a kitchen and eating area as well as a pair of leather couches by the big windows facing the deck. Liv knew that on the opposite side of the fireplace was a bedroom with a four-poster bed, and a luxurious bathroom, because Lexi had told her.
Her mouth was dry and her palms were damp, but she hoped she was managing to hide her nervousness. Spencer took her coat and hung it up along with his own, and they left their boots by the door.
“It’s a million degrees in here,” Spencer grumbled. He tugged off his hoodie and cast it aside, giving Olivia a great view of the tight T-shirt he wore underneath. He strode toward the kitchen, then stopped to stare at a big red box on the counter.
Olivia swallowed. This was it.
“Open me,” Spencer read from the tag, then glanced back at Olivia. She shrugged and tried to look innocent.
He eyed her for a minute and she knew he was going to ask her something, but his phone rang.
Saved by the bell.
“What kind of idiot move was that to leave a fire burning unattended in my house?” he said by way of greeting and Liv knew it was Gabriel. There was a flutter in her stomach, which she tried to quell by strolling around the main room. Spencer had some framed photographs on the walls and she pretended to be more interested in them than she was. “It’s not unattended?” Spencer echoed
. “What does that mean?” He looked around, as if seeking a guest he hadn’t noticed.
Lexi and Reyna were here somewhere. That was the plan.
In the bedroom, obviously.
She just had to keep calm and do her part.
Spencer folded his arms across his chest and frowned, leaning back against the counter. “What if I don’t want a surprise?” he asked.
There was a pause as Gabriel obviously argued with him.
“I don’t like surprises,” Spencer said. “It’s a learned response. Lexi is my sister.”
Liv smiled, because she was sure he expected that. He was watching her and she pointed to the door. “I’ll just go,” she mouthed, but he shook his head and straightened from the counter.
“You want me to open this box and put on whatever is in it.” Spencer’s skepticism was clear. “And you want me to do it now.” He opened the box and peeked inside, as if uncertain what would jump out of it. Then he rolled his eyes. “It’s a blindfold!”
There was a sound from the bedroom.
No, it was from the bathroom. Water splashed.
Spencer stared at the closed door. “Who is that?” he asked Gabriel in a whisper. “How can you be so sure I’ll thank you for this surprise?” He listened, didn’t look convinced. “What have you done to my truck?” He stared at the phone with such disgust that Liv knew Gabriel had ended the call. Spencer met Liv’s gaze and she saw the back of his neck turn red. “Apparently, I have company to entertain.”
“Lucky you.” It was easy for Liv to act nervous. “I’ll just go.”
“No! That’s not fair to you, Olivia.” Spencer shoved a hand through his hair and looked so agitated that her heart squeezed. “I’ll just see who it is and tell her to go.”
“No! I think you should play along,” Liv said. She took a deep breath and walked toward him. “I think Gabriel’s gone to a lot of trouble to arrange this, and you should give it a try.”
“But...”
“Whatever happened to your truck is done, and Cameron is probably fixing it so it’s as good as new. Why not enjoy a gift when you get it?”
“What do you know about my truck?”
She shrugged, realizing her slip. “Nothing. You just said something about it. Cameron fixes everything, doesn’t he?”
He still looked displeased, but it had to be his dislike of surprises.
“Blindfolds are kind of fun,” she said as if she knew anything about it.
Spencer smiled slowly, an enticing heat dawning in his eyes. “Then you put it on.”
Liv smiled back at him. “This is your surprise, not mine. Here. Let me help.” She crossed the room, reached into the box and then put the blindfold on Spencer. It was a thick one, made of black velvet and padded, with a wide band of elastic to hold it in place. She made sure it was secure, then spun him around several times.
“Hey!” he protested, but she urged him toward the bedroom, spinning him as they went. Thank God it wasn’t far.
“Olivia,” he growled, a threat in his tone. God, she loved that he used her full name and when his voice was low like that, mm, there was no better sound in the world.
But she couldn’t stop to savor it. He was going to fight her soon.
She pushed him harder.
“What’s going on?”
“You’re getting a surprise,” Liv said, hoping she sounded calmer than she felt. “I’m helping.”
Lexi and Reyna hurried out of the bathroom, both fully dressed. Lexi tripped Spencer right beside the bed.
Showtime.
“Hey!” he protested as he fell onto the mattress on his back. Liv followed him, bracing her knee on his chest to hold him down.
She heard Spencer catch his breath.
She felt him freeze.
And she used that moment of hesitation against him.
Reyna and Lexi had a pair of wrist shackles, which were tucked out of sight on the far side of the bed. Liv grabbed Spencer’s left wrist and Reyna put a shackle on it. Lexi seized his right wrist and secured it at the same time. His wrists were bound to each other in nothing flat.
“Hey!” Spencer said again, but Reyna had already secured the shackles to the bed frame. She shortened the bond, stretching his arms out, even as he fought against the restraint.
“Surprise, Spencer,” Liv whispered to him. “I’m sorry I agreed to be part of the scheme.”
