by Cathryn Fox
He swiped his forehead with the back of his hand, and everything in the careful way he watched her had her insides quivering and her brain second-guessing her scintillating plan. Lord, if he could rattle her this much with just a simple look then what would he do to her when they were stripped bare beneath the full moon—when he was pushing deep inside her?
She sucked in air and took a moment to mull that over. Maybe she really was getting in over her head, playing a dangerous game with a guy like Cole Landon. Because a guy like that, a guy who looked right at her and not through her and was so completely different from the stuffed shirts she was used to, did something weird to her insides. Something that had her thinking a simple summer fling that ended with the changing leaves might be a little harder than she’d first anticipated.
But the thought of her parents’ loveless marriage had reality rushing back in a whoosh, and it instantly reminded her she didn’t do relationships. And from what she knew about Cole, he didn’t either.
Summoning her composure, she took another look at the sexy guy before her, and even though he affected her on some deeper level, one she couldn’t quite understand, she decided she’d come too far to back down now. She was simply here for a little fun, nothing more, nothing less.
“Cole,” she greeted, trying to keep the quiver from her voice as her glance went from his handsome face, to the sharp blade glinting in the sun, back to his face again.
Looking like sex incarnate, Cole leaned on his axe. His grin was slow, sexy. “I guess I’m busted.”
Haley planted one hand on her hip and admonished him. “You know you’re not supposed to be putting pressure on that leg.”
He gave a casual shrug as testosterone oozed off him in waves and curled around her body in the most provocative ways. “We needed firewood.”
With a nod, Haley gestured toward the cabin and worked to keep her voice steady. “You could have asked one of the guys.”
Cole dropped the axe and came toward her. As his presence and close proximity completely overwhelmed her, she felt a little breathless, a little disoriented.
“I could have,” he said, and dipped his head, his hair falling forward to shadow his eyes. He moved closer, and a tremor raced through her as his warm breath washed over her face. “But I like doing it.” She didn’t miss his sexual undertones when he added, “In fact, there are a lot of things I like doing out here at the cabin. Things you might or might not like.”
Her knees trembled in anticipation—she knew full well if he was doing it, then she was liking it.
“Fine,” she said for lack of anything else as she tried to conjure a modicum of composure. “I’ll let you off the hook this time, but from here on out you’ll be following my rules, and you’ll be doing everything I say.”
“And if I don’t, are you going to ride me all weekend?”
A shiver moved through her at his suggestive words. “You just do what I want, and we’ll get along fine.”
He stepped close, until his body was only inches from hers. “What exactly is it that you want me to do, Haley?”
She gulped. “Stay away from the firewood, for one.”
“You say that now, but you’ll thank me tonight.”
“Why is that?”
“It gets cold out here, and since I don’t like to run the generator after dark you’ll need something to keep you warm.” A pause, and then, “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
His eyes were full of promise when he said, “Unless you know of some other way to stay warm. Some secret I don’t know about.”
Oh, she had a secret all right.
When his eyes darkened with naked lust, her entire body trembled. Jesus, maybe she really was biting off more than she could chew. But when she thought about biting and chewing and Cole all at the same time, heat flared through her. Her body flushed in response, and she could feel warmth coloring her cheeks.
Cole angled his head, his glance moving over her red cheeks. “Are you hot, Haley?”
Good God, he didn’t know the half of it.
Before she had time to answer, Cole reached for her bag and tossed it over his shoulder. “Let’s get you inside and get something cold to drink.” Then he looked at the camera bag and frowned. “What are you planning on doing with that?”
She brushed her hair off her face, and thought about all the sexy ways she could use her camera. “I had to bring it. It was the only way I could get Drake to postpone the shoot.”
His eyes met hers. “Did I thank you for that?”
“No.”
“I will.”
Before she could ask what he meant, the front door banged open and Madison, dressed in nothing but a skimpy bikini, came rushing out. “Haley, you made it.”
After a quick hug, Haley followed her friend inside and was fully aware of Cole behind her, standing so close she could practically feel his hot breath on her neck. Good God, she’d never reacted so physically to a guy before, but everything in the way he talked, the way he moved and especially in the way he looked right at her aroused her to the point of distraction. Then again, she’d never been with a rugged guy like Cole before, one who knew how to wield an axe better than a Blackberry. Damned if she didn’t find that sexy.
“Haley’s here,” Madison announced, and Haley glanced around to see her other friends, Carter, Allison and Sean, all playing cards at the kitchen table. From the looks of their barely clad bodies, she’d hazard a guess that the four of them had been playing strip poker.
After exchanging greetings, Madison began gathering the cards while Carter and Allison excused themselves.
“Going for a swim,” Allison said, giving Haley a wink, and Haley smiled in return, so pleased to see how happy the two were together. They’d been through some rough times, but finally seemed to be working through things.
