by Cindy Stark
But she didn’t.
A sickening thought overtook him. He hadn’t forced himself on her, had he? Things might have moved faster than they should have, but she’d been interested. Hadn’t she?
Her eyes were huge, vulnerable when she finally met his gaze.
“Erin?” The world fell from beneath him. “I didn’t…didn’t force you, did I? Things were really hazy for me, and I got caught up in…everything. But if things were completely one-sided, I’m so sorry.”
“No. I think we both just…” She put her hands up between them. “I’d just like to forget it if we could.”
He nodded. She’d said she wasn’t interested, and she’d obviously meant it. “I’m sorry. I’d still like the fudge, if you don’t mind.”
She filled a box and exchanged it with him for his payment.
“I’ll see you tonight?” he asked, hoping he’d find a way to bury his errant feelings before then.
“Yes. Tonight.”
He walked out, wondering how she’d managed to get under his skin when he’d been so careful around her. It seemed the more he pushed her away, the more she affected him.
He needed a beer. Maybe a six-pack. And something violent like a kick-ass movie or a boxing match. Too bad they didn’t have their outdoor hockey team going yet and he could take his aggressions out on some of the guys in town.
* * *
It took several minutes after Rick left the shop for Erin’s humiliation to drain from her body. He’d worried he’d forced her when she’d been the sober adult out of the two of them. She’d been the one who should have had enough sense at the time to keep things on track between them.
God, why couldn’t they just be friends? Why was this stupid attraction… friction… whatever it was constantly popping up between them? Yes, he was good-looking, but she was a strong person capable of controlling her emotions. Why did all of that go flying out the window the second he arrived on scene?
She needed to own her actions, own her thoughts, and stop being carried along by the potent chemical reaction between them. If she’d changed her mind about wanting a relationship, that was great for her. It had been a long time coming, and it seemed like she’d finally reached the summit of a huge mountain and was ready to enjoy the downhill side of things. But that didn’t mean she should go chasing after a man who wasn’t interested. If she did, she was asking for heartbreak all over again.
So, she wouldn’t.
She’d find a man who actually wanted her attention. Maybe Allen. He seemed interested. Or maybe someone she hadn’t met yet. One thing was for sure. She was ready to move on with her life.
* * *
A thick, heavy snow had been falling for quite some time when Erin locked up the shop at the end of the day. She left the key at the neighboring leather shop like Allen had instructed her and headed for Annabelle’s.
The streets were quiet, most of the people already tucked away in their homes or in the little hotel on the corner in preparation for the snow dump they’d get that night. Another eighteen inches was expected in town, with more in the mountains. Soft snowflakes swirled around her, and when she glanced at the streetlights, the snow flitted like fireflies.
A hush had descended over the mountain town and filled her with a peace she hadn’t experienced since…she couldn’t remember when. The layer of snow on the ground muffled her footsteps, and all she could hear was her breathing. She inhaled a deep breath, letting the chilly air filter through her lungs, and then blew it out, the heat from her breath fogging around her.
By the time she’d walked the few blocks home, nature had stolen her stress and left her feeling more centered than she had in a long time.
Her sense of serenity shattered when she opened the front door.
The sound of raucous laughter hit her, emanating from the back of the house, probably the atrium. A strong scent of lavender hung in the air, and for a second, Erin wondered if this was what it had been like back in Rosa’s day when the women had had a house full of customers.
She left her boots and coat in the appropriate area and headed toward the noise. When she reached the atrium, she found Annabelle dressed in her fancy poker clothes while she and two younger men shared laughter and a bottle of Jack Daniels.
One of the guys, a blond with longer-hair caught notice of her. “Hey,” he said with a European accent and a big smile. “You must be Erin.”
All eyes in the room turned to her, and Annabelle stood and walked toward her. “Erin, love. Come meet my new friends.” She tugged Erin into the center of the room.
The blond stood along with his dark-haired counterpart. Both men had athletic builds and were roughly her age. The blond had a look on his face that promised a good-time whether he was inside the bedroom or out. His friend had an amazing pair of blue eyes, but seemed more reserved.
“Erin, this is Hans,” she said indicating the sexy blond. “And Joel.”
Erin shook both of their hands, giving them a welcoming smile.
“They’ll be our guests for the next couple of days.”
“Great.” The sense of pure masculinity emanating from both of them was a little overwhelming, reminding her of her first high school football game when she’d walked in front of the bleachers and a bunch of guys had whistled at her.
“Where are you from?” she asked, trying to buy time and regain her composure.
“You should have a drink with us, and we’ll tell you.” Hans motioned her forward.
Her first thought was to decline, but why wait to start making new friends? Now was as good a time as any. “I think I will.”
“I’ll get it for you,” Joel said, his eyes piercing her, making her give him a second look. While Hans was fun and friendly, it occurred to her that Joel just might have more depth.
“Not too much,” she said as he poured more than a shot into a glass for her. “I’m a lightweight.”
His hand brushed hers as he passed the drink to her. “Nothing wrong with that.”
“I’ll leave you boys in the company of my niece while I check the chili.” Annabelle winked at her before heading out of the room.
