by J. H. Croix
It felt so, so good to be with him. He was magic with his hands and his mouth. Yet, I’d convinced myself it was just for fun. Until now. With his muscled chest pressed against me as he rested his weight on his elbows, I could feel his heartbeat pounding in tune with mine as we stared at each other. We held completely still for several beats of my heart.
My body moved of its own accord, rocking restlessly into him. Because he seemed to know precisely what I needed, he gave it to me, drawing back and filling me again. His pace started slow and measured, but then I was gasping and chasing after another sweet release. It felt as if a string was cinching tighter and tighter inside, pressure building to a crescendo.
I was shameless, begging, “Harder, please.”
“Whatever you need, sweetheart.” He pressed a hard kiss on my neck.
One more deep stroke, and everything drew tight before it snapped loose and sent sparks scattering through my body. My climax was still reverberating when I felt him go taut as he shuddered and let out a raw cry.
He fell against me, and I savored the weight of him. He didn’t linger though, shifting immediately and rolling over so he was underneath me. I felt as if I’d been cast ashore after a storm, resting on his muscled frame as I gasped for air.
After a few moments, the sounds of the storm outside punctured my awareness, and I lifted my head. Elias’s eyes opened, his thick lashes sweeping up. I brushed my mussed hair away from my face. “That was more than kissing.”
He chuckled at my comment, leaning up to press another kiss on the side of my neck. I shivered and realized I could go another round with him. That was something to contemplate.
He rolled his head to the side, checking the fire. “Does your heat run without power?” he asked as he looked back at me.
I nodded. “Yeah, but it’s just my back-up propane heater. Between the fire and that, it should keep the house warm. I’m guessing we won’t get power anytime soon.”
We eventually untangled ourselves. We took a shower together, and it was heaven. Because Elias teased me to another orgasm with his fingers, and I thought maybe he might spoil me.
I fell asleep, wrapped in his strong arms with a distant voice in the corner of my mind wondering just how much trouble I was getting myself into.
Elias let out a moan of satisfaction and leaned his elbow on the counter. “You really do make the best coffee in the world.”
It was ridiculous, but I flushed at his compliment. “I don’t know if my home coffee is as good. I don’t have my high-end espresso maker here,” I commented, gesturing toward my small espresso machine. It was on the fancy side, but definitely not top-shelf like the one in my coffee truck.
He took another slow swallow of his coffee, and my eyes traced the motion of his throat. Sweet hell. Even that was sexy. I was in trouble, serious trouble.
He set his mug down and held my gaze. It felt as if little sparks danced through the air between the line of our eyes.
“It’s just as good.” Turning on his stool with coffee in hand, he looked out my front windows.
The storm had blown away by morning, and the power had flickered on only a few moments after we came awake this morning. Waking up with Elias spooned behind me was beyond incredible. It felt pure and good. Never mind that he rolled me over and had his way with me. Never mind that I was a needy girl with him and any resistance I tried to talk myself into was swept away after nothing more than one hot kiss from him.
Then, we showered again. For me, I needed a morning shower no matter what. It was just how I woke up. Of course, seeing soap bubbles rolling over his muscled back and chest, well, everywhere, only left me toeing the edge of desire all over again. Afterwards, I made pancakes and coffee.
“Last night was a windy storm,” he commented as he scanned the view.
My house was situated far back on a bluff that looked out over the harbor and into the bay. Several tree limbs had fallen in my yard, and a whimsical dragonfly flag I’d mounted on the corner of my deck had blown loose and fallen into a rumple in the yard.
“I’m grateful only my windshield took a hit,” I replied.
Elias turned in his chair stool to face me again. “I’ll drive you over there. Maybe call your insurance company this morning?”
I experienced a stab of grief. This would be a situation when I would usually call my parents. But the last two years had been two swift losses. First, my father died in his sleep from a heart attack. Then, my mother followed with complications from diabetes only a year later. I missed them, and there was nothing to do about it.
