Snowed In

by Jenna Bayley-Burke

  “Why would I be jealous?” She finished her wine, not even tasting it.

  “I’m not sure, but you flexed your foot and your face pinched up. You felt some type of way about it.”

  “I’m envious of your experiences, but not jealous. Besides, it’s none of my business whose feet you put your hands on.” She feigned indifference, or at least she hoped she had.

  “You don’t hike, but you want to climb mountains?” He did a horrible job of hiding his amusement. “It’s okay to admit you like me.”

  “Please.” She swirled the drop of wine in the bottom of her empty glass. This night had tilted her entire world, so much that she wasn’t sure how she felt about him anymore.

  “I know you do. It’s obvious.” There it was, the Scott Zimmermann special. A grin that said You want me and I know it. She’d seen it focused on so many women in college, but it’d never been leveled at her before.

  The man could model underwear, so any woman with a pulse would find him attractive. And she hadn’t had a conversation with him in years, so of course she found him fascinating. The heightened awareness of everything he did was a perfectly normal response.

  He started working his magic on her other foot. “Whether we do something about it is up to you. But you want to, I can tell.”

  “Oh really.” She should not find his confidence attractive, not when he used it to taunt her.

  He nodded toward her, dropping his gaze to her chest. She followed, the outline of her hardened nipples pressing through her shirt.

  She crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly aware of how little she wore. How little they both wore. She was so out of her element she didn’t know how to respond. She couldn’t deny it, but she didn’t want to admit that she’d thought about what it would be like to kiss him, to let him rescue her from a long stretch of celibacy the way he’d rescued her from Christa’s antics. Scott was probably used to women who knew what they wanted and took it. And while she was capable of doing that for work, those skills had never made it into her sex life.

  Not that she had much going on in that department. She’d gone out quite a bit right after the breakup, more to prove to herself she was desirable even if Chris didn’t want her. But that had left her feeling cold and empty. She’d tried dating, but no one flipped her switch the way Scott did.

  What would be the harm, really? She fantasized about indulging in a hot, wild night of smutty sex, but she’d never had anything close. With Scott’s expertise maybe she’d finally have the kind of sex her friends raved about. He certainly knew how to give his undivided attention to her.

  She imagined everything he did would have the same gentle thoroughness he took with her feet. She could touch him everywhere, feel the strength of him beneath her hands. There’d be no rush. They could kiss forever. He could show her how a man was supposed to pleasure a woman. And with all that concentration focused on her, damn. She’d always dreamed of that, of a man so excited by her he couldn’t fit anything else into his mind.

  “Hey sleepy.” Scott took the glass from her hand and set it on the end table. “Let’s go to bed.”

  “Together?” She sat up tall and blinked to awareness. Had she drifted off? And had she really just asked Scott to sleep with her? She needed to glue her mouth shut because for some reason she couldn’t seem to speak to him without sexual innuendo.

  “Is that what you want?”

  Yes, please. Her brain might be tapping out, but her sex drive had a lead foot on the gas. She sighed and closed her eyes, trying to think of a way to explain her hesitation. “This would be easier if we were younger.”

  “What are you talking about?” He tucked her hair behind her ears and when she opened her eyes he was right there. So close. So tempting.

  “You remember, back when a kiss could just be a kiss. And you could fool around without having to go all the way. But now we’re adults and we don’t have that kind of range anymore. There is no second base, it’s a home run or nothing, and I’d rather round the bases slowly. Make sure I want to go there before I’m there. You know?”

  “Well, I’m a guy, so not really.” The teasing shrug in his voice tempted her to go for it, but she knew better. Having sex with Scott, even mind-blowing sex, would break him out of the friend zone forever.

  He leaned his forehead against hers and she breathed in his clean woodsy scent. “Marissa, we can just sleep.”

  “Naked.” There, she said it. And she could see it, images of them together flashing through her mind. After the stress of this weekend, didn’t she deserve a little indulgence?