When Cole went to the fridge to grab two sodas, she perused the small cabin, her glance skating over the small galley kitchen and a long, oaken table that seated six. She took in the rustic charm of the place and noted the dusty pictures of an adolescent Cole, along with his two younger brothers and his parents. She zeroed in on a photo of Cole with his dad, his dad’s arm draped over Cole’s shoulder. They looked so happy that it had her heart clenching, wishing she had siblings, or even a closeness with her parents the way Cole seemed to have with his.
Not wanting to dwell on that disheartening thought, she stole another glance around, noting the old floral sofa facing the fireplace, as well as the fur rug on the wooden floor. Unlike the sterile resorts she vacationed in, the cabin was homey, comfortable and relaxing. She could see why Cole enjoyed spending time here.
“This place is amazing, Cole.”
“Thanks,” was all he said as he tossed her a soda.
“He built it with his old man,” Sean announced, climbing to his feet. Warmth moved over Sean’s eyes as he wrapped his arms around Madison.
Madison hugged him back then turned to Haley. She gave her a secret wink before saying, “Why don’t you get settled in and we’ll meet up later?” She turned to Sean. “About that hike…”
Groaning, Sean slapped her ass. “I have a better idea.”
“Oh, and what might that be?” Madison asked.
Instead of answering, he scooped her up, and Madison squealed in delight as he carried her out the door. “Catch you guys later,” Sean called over his shoulder.
Cole rolled his eyes and popped his soda can. “Those two have been at it all day. Just so you know, your friend is a regular old exhibitionist. I can’t tell you how many times I stumbled onto them. But I think they planned it that way.”
Haley shook her head then took a long, refreshing drink. “Sean really brought her out of her shell.”
“Yeah, maybe a little too far out,” he said.
Haley cocked a brow, intrigued. “You’ve got something against exhibitionism?”
“No, Haley. I’ve got something against tripping over two naked people going
at it like rabbits when I’m carrying an axe.”
With that Haley laughed out loud, but when she noticed Cole favoring his leg, she placed her soda on the table and pointed her finger at him. “You, on the sofa. Now.”
“I guess it’s begun then.”
“What?” she asked.
His eyes darkened, and the corner of his mouth turned up in a sexy half smile when he said, “The riding.”
Everything in the way he said riding fueled her lust for him and filled her with delicious images. But as much as she was dying to put her plan into motion, she first had to make sure he hadn’t overworked his leg. She cleared her throat and summoned her composure.
“Sit. Now.”
“You know, Haley, I never knew you were so bossy.”
“I guess there are a lot of things about me that you don’t know.”
“Really?” He gave her a grin that turned her inside out and once again had her thinking she was venturing into dangerous territory. His brow arched, and he looked dangerously sexy when he questioned, “So what do you think we should we do about that?”
Chapter Three
What should they do about that, indeed?
Cole, of course, had plenty of ideas. He knew Haley did too. And he also knew her excuse to oversee his physiotherapy was just that. An excuse. She’d come here to play. Everything in the way she was looking at him, and everything in the way her body had reacted to his teasing, told him so.
He might not know what kind of game she was playing after all these years, or if there could be more between them, but he was willing to go along and find out, especially considering the fact that he’d been wild about her for nearly a decade now.
“So, what, specifically, do you want me to do, Haley?” he asked, understanding she wanted the upper hand in this seduction. He wasn’t sure why. Maybe it gave her a sense of control. Regardless, he’d let her have it.
For now.
Then…well, then when she’d had her fun, they’d be playing by his rules.
Following her command, he dropped onto the sofa, and his gaze never left hers as she sank to her knees in front of him. The sight of her between his legs, her pretty mouth puckered in thought, nearly shut down his brain. As her sweet scent called out to him, his cock swelled inside his unforgiving jeans. He shifted, uncomfortable from the tightness in his groin, but not at all uncomfortable under her scrutiny. This time he had no desire to hide his arousal, because this time she was here to play, and he wanted her to know exactly what she did to him.
She ran her fingers along his leg, a careful examination, and her voice held a note of professionalism when she said, “I really don’t want you to put a strain on these ligaments, Cole.” When she met his glance, he could see genuine concern in her eyes, and it did something peculiar to his insides. “You’re still swollen, and I really don’t want anything to slow your recovery.”
Oh, he was swollen all right…
Wariness moved over her face as she probed his muscles with the utmost care, and the fact that his well being was as important to her as it was to him had foreign sensations tightening in his chest.
She was right, of course, and while sitting around for the last two months hadn’t been easy on him, healing his leg was his primary concern. If she thought he needed longer, then he’d be wise to listen.
“Okay,” he said, not wanting to be off the field any longer than necessary.
She smiled at him, her professionalism now replaced by mischief. “Compliant all of a sudden. How interesting.”
“You told me I had to follow your instructions.” Guided by her mood change, he leaned forward, and when she looked up at him with sultry bedroom eyes that brought on a barrage of emotions, it took every ounce of strength he had not to pull her under him and give her a little of his therapy. “So what do you suggest I do to reduce the swelling?”