I mentally cast about, thinking of any friends that I could call. All of my friends would gladly help, but most of them were probably dealing with children and other busy-ness this morning.
“I won’t be driving it until I get the windshield fixed. Hopefully nothing else is wrong inside. Thank you again for thinking to put the tarp over it.”
“Let’s hope it held through the night,” he said.
“I’ll call the insurance company and maybe they can arrange for somebody to fix it today.”
He nodded. “I’ll drop you off, and if you need a ride this afternoon, just text me.” I opened my mouth to protest, but he added, “I’m not headed out to the resort today. I’ve got several flights scheduled, so I’ll be freed up late this afternoon.”
“Okay,” I chirped, feeling uncertain and not wanting to rely on him, but realizing no matter what I’d be inconveniencing somebody.
Elias dropped me off at work, giving me a lingering kiss. He left me hot and bothered in my coffee truck and wondering just what I was getting myself into. I’d already called my insurance company, and they’d made arrangements for someone to assess my windshield and see if it could be replaced here, or have to be taken into a shop.
Later that afternoon, I was busy and relieved because my windshield was brand new, and I didn’t need to rely on anyone for a ride. I was still wondering in the back of my mind, in that silly, foolish, ever-hopeful corner, if Elias would come by for coffee.
You’re just wondering because he would anyway. All very true, but that was total bullshit.
“Hey, Cammi,” a voice said.
I glanced up to see Marley Hamilton standing there with her husband and their daughter. They were in line behind the couple Amy was just ringing up.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I replied.
“Well, the storm last night was no fun,” Marley commented.
The sun was bright and the sky was clear today, although there was still a salty breeze coming off the harbor. Marley’s auburn hair was pulled back in a ponytail, which twirled in the air with a gust of wind as she smiled back at me.
Gage added, “Yeah, we had a tree fall on one end of the ski lodge. Only minor damage, but that’s why we’re in town today. We’re picking up some things from the hardware store.”
Their daughter, Holly, chirped, “Lumber.”
I smiled at Holly as they stepped to the front of the line. I was already prepping the coffees for the family in front of them and handed them over as I continued to talk, “I know. A limb fell on my windshield here. Thank goodness it just shattered it. It’s already fixed.”
“I’m glad that’s all that happened.” Marley paused, glancing around as several more cars pulled into the parking area. “You’re busy early this year,” she observed while Gage ordered for them.
“I know. It seems like every year things pick up a little earlier. How are things out at the lodge?”
“Well, the skiers are slowing down, but the restaurant’s always busy. We usually have a little lull right now because the skiing isn’t great and the trails aren’t good for hiking yet. In another month or two, the lodge will be full of guests again.”
Just then, my eyes lifted. I didn’t know how, but somehow I knew Elias was here. I was instantly flustered and tore my gaze away from his truck—his freaking truck sped my pulse—and tried to focus on Marley.
“Rumor has it you’
re looking into buying Misty Mountain.”
“Where did you hear that?” I squeaked.
“From Hannah. I think you should do it. I love it there, but you do have better coffee.”
“I’m seriously looking into it. If I can make it work, I will,” I replied just as Amy told me their order, and Elias approached the back of the line.
His eyes met mine, and the look there singed me. Gage returned as he adjusted Holly in his arms. She was just past three years old and a wiggly toddler these days.
“Good to see you, man,” he said, addressing Elias with a quick smile.
Gage was incredibly handsome with brown hair and smoky grey eyes. Yet, I felt nothing when I stared at him. It was only Elias who could slay me with a mere glance.
“Doing well,” Elias said with a nod. “Back in the air, and that’s all that matters.”
Gage chuckled. “I get it. I’m not so great at being laid up myself.”
Elias nodded, just as Holly took that moment to burst into tears when she reached for her mother’s coffee and Marley pulled it out of reach.
