By Firelight

by Janice Maynard

  They veered onto a path that wound through a copse of hardwood trees, the branches bare black skeletons. Up above, the stars winked and sparkled. At that very moment, Hallie fell in love . . . with Alaska. Riding through the snow on a sleigh with Daniel by her side, she felt like a princess in a fairytale.

  She began to wonder how her humdrum workdays in Seattle could even compare with a region that was fraught with so many extremes; wild weather, fascinating people, and scenery that was both breathtaking and awe inspiring. For years she’d made her job her entire focus. Suddenly the world was a bigger, crazier, more compelling place.

  Alaska might technically be one of the fifty states, but to Hallie it was an alternate universe, each experience more eye opening than the last. She was an adventurous person, she really was. But she’d let her workaholic habits get in the way of seeing what life had to offer. Maybe Alaska was going to be more than an interim job. Perhaps it was going to show her what she had been missing.

  Daniel leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “If you’ll take off your glove, I’ll hold your hand.”

  That was a fair offer. But she hoped he couldn’t see her blush. Or if he did, that he would attribute the redness of her cheeks to the cold air.

  Their hands joined beneath the blanket, his hard and masculine, hers smaller and softer. It was the kind of simple affection appropriate for young teenagers. But to Hallie, it seemed seductive—even erotic.

  Daniel’s skin was warm, his fingers rough and masculine. Hallie held on tightly, afraid of losing the moment.

  Daringly, she moved their linked hands to his thigh. It was rock hard. She didn’t have to hear his sharp intake of breath to know he was affected by her touch.

  When the driver executed a turn that would take them back to the beginning of their trip, Hallie sighed.

  Pleasure, balmy and sweet and simple, warmed her from the inside out.

  They were almost in sight of the horse corral when she turned toward Daniel and pulled his head down to hers. After a quick, decorous kiss, she leaned into his embrace and whispered in his ear. “I have a surprise for you, too. The Denmans have gone to Anchorage and won’t be back until late tomorrow night.”

  Five

  When the horses stopped, Daniel prepared to assist his guest. But Hallie tossed back the blanket and hopped out before he could help her. She landed lightly on her feet and smiled up at him with a taunting grin. He stumbled getting out of the sleigh and nearly fell flat on his face. Hallie’s giggle made his ears turn red. Smooth, Reynolds. Real smooth.

  He steered her toward the car, unable to speak. All the blood in his torso had rushed south to produce an erection as hard as any one of those damned ice sculptures. He and Hallie were finally going to be all alone. Tonight.

  She took off her scarf and gloves and unbuttoned her coat. “Are we going to stop for coffee? You know . . . to warm up after our ride?”

  He shot her a dark glance. “No. I’m pretty damned warm as it is.”

  That made her laugh softly again. The little tease was enjoying his discomfort.

  When they arrived at the B&B, he parked haphazardly and rushed her up the walk. He unlocked the front door, scooped her into his arms, and carried her inside. That shut her up.

  Her eyes got big. “Did I miss something? Are we playing honeymoon?” she asked.

  “No. I just thought this would be faster.” He strode toward his room, all his concentration focused on getting her naked ASAP. When he dumped her on the bed with less than his usual finesse, he paused, stricken. Hallie reclined with her elbows behind her, watching him with a look he couldn’t decipher.

  “Um, Hallie . . .” Maybe he was out of line. Maybe her naughty whisper about the Denmans had been more in the nature of general information than a sexual invitation. He cleared his throat. “Were you . . . I mean . . . are we?”

  She sat up and took off her coat. “Get naked, Daniel. I have plans for you.”

  Oh, Lord. There went any last shred of rational thought. He started stripping off his clothes, but when she did the same, he gave a hoarse command. “Stop. I want to unwrap you.”

  The words came out wrong, but he realized he actually meant them. She was the best Christmas present anyone had ever given him. He paused when his chest and feet were bare. His lungs were heaving, and his heart rate was through the roof. He had to gain some control or she would be monumentally unimpressed with his staying power.

