“I did have plans for Christmas,” he said, toying with pieces of omelet on his plate, “but they changed.”
Viktoria sat back and took a sip of her coffee. He’d spoken so openly about the deaths of his parents but now he was getting all evasive about something as unremarkable as holiday plans. Cody was proving to be quite a mystery, one that she desperately wanted to solve. But to what end? She wished she understood her own motives a little better. Was this just idle curiosity to keep from worrying about her own life? Or was she developing feelings for Cody that were more profound than simple attraction and admiration? “My plans changed, too.” She gave a little laugh at her dark humor and added a shrug.
“I guess you do win the award for the most derailed Christmas.”
“Ok,” she said, her palms lifted in surrender. “I give up. I’m not trying to be nosy, although obviously I am. What were your plans?”
Before she could add, You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want, Cody leaned forward.
He said, “I planned to get married tonight.”
“Wow.” Viktoria sat back, slumping in her seat.
What a fool she had been! Drawn at first to the sensual appeal of Cody’s dangerous side and then completely seduced by his good-natured charm—she was only a job to him. “Thanks for the sweats, by the way.” She was now keener to change the subject than she had ever been to find out the truth.
“You’re welcome,” Cody said, taking a sip of coffee. “They’re my favorites. Does what I just told you bother you?”
“No,” said Viktoria, stabbing her omelet with her fork. Molten cheese oozed from the puncture marks. “Why would it?”
“Because of the kiss,” Cody said.
“Isn’t there a line in a poem that says something about kisses not being contracts?”
“I prefer that my actions mean something,” he said.
“Because you want to be in control.”
“Because unless you’re deliberate, things unravel.”
Unravel? Like this morning? Maybe it was best if Viktoria just worried about things that mattered to her and her life. “You said you were hired by the state of New York to find me...”
“A bench warrant was issued for your failure to appear in court and for taking Gregory from the state. If Ray Benjamin had done his job, you’d have been arrested and charged with kidnapping.”
A wave of nausea crashed down on her. It was that feeling of an unrelenting fight ahead that roiled in her stomach. “Kidnapping,” she repeated. “It doesn’t make sense. How can I kidnap my own child? Gregory hadn’t been removed from my custody yet.”
“I can show you the RMJ file I received.” Cody tapped on the screen of a tablet computer before handing it to her. “It’s all there,” he said.
It took several moments for Viktoria to read the few documents that put into question her qualifications as a custodial parent. “It’s all lies,” she said as she handed back the computer. “I never had a breakdown.”
“After meeting you, I have no doubt that you’re the best mom in the world.”
“Thanks,” she said. Her eyes stung and watered. She used the napkin to dab the corner of each eye, feeling even more grateful for having her son so close. “Thanks for trusting me. Thanks for believing me, too. You have no idea how hard it is to be wrongly accused. It’s like fighting in a dark room. It feels like everything might be against you. Or it might only be shadows.”
“Trust me,” he said. “I do know.”
Suddenly ravenous, Viktoria took a huge bite of her omelet. She chewed and swallowed. “It sounds like you have stories of your own.”
“Yeah, but they’re not very interesting.”
“I doubt that,” she said. “What if we each get to ask the other three questions?” Now she was determined to find out more about this man and who he really was.
“No.”
“We can pass on one question if we want.” Viktoria quickly made up rules as she spoke.
Cody shook his head, but gave a sardonic smile. “You go first.”
She wanted to know everything, from his favorite color, to if he actually boxed in college, but one question topped her list. “Why aren’t you at your own wedding today?”
“Pass.”
Viktoria feigned indignation. “You can’t pass on the first question.”
“I can,” he said, “and I will.”
He sounded serious. “Maybe we shouldn’t play games. After everything that’s happened, there’s really no reason to be silly.”
Cody leaned back in his seat. “It’s a boring story,” he said. “There’s not much to tell.”
“Really, you don’t owe me an explanation.”
They sat in silence. Viktoria cursed herself for trying to...what? With Cody, everything was so confused. She pushed back from the table and stood. Cody gripped her wrist and looked at her with amazing blue eyes.
“Stay with me,” he said. “I’ll tell you.”
Viktoria dropped back into the chair and Cody let go of her wrist.
“I had been in a serious relationship for two years. I left the DEA last December and I was angry at everything and everyone. I got the job at RMJ in April and felt that after all we’d been through marriage was a good idea. When I first mentioned the idea of a Christmas Eve wedding, she loved it.” Cody pushed at the sides of his omelet. “And then one day she said it was over.”
“That’s awful. No reason? She was just done?”
“That’s your second question.”
“It’s okay, as long as you answer.”
“Of course there was a reason. I’m an investigator, aren’t I? I found her emails. She’d been seeing another guy for a whole year, but didn’t want to break up with me until I was reestablished.” He gave a snort—not quite a derisive laugh, not quite a total rebuke. “That was her actual word—reestablished.”
“Good riddance to her if she can’t see what a great guy you are.”
“Do you?” He pinned her with his ice-blue gaze.