  He laid a hand on her cheek, sliding her fingers into her hair and urging her closer. He brushed his soft lips against hers and every nerve in her body came alive. He licked the seam of her lips and she opened herself up to him. She’d thought enough. Now she only wanted to feel.

  She reached for him, one hand on his shoulder, the other gripping his hair to bring him closer still. He tasted so good, of longing and desire, passion and patience. He kissed perfectly, slow and thorough. Giving. Taking. Melting away any lingering doubts.

  With a hand on either side of her face he broke the kiss. “Yeah?”

  She nodded, not wanting to talk. Or think, or do anything but get closer to him.

  “We can go around as many bases as you want, okay? Just do me a favor. Keep your clothes on anywhere you don’t want me.”

  A powerful amount of freedom came with his offer. They could do it all, or nothing. Anything she wanted. She took his hand, letting him pull her up against him. He dipped his head and she was so sure he would kiss her she closed her eyes. But instead of her lips, his kiss landed on her neck and trailed to just below her ear. She couldn’t breathe as he slid his fingers against her waist, on that bare spot where her shirt and shorts didn’t quite meet. He circled her belly button and her nipples peaked, trying to get his attention next.

  With a hand on her hip he pulled her closer, his hardening cock pressing into her belly. Sleep forgotten, her pulse raced and she splayed her hands over his muscled chest. She barely recognized herself, this woman caught up in this lazy build of lust. Her entire body hummed with anticipation.

  He wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck, his fingers threading into her hair. His slow kisses along her jaw set an easy pace. He massaged her scalp as his lips finally touched hers. He didn’t push, his kiss tasting hers in a way that was both tender and burning hot.

  He released her and took her hand, bringing her fingertips to his mouth for another sweet kiss. The hum of arousal she’d been trying to ignore all weekend began to sing. Maybe it was foolish and impulsive and such a bad idea she’d want to slap herself in the morning. But right now she wanted nothing more than for him to take her places she’d only been to in her dreams.

  With him.

  4

  “Come to bed.” Scott held her trembling fingers and led her from the fire-lit living room and into the blackness of his bedroom.

  “It’s too dark in here,” she whispered, stepping so close to him she felt his every move. She wanted to run back to the light of the fire, wanted to find out just how hot the flame burned between them.

  “Think of it like a blindfold.” His honeyed voice held a challenge. “Your other senses will take over.”

  She blinked in quick succession, the faraway glow of the fire enough to hint at the faint outlines of his space. Not enough to make out Scott’s face or the details of his furniture, not enough to calm the flickers of fear that clung to her in the dark like shadows.

  He squeezed her hand, then sat on what must be his bed. He pulled her onto his lap, his embrace soothing her nerves, his hardness beneath her a reminder of how the night could play out.

  Scott’s warm palm against her cheek calmed her thoughts, but sent her libido swirling like cotton candy.

  He pushed his hands into her hair again, bringing their mouths together in a kiss. But where before he was gentle and teasing, now he had a purpose. She co
uldn’t recall ever being kissed so thoroughly, claimed so completely. As if even her breath was within his control.

  She dropped her head back, the scratch of his stubble awakening every inch of her skin as he kissed his way down her throat. A jolt of lust shot through her, her hunger for him increasing with every breath. She wanted him, so much, but she worried that after tomorrow their relationship would be forever changed. Or maybe it already was.

  Scott lay back on the bed, taking her with him as he maneuvered them to the center. The flex and stretch of his muscles beneath her shifted her focus. She dropped her knees on either side of him, and gripped his broad shoulders, pulling herself up. She nestled into the crook of his neck, breathing him in before she kissed the salt from his skin. She did as he’d done to her, wanting him to know how good it felt. She rocked against him. Maybe with enough friction, right there, she’d be able to think again.

