by Melody Anne
“My mom was so distraught, she banned my father from coming near us again, and he was so consumed with guilt, he let her get away with it. And then, after she didn’t have our father to yell at anymore, she turned her anger on me, telling me that she would still have her daughter if I hadn’t been so reckless, hadn’t been so much like our father, out to prove to the world how macho I was.”
“McKenzie, those were just words spoken in grief,” he said, which is what counselors had said to her before.
“Except that she never apologized, and then the longer she was in the care facility, the angrier she became. We lost everything – our house, possessions, everything, because Mom wouldn’t leave her side, and the medical expenses were outrageous. After a year, she finally went back to work, but every dime she had went into Susie’s care. My mother died when I was twenty, but not before telling me that I better take care of Susie, especially since I was the one responsible for the vegetable she had turned into. Even on her dying breath, she was next to her, lying in a bed, holding her hand. She never gave up on praying that she would one day wake.”
McKenzie had tears streaming down her cheek as she thought back to that day, thought back to those early years.
“What happened to her? How long was she in the coma?” he asked.
“Does that matter? Really? You don’t give up on the people you’re supposed to love,” she said, wishing now she had never brought up this topic.
“McKenzie…” His voice was quiet.
“She died five months ago…” she barely managed to whisper.
It was the reason she’d sold Relinquish Control. She hadn’t needed it anymore since she wasn’t weighed down by huge medical bills. She could finally do what she wanted to do, and feeling that way sent a whole new level of guilt through her.
“I’m sorry,” Byron said.
“That’s what the doctors said, and the counselors. Everyone is always so sorry.” She was still bitter, more bitter than she realized.
“McKenzie, your sister was in a coma for fifteen years,” Byron said, not unkindly, but in a tone that ensured she would listen. Then the next words had her sobbing. “Would you have wanted to wake up after all that time and realize how many years had passed, that even though mentally you are a thirteen year old girl, physically you are twenty-eight, and the world expects you to act like it?”
No one had ever said those words to her – not a single person. She never had thought about what it would have been like for Susie to wake up and not know who she was, not even recognize herself in the mirror.
“I…I don’t know. That’s something I’ve never considered,” she finally said.
“Your mother was wrong to keep her alive by machines and she was wrong to blame you. No matter who was driving, that’s not the point, the point is, you were just being kids, having fun, and you both made a mistake – a tragic mistake, but still, a mistake,” Byron pointed out.
“But I should have told her to slow down. I should have tried to grab the brake. And it was my responsibility to take care of her,” she said, pulling away from him as she wrapped her arms across her chest. She’d been so hot for hours, and now she was unbearably cold.
“You did far more than what anyone could have expected of you. I think it’s time for you to forgive yourself and your sister,” he said as he pulled off the main road and took a long driveway that was flanked on either side with huge trees, creating a canopy, making her feel as if she were in a Southern movie.
“Well, we will just disagree,” she said sadly.
“We will revisit this later. Right now, I want you to put away the sorrow and look ahead. We’re here.”
When they turned a corner, a beautiful three story building looked as if it was rising out of the mountain. “Home sweet home,” she said, once again trying to make a joke, trying to push the sorrow away.
“Home sweet home,” he repeated. He then stopped the car and turned toward her. “Do we need both cabins, McKenzie?”
Chapter Eighteen
McKenzie sat at the bar and sipped leisurely on her martini. It was her second one, and she still didn’t know what she wanted to do. No. That wasn’t true. She knew exactly what she wanted to do. She wanted to let Byron take her to his cabin, slowly peel her clothes away, and make her forget everything bad in her life, make her feel something good. She had never thought sex would be a good experience, but for some reason, she knew it would be excellent with Byron. How she knew that, she would never know.
She took another sip and tried to form words, tried to tell Byron what she wanted. Nothing came from her throat — for some bizarre reason, it felt parched — so she sipped from her glass again.
What was wrong with her? This wasn’t about love, or even about affection —far from it — but she knew what it was going into it, so what would be so wrong with discovering her body, with being a little selfish for the first time in a long while? Not that she expected complete satisfaction from any man.
Byron was handsome, devastatingly handsome, and she had no doubt that he would make her feel more sensations like the ones she felt when he kissed her. Sure, he had money, but she didn’t care about that. It wasn’t as if they were going to be a couple. This was about sex, and nothing more. She actually despised most men with money because they thought that they owned anything and everything they wanted because of it.
But this was so…so…clandestine, so forbidden. It was also very unusual for her. But, at the same time, she felt a certain amount of freedom in letting down her guard, in focusing on her needs. If only she could accept what he was offering, then she could be free of her worries.
After another half hour, he turned and looked at her. “What’s it going to be, McKenzie? One bed…or two?”
* * *
Byron sat at the bar, inhaling McKenzie’s sweet scent, feeling as if he wouldn’t make it if she chose not to stay with him. Yes, he’d ambushed her with this place, and yes, he was pushing her, but he wasn’t doing anything she didn’t want to do.