The room became airless and her loose clothes too tight. She licked her lips and recalled the feel of his mouth on hers. She wanted him to kiss her again, but knew she shouldn’t. Reluctant to change the subject, she asked. “Is it your turn now? I thought I had one more question.”
“I guess you do,” he said.
“How are you doing?”
“Can I pass?”
“Not a chance.”
He shrugged. “A happy life with a wife and kids probably isn’t for me. My parents set a lousy example. So, it’s best that she left before I messed everyone else up...” Cody ate a big bite of omelet. “That was your last question. Now, it’s my turn,” he lifted one brow.
She folded a leg under her, as her nerves hummed with trepidation. “Maybe this isn’t the best idea.”
“Fair is fair,” he said with a smile. “Besides, you can pass on one question.”
She relaxed a little.
“What happened to your husband?”
“He died in a car accident.”
Cody nodded as if she had explained it all, yet she had told him next to nothing. What did he know? It was more than he was letting on, that was for sure. If Viktoria was ever going to be free of the Mateevs, she needed context for Lucas and his family. Could Cody provide her with that?
She continued, “A taxi hit him. Lucas was in medical sales. He had a meeting with a doctor, or so I was later told, at a bar. His blood alcohol level was high and he stepped out in front of a taxi. They never found the driver and no charges have ever been filed.”
She paused and decided that even though she was only in for a penny of her thoughts, she would give a pound. “You want to know the worst part? Even though we had been separated for over half
of a year when he died, I was still his next of kin. I had to make all the final arrangements and felt like a fraud at his funeral.”
“That must’ve sucked,” Cody said.
“Pretty much, but I guess we all have heartaches.” Viktoria’s appetite was gone, but she took a few more bites of her breakfast to keep from wasting the food. “You have two more questions to ask if you want.”
Cody held Viktoria with his gaze. “Last night I kissed you.”
“That’s not a question,” she said.
“Did you like it?”
“Yes.” The small room suddenly became warm.
Cody reached for her, his fingers twining with hers. He pulled gently and she rose from her seat. He settled Viktoria on his lap and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He held her chin, tilting her face down toward his. His lips hovered next to hers; his breath became one with Viktoria’s. “Would you like for me to kiss you again?”
She nodded, and barely a second later, their lips met and his tongue slid inside her mouth. Viktoria’s body ached, feeling an emptiness that only Cody could fill. His hard erection was right beneath her and Viktoria reveled at the fact that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
She arched her back, pressing her breasts closer to him. Cody’s chest was firm, the muscles tight. His hand trailed from her cheek to her shoulder and finally rested on her waist. His fingertips found their way under the thick fabric of the sweatshirt. Viktoria leaned in to him farther. His hand traveled up her shirt, and his touch blazed a trail on her skin. He reached her naked breast and cupped her with his palm as the pad of his thumb traced a circle around her nipple. She gasped, kissing him deeper.
His mouth moved to her jaw and down her neck.
The desire to have Cody inside her became a need, a thirst, a hunger.
He released her breast, traced his hands to her waist. This time, he fumbled with the elastic of her pants. Viktoria was suddenly aware of two things. First, she very much wanted Cody as her lover. Second, her son was upstairs.
“What time is it? Gregory is just upstairs.”
“It’s still early,” said Cody. “He’s sleeping.”
“I can’t make love to you now,” she said. “I won’t be able to relax.”
“Do you want me to stop?” Cody asked. His hand rested on her middle.
“No,” she said. “Yes.”
His hand traveled lower. “I can help you relax and we won’t do anything you don’t want to. Okay?”
She raked her fingers through his hair, kissing him deeply. “Okay.”
His fingers grazed her hipbones. Lower still. “You aren’t wearing any panties.”
“You didn’t loan me a pair.”
“I might have to tell Santa to put you on the naughty list.” Cody lightly stroked the top of her sex.
Desire, golden and molten, filled her veins and she groaned. Every part of her began to tingle. His thumb began to move in a circle as her desire grew. Every part of Viktoria thrummed, vibrating at a higher level. It was as if she were no longer flesh and blood, but emotion—love, desire, lust—and the physicality borne of the moment. She climaxed and for an all too brief instant, Viktoria felt as if she’d flown high enough to touch the heavens. Panting, she slipped back into her physical self. Cody’s arms still held her, his mouth still claimed hers and Viktoria didn’t know where she ended and Cody began. She nuzzled into his shoulder.
Cody stroked her hair and gently kissed her temple. He was still hard beneath her and she moved to straddle Cody. He held her face between his hands. His eyes took her in, studying her face, as if he were trying to memorize every line and contour.
“You are so beautiful,” he said.
She ran her thumb over his lip. He licked her, and groaned. She did the same to him, just to see how he tasted. He was salty but the tang from the pine tree still clung to his skin.
“I want you,” he said, his voice husky. “I want you like I’ve never wanted anything before.”
She wanted him, too. To lose herself in the passion between them. To cast aside the months of worry and doubt in a single moment of ecstasy. Before she could say anything, a scream pierced the silent cabin.