  Carefully, deliberately, he took off the rest of his clothes.

  He moved, buck naked, toward the bed and sat down beside her. “I don’t know how I got so lucky,” he said soberly. “But this has been one of the best days of my life.”

  She took his hand and raised it to her lips. “And we haven’t even gotten started yet,” she said quietly.

  He tugged her sweatshirt over her head and gulped inwardly at the sight of her peach and cream lace bra. The lace was almost the same color as her skin. He made her stand up in front of him while he unbuttoned her jeans. It took precious seconds to help her kick out of her boots and socks, but soon he was back at her zipper.

  He lowered it so slowly they both sighed. Her concave belly was covered in gooseflesh. “Oh God, I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I’ll warm you up, I swear.”

  “I’m not cold,” she said simply.

  He put his hands inside the denim and eased it down her legs. Her panties matched her bra. Victoria’s Secret, be damned. He had his own angel right in front of him.

  Her narrow waist and curvy hips made his hands shake with the need to stroke every last inch of her soft skin. He kissed her navel, grazed her belly with his tongue.

  When her hands tangled in his hair, he thought he heard her say something. But he couldn’t distinguish anything over the thunder of his own heartbeat in his ears. He cupped her firm ass in his palms and laid his cheek against her stomach. He knew how to pleasure a woman. . . how to manage foreplay to make a lover eager for more.

  Now, though, he was completely undone. Despite the urgency of his body’s driving need, he paused, shaken. It disturbed him to realize in this first, tremulous intimate touch, he was head over heels infatuated—maybe hallway in love—with Hallie Prentiss. She held his life in her hands.

  What would happen if he had sex with her, and she left Alaska without a backward glance? His buddies would clap him on the back and congratulate him for nailing a “short-timer.” He winced inwardly. God, he couldn’t bear to think about that.

  He took a deep breath and nipped one of her hip bones with his teeth. That scenario wasn’t going to materialize, damn it. Once a soldier, always a soldier. He was trained never to give up. To get the job done. To acquire the target.

  He put a hand between her legs.

  This time, her ragged words were clear. “Daniel, please. Don’t make me wait.”

  Whatever the lady wanted. His thumb parted her folds. She was slick and wet and hot. He skated a finger back and forth over the sensitive spot until her incoherent cries told him she was close to the edge.

  And then he stopped.

  * * *

  Hallie groaned aloud, so damned near an orgasm that her breath lodged in her throat. She tugged at his hair, hard enough to make him curse. “Don’t stop, Daniel. Do something.”

  “I plan to,” he growled.

  Before she could catch her breath, Daniel scooped her into his embrace and carried her from the foot of the bed around to the side. She was tall and not exactly lightweight, but he lifted her with ease. This time, he pulled back the covers and set her carefully in the center of his bed.

  He loomed over her, his face a mask of determination. “Spread your legs, Hallie. I can’t wait another second.”

  She didn’t chastise him for his bossiness. She obeyed because the alternative was unthinkable—his harsh command did something fierce and amazing to the heat building in her core. She considered herself a feminist, yet at this moment there was something wildly exciting about feeling out of control. />
  He rolled on a condom and widened the V of her legs another inch with his hands. “Don’t close your eyes,” he growled. “Look at me.”

  Their gazes clung as he moved on top of her. He fit the head of his erection to the opening of her passage and paused. His thighs spread hers. He leaned forward and squeezed her breasts, tugging at her nipples. She whimpered.

  And then he moved.

  He filled her with one wicked thrust. Her hips lifted off the mattress, her body feeling stretched, filled, possessed. His big hands grasped her waist, tugging her until her thighs draped over his. Now he had her at his mercy. He surged forward, filling her completely, making them both groan.

  A lock of dark hair fell across his sweat-sheened forehead. He grinned, his expression piratical. “For a workaholic, you’re pretty damned good at this. I think I’m jealous.”

