SNOWBOUND

by Rena Allcott

  The windshield wipers continued their flap-flap. The snow packed along the bottom edge of the windshield.

  She asked him, "Are you up here to ski?"

  "No, ma'am. I'm taking a break from work to figure out if Denver is where I'm supposed to be."

  "Supposed to be?"

  "Yes, ma'am." He paused, and she looked over to see him frown as he stared out through the fan-shaped opening ahead of him. "See, I'm a waste water engineer. I work for a company that I use to be real proud of, but lately, I don't know. I just don't like the way the management treats some of the employees. Some of the other engineers, that is." He paused. "I almost hit one of the big bosses today."

  She felt his light touch on her arm as he said, "You know, the way you're hanging onto that steering wheel, with your knuckles turning white, is kinda making me nervous. You want me to drive?"

  "After what you did to Little Red? I don't think so!" Darcy smiled, removed one hand from the steering wheel and attempted to shake the circulation back into the fingers. "I think Max and I will do just fine."

  Curtis' booming laughter filled the car. "Can't say that I blame you. Besides, I kinda like having a pretty blonde chauffer."

  Darcy shook her hand again.

  "Here, let me see what I can do." Curtis took it and rubbed the palm.

  Quivers of pleasure spread through her entire hand at his touch. Darcy pulled away from him. "Thanks. I appreciate the help but I need two hands to drive. Especially in this kind of weather." The tingle continued to work its slow way up her arm. Darcy bit her lower lip as strange feelings invaded her body.

  Oh my god, I think my nipples are getting hard. Down girl!

  As an enormous mailbox shaped like an old-time steam locomotive loomed in the darkening storm, Curtis said, "Hey, that's Alan's place. Turn in between those two posts."

  Darcy aimed the front of her car toward the break in the fence. Six feet from the porch, the Maxima's nose dug into a snow bank and stopped moving, refusing to roll another inch. "Uh oh, looks like she's stuck." She turned to Curtis. "I'm afraid you're gonna have to help me get Max chained up before I can leave."

  He opened his door and started to get out. A sudden gust slammed the door on his leg. "Damn!" He rocked back and forth. "Damn!"

  "Are you hurt? Can I do anything?"

  Darcy watched as he felt his knee and leaned over to check his ankle. She giggled as he bumped his head on the dash.

  He lifted his head slowly, rubbing the small bump on his forehead. "Doesn't appear to be anything broken, but I think I'm going to have a hell of a bruise."

  The wind's mournful howling increased. Snow pelted the car.

  "Guess I better help you inside before I do anything else." Darcy carefully pushed open her door. The wind caught it, jerking it out of her hand. "Looks like an invitation to me." She smiled back at Curtis.

  After gingerly stepping out of the car, Darcy watched the drifts bury the top of her knee-high leather boots. She waded around the car, fighting for balance as she leaned into the wind.

  Curtis opened his door again, just as she got to his side. He crawled out and stood. She looked up.

  Both of them started laughing at the same time. Even in her high-heeled boots, her head only reached his shoulder.

  "Don't think you're going to be much help to me." Curtis flexed his knee. The wind gusted harder, causing Darcy to rock. "Anyway, my leg feels much better already. How's about I give you a hand instead?"

  Before Darcy could comment, he lifted her in his arms and headed for the covered porch, cradling her against his body.

  Oh yeah! A manly man.

  When he finally reached the porch, he carefully set her back on her feet and walked over to a long planter nailed to the railing. After several minutes of searching through last summer's flowers, he found the key for a padlock securing the front door, unlocked it, and pushed her inside. "I'll go get your stuff, Darcy."

  "Wait a minute. I can't stay here. I've got reservations in Glenwood Springs."

  "I'm pretty sure we aren't going to be able to get your car out of that drift and down the driveway until the storm stops. You'll be better off someplace warm. And out in this mess is not someplace warm." He shivered dramatically. "So let's settle inside for a time, what do you say? What do you want out of the car?"

  "The black leather bag. Back seat on the passenger side."

  He pulled the ski mask over his face and gave a ferocious growl. Darcy giggled as she watched him fight the howling, snow-packed wind.

