by Jennie Marts
He stared into her eyes, as if looking into the depths of her very soul. She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move.
His gaze swept over her, shifting down to land on her lips then traveling lower to land on her chest. Her nipples puckered with the heat of his stare and stuck out through the thin fabric of her tank top. She didn’t care. Every nerve in her body stood at attention, waiting, dying for him to touch her, to hold her, to kiss her senseless.
She’d never had anyone look at her with such passion, such emotion. Her body melted against his, pliant and soft, yet tight with eagerness and anxious for what he would do next.
“I don’t want to talk about the article or the stupid magazine. All I care about right now is being here with you and enjoying the time we have together.” He brushed his thumb across her bottom lip, and she sucked in her breath. “I know we haven’t known each other a long time, but dammit, I like you.”
“I like you, too,” she answered, her voice coming out breathy and soft.
His eyes widened a little in surprise, then his lips curved into a small smile. “I mean it. I like the way you laugh, and the way you make me laugh. I like the way you see things. Like, you’re always so damn positive. I like that little dimple you get in your cheek and the way your eyes squinch shut when you smile. I like the way you’re both nice and naughty in bed, and I love kissing you. And touching you.”
“I love that, too.” In fact, she’d love for him to start kissing and touching her right now.
“I love the way you tell me what you want and that you say sweet things to me like you think I’m far from boring and that thing about you thinking I’m kinda sexy.”
She grinned, loving the way his ears went pink and how his voice sounded strangled and embarrassed as he said that last part. She raised her hands, wrapping them around his neck. “You are not boring. And seriously, you are so freaking sexy right now, my clothes are threatening to fall off on their own if you don’t start taking them off soon.”
He chuckled, a sound that was low and deep and resonated against her chest. “God, I want you. I want you so bad.”
“Then take me. I’m yours.” She kissed him, a kiss full of passion and promise, trying to convey all of the emotion she felt. Pulling back, she grinned up at him. “Now will you stop talking and get me naked before I spontaneously combust from how hot you’re getting me?”
He laughed and slid his arm under her butt, lifting her up and carrying her to the bedroom. Setting her on the bed, he grabbed the hem of her tank top and pulled it over her head, freeing her breasts and causing her nipples to tighten even harder from the cool air and the over-powering need to be touched.
She leaned back in a seductive pose, resting on her elbows and giving him a fabulous view of her boobs. The pose must have worked, because in one motion he tugged his shirt over his head then grabbed for the waistband of her shorts, popping the snap and peeling them down her legs, leaving her naked on the bed.
He kicked off his boots and pushed his own shorts down, then stepped out of them as he crawled on top of her. Holding himself up, his arms braced on either side of her head, he lowered his mouth to hers, grazing her lips before settling a soft kiss there.
He pulled back, looking down at her, his eyes hungry and fierce. She’d never had anyone look at her that way before, as if she were his sustenance, the thing that kept him going. He made her feel beautiful, sexy, alive.
And she loved it. Loved him.
That thought struck her like a physical blow to her stomach, and her breath caught at the intensity of the feeling, like her heart were being crushed in a vise. It was true, though.
Somewhere between the fishing lessons and the wild moments of bare-skinned passion, she’d fallen in love with him. Fallen hard.
And all she wanted was to be with him—to make him laugh, to have him whisper sweet words in her ear, to hear him say he loved her, too. And to have him always look at her the way he was doing now.
Her gaze roamed over his tanned, muscled chest. His skin was warm, flushed with heat, and she wanted to touch him. His breathing was labored, the muscles in his chest rising and falling, and she reached up and circled his nipple with the pad of her finger.
His eyes closed, and a tortured groan of pleasure escaped his lips. She loved that she could get him so excited with just a simple touch.
“My turn,” he said, opening his eyes and staring down at her breasts. When he lifted his hand, her nipple stiffened with desire, aching for his touch. He grazed his thumb over the hardened peak, and she cried out, a soft cry of need. His palm cupped her breast, massaging and kneading.
He dipped his head, swirling his tongue over one pebbled point, then the other.
“Where the hell is that purple box?” she panted, her mouth going dry, her hands clutching the sheets.
He chuckled and pulled away, taking his heat with him.
She followed him with her gaze, feasting on his muscled body, his thick biceps, trying to catch her breath as she watched him tear open the foil-wrapped package and cover himself.
Then he was back, settling between her thighs, leaning down and taking her mouth savagely in a hungry kiss of need.
Every nerve in her body was alive, every sense awake and alert. She could smell the musky masculine scent of his skin, could feel the soft cotton of the flannel sheets against her back, could hear the quickening of his breath as he moved with her, urging her up against him.
Tension coiled within her, tightening with each thrust, her body trembling with need, craving the sweet release building inside of her. She clutched his back, digging her fingers into his shoulders, arching her back as he sent her soaring, his own triumphant cry blending with hers as they reached the summit together.
Afterward, exhausted and spent, he slumped over her then rolled to the side and drew her to him. She snuggled into the crook of his arm, resting her hand on his chest, and swore she felt his heart thumping heavily against her palm.