  “It’s not fair for you to use my cock when I can’t,” he said, gripping her ass. His soft laugh vibrated through her, and she stilled on his lap. As much as she wanted him now, she didn’t want to go too fast and regret it in the morning. She needed more time before they had sex, and she was teasing him in the worst way.

  “I didn’t mean for you to stop.” His voice, low and sensual, sent a pulse of lust through her. His grip on her ass tightened as he pressed his erection against her. “I want to hear your breath catch, make you whimper and moan. It makes me want you more.”

  She couldn’t hold back the moan, or still her hips, needing to give him all he desired and more. To have it for herself, to share it together. He gave her neck a long lick, ripples of pleasure washing over her. It had been so long since she’d even considered having sex, longer still since she’d been this hot for someone. If ever. And didn’t she deserve a little indulgence?

  “I changed my mind.” The husky tone to her voice made it clear she wanted him. It might be the wine, or the wedding, or the man. But she needed him, all of him, right now.

  “So did I. I meant what I said. I won’t touch you anywhere you leave your clothes on.” He brought his mouth to hers again, kissing her like he’d been born to. When he broke the kiss she tried to follow him, but in the dark she couldn’t find his lips. “It doesn’t have to be a touchdown or a strikeout. There’s a whole playbook.”

  “I think you’re mixing your sports metaphors.”

  “I never played baseball, and half the blood in my body is in my dick, so I’m doing the best I can.” A trace of amusement lightened his tone.

  She barely suppressed a laugh. “I’m sorry I’m making this hard for you.”

  “You make me hard by walking into a room. I’m used to it.”

  “Since when?”

  “Since ever.” His admission hung in the blackness between them.

  “I don’t know what to make of you.” Without seeing his face, she couldn’t tell if he was teasing or confessing.

  “I’m just being honest.” His tone softened as he ran his fingers up her arm. “And I’d rather we do nothing at all, than something you’ll regret.”

  “I think it’s too late to do nothing.” She pulled off her T-shirt, but left her boy shorts on. Her whole body vibrated with anticipation as she traced her way up his arms, to the bunched muscles of his shoulders, down the flat planes of his pecs and the side of his abs. She’d wanted to touch him like this since she came downstairs.

  “You know, sugar, you can touch me anywhere you want. I’ll even take my pants off if it helps.” His deep voice had the perfect blend of desire and playfulness.

  “I’ll let you know.” She brought her knees up, closer to his hips, then settled over him again, sinking into the mattress. His thick cock pressed against her core. If her pussy had a vote, she’d be fucking him in seconds. But she wanted be smart about this, at least a little bit.

  He gripped her hips and pushed up against her, giving her clit just the right amount of pressure. He slid his hands over her waist and up her back, stalling when he found it bare. He brought his hands to her chest, cupping her breasts.

  He caressed her like he was committing her to memory. All of their flirtation teasing had her nipples hard and tight. She leaned forward, bracing her hands beside his head. She didn’t have to ask for anything. He instinctively knew what she needed. He flattened his tongue against one bud and then did something with his tongue that stoked the fire within her. In the stillness she heard the slide of his fingers, the wet suction of his mouth, the scrape of his stubble over the wet tips. At once amazing and overwhelming. Her breath came in rough pants as their bodies aligned, her sex rocking against his, his attention on her breasts, his mouth switching from one nipple to the other and back again.

  He sucked a nipple deep into his mouth, his tongue flicking the tip while his lips pulled and she grew wet with wanting. She shifted her hips, catching the tip of his erection against her clit. She moaned and made tiny circles with her hips, pressing harder and harder until her breath caught and her legs started to shake. He released her breast and scratched her sensitive nipple along his stubble.

  She was so close, so very close. He pulled her nipple into the wet heat of his mouth, sucking her so deep she could feel his teeth and the rasp of his tongue against the tip. The tiny mewing sounds she made as she chased her orgasm echoed around the room. He grabbed her hips and ground against her.