Erin glanced at the two men, feeling a little out of her league. It seemed as though Annabelle had led her into a jungle full of predators and then left her there to fend for herself.
“Erin, come here.” Hans sat on the couch and patted the seat next to him. “We can tell you about our country, and we need to hear more about what American girls like. This is our first trip to the states, and we want to impress all of you.”
“Uh, sure. Okay.” She sat on the cushion next to him, immediately enveloped by a strong, sexy scent.
“Closer.” He put an arm around her and tugged. “We need to make room for Joel.”
A fast grin hit her lips. Their behavior might be common in their country, but she had the sneaking suspicion this wasn’t the first time they’d tried this ploy. She scooted closer until her thigh rested against his. Joel settled next to her, and her poor hormones shot out of control, making her heart beat faster and warming her cheeks.
“You look like an Irish lass with that lovely color of hair.” Hans tugged on one of her curls.
“A sexy Irish lass.” Joel twirled a strand of her hair around a thick finger.
“My father’s side of the family was from Ireland,” she said alternating glances between the two of them and wondering how she could extricate herself. “Annabelle had the same color when she was younger.”
Joel brought her ensnared strand to his nose and smelled. “It’s very nice. You smell like lavender. It’s my mother’s favorite scent.”
Rosa. The men must be triggering her. “Thank you.” She lifted her glass to her lips, somewhat distracted by the men flanking her and the fact that Rosa’s ghost could possibly be nearby, and she took a bigger swallow than she’d intended.
She choked as the fiery liquid cascaded through her.
Hans took the opportunity to lean her forward
across him and pat her back.
“Don’t try to drink it all at once if you’re a lightweight,” Joel added.
She wanted to respond that she was aware that wasn’t a good idea, but she couldn’t quite catch her breath.
“Take another little swallow,” Hans offered.
She did as he directed, and though it burned, it did help clear her throat. “I’m okay,” she said, her voice hoarse.
Hans smiled and hugged her close to him. “Try not to drink so much next time, little Irish.”
“What else do American girls like?” Joel asked, taking her free hand in his. “Is this pleasurable?” He caressed the back of her hand before circling his thumb around the center of her palm.
Her body reacted with an excited chill as the effects of her unintentionally large shot of whiskey hit the bottom of her empty stomach. These men were an avalanche of sexuality, and she wasn’t sure she could stay ahead of them. Their accents alone nearly charmed the pants off her. “That’s very nice.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her, his brilliant blue eyes staring into hers.
“We should toast to new friends,” Hans said, clinking his glass against hers.
“To new friends,” she said and took a much smaller drink this time around.
“To international relations,” Joel added and tapped her glass with his.
“To international relations,” she repeated, her mind taking a side trip to ponder whether or not he’d meant that as a sexual innuendo. At least the whiskey no longer burned her throat. In fact, it brought on a warmth that relaxed her, making it easier to be around these two bundles of dynamite. “You haven’t told me where you’re from?”
“A little town in Switzerland.” Joel took her hand again, sending sensual shivers racing through her. “We have come to the United States on a tour with some of our buddies.”
“There’s a snow-boarding competition in Telluride in a couple of weeks. We are here to train.”
She lifted her brows, taking a turn glancing at each of the men. “Are you any good?” The moment the question left her lips, she realized it wasn’t very polite. What if they sucked?
“Joel is a gold-medalist in the half-pipe.”
She nearly choked again on another sip. “As in Olympic gold?”
“2010.” Joel shrugged as though it was no big deal.
“Our country was pretty excited,” Hans added.
Suddenly the couch seemed a whole lot smaller. “I’m impressed. How did you ever find Argent Springs?”
“Our coach,” Hans said as he picked up another strand of her hair.
“Excuse me,” Rick said from the doorway, jerking her gaze away from her new friends to find him watching them with a steely expression.
Chapter Sixteen
Erin blinked, unsure of what to do as inexplicable guilt sliced through her for being caught cozying up on the couch with the two athletes. She ached to pull her hand from Joel’s, but she didn’t dare move.
Rick stepped into the room, a smile sliding onto his lips, but the friendly gesture didn’t come anywhere near reaching his eyes. “I’m Rick, the caretaker here. If there’s anything I can help you with, please let me know.” He stopped in front of the couch, extending a hand to shake, more or less forcing the guys to release her and stand to shake his hand.
They exchanged greetings before Rick focused on her. “Annabelle’s asking for you, Erin. She needs your help.”
He turned and left the room, and she wished she could call him back and explain that he’d misinterpreted what he’d seen, and that it was all just a bit of harmless fun. But then after what had transpired in the candy shop, she doubted he cared one way or the other.
“I’d better go see what she needs. Make yourselves at home, and I’ll let you know when dinner is served.”
Hans took her hand and kissed it, his lips warm on her skin. “We are very glad we volunteered to stay here instead of at the hotel with the others.”
Joel nodded his agreement.
“Me, too.” She smiled and pulled her hand free. Even if they were both a little over the top.
Erin found Annabelle in the kitchen with Rick, Annabelle filling three bowls with chili before Rick placed them on a tray.