  Three minutes later, with a great deal of stamping and huffing, he returned with her bag, the handbag she had left sitting on the front seat, and the rest of her half-eaten turkey with provolone sandwich.

  "Found this." He handed her the sandwich and turned away.

  "You want it?"

  "Never been known to turn down food." He pulled off the ski mask and tossed it onto a bench by the massive red stone fireplace.

  Ummm, nice. His hair is actually redder than his beard.

  He took a big bite. "Hey, my favorite."

  "Mine, too."

  "Guess that means we have two things in common."

  "How so?"

  "Well, we like the same kind of sandwich."

  "True." Darcy watched the sandwich disappear in another bite. "And?"

  "We're both dumb enough to leave Denver and head for the hills when the weather man was promising the worst storm in twenty years."

  "You're kidding!"

  "Nope. Heard the forecast on my way up the hill."

  "I didn't listen to the news. I had on music." Darcy sank into the nearest chair. "How long did the forecaster say this storm would last?"

  "Until late tomorrow." Curtis wadded the sandwich wrappings into a ball and tossed it into the cold fireplace. "Think we better get a fire going pronto. This cabin's almost as cold as it is outside."

  "At least the wind can't get to us. Neither can the snow." Darcy stood and moved over to the fireplace.

  "Three things in common." Curtis piled kindling in the center of the grate. "You're an optimist."

  "Not really. I would call myself a realist."

  "Whatever works. Hey, hand me one of those long matches on the mantle, will ya."

  Darcy climbed on the bench by the fireplace and handed down a box of matches. She applauded when the well-built pile of wood caught fire with the first match. Then huddled close to him, anxiously awaiting the warmth promised by dancing red and gold flames.

  Twenty minutes later, Darcy dozed on the bench beside the fireplace, vaguely aware of Curtis pulling on his coat and ski mask, and going back out into the storm. After a few minutes, he returned with an armload of wood. He placed it on the other side of the fireplace and shivered as he held out his hands to the glowing warmth.

  "My goodness. Do you really think we're going to need that much wood?" Darcy asked.

  "Gotta let it dry out before I can put it on the fire. That's a real wet snow, and apparently I left all the firewood uncovered the last time I was here."

  "Will it take long for the wood to dry?" Darcy watched the steam rising from the largest log.

  "It'll be fine by morning." Curtis smiled down as Darcy smothered a yawn. "We might as well bed down as soon as we throw together something for supper."

  "Supper?"

  "Sure. Alan always leaves stuff in the kitchen for emergencies like this." He crossed to the far corner and opened a large cupboard. Colorful canned goods lined the rough wood shelves. "Let's see. How do you fancy beef stew?"

  Darcy hunched her shoulders. "I'm not very hungry."

  "Well, you'll probably be starved by the time I figure out how to use this stove." He stooped and silently read the instructions printed on the side of the oven. After turning several knobs he scratched a match and sighed as the burner came to life.

  "I thought you said you stayed here when you went skiing?"

  "Sure did." He found the can opener and worked the can. "But I don't cook. I ea
t at the lodge. Sometimes I go to dinner with friends." He dumped its contents into a pan and stirred vigorously before placing it on the open flame. "But I'm a growing boy, and growing boys need to keep up their strength."

  Finally warm, Darcy stripped off her deep purple, polar-fleece jacket. "Need any help?"

  "Find the plates. Paper, if we've got em."

  "Coming right up." Darcy eased past Curtis in the small kitchen area. "Kinda tight fit in here."

  He chuckled.

  Darcy felt a shiver of pleasure as a deep dimple flashed in the bare part of his cheek. "How long have you been wearing a beard?"

  "Since I was twenty-one." Curtis turned on a 1000-watt smile. "Got tired of being asked for I.D. Grew the beard and no one ever asked me to prove my age again."

  Darcy's mouth watered as she sniffed the aroma of the bubbling stew. "Hey, that smells pretty good."

  "Why, thank you kindly, ma'am." He looked down into Darcy's upturned face. "You sure do have real pretty brown eyes."