She wanted to stay in his room. She wanted to let go. She just didn’t want to admit that’s what she wanted. She was stubborn, but what he didn’t understand was why. Sex wasn’t something new for her — the woman had been the madam of a very successful and very exclusive escort service.
Maybe this was her payback for the way he had approached her in the beginning. Yes, he knew she was a liar, and he knew she was out to get whatever she could get. But all women were like that. And though he never needed anyone, he somehow seemed to need her.
All he had to do was sleep with her — maybe one night, or maybe a few — and then he’d be able to begin purging her from his system. If he called a truce for a short time, she might give in, and give him his freedom.
Byron knew how to be romantic, how to put on a song and dance to impress a woman. It was just something he hadn’t cared to do in a long while. If a woman weren’t interested, then he would move on, because there would always be a line of eligible women waiting right behind each other — salivating over the chance that he would bed them.
No brag, just fact.
Was she was telling the truth about her sister? He wanted to believe it was just another lie in a long string of lies, but the pain in her voice, the sorrow in her eyes — that couldn’t possibly be made up. Or could it?
He couldn’t forget how well his mother had been able to lie. So he had to harden himself to McKenzie — no, no double entendre there. Yes, her story could well be all lies, something to soften him up… But this was something he could verify — if he cared enough to do so.
This whole trip, though, was obviously a fool’s errand. She’d made her living by stringing men along, teasing them, keeping them panting for her wares. And if her sob story had a shred of truth in it, she might not be ready to accept what she needed and share his bed. Time to cut his losses, he decided.
Just then, her head turned. “Let’s go to your cabin, Byron. I’d like to see it.”
<
br /> Byron could have sworn his heart stopped beating for a few seconds as she whispered those words. She’d set down her empty glass and was gazing at his throat. She refused to look him in the eyes.
He stood up like a flash and held out his hand. “This way,” he said. He didn’t want to give her a chance to change her mind.
They walked silently from the lobby bar and made their way down a small path to a large cabin, the lights welcoming, the heavy curtains keeping them from seeing inside until he opened the door and held out an arm for her to enter.
He’d been to this place before. It was a favorite retreat of his when he wanted to get away from the city, wanted time to think, wanted to be left alone. He’d never before brought a woman there — and that was something he definitely refused to analyze.
Though the cabin appeared rustic from the outside, the inside had all the modern conveniences that he was too spoiled to give up, and it boasted granite countertops, top-of-the-line stainless-steel appliances, hardwood floors, plush rugs, and a rock-faced fireplace with a stack of wood next to it.
This unit had only one bedroom, but two full-sized bathrooms, plenty of cupboards and drawers, and a decent-sized living room with a plush couch and a couple of overstuffed chairs.
“They even have books and magazines sitting out,” McKenzie said as she slowly looked around the cabin.
“I hope you like it,” he said, making sure his voice gave nothing away — especially none of the anxiety he was suddenly feeling.
“It’s beautiful.” She turned toward the bedroom and he could see the tension in her eyes.
“I need a shower, McKenzie. I’ll use the one out here in case you want to use the master bath.”
Byron didn’t give her a chance to say anything. Instead, he grabbed his bag, shut himself in the bathroom and took a second to lean against the door. What he should do was shower, walk from the bathroom naked, and ravish her.
It was what they both wanted, after all.
What he did was shower, shave and then get dressed. He’d promised her dinner. It would be better for both of them if they had some fuel inside them to sustain their nighttime activities.
When he came out, the cabin smelled of peaches, and he closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled, thinking he could get used to entering a room and having this experience over and over again.
Shaking his head with frustration, he pushed that thought out of his head. He was a loner, and preferred it that way. There was no need to change anything in his life. Just because he appreciated a woman who took care of herself didn’t mean he needed to make a fool of himself over her.
He found McKenzie in the bedroom, looking in the mirror as she combed her wet hair. Their eyes connected in the mirror and she smiled what he would have thought was an innocent smile coming from anyone else. “The shower was heaven,” she said with a nervous giggle as she set down the comb.
And Byron couldn’t resist her any longer.
Taking a few short steps, he turned her around, and pulled her to him, bending and capturing her lips. He wanted her to know what she was missing by continuing to resist him, but after a single minute of his lips on hers, he wasn’t sure any longer who was being taught a lesson.
His hands slid down her back, his palms cupping her sweet derrière, and he tugged, lining her hips up with his, letting her feel how hard he was now — how hard he was each time they were in a room alone together. Hell, they didn’t even have to be alone. Since their first kiss, he always seemed ready in an instant to plunge into her sweet, hot folds.
When her soft sigh of surrender slipped into his mouth, he knew he could walk her backward, strip her clothes from her and thrust inside her. Somehow, knowing that helped to ease the pain he was feeling.
His lips softened as he gently traced her mouth with them, but he finally pulled back, triumph filling him at the desire shining in her eyes.