Gage comforted her, and she calmed down a little before narrowing her eyes at her mother. Marley caught my eyes. “She wants anything I have these days.”
I happened to look in Elias’s direction at that moment, and he was eyeing Holly with what I could only describe as skepticism.
Gage caught the same look. “It’s worth it, man.”
Elias grinned and gave something of a non-committal reply that I didn’t quite catch. After they left, another group of customers rolled in. I didn’t get a chance to talk to Elias, although he did pause to comment, “I see your windshield’s all taken care of. I’ll text you about this weekend.”
He left, and I wondered. I was picking apart his interaction with Gage and Marley, wondering if he wanted kids or not.
Why are you wondering about kids already? This is what got you in trouble before with Joel. You need to pump the brakes.
So very true. I got way ahead of myself with Joel. I wanted so badly to find someone to be serious with that I was positive I’d missed some major red flags that might’ve clued me into the fact I’d stumbled into a lying asshat. While I wasn’t worried about Elias being an asshat, I was worried about jumping in too deeply. Unfortunately, I was pretty sure I was already in over my head.
Chapter Nineteen
Elias
“Looking good,” Nora said at my shoulder, her tone teasing. I glanced sideways.
“What do you mean?”
If I’d wondered if she was giving me a little hell, I knew for sure with the sly gleam in her eyes. “You’re totally rocking that suit. And Cammi looks great with you. You’re treating her like a real date.”
I shifted my shoulders in said suit jacket. “She is a real date.”
We were at the fundraiser Daphne had planned and cajoled all of us into attending. Based on the crowd alone, it was a smashing success. We were giving away some pricey flights for tourists. Everyone who wasn’t a business person donating something had paid a hefty fee for dinner. With Daphne in charge of the food, it was worth every penny.
“Daphne outdid herself with the food,” I commented to Nora. “Also, you look great yourself.”
My compliment was entirely platonic, but she did look great. Nora’s dark hair fell down her back, straight and glossy. She usually wore it in a braid, or ponytail, or a messy bun. Her big brown eyes were set off with a hint of smoky shadow. She wore a pretty dress, and I doubted any of us missed the way Gabriel could hardly keep his eyes off of her.
Case in point: as I glanced around, I saw him standing a few feet away, talking with Grant and Flynn. Every few seconds, his eyes darted to Nora. He looked like he was a combination of angry and turned on.
“You’re giving Gabriel fits, by the way,” I added.
Nora’s eyes narrowed to daggers. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Okay,” I said easily. It was no sweat off my back if they wanted to keep denying the sparking chemistry between them.
I felt before I saw Cammi returning to my side. She had departed for a restroom break. Turning, that now familiar jolt of electricity sizzled down my spine when I saw her. She looked stunning tonight. Her hair swung in a clean line right along her shoulders as she turned and smiled at someone who said her name. When she reached me, my breath seized in my lungs for a moment. She didn’t need makeup, but fuck me, she’d added smoky eyeshadow and a dash of lip gloss, and all I could think was I needed to kiss it off. The blue in her eyes was even brighter, if possible.
She’d worn a navy silk dress that hugged her curves like a lover. I was jealous of the fabric itself, an entirely new experience for me. I was torn between wanting to run my hands over that silk, or tearing it off of her. The only thing holding me back was I did have some manners.
When she stopped beside me, I didn’t even try to play it cool and let my palm slide down her back, savoring the warmth of her skin in the V opening before it crossed over the silk and came to rest just above her bottom. I had to forcibly check myself to keep from giving her sweet bottom a squeeze.
“Need more champagne?” I asked as I saw a waiter weaving through the crowd with a tray of champagne flutes.
“In a minute,” she said. “I’m sure one of the waiters will pass by us soon. Daphne’s done a great job.”
“She always does,” Nora chimed in.
Cammi smiled. “She has. It’s nice you all have her out at the resort.”
“Tell me about it,” I replied. “We’re all grateful she and Flynn are together. Otherwise, I’m sure she could find better places to be a chef.”