  She ignored his playful comment. He knew more about the female body than he should, but she wasn’t about to protest. She closed her eyes, concentrating on the feel of him moving deep inside her. Her inner muscles clenched, trying vainly to hold him, to control the pace. But it was futile.

  He was ferocious and tender, desperate and infinitely patient. When she came with a choked cry, he was only seconds behind, his big body rigid in release. He collapsed on top of her as they both struggled to regain their breath.

  Hallie licked her lips, her chest still rising and falling. “Yum.”

  “Yum?” He yawned and rolled to his back.

  “It’s an adjective I reserve for dark chocolate and other indulgences. I stand by my assessment.” Particularly since her thighs still quivered and her legs were the consistency of wet noodles.

  Daniel moved slightly. She felt something that was definitely not a limp noodle as he lifted her on top of him with impressive ease. She wriggled with a long sigh of pleasure, aligning her woman parts with his rapidly recovering sex.

  She was glad they had left a lamp on. Looking at Daniel made her happy. Her heart pinched sharply as she thought about leaving . . . going home. But she refused to acknowledge the future. Instead, she rose to one knee, took his thick erection in her hand, and joined their bodies.

  Daniel laughed roughly. “Damn, Hallie. I can’t get enough of you.”

  This time it was hard and fast. Right at the end, he flipped their positions, putting her on her back once again and thrusting into her so hard that the headboard slapped the wall.

  She saw an explosion of stars as she caught her breath and whimpered in the grip of a stunning orgasm. “Daniel!” Her cry was swallowed up in his roar of completion.

  Long moments later, he rested his forehead on hers. “Stay,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “Stay in Alaska.”

  Out of nowhere, tears stung her eyes. “There’s nothing for me here. And we’ve known each other three days. Please don’t do this, Daniel. Please. Let’s just enjoy the moment, and not think about what comes next.”

  He was silent. She couldn’t tell whether she had offended him, pissed him off, or hurt him. Not the last, surely.

  Her throat thickened. She reached for the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.

  They slept for several hours, tangled together in a warm cocoon of blankets and arms and legs. When Daniel’s cell phone rang, the sound was intensely shocking.

  Hallie sat up and turned on the light while Daniel, gruff voiced, dealt with the call. She could tell from his face that it was serious. He ended the conversation and started dressing immediately. Her stomach clenched. “What is it?”

  He ran a hand over his face. “Coal dust sparked a fire at the heating plant. I’ve got to go. We’ll have all kinds of emergency personnel on-site, and maintaining security is a priority.” He paused and grimaced. “I’m sorry, Hallie. I didn’t want our night to end like this.”

  She swallowed and summoned a smile. “I understand. Don’t worry about me. Go do what you have to do.”

  He sat on the bed long enough to lean over and kiss her. “This isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”

  Before she could make sense of his words, he was gone.

  * * *

  Daniel didn’t make it home for three days. He grabbed sleep in brief snatches on the sofa in his office. There were injuries from the fire. The explosion had decimated heat production. Steam heat from Fairbanks had to be brought in via the utilidors until they could get the boilers back up and running. Men were doing two or three jobs amidst the chaos.

  Though Daniel shouldn’t have had a moment to think, his mind still wandered to thoughts of her. Hallie. In his gut he knew he needed to seal the deal before she had a chance to put up her defenses. It was a lousy time for him to be gone.

  But what choice did he have?

  When he finally pulled into the driveway of the B&B several days later, the place was ablaze with lights. He opened the front door and found himself bombarded with Christmas music, the amazing aroma of home cooking, and excited chatter.

  Children ran up and down the stairs. Hallie was hunched over a computer looking at digital photos from the Denmans’ Alaska excursion. In every corner, guests argued and laughed and filled the air with holiday excitement.

  Daniel would have enjoyed it more if he hadn’t been bone tired.

  Hallie spotted him first. Her face lit up in welcome, but seconds later, she tempered her response. He sighed inwardly. Prickly Hallie was in full armor.

  She tilted her head toward the kitchen. “Hungry?” She mouthed the word.