Her own heart beat fiercely against her chest, and she wondered if he could feel it, too. “What you said earlier, when you came through the door, I really liked that,” she said, her voice soft. “And I really like you, too.”
A crooked smile curved his lips, and he pulled her tighter against him. He looked down at her, sincerity shining in his eyes. “I meant it. All of it. I have all these crazy feelings swirling around inside of me. I can’t keep up. But I know I want you, like this, naked beneath me. And I want you sitting next to me on the sofa, telling me stories while I rub your feet, and I want to take you fishing and sneak glances at you in that freaking sexy red bikini top. I don’t care about anything else right now, except the two of us. And I’m not ready to let you go.”
“Then don’t. Don’t let me go. Hold on to me tight, and don’t let me go.” She pressed closer to him, and his arm drew her in tight. She knew he would eventually have to let her go, that she would leave the mountains and go back to her real life, her life in Chicago.
But for now, this was enough. To be curled against him, held tightly in his arms as he pressed a hard kiss against her hair. For now. This was enough.
It had to be.
Because it was all they had.
Chapter Twelve
The sound of a truck engine woke Sully from a deep sleep, and he opened one eye to see a naked Avery curled against him.
She lay spooned next to him, her back to his chest, her wavy blond hair curled over her shoulders. His arm wound under hers and his hand cupped her breast. Just thinking about her bare ass curved snugly against his groin had him getting hard again, and he already had early morning wood as it was.
A knock sounded at the door, and Sadie let out a single sharp bark from the end of the bed. Avery stirred, wriggling her butt as she shifted.
Which didn’t do anything to help the “hard” situation.
“Sully, you up in there?” Matt’s voice called from outside the front door.
Yeah, he was up all right.
“I’m coming,” he yelled, untangling himself from Avery’s body and thinking Matt’s arrival would also be impeding that statement.
“What’s going on?” Avery said, followed by a yawn as she stretched like a cat.
“Matt’s here. He must have gotten the tree out of the road. He’s gonna bring us back to town.” He pulled on his shorts, taking one last glance at her glorious naked body before leaving the room, Sadie following at his heels.
He smiled as he heard her groan. “I don’t want to go back to town. I’m not ready to leave this place. And you.”
He wasn’t sure he actually heard that last part, but he imagined he did, and he felt the same way. If it were up to him, he’d stay holed up in the cabin for another month with her. But the real world beckoned. It always did.
His smile turned into a frown as he pulled open the door, knowing that as soon as he did, he was inviting the real world in.
“Hey, dude.” Matt stood on the stoop. He reached down and greeted Sadie with a scratch on her head.
“Hey yourself,” Sully grumbled, opening the door wider for Matt to come inside.
“I thought you’d be happier to see me. I got an early start, figured it would take me a while to get the tree out of the road, and I brought breakfast burritos from Lou’s.” He held up a brown paper sack, the bottom of the bag dotted with grease.
The scent of sausage and eggs wafted toward him, and the growling in his stomach overtook the grumbling of his mood.
They’d skipped dinner the night before, choosing instead to feast on each other’s bodies as they spent the night exploring and discovering new ways to please each other. He’d gotten up around midnight and found them some semi-stale Pop-Tarts, which they’d eaten in bed before falling asleep in each other’s arms.
“Thanks. That was nice.”
“Nice? Dude—what could be better than burritos from Lou’s?”
“Hi, Matt.” Avery stepped out of the bedroom. She’d pulled on her shorts and another one of Sully’s T-shirts, but her legs were bare, and her hair was a tousled mess that screamed she’d just spent the night having wild sex.
Matt’s eyes widened, his gaze going from Avery back to Sully. “Oh, I see. Yep, that would be better than breakfast burritos. Do you want me to come back later?”
“You brought breakfast?” Avery asked, descending on Matt before Sully had a chance to tell him yes.
Matt set the bag onto the table and crossed to the empty coffeepot. “Dig in. I’ll make some coffee.”
Avery tore open the bag and pulled out two foil-wrapped burritos. After passing one to Sully, she peeled down the edges of the other and stuffed a bite into her mouth, then let out a moan of ecstasy. “Oh my gawd, that’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”
Sully had taken a bite of his burrito and almost choked at her statement. The woman did have a way with words.
“Geez, you guys seem like you’re starving. I thought you had some stuff stocked up here.”
“He did, but we recently worked up quite an appetite,” Avery said, winking at Sully. “And we’ll probably need to replace that box you left up here of—”
“We can talk about that later,” Sully said, cutting her off.
Matt chuckled, wisely not saying anything as he measured heaping spoonfuls of coffee into the filter, then started the machine brewing.
“How’d it go with the tree? You get it out of there on your own?” Sully asked, changing the subject.
“Nah, the utility guys must have cleared it earlier this morning. I saw it, but it was pushed to the side of the road already, so I just drove right in.”
“Nice. I’ll come back up with my truck later this week and take a chainsaw to it. I’ll bet I can get a crap-load of firewood from that thing.”
Avery wiggled her eyebrows at him. “Can I come with you? You know how hot I think you look when you use the chainsaw.”