“What scheme?” he demanded tugging so that his muscles pumped. He looked amazing. His voice rose and his muscles flexed, and Liv was afraid he’d break free.
“Gabriel’s way of saying sorry about the truck.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “Your guest is here and ready for you. I’m going to go.”
“But, Olivia...”
She dropped her fingertips to his mouth to silence him. “Hey, three’s a crowd, Spencer.” Liv kissed his cheek quickly. “Welcome home and have fun. I’ll see you soon.”
“But you’re leaving!”
“See you sometime, then.” She stood up and backed away. One hour, Liv mouthed to Lexi, tapping her watch.
Lexi grinned and held up two fingers. Do it right, she advised.
Reyna nudged Lexi and held up three fingers, her eyes sparkling.
No! That was too long! Liv couldn’t argue because Spencer would hear her and they knew it. Lexi plucked the keys out of Liv’s hand and Reyna gave her a thumbs-up, then Lexi slammed the door after they left. They giggled on the stairs and Liv wished they’d shut up.
Three hours.
No. They had to come back before then.
Liv locked the door after them, noticing how Spencer stiffened at that sound. This was it. She walked toward the bed, peeling off her clothes and letting them audibly drop as Lexi started Mindy and drove away.
Liv reminded herself that this was her wish come true.
This was her chance to let loose and indulge her every fantasy.
Maybe it would take three hours to be satisfied.
Spencer was hers for the taking and the taking should start now.
Chapter Two
It made no sense.
Who was in his house? Why had Gabriel fixed him up on this night, of all nights? Spencer had just started to think he might make some progress with Olivia, and now this. He wouldn’t think about his truck. If Cameron couldn’t fix it, Gabriel could buy him another. Having some woman seduce him wasn’t going to change that.
Spencer didn’t like surprises.
He didn’t like being restrained.
He didn’t like the blindfold.
All the same, it was kind of hot. He thought of Olivia saying blindfolds were fun and wished it had just been the two of them.
He heard her leave, which just about killed him.
But the other woman was still in the house, the one who had been in the bathroom. He thought she was the one who had tripped him into the bed, and he had to think that she couldn’t be evil if Olivia had been convinced to help her tie him down.
It seemed a thin rationalization.
Had he heard two women giggle outside the door? That didn’t make any sense.
Spencer thought about how he’d gotten into this situation. He thought about Olivia with her knee on his chest, and her capable fingers securing his blindfold. He thought about her being so close that he could have run his hand beneath her skirt if he hadn’t been restrained, and his cock rose to attention.
He heard the woman bolt the door.
He heard her drop some item of clothing to the floor. A skirt? A pair of jeans? A bathrobe? There was no telling.
Something else joined it a moment later.
Whatever she was wearing, she was taking it off. That made her agenda pretty clear. What did she look like? Who was she? Why was he being deprived of a view? His erection was straining against his jeans by the time he felt the mattress dip beneath her weight. His heart skipped a beat that she was coming closer.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” he asked and his words so
unded loud.
She chuckled softly, a confident sound that made him shiver.
He felt her fingertips on his thighs, and even through the denim, the weight of her touch made him shiver more. She ran the palm of her hand over his erection and he caught his breath. She caressed him, bringing him to attention with surprising ease.
Maybe it was really hot to be seduced like this.
He felt her tug the hem of his T-shirt free, then her hands slid beneath it. He felt her fingertips on his skin, soft and light. She caressed him as she pushed up the shirt. Her hands were soft and she spread her fingers wide to slide her hands over his ribs. Her touch was possessive and Spencer swallowed. She pinched his nipples a little as she pushed the cloth past them, then he felt her breath against his skin. She kissed his nipple, running her tongue in a circle of heat that traced the outline of his tattoo, and he felt her hair spill onto his chest.
Long hair. She had long hair.
And it was loose. Soft.
She had very very soft lips.
She grazed his nipple with her teeth, making him gasp, then blew on it so that it tightened. He felt the tip of her tongue as she licked the nipple, then she kissed and suckled it. He was moving restlessly by the time she repeated her attentions on the second, hard and ready.
Okay. Maybe this was an okay gift.
“You should have let me have a shower first,” he said, well aware that he’d spent a long day traveling.
“You smell good,” she murmured, and he thought there was something familiar about her voice. He reviewed all the women he knew, the ones with long hair, and couldn’t imagine who would be convinced to do this at Gabriel’s request.
The T-shirt was pushed higher, over his shoulders, baring his skin to her view. He felt her hair brush against his face, then her lips touched the pulse at his throat. The shirt was shoved up to bunch around his wrists and abandoned there, her hands roving over him as if she owned him. Her touch became more demanding then, and he hoped it was because she liked what she saw.
“Let me see?” he asked but she only gave that throaty laugh again.
She kissed his chin, and then the edge of his jaw, then his ear, her hands sliding endlessly over him. She was teasing him, her lips tantalizingly close but out of reach, her hair sliding over his face. He tried to catch her, but she evaded him easily. She leaned closer and he felt her breast against his side, then a shock of delight at the feel of her bare skin against his.
Snowbound Page 4