  Each push of his cock got better and better until her thoughts blurred, her arms and legs giving out. He gripped her ass with both hands as she slumped against him, drawing out her pleasure with each press of their bodies. His fingers tightened, pressing into her skin and he gave a shudder. They both lay still for a moment, catching their breath.

  He broke the silence with a quiet chuckle. Marissa tried to sit up, but she didn’t have the energy. “Why are you laughing?”

  “Because I popped off like a fucking teenager.”

  She slid off his body and onto her side, her cheeks heating. “Sorry, I should have been careful . . .”

  “Don’t be embarrassed. You made me come without even taking off your panties. You should be high-fiving your sexy self.” He shuffled around, probably taking care of the mess she’d made.

  “I would, but I think I’d miss in the dark like this.” Every muscle in her body went liquid and heavy, his pillow soft beneath her head.

  “The sun will be up before you know it.” He lay next to her, pulling the blankets up to cover them both.

  The crackle of the fire in the living room and the gentle sound of his breathing lulled her to sleep. She’d decide what it all meant in the morning, but first she’d have her dreams.

  The early morning light stung her eyes as Marissa slowly awoke. It took a moment to place herself in Scott’s cabin, in his bed. The memories of last night flooded her body with heat. She carefully blinked against the brightness to see the soft whorls of light hair on his chest. In the night she’d curled against him, whether for warmth or something else she couldn’t be sure.

  She couldn’t hear the fire, only Scott’s soft breathing. She turned away, not wanting to get out of bed to face the chill of the cabin when she was so warm and cozy. She shifted, but instead of getting space, his morning wood pressed against her ass. She pushed her lips together to hold in the laugh.

  The excitement of last night held on, even after she’d slept. Being with Scott had been different than she’d imagined, less X-rated yet more fun. The few hours they’d slept left her energized, with none of the morning-after regret that usually followed. He hadn’t pushed for more, and she’d been too tired to take it further.

  She tried to think of anything else besides the hard cock touching her. He must have shed his pants last night because nothing but her panties separated his swollen length from her skin. She’d woken up more sexually aware than she’d ever been in her life. She wanted to wake him and play some more, before they had to deal with the weather and get back to the lodge. Where she had another day of side eyes and whispers on deck. An
orgasmic buzz would dull the edges, might even have her smiling through the festivities.

  One touch of his dick had her fantasizing about the slow slide of it into her, the deep push once he’d finally gone in all the way.

  Scott didn’t stir, innocently unaware of her struggle. Still the same steady breathing as before. When she’d turned in his sleepy embrace, his hand that had been resting along her back now rested on her breast. Over the blankets while she was under them. She lowered the blanket, the chill of the room hitting her neck and chest, tightening her nipples. And then with a slow pull of the blanket she exposed her breast, and leaned forward to let it slip into his hand.

  She stared at his big hand on her, tanned and masculine against her pale skin. She wanted a replay of last night, this time in the light so she could watch. She inched forward to brush her nipple against the callused part of his palm, but he still didn’t move. He was asleep. She ought to leave him alone.

  “Good morning, sugar.” He squeezed her breast and she tensed, then he placed an open-mouth kiss on the back of her neck that curled her toes. “Did you have sweet dreams?”

  Did she ever. It was the same naughty dream about him, only this time she had some real-world experience to make it all the more vivid. He pulled her nipple between his fingers.

  “What do you want for breakfast?” He spoke like he wasn’t fondling her, sending those delicious pulses of sensation straight to her sex.

  “Whatever you want.” She squeezed her thighs, barely holding back the urge to reach between her legs and give herself some relief.

  “I want you to take off your panties.” He kissed the back of her neck again, rolling her nipple between his thick fingers. Her breath caught as he turned away, releasing her completely. Her move. She could stop this. Right now. Instead, she slipped her panties from her hips and kicked them off. She took a deep breath and started to turn back toward him.