  Darcy looked away quickly, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach. She glanced at the stove. "You better watch what you're doing or we'll be eating burned stew."

  "Oops!"

  Darcy laughed as Curtis grabbed the spoon and stirred frantically. He said over his shoulder, "Hey, look in the closet and see if there are some crackers. I doubt if Alan would have any canned bread."

  "Canned bread. You've got to be kidding!" Darcy opened the cupboard and moved the front row of large cans out of the way. "Here're some crackers."

  "They'll do." Curtis spooned the steaming stew onto two thick white paper plates and carried them to a low table in front of the fireplace. "Grab silverware, okay?"

  "I even found napkins." She put two place settings on the table.

  Curtis pulled his heavy cable-knit green sweater over his head and dropped it on top of the bench. Then he tossed one of the dark brown corduroy floor cushions over to her and plopped down on the other one.

  "Hey, what are we going to drink?" she asked

  Curtis unfolded his long legs and stood up. "How does fresh, cold well water sound?"

  "Yeah. Right."

  "I'm not kidding. Alan has a well. The water is great." He went over to a red pump built into the sink area and pumped vigorously on the handle. After a long moment, a trickle of water dribbled out the spout. Curtis grabbed a pitcher standing on the sink and used it to catch the meager flow.

  Suddenly, water gushed into the pitcher and Curtis stopped pumping. Carrying the brimming pitcher back to the table, along with two glasses, he sank down next to her.

  Darcy took a large swallow and choked. Gasping for air, she sputtered, "You weren't kidding! This water is cold!"

  Curtis laughed.

  They ate in silence as they listened to the crackle and pop of warming flames.

  When they had scraped every bite off their plates, Curtis tossed the paper into the blaze. "Great way to do dishes, right?"

  "I have to agree."

  The interior of the cabin, lit only by a dancing fire, warmed around them. Darcy's awareness of the man lounging next to her grew. He had rolled up the sleeves of his green plaid flannel shirt and the golden red hair left the impression of light against his bare arms.

  Darcy shivered.

  "Hey, what's wrong? Are you still cold?" He started to get up.

  "No. Not really." Darcy put out a hand to stop him.

  He caught her hand in his and began massaging it. "Your skin is like ice." Pushing aside the loose sleeve of her beige sweater, he rubbed the chilled flesh of her forearm, slowly pulling her closer and closer.

  "My god, your skin is so soft." He ran his hands up and down her arm, then bent and let his lips follow where his hands had been.

  Darcy shivered harder. His nibbling lips left her breathless. The soft red curls of his beard started a tingling trembling deep inside her. She clamped her teeth together, but could not stop the quiver of her chin.

  Curtis groaned as he gathered her into him. For a span of a heartbeat Darcy resisted, fighting the urge to crawl inside his warmth. He pulled her into his lap and cuddled her, pulling her legs up into his embrace.

  The crackling of the fire masked the rapid beating of Darcy's heart. She turned her face into the curve of his neck and breathed in the marvelous smells of soap, warm flannel, and man--scents she knew would always, from that moment forward, remind her of him.

  Darcy's lips brushed across Curtis' bare skin. Now it was his turn to shiver, as her tongue licked and tasted the salt tang of his sweet sweat. Her lips pressed into the bare skin under the silky red-gold beard, branding him with the heat of her touch.

  Curtis' questing hand moved past the slender line of her arm to her shoulder. The sweater's loose weave stretched away from her skin as his warm hand slid slowly up and down her back.

  Darcy's breathing grew ragged and she gasped when his hand moved from her back to her front, one thumb brushing across a silk-shrouded breast. He flicked her sensitive nipple, again and again, until the rosy bud hardened. His hand dropped lower, pushing aside the waistband of her slacks. She held her breath as it dipped inside her panties, moved them aside. Fingers coiled in her pubic hair, then ran through the moisture coating her inner thighs and slit.

  Her body hummed with passion, lust. Need.

  Darcy's searching fingers reached up and found the top button of his shirt. She slowly unfastened it and buried her face in the opening, her lips skimming over the taut skin beneath his chest hair. The next button led her deeper into his warmth and she playfully nipped his nipples. His shudders echoed her own as Curtis moved his hands back up her body.

