by Melody Anne
He slowly pushed forward, entering her from behind. When he was completely inside her, she felt more full than ever before. She’d never had sex in that position before and found she loved it. He was so deep inside her, his hips pressed into her backside, his hands roaming over her hips, stomach and breasts. All the sensations were quickly building her toward another earth shattering orgasm.
He began to push in and out of her tight heat, both of them crying out in pleasure. The water continued to cascade over them as he moved faster and faster with each thrust. Her body began tightening around him as the pleasure built. He thrust deep within her heat and she exploded around him, gripping him tightly, not wanting him to pull out. Needing him to stay deep inside.
He pulled out, making her cry her displeasure, only to thrust back inside of her and stay as he pumped his own release deep within her folds. He gripped her hips almost bruisingly tight as he groaned in pleasure. His body pumped endlessly, and she felt every single quiver of pleasure pass through him. Her legs couldn’t hold her any longer, and her knees started to buckle.
Max quickly caught her up in his arms, turning her around as he pulled her head to his and kissed her with so much tenderness she had to fight tears wanting to fall.
“Thank you,” he said in-between kisses, making her heart melt. She’d be thanking him if she could get words past her throat. He quickly cleaned them both, then pulled her from the shower, wrapped her in a towel and carried her to his bed. They laid there for several hours, touching, kissing, and talking as if they were long lost lovers. She hoped it would never end.
“Did you hear that?” Max asked. She looked at him, puzzled. She hadn’t heard anything, but then again, her head was against his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
“No,” she replied.
“Get dressed, I think our chariot may be here,” he said as he quickly climbed from the bed. She took a few moments to watch his muscled backside flex as he bent to grab his pants. She was disappointed to see her view quickly covered. He slipped his shirt on, and that’s when she heard a sound. It was a rumbling noise, and she had a bad feeling he was correct.
She slowly climbed from the bed and got dressed. If they were being rescued, being caught naked would certainly be embarrassing. She walked to the living room, where Max was near the front door, straining to hear. There was a loud scraping sound, and it was confirmed that someone was there, digging them out.
“Let’s move to the center of the room just in case a window gets hit by mistake,” Max told her. They sat on the couch, both of them not speaking. They realized the real world was coming for them, their time in the cabin officially over.
Cassie knew when they reached the front door because there was a window next to it and for the first time in days, light streamed through it. She felt like crying. A few seconds later there was a knock and then the door opened.
A couple men in military uniforms walked in, looking around, then smiled as Max stood up.
“We’re glad you’re okay, Mr. Anderson. We apologize it took so long to get you out of here. Cordova had a sudden and unexpected snowfall that buried the entire town. They called us in to free the residents. It’s been a huge disaster,” the man said.
“We understand. We’re just glad you were able to find us,” Max replied. They walked to the front door and looked out, shocked at what they saw. There was a roadway carved with huge snow drifts, higher than the house on either side of it, with several military vehicles dotting its carved surface.
“Mr. Anderson, we don’t want to rush you, but we’re afraid this storm is not completely over. If you can gather your things as quickly as possible, we’ve got a runway cleared at the airport and you can safely fly out. You only have a small window,” the soldier said.
Cassie wanted to tell the man no, that they’d take their chances. After all, Max had a business meeting to attend still. Although, she supposed with the current situation the meeting was most likely postponed. They had far more important things to take care of in the small town than a new merger.
“Yes, of course. Give us ten minutes and we’ll be ready to leave,” Max said, immediately stepping back into the cabin and heading for his room. Cassie had no other choice but to follow his lead. She went to her room and quickly packed. As they met in the living room to do one final check around, she once again had to fight her tears from falling. It was time to get back to the real world.
They’d been back in Seattle for a week. Neither of them brought up their time in Alaska, but it was obvious to Cassie they were done being lovers. He wasn’t cold, or distant, almost the opposite, in fact. He had a tendency to touch her whenever he entered the same room, or passed her in the hall. He’d been busy with work, and she spent most of her time away from his office, talking to personnel and family members.
He no longer seemed to mind about the interview, which was great, but at the same time it was all coming to an end and she wouldn’t have an excuse to see him on a daily basis. Maybe, that was a good thing. If she got away from him, then her heart could start to heal.
“I was expecting you at the company party last night. Where did you disappear to?” Max asked her, as he cornered her in the break room. You didn’t have another engagement to get to, did you?” he asked casually. Her heart broke a little more. He was speaking to her as if she was nothing more than a friend he was curious about. She wished she did have a hot date, not that she thought he’d care, anyway.
“I’ve just been fighting a cold, so I went home to get some rest,” she lied. It was late and time for her to go the grocery store, then home. Her house was almost completely out of groceries and she hated shopping, but knew she needed to. She walked from the room, and gathered her coat and purse, with him following right on her heels.
“You’re leaving early, again. I thought we’d go over a few things,” he said.
“I have to do some shopping before the weekend,” she trailed off. Normally, she jumped at the opportunity to sit down one on one with him, but she needed the weekend to give herself some pep-talks. She pretty much had all she needed to write an excellent article, she may have to give up her last week, because she just didn’t know if she could take being around him without falling to pieces.