Heat flashed in her eyes, and she opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but the loud, female moan trickling in through the open window stopped her.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Cole said, pushing himself deeper into the sofa as he drove his fingers through his hair.
When the moan grew in intensity and was met with a deep, guttural sound, Haley swallowed loudly.
“Oh my,” she said, chuckling. As her edgy laugh churned with passion, he didn’t miss the raw ache of lust in her eyes as she turned to glance out the window. Cole followed her gaze, and that’s when he spotted Sean taking Madison up against a tree, driving into her hard and deep and with such passion that Cole’s blood began pulsing hot in response. “I…uh…I see what you mean about him bringing her out too far,” Haley said.
As their two friends went at it outside, the temperature in the cabin jumped a few degrees. He watched the way Haley’s eyes smoldered with want as she listened to the sexy sounds filtering in from outdoors. He also noted the tightening of her nipples through her thin shirt. Clearly, the action outside was turning her on. Hell, who was he kidding? It was turning him on too.
Haley wet her lips, and while their friends might be exhibitionists, he got the distinct impression that Haley liked listening, watching. Interesting. There was so much more to this good girl than he knew, and he couldn’t deny that he was looking forward to discovering all her secrets, and in the process discover if there could be more between them.
Cole wiped the moisture from his brow, desperate to get her alone. While her friends might like an audience, he was a private guy, one who wanted to do private things to her. He shifted on the sofa, and once again her exotic scent curled around him and spiked his lust for her.
Jesus, he needed…
As heat dampened his hair, he worked to keep the urgency from his voice. “Let’s get out of here.”
Her gaze panned his face. “Are you hot, Cole?” His nostrils flared at the suggestive tone in her voice. “Because if you are I’m sure a swim will help cool you off.” Her glance left his face and slowly traveled down his body, stopping to linger over his raging hard-on before moving on to his injured leg. “The cold water will also help with the…swelling.”
Okay, that was it, she was damn well going to pay for all her teasing, and she was going to pay hard. He grabbed her hand and hauled her up. Her body collided with his, and when he felt her heat reach out to him, his cock pressed insistently against her abdomen, demanding her attention. She wiggled, pushing against him, and there was nothing he could do to stifle the growl in his throat.
“Yeah, but I’m not sure swimming will be enough to cool me down.”
“I guess we won’t know unless we try.”
Goddammit, there were lots of things he wanted to try with her. Things he’d never tried with others. Probably because he wanted her in ways he’d never wanted anyone else, and right now he needed to be inside her. Anywhere. Everywhere.
Deciding not to waste another second of this long weekend, he ushered her out the door. Less than two minutes later they stood on the wharf, the late sun glistening on her honey-toned skin. Without preamble, Cole dragged her to him, desperate to kiss her full mouth, her sensuous neck, between her long legs. He tugged the hem of her shirt from her shorts, brushing her soft skin with the pad of his thumb. “So about this therapy of yours,” he began, giving her an opening since he knew she wanted the upper hand.
“Well,” she said, her eyes dimming with desire, “I went over your chart before coming here.”
Cole tried to keep his hands from shaking as her body vibrated beneath his touch, but he wanted her so badly it was going to take every ounce of strength he had to slow down and make sure it was good for her. “And?”
“And…there is another way to help take down the swelling. But since these jeans seem to be in the way…”
“I can remove them.”
She grinned at his enthusiasm and arched a brow, drawing out her seduction and making him damn near delirious with want. “You didn’t happen to remember to bring your shorts this time, did you?”
“No,” he growled, his body aching to feel her hands on him, to caress every square inch of her flesh in return.
“I guess we’ll have to work around that.” With a false air of professionalism, she backed him up until he was balanced against the post supporting the dock. “Now, first thing I need you to do is get the weight off your bad leg.” When he shifted his stance, she slid her palms down his chest until she reached the button on his jeans.
“And the next thing?” he asked.
“Well, the next thing I was thinking was that sometimes traditional therapy methods just don’t work.”
He placed his hands on her sides and slid upward, pulling her T-shirt up with him until he reached the outer swell of her breasts. “You have something untraditional in mind?”
She dipped her head and lowered his zipper. Blonde curls fell forward to frame flushed cheeks, and her breathing changed as he fingered her lacy bra. “It’s unconventional, yes, and some might even consider it extreme, but your case is special, so I think it might just do the trick.”
Their eyes met and locked, and he could hear the impatience in his voice when he asked, “What exactly are you suggesting, Haley?”
“Well, you’re very swollen.” Tension hung in the air, and he sucked in a breath as she eased her hand inside his pants to wrap her fingers around his cock. “And when something hurts this bad, I believe only a kiss can make it feel better.”
Sweet Jesus.
As she stroked his cock, he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her in for a mouth-bruising kiss. Ravenous to taste her, he kissed her hard and drew the scent of her arousal into his lungs as the warmth of her mouth raised his blood pressure and bombarded his body with primal hunger. His tongue met hers, and he growled at the sweetness of her mouth. Just like he knew she would, she tasted like sugar, honey and candy all rolled into one.