Matt sputtered into his freshly filled mug of coffee.
Sully narrowed his eyes at the younger man. “You got something to say?”
Matt shook his head, obviously holding back a laugh. “Nope. I got nothing. Although I have often thought you did look particularly swoony when you use power tools. Especially the brown ones. They match your eyes.”
“Shut up,” he growled. “You do realize I sign your paycheck?” He was tempted to throw the rest of his burrito at the guy, but it tasted too damn good to waste on the sarcastic punk.
Matt held a hand up in surrender, pressing his lips together to keep from smiling. “Shutting up now.”
Sully glanced at Avery, who was giggling into her hand. “I’m shutting up now, too,” she said.
…
It took them thirty minutes to finish eating and get everything packed. Avery took a shower while Matt drove Sully down to where they’d left the raft, and the two of them got it loaded onto the back of the truck.
They closed up the cabin, and Matt gave them a ride back into town.
Avery sat in the middle of the truck between them, the scent of her freshly washed hair filling the enclosed space.
“So, Matt, what’s your story?” she asked. “Did you grow up around here, too? Have you worked for Sully long? Do you have a girlfriend?”
Matt chuckled. “Um—no, for about five years now, and no.”
“Good answers,” Sully said.
“Oh, come on,” Avery said, nudging the guy in the ribs. “You gotta give me more than just that. You know I’m a reporter. Inquiring minds want to know…”
“Okay, okay. No, I didn’t grow up around here. I’m originally from Kansas and have always been drawn to the mountains. So, much to my parent’s chagrin, I took a year off after high school to travel and spend time getting back to nature and finding myself. My car broke down in Cotton Creek, so I stayed. Sully gave me a job, and that one year off turned into three. But I’ve been back in school for a couple of years now, and I’m getting my degree in Parks and Recreation Administration.”
“You can get a degree in Parks and Recreation? Is that a real thing, or are you being sarcastic?”
“Yeah, it’s a real thing. I’ve had time to think about what I’d like to do, and I want to be a park ranger. I drive down to the college a couple days a week, and I’m starting my last year in the fall. Sully knows a guy named Wade Baker, he’s a ranger at Cotton Creek Falls, the state park outside of town. You might know him. I think Sully mentioned you’re staying at the Baker’s B&B. Miss Abigail is his grandma.”
She nodded. “Oh sure, I’ve met him a few times. In fact, I just had breakfast with him and his girlfriend, Reese, the other day. He seems like a nice guy.”
“He is. He got me on as a docent volunteer up at the Falls for now. But I hope to work my way into the Parks Department.”
“Wow. That sounds cool. But I would think the competition would be stiff. Like, doesn’t everyone want to be a park ranger?”
“Yeah, a lot of people do. The benefits are awesome, but the pay is crap. At least until you move up into Parks Management, then you can make some decent change. But I don’t really care, I’m not worried about the money. I like being outdoors and spending time with kids, teaching them about nature and stuff. I considered being a teacher but thought I’d be better at this.”
“You’re going to be great,” Sully said. “Matt’s much better with people than I am. He already leads guided fishing trips, and he does an overnight camping trip for fifth-graders and their parents every spring. I keep hoping he fails a couple of classes, because I don’t want him to graduate and quit working at the shop.”
“I love it,” Matt said. “I love being outside. It’s not about the money for me. It’s about enjoying the work that you do. It’s about getting up every day and being excited to go to work. Which is also the reason I answered ‘no’ to the last question. Not a lot of women are interested
in a guy that’s trying to get a degree that only gets him an entry level job at a park.”
“Sure there are,” she said. She knew plenty of women who would die to go out with a man that had a degree and a steady job, not to mention one that was as ridiculously cute as Matt. “You just haven’t met one yet.”
He offered her a grin. “Too bad you’re already taken.”
“Quit flirting with my girl,” Sully snarled.
My girl?
Her heart did a little leap in her chest. Did he really think of her as his girl?
Wait. Her leaping heart sunk to her toes. They were in front of someone. Was he back to playing the part of being a couple? They’d been on their own for so long now, she’d almost forgotten about their deal. Almost.
Matt pulled the truck up in front of the shop next to where she’d left her car. Sully let her out and grabbed her backpack from the rear of the pickup.
Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her in for a tight hug, almost as if he were saying good-bye for good instead of good-bye for now. “I suppose you’ve probably got a lot of work to do. On the article and everything.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. Was he saying he figured she had a lot of work to do so they wouldn’t be able to get together later, or was he hinting around to see if she might be able to finish her work and possibly be free?
“I do have some work to do, now that we’re back in civilization and have wifi again. I’m sure I have emails to answer, and I want to get some writing in, but I should be free this afternoon.” She let the statement linger in the air, waiting for his response to see if she could ascertain what he was thinking.
He smiled. “Well, I’ll be around the shop today. After I go home and get cleaned up. Maybe if you’re free later this afternoon, you could come back by the shop, and we could grab some dinner or something.”
“I could do dinner. Or something.” She offered him an impish grin, trying to convey that she was more interested in the “or something” than she was the dinner.