“I have some shopping to do, also. We can go together, and chat while we’re at it,” he said, as if he’d come up with the perfect solution. She was trying to get away from him, not have him follow her. She didn’t want ordinary, everyday things, like shopping, to be associated with him.
“I’m sure you have far more important things to do, other than shop,” she said with what she hoped came out as a teasing smile, and not a pathetic one. When he used that smile on her, she wanted to fall at his feet. It was really difficult to keep her distance when the man used his charm. She could practically feel her toes curling, and her heartbeat was quickly accelerating. She’d never get over him if she couldn’t get control of her traitorous body.
“Nothing’s more important than working on your prize winning article,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “Plus, it’s getting close to my Aunt’s birthday, so I need to look around for a present. If she’s not treated like a queen on her birthday, my Uncle will have a coronary,” he added with a laugh.
“You mustn’t bring down the wrath of your Uncle,” she said, not able to keep her own smile from appearing.
“I’m glad you understand.”
“I’m just going for groceries, so it wouldn’t be productive for you to come along,” she told him, walking toward the elevators.
“We can make a couple stops. You’ve been invited to the party, so you’ll want to pick up something, too. I can help you find the perfect item,” he told her, taking her arm in his. She had no choice but to come, other than throwing a tantrum.
“I don’t think I can make the party.”
“You don’t even know when it is,” he said with a knowing look on his face. He had her there. Unless she wanted to confess
that it was killing her inside every moment they were together, she was trapped, and they both knew it.
“It’s a family thing…” she trailed off.
“Many friends are also invited. If there’s some reason you’d be uncomfortable around the family…”
“You have a great family,” she told him, honestly.
“Good, then it’s settled. I’ll pick you up,” he told her, keeping in step with her. She was starting to get irritated. He was always getting his way and it just wasn’t right. He needed people in his life who weren’t afraid to tell him no, and stick with it. She needed to be that person.
“I really do need to leave, now. I’ll see you on Monday,” she said firmly as she stepped out into the street. He stuck right with her. “Why are you still following me?” she finally huffed after several yards.
“We aren’t finished talking.”
“We can talk more on Monday,” she grumbled. He wasn’t easy to shake off.
“I suppose, but I was going to invite you to do something really great with me tomorrow,” he said evasively, which stopped her in her tracks. He had her curiosity peaked.
“What sort of something?” she reluctantly asked.
“You’ll just have to agree to come with me, then you’ll find out,” he told her with a wicked smile. He knew he had her curiosity peaked, but was it enough for her to once again cave into him. She was tempted to say no, but then she’d wonder the entire weekend what she was missing out on. She didn’t know what Max did on the weekends. He had many working weekends, but she knew this wasn’t one of them.
“Fine, you win, I’m curious,” she grumbled.
“Ah, those words are music to my ears,” he practically sang, making her almost regret her decision.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said firmly. She wasn’t going shopping with him. She had to put her foot down at some point.
“Are you trying to avoid me, Cassie?” he asked as he crowded close to her. “Do I somehow scare you?”
Cassie’s stomach instantly tightened at his close proximity. If he bent down and kissed her, she knew she’d be lost, but at the same time, she couldn’t force herself to turn away from him.
“Not at all,” she finally got past her tight throat.
“Good to hear, I’ll see you tomorrow. Be ready by seven,” he said. He brushed her hair back, lingering on her neck. By his satisfied smile, she was sure he’d felt her rapidly beating pulse. Damn the man for his effect on her.
Cassie wasn’t happy as she climbed out of bed. Due to Max turning her inside out, she hadn’t slept more than a few hours, and her alarm went off much too early. She got up and ready by seven, with her doorbell ringing on time. She opened it, surprised by the stranger standing there. She really should check before opening her door. She’d just assumed it would be Max.
“Can I help you?” she asked a bit timidly.
“You’re Ms. McIntyre, right?” the man asked.
“Yes, and you are?”
“I’m a driver for Mr. Anderson. If you follow me, I’ll transport you,” he said, standing stiffly. She looked him up and down, and decided there was no way some stranger would know she’d made plans with Max the night before, so he had to be a real driver. She followed him down the stairs and climbed into the luxurious car. She could really get used to being chauffeured around.
They drove for about a half hour, then came to one of the older neighborhoods in the area. It was well maintained, but not a place she would’ve assumed Max would be hanging out in. She began to worry a bit. Then, the car pulled up at a house that was clearly under construction. The driver stepped out and held her door open. She climbed from the car, her brow puckered as she wondered why Max would have her brought there. It didn’t make any sense.
She heard someone call for more supplies and her head whipped around. That had sounded a lot like Max. Cassie’s mouth dropped open far enough she was sure bugs had a nice landing strip. There was Max, wearing a skin tight t-shirt, painted on jeans, and a hard hat. He took a rag and wiped his sweaty brow, and she about fell over.