“We are lucky,” Nora chimed in. “She seems to genuinely love it though. I don’t know if she would leave. There’s something to be said for just being where you want to be.”
I knew that deeply. Because I was where I wanted to be in Alaska. Cammi was starting to make me wonder if maybe this didn’t need just to be a place to find peace. Maybe I could have a little bit more than that. That was unsettling. Because letting anyone matter too much was hard for me and something I’d fought against.
The fundraiser moved along, and I was relieved to have Cammi with me. She was fun and easy and knew everyone I did and then some. About halfway through the night, we were sitting at a table with Flynn, Daphne, Diego, Nora, and Tucker. My arm was resting across her shoulders because I didn’t care that all my friends knew I wanted her.
Cammi nearly jumped in her seat, her shoulder stiffening under my arm. When I glanced down, she had a look of horror on her face. No one else had noticed yet because they were busy talking, so I leaned over, speaking low in her ear. “Everything okay?”
“Uh, well, that guy? The one I didn’t know was married?” At my nod, she continued, “He’s here with another woman. I don’t care about it for me, but oh my God. He’s probably doing the same thing all over again.”
I followed her line of sight, my eyes landing on the man I’d seen her encounter at the lodge restaurant. Sure enough, the woman he was with was definitely not the woman I’d seen him with that night. They also appeared very together. He had his arm around her, and she was laughing at something he said.
“So, he’s a total asshole, but then you knew that.”
Cammi let out a huff of breath. “God. I’m such an idiot.”
I caught her chin in my hand, turning her to look at me. “Don’t blame yourself. He lied, plain and simple. And, don’t change who you are either. Trust me, it’s no good going through life doubting people. Would you blame her if you knew he’d lied to her about who he was too?”
Two bright red spots appeared on her cheeks and her eyes looked anguished as she shook her head. “No, but—”
I shook my head quickly. “No buts. He lied, and you believed him. That’s it.”
Cammi’s swallow was audible as she nodded slowly. The color in her cheeks faded, and she gave me a small smile. “Thank you. I’m totally over him
, but it just makes me sick.”
“Should I go punch him for you?” I was dead serious. I wouldn’t ruin Daphne’s fundraiser, but I’d take him outside.
Her eyes widened. “No! You’re not serious, are you?”
“Completely. You didn’t deserve his lies, and neither does the woman he’s with. Even though I don’t know her, I’m not a fan of liars.”
My own history in this regard was twisted with bitterness. Hell, cheating and the betrayal of my friend clung to me. I missed him too. That was the fucked up thing about betrayal. These were the reasons why I’d never intended to get serious again. There was one catch. I hadn’t thought I was capable of feeling enough for someone again.
Cammi was blowing my perceptions about my ability to control my emotions to smithereens.
“No, don’t do that,” she said, slowly shaking her head. “I’m horrified, but it’s strangely a relief to see he’s still up to his old tricks. It wasn’t just me.”
“Maybe you should let his wife know.”
She chewed on her bottom lip, distracting me instantly. This time, I didn’t hold back, leaning down and catching her lips in a kiss. I dove into her sweet mouth. She didn’t hesitate when I swept in, just for a second, and her sassy tongue glided against mine.
When I drew back, she let out a wondering laugh. “You do make me forget everything, including where we are.”
I heard Diego’s chuckle from across the table and cast him a quick look, giving an unrepentant shrug.
“Told you it was a real date,” Nora called from where she sat between Diego and Tucker.
“We all knew that,” Daphne said. “Now leave them alone.”
Daphne might be petite, but she was fierce, and we all generally did whatever she said.
What happened with Cammi should have given me pause. And yet, it was so obvious she’d unknowingly walked into an affair. I hated that my friend’s death and betrayal were tangled up, but I knew her actions weren’t like his. He’d known exactly what he was doing when he screwed around with my then-girlfriend.