“We can finish what we’ve started, McKenzie, or I can feed you first, like I promised.” Oh, how he hoped she’d take option one.
He could clearly see the conflict raging within her, and then he saw when she decided. Damn!
“I really am hungry,” she croaked out, and the tremor in her voice made him feel much better about being rejected yet again.
“Then I will feed one hunger,” he said before a big smile overtook his lips. “And then I’ll feed the other.”
She said nothing as he turned to leave, but he felt her follow him from the room and then from the cabin. As they strolled back toward the lodge, Byron found himself seeking McKenzie’s hand. She didn’t try to pull away from him as they walked along the trail.
He held the door for her as they entered the small restaurant, and they were soon seated on the back patio, deck heaters warming the area, the smell of pine trees filling the air.
“This is pretty amazing, Byron,” she said with a sigh as she looked out into the dark gray of the night. The moon was nearly full, illuminating the hills, but there wasn’t much of a view at this time of night.
“In the morning, this place is spectacular. I love sitting on the deck at the cabin, watching the sun come up, and hearing nothing but the sounds of the birds singing. Sometimes, I forget what it sounds like living in the city, where traffic drowns out any and all other sounds.”
“That sounded slightly romantic, Byron. You’d better be careful what you say,” she said with a sidelong glance under her full eyelashes and a smile that took his breath away.
“Well, then, we’d better look over the menu and figure out what we’re going to eat. I wouldn’t want to get too mushy and destroy my reputation,” he said.
Though a reflex had made him instantly put up his defenses, something inside him resisted it. He wanted to be a different person this weekend, wanted to speak of sunrises and sunset, and birds singing. But that wasn’t who he was. That wasn’t what this was about. It was about sex, and nothing but sex. And if he weren’t careful, Byron would get a lot more than he was bargaining for, and that wasn’t something he was willing to accept.
No. It was much better to focus on sex and pleasure, and it was much better for him to remember exactly who McKenzie Beaumont was. She used to run a bordello. She certainly wasn’t the innocent face she was trying to show him and the rest of the world right now.
Byron tried making idle chitchat for a few minutes. But their waiter came, took their order, and brought bread and drinks, and the conversation died out. Soon he was lost in his own head while their meal was served, and they ate in silence.
When they finished, he signed the check, then found himself taking her hand again as they made their way back to the cabin. His heart pounded as they drew near, and he felt the nervous tension in her body, but he was done with all the games.
They’d come to this place to discover each other. And that’s exactly what they were going to do. The moon cast a glow over their walk back, the breeze cool enough to keep her locked tightly to his side.
When they arrived back at the cabin, Byron stopped after he opened the door. He looked down, gazing into her eyes. He wanted no doubt in her mind about what was going to happen the second they stepped over the threshold.
“If you don’t want this, we need to part ways right now,” he warned her, lifting his hand and letting it trail through her hair.
“Wh…what do you mean?” she stuttered, a shiver traveling through her.
“You know exactly what I mean,” he said, his voice firming the slightest bit from the restraint it was taking him to say this. “The cabin right next door is mine, too. Tell me no right now, and I’ll leave you here and we’ll both have a very unsatisfying night.”
Her face blanched just a little, and he could see that she didn’t want to say the words. She wanted him to take the choice from her. He wasn’t going to show her that kindness. He wanted her to admit how much she wanted him.
Still, he held his breath, afraid that she would refuse, that she would deny them both. But he pushed that fear
aside. She was his for the taking — she just needed to say the words.
His heart stalled as her lips opened and he waited for her final verdict.
Chapter Nineteen
Yes.”
She couldn’t say anything other than the one word she needed to say or fear dying right there on the front porch of this cabin in the woods of Idaho.
Byron’s eyes widened just a bit, and she could see raw need practically vibrating off him. It gave her the confidence of knowing she was making the right choice — at least, the right choice for now.
It was obvious when the last of Byron’s patience broke. He grabbed her hand, dragging her across the threshold of the cabin, and without another word, he pulled her into his arms. After he kicked the door shut, his mouth captured hers in a hungry kiss.
Yes, she needed this man. No more worries flitted through her brain as his mouth and hands stoked the fire building up within her. Could something that felt this right ever be wrong? No way.
She threaded her fingers through his hair as her body arched into his, and she rubbed her aching core against his straining erection, desperate for their clothes to disappear. “I need you,” she whispered huskily when he released her lips so he could trail his tongue down the side of her throat.
“I’ve been wanting to hear those words for a while now,” he growled before lifting her into his arms. He carried her to the bedroom and set her down gently beside the bed.
Her skin was on fire as he began removing her clothing, kissing each new area of skin as he exposed it. When he dropped to his knees, pulling her jeans down with his hands and trailing his lips across her thighs as he exposed them, she trembled before him, barely able to keep from falling backward.
His mouth came back up, and his tongue slid along her thigh before moving upward and gliding across her stomach. Her knees couldn’t take it anymore, and they gave out, sending her sliding backward onto the luxurious bed behind her.