The man was positively sexy in a suit and tie, but in construction gear he was breathtaking. She couldn’t take her eyes from him, as he lifted a water bottle and took a big sip, then bent down and picked up a four-by-four. His arm muscles flexed under the weight of the wood, and she quickly closed her mouth to keep from drooling.
Why was he at a construction site? She looked around and noticed the Habitat for Humanity sign, and her last piece of ice melted around her heart. If she hadn’t been head-over-heels for the man before that moment, she was now. She knew he was generous but she’d just assumed he signed his name to a bunch of checks for charity, not that he actually came and used his own two hands, and what sexy hands they were.
She walked closer, almost as if she was in a trance. Max looked up and their eyes connected. He finished what he was doing, then jogged over to her.
“I’m glad you made it. Now, remember this isn’t for your article, but this is incredibly important to me. My dad always made sure we did more than just sign checks, he wanted us to get out in the community and really learn service,” Max told her. She didn’t know if she could talk. Thankfully she was saved from having to.
“Wow, Max, this site has sure gotten a whole lot prettier,” a man said as he stepped toward them.
“Cassie, this is my younger brother, Austin. Austin, Cassie,” Max introduced them.
“Very nice to meet you, pretty lady,” Austin said, taking her hand and giving it a kiss. She felt like she was in an old black and white film. She didn’t recognize Austin in his construction clothes, but then again, she hadn’t looked at a whole lot of pictures of him. She’d been focused on Max.
“It’s nice to meet you, too. How long have the two of you been volunteering, here?” she asked.
“I couldn’t tell you when we started. We were kids,” Austin said. Max just shrugged as if it didn’t matter.
“Do you want to help out today?” Max said, taking in her appearance. She was wearing slacks, and a blouse, and the completely wrong shoes. If he’d told her what they were doing, she would’ve dressed more properly. “I purchased some clothes, just in case,” he finished. Of course he did, she thought, but how could she be upset by something so amazing.
“In that case, I’d love to. Show me where I can get changed, then put me to work,” she told him. Max got the clothes from the trunk of the car, he’d even thought of work boots for her, then led her to a trailer where she got changed.
The day flew by for Cassie. She was put on grunt labor, picking up discarded materials, and bringing the workers supplies as they ran out, but she didn’t mind. It was exciting to be a part of it all, to watch a home be built for a deserving family. She decided she was definitely going to sign up for one of their projects. She’d find one Max wasn’t working on, though, because seeing him in those tight jeans was causing too much havoc with her body.
“Heads up,” she heard someone yell in a panic. She looked up, toward the roof, just in time to see a large piece of wood flying through the air. She jumped, but it was too late. The heavy scrap landed right on her foot, causing her to tumble over. Shooting pain shot up her leg, and she couldn’t stop the cry from escaping her lips.
“Cassie, are you okay?” Max yelled as he raced from inside the house, and dropped to his knees in front of her.
“I’m okay. It mainly just startled me,” she gasped. “It’ll stop hurting in just a moment,” she told him.
He immediately began untying her boot, and she cried out again as he pulled it off. Her foot was already starting to swell, and there was a nasty looking bruise on it.
“I’m sorry, but we had to get the boot off before your foot swelled too much,” he said, hating to be causing her any additional pain.
“I’m okay, really. I’ll just head home, prop it up, and slap some ice on it,” she told him through clenched teeth. She was trying to stop the chattering,
but it really hurt, far more than she thought it should. She was sure it was nothing more than a bad bruise.
“You’re not okay. We’re going to the hospital,” he said with authority. She glared at him.
“The car’s waiting, Brother,” Austin said. She sent him a glare for good measure.
“I told you I’m fine. I just need to go home,” she said, but she may as well have been speaking to the ground.
Once they loaded her in the car, Max adjusted her so her leg was propped up on his lap. She wanted to remove it, but being down made it throb too much, so she sat there, pouting, while they made their way to the hospital. Logically, she knew she should probably have it looked at, but she was uncomfortable being pampered, plus she didn’t like taking him from the house.
“How are you feeling?”
“It hurts,” she admitted. He rubbed along her exposed calf, which took her mind away from the throbbing in her foot. Cassie stared out the window and waited for their arrival.
“You can just drop me at the hospital and get back to the house. I’m sure they still need you there. I’ll be fine,” she said. He didn’t even bother responding, just looked at her like she had a screw loose. They didn’t talk any further on the thirty minute drive.
By the time they arrived, Cassie was aching and miserable. Her foot hurt, her stomach was in knots and she hoped they just gave her something to knock her out so she could sleep the rest of the day.
Max helped her from the car, placing her in a wheelchair, which she didn’t like at all, but it was better than him carrying her around, since he was determined she not put any pressure on her foot. She couldn’t lie in his arms, anymore, without it tearing her up inside.
He wheeled her up to the counter and explained the situation. They got her into a back room, immediately. She knew if she’d come in on her own she would’ve sat in the waiting area forever. She felt a bit guilty that he was able to use his name to get her quicker service for such a minor injury, when she was sure there were people there that needed help far worse than her, but her foot was really throbbing so she didn’t complain about it.