  With quick, fluid movements, he removed her sweater.

  Standing up, he continued to hold her tightly in his arms as her moved to the bench. He knelt and stretched her out before him on the satiny wood. The fire's heat radiated around her. But the source of the raging fire inside her had nothing to do with burning logs. Rich waves of desire filled her, sensations assaulted her as he lowered his mouth to hers.

  Darcy's arms reached up, embracing him, but after a moment he pulled away long enough to tug his shirt over his head. The golden red curls on his chest glittered with a molten flame all their own as he leaned over and seized her nipple with his teeth, pulling gently. A guttural moan racked her throat as she arched, lifting her breast up for his feasting.

  His right hand slid down to the button of her pants and the heat in her core spread. He removed her slacks and now his mouth worked its way slowly down her soft belly and lingered there as his tongue laved her naval.

  Darcy's smothered scream of pleasure caused him to pause and take playful nips of the soft skin as he explored lower and lower. To her other lips. The silky beard rubbed against her thigh, tickling and caressing, intensifying her need. He buried his face at her opening, the soft stroke of his tongue across her fragile folds of skin bringing her to the brink of climax.

  Her clitoris swelled, hardened, became a quivering mass begging for more. He flicked across the inflamed nerve endings as fingers stroked her labial lips.

  Darcy crossed over the edge and plunged into a deep orgasm. Wave after wave of pulsing joy rushed through her as she writhed, spreading her legs still farther, offering all of herself to him.

  He kissed the softness of her upper thighs, holding her hips in place as her orgasm faded. She felt him shift position and opened her eyes to see his penis at her threshold. He waited a few seconds, a smile of devilish delight on his face, his rigid length cupped in his hand.

  She held her breath, the sizzle of anticipation filling her. And then it was replaced with his rock-hard member driving between her legs. He sank to the hilt, stabbing at her core with steady, long strokes. She responded to his timeless rhythm and they moved as one, a hum from deep within their souls echoing around them in the cabin.

  Curtis leaned over her, bracing himself on bent arms at her sides, reaching down to swipe across each nipple with his tongue. Then, he captured
her mouth. Their tongues twined, dueled as they rode each other harder and faster.

  Darcy ground onto his penis, striving to capture every inch of him, to prolong each stroke as if it were the last. The rumblings of orgasm built inside her again. Pressure grew as Curtis became a blur inside her.

  She could hold back no longer and surrendered to her passion, the slick essence of her climax flowing around the silken-clad shaft possessing her. Vaguely, she heard her cries of joy echoed from Curtis as he joined her climatic bliss. Panting, shuddering, they clung together. He covered her face with kisses, staying inside her. She met his mouth, kiss for kiss.

  And he was suddenly hard again.

  She welcomed his ardor with joyous laughter. He cupped her buttocks, drawing her deeper. She moved with him, rubbing her breast up and down his chest until he lifted her, teasing and sucking one nipple and then the other with his urgent mouth.

  She slid her hands over his sweating back down to his buttocks and pushed him into her still farther. He gasped, held his breath for a moment, and she felt him grow even harder in the home he had found deep inside her.

  This time, as they twisted and turned, attempting to touch each other with every part of their bodies she chose the rhythm, and he followed. Her mouth crushed against his, and the kiss they shared culminated in a shout of pure pleasure.

  She moaned as he pulled away, and reached out to stop him from leaving her.

  "I'll be back, my love, I'll be back."

  In a moment, he'd returned from the bedroom, scooping her into his arms, then tucking her into the bed. He followed her in one fluid motion. She turned to him with a happy cry and he crushed her into his arms.

  Darcy crawled atop him, nudging his hardened member with her clitoris, stimulating both of them as she moved. Blood pumped, tissue grew erect, and she lowered her mouth to his organ.

  She rubbed his warm softness against her cheek, kissed the head. Her moist, heated lips closed over him, gathered him into her mouth. Lips suckled the length, her tongue toyed with the bulbous tip. She felt him shudder with pleasure, heard him gasp, and his shaft grew harder, preparing for the battle that was to follow.