  He nodded. He was ravenous, in fact.

  They made their way via opposite routes to the kitchen. He took her in his arms and kissed her nose, not caring if anyone spotted them. “I missed you.”

  She gave him a quick hug, but her body was stiff in his embrace. She stepped away quickly and turned to the fridge to retrieve roast beef and mustard. “Is everything okay at the post now?”

  He shrugged out of his heavy jacket. “Getting there. I’m off for twenty-four hours.”

  She turned around as he said it, and their eyes met—hers hesitant, his frustrated. She smiled weakly. “That’s nice.”

  As he watched in silence, she smeared mustard on two slices of Hazel’s homemade bread and piled meat on the bottom half. Her hands were graceful and quick. He shifted uncomfortably. Hell, this was the fist time he’d ever gotten hard watching a woman make a sandwich.

  She sat across from him at the table while he ate. With the kitchen door closed, the roar from the other room was muted. As he swallowed the last bite and finished off his beer, a huge yawn took him by surprise. Lord, he was tired. But not too tired to have sex on the brain. He reached across the table and took her hand. “I’m sorry we were interrupted the other night. I can’t get you out of my head, Hallie.”

  “I missed you while you were gone.” She squeezed his fingers, her expression guarded. “Even with all the Denmans around for company.”

  “I missed you, too,” he said, pleased that she felt comfortable enough with him to admit that. “How are things going? It seems like you’re a natural at this B&B life. Looks like everyone is having a great time.”

  “They’re wonderful. I’ve enjoyed getting to know them all.”

  “Did you pursue contacting a news station to feature their story?”

  She grimaced. “I didn’t even broach the subject with Robbie. After I saw how they are with each other . . . how much they love Timothy . . . how worried they are about his deployment . . . I couldn’t bring myself to capitalize on that. It seemed wrong.”

  He nodded and then cocked his head. “Have you thought about what you’re going to do when this gig is up?”

  The long pause seemed to last forever. His gut clenched when Hallie didn’t answer. He was pushing too hard. He knew it. But the urgency he felt couldn’t be denied. He swallowed and tried to back away from the heavy tone he’d unwittingly introduced. “I’d be more than happy to help you with that decision.”

  This time the tone of his voice was teasing, but he was de
ad serious.

  She sighed deeply, drawing her hand away. “I have friends in Seattle . . . and a nice town house.”

  “But no job.”

  “I’ll need to polish my résumé. Something will turn up.”

  “Damn, you’re stubborn.”

  She stood up so quickly her chair almost tipped over. “I can’t think straight in the midst of all this forced Christmas cheer.”

  He frowned. “Forced?”

  She cleared the table with quick, jerky movements and motioned toward the other part of the house. “Don’t you get it? Christmas has a dark side. People spend a lot of time pretending.” She slammed the refrigerator door, knocking a moose magnet to the floor. Her face was flushed, her eyes too bright. “Poor Timothy is being shipped off to Iraq or Afghanistan or who knows where in January, and they’re all in there playing Yahtzee and pretending that everything is just fine.”

  Daniel didn’t think of himself as the most perceptive man on the planet, but it was plain to see Hallie was hurting. He wanted to take her in his arms and comfort her, but her body language said, Back off. So he leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “I’m sorry your mother is gone, Hallie. I know I’m a poor substitute, but talk to me . . . please. What kinds of little things did the two of you do to make the holidays special?”

  Hallie swiped a hand at her damp eyes and sat back down, almost deflating, it seemed. Her bottom lip began to tremble, but she managed to get herself in hand. “We always made candy-cane cookies. And we watched It’s a Wonderful Life. Sometimes we took little gifts to the nursing home in our neighborhood.”

  He smiled at her. “Sounds pretty special. She must have been very proud of you.”

  Color returned to her cheeks. “I was lucky. She was a great mom.”

  “You will be, too, someday.” He shocked the hell out of himself. Where had those words come from?

  Now he had embarrassed her. She looked down at the table, her silky hair shielding her expression.