“Mommy!” It was Gregory. “Mommy! Where are you? Please, I don’t want the bad men to get me.”
She had sprinted across the room before realizing that she had left Cody’s side. Her foot hit the first stair and Viktoria knew that letting Cody distract her was a mistake. There was room for only one priority in her life—keeping her son safe.
Chapter 10
Gregory’s expression, as he came down the stairs, was beyond compare. The kid’s smile lit up his tiny face, the room and a big piece of Cody’s heart. For the first time ever, Cody felt like he might be a hero to someone.
“A tree!” The kid’s voice was a mixture of breathless wonder and joy. “You have a tree.”
“We do, Gregory.” The discomfort of the biting cold was long forgotten. “Santa must have brought it last night,” Cody added. He didn’t need credit for getting the tree. The look of joy on the kid’s face was reward enough.
Gregory moved to the corner where the little pine stood. Standing on tiptoe, his fingertips brushed the uppermost bough. “Look, I touched the top. That means I can put the star on all by myself. That’s neat, huh?” Then his gaze traveled around the room. “And presents? Did Santa bring presents, too?”
Damn. Cody hadn’t thought about gifts. He looked at Viktoria. Her complexion paled. She let out a long breath and wrapped an arm around Gregory’s shoulder.
“The snow’s coming down pretty fast out there, Gregory,” she said. “Santa might not be able to make it through the storm.”
“Nah,” said Gregory. “You always say his magic makes him able to get through anything, Mommy, no matter how hard it seems. He’ll get here. We did, didn’t we?”
Gregory’s belief in Santa’s powers—and his explanation for how he would get presents on Christmas—was sweetly naive. Yet Cody knew better. Viktoria did, too.
“You know, Gregory...” Viktoria took in a deep breath and Cody suddenly realized that she was trying to figure out how to tell her son that there was no Santa. He’d lived through too many rotten holidays to let Gregory lose the magic of Christmas at such a young age. He watched as Viktoria bit her lip and looked out the window. Tears clung to her lashes.
For a moment, Cody had the surreal feeling that he was living in a Christmas movie. This was not fiction, though, and there was no Rocky Mountain Santa who could help create that happy ending.
Unless.
Cody had a stash of gifts, bought for his niece and nephew last year and never given. Until now, he never quite knew what to do with them.
“You’re right, Gregory. Santa’s magic can help him get through anything. I’m sure he’ll have something special for you, even at my house.”
“He will?” asked Viktoria. There was a sharp edge of irritation in her voice.
“He will. You have to trust me,” said Cody. He lifted the remote to his flat-screen TV and pushed a few buttons. An animated version of A Christmas Carol came to life in HD. “There you go, Gregory. You and Mommy can watch some Christmas shows while I make breakfast.”
Viktoria kissed her son on top of the head. “I’m going to help Cody. It’s not fair for him to do all the work.”
Cody was about to protest, but Viktoria grabbed his sleeve and towed him across the room and into the kitchen area. “I trust you,” she breathed, her voice a low murmur. “I’ve trusted you with my life and Gregory’s, as well. But, I’d prefer to tell Gregory if Santa’s not coming, Cody. The disappointment will be easier to face today than tomorrow.”
“I have gifts.”
“You just happen to have a few random toys lying around your house?” she
challenged.
“Actually,” said Cody. He leaned into the kitchen counter. “They aren’t random.” He hitched his thumb toward the card on the fridge. “That’s my sister and her family. Remember how I said I was angry about being fired? Well, I alienated more than my fiancée. Sarah and I had a huge fight right after I lost my job. We haven’t spoken since, but before that, I had bought gifts for her kids. I didn’t know what to do with the presents, so they’re still here.”
“But your sister invited you to spend Christmas with her this year. It looks like she’s gotten over whatever angry words passed between you two.”
“Don’t you see, Viktoria? I’m not a good man. I don’t do emotions. I don’t apologize. Sarah and the kids are better off without me.”
“You ended a relationship with your fiancée and your sister in a few months? That’s awful.”
“It’s better than marrying a woman who doesn’t love me.”
“What about your sister?”
“That’s complicated. I really don’t want to talk about it.”
“Oh, Cody, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t pity me,” he said with the shake of his head. “That’s worse. Just let me give the toys to your son, okay?”
“I...” A single tear trailed down her cheek and she wiped it away with her sleeve. “I can’t ask you to give gifts to Gregory that are meant for someone else.”
“You didn’t ask,” he said, “and besides, I insist.”
Viktoria pressed her lips together. “I’m so touched. I just don’t know what to say.”
“Just say thank you.”
“Thank you,” she said, “for everything.”
Cody turned away from Viktoria. He couldn’t let her care about him, especially not when he was beginning to care about her even more.
* * *
The next two hours passed in relative peace. Viktoria found all the ingredients for her favorite holiday cookies and icing. As she baked, Cody kept Gregory busy with making ornaments.
Gregory lifted an ornament from the pile. On it was a picture of a Christmas tree. “This one is for you, Cody, because Santa brought you a special tree.”
Her Rocky Mountain Hero Page 11