“Did you need me?” she asked her aunt.
“No, I think Rick and I have everything under control.” She added plates of crackers and small containers of onions and grated cheese.
Erin shot a look at Rick, but he wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Rick said you needed me.” She wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily.
Her aunt piled napkins onto the tray before looking up. “Actually, I need to talk to you about one thing.”
Rick turned and leaned against the counter, looking sexy in his tight black t-shirt as he met her gaze with a look that said he’d been exonerated of his lie. She narrowed her gaze in response.
“Pam overbooked her hotel without realizing it. The young men in the atrium are with a group of athletes traveling from Europe, and they were all supposed to stay at the hotel.” She waved a hand through the air as she continued. “She called this morning in a panic and asked if I could take two of them. Of course, I couldn’t refuse. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, but Erin’s here.”
“Oh.” The all-too-familiar feeling of being unwanted slithered over her. She forced a smile. “Aunt Annabelle, I can leave. It’s no big deal. I know that you count on your room rentals for income, and I wouldn’t—”
“No,” Rick said before she could finish her sentence. “She can have my room.”
Something inside Erin twisted into a tight ball, forcing emotions to surface. During her life, she’d never felt particularly wanted by her family, and to know Rick would give up his room, touched her heart. “Where will you go?”
“Absolutely not. Neither of you are going anywhere,” Annabelle said before Rick could answer. “I just found you, Erin, and I’m not ready to let you go yet, love. And you belong here, Rick. If you’re both open to it, I have a solution.”
She stared at them through her thick glasses, strands of her gray hair falling from her bun, and Erin wanted to reach out and hug her.
“Rick has two beds in his room. If you both don’t mind doubling up for a few days, we should be just fine.”
“Wait. What?” Her thoughts of hugging her aunt came to a complete halt.
“I don’t mind sharing.” Rick turned his attention to her.
Erin couldn’t believe it. After what had happened between them, he wanted her back in his bedroom? “You seriously want to share?”
“I’m fine with it.” He shrugged, capturing her with an unreadable look in his eyes. “If it’s a problem for you, I’ll take the couch.”
Erin glanced between the two people looking at her, Annabelle with an expectant look on her face who Erin knew she couldn’t disappoint, and Rick with a dare that she couldn’t ignore. If he didn’t have a problem with it, then why should she? “If you’re fine, I’m fine. It’s only a couple of days. No big deal.”
“Wonderful. Thank you both so much for being so easy-going. I would have offered to let you sleep in my room if my bed was bigger, but we won’t fit, and I really need my orthopedic bed if I want to get up in the morning.”
“It’s fine, Aunt Annabelle. Really.” She gave her aunt a reassuring smile.
“Thank you, love. I wish Henderson could have met you. He would have loved you as much as I do.” Annabelle lifted the tray and headed toward the doorway.
Rick leaned away from the counter and started after her. “Let me carry that for you, Annabelle.”
“I have it. Have fun tonight.”
Rick turned back to Erin with that damn passive look on his face.
“Are you headed out?” She’d be able to enjoy their guests much more if Rick wasn’t in the room with them.
“We are. In case you didn’t notice, there were only three bowls on that tray. Annabelle not only gave away your room, she
’s feeding them our dinner.” He tilted his head, giving her a softer look that sent her heart reeling. “If you’re agreeable, I’d like to take you to dinner.”
He’d asked her on a real date, and the effect sent flutters through her. “Did Annabelle put you up to it?”
“I offered. Is it such a strange thing for a guy to want to take a friend to dinner?”
Friend. That word again. Why couldn’t she get used to that idea and quit looking for something more?
“Of course not.” She sucked in a fortifying breath. “Give me a minute to freshen up. After working all day, I feel like I have sugar infused into my skin.”
He raised his brows as his gaze dropped to her throat, then lower, spiking her pulse. The man could seduce a woman with one look when he wasn’t trying. “Doesn’t seem like such a horrible thing.”
She laughed, trying to stave the currents of attraction she shot in his direction. “You’ll have to try it some time. Then you’ll see.”
He blinked, his dark lashes brushing his cheeks. “I just might.”
The sexy look in his eye made it hard to breathe. She needed to change, splash some cold water on her face, and fortify her game plan so she could make it through an evening without melting into a puddle at his feet.
She headed for the doorway, expecting Rick to step back and make room for her. He didn’t, so she was forced to brush past him, pretending the feel of him so close didn’t take her straight back to their kiss.
He grabbed her arm before she made it into the hall, and she stopped, looking up at him as her heart thundered. She froze as he leaned toward her, stopping when his nose brushed her neck. He sniffed and pulled away.
“What are you doing?” She hated that her voice came out breathless.
“Seeing if you were telling the truth.” A half-grin twisted his lips as mischief sparked in his eyes.
“And?”
He held her gaze for a moment before he answered. “Sweet.”
She rolled her eyes and walked away. It was that or kiss him, and she wasn’t about to do that again.
“Your stuff is already in my room,” he called after her.
She stopped and pivoted. “Annabelle was that certain?”
