by Melody Anne
Of course, the moment his hands touched her wanting body, all those brave thoughts flew out the window. She could be as strong as she wanted in her mind, but her good sense fled the moment Carter made contact with her skin.
It was freezing out. She could just layer up so she wouldn’t be able to feel his skin against hers and then she might be able to fight the passion that seemed to bind her. That was it. She’d ask him to accompany her on a walk and then she’d tell him straight-faced that it was over.
It was better that way. It was much better than being left again. The first time had been so devastating. She’d felt she had nothing to live for when he’d walked away. Of course, she’d been a teenager then. She was stronger now, more practical.
When she walked to the back shed to collect more wood, a noise startled her and she whipped around. She saw nothing, but her heart was pounding. Carter had run to town for supplies and no one else was supposed to be up at the inn.
It could be an animal—a hungry animal. She didn’t move an inch as her eyes surveyed the overwhelming amount of land she owned. She heard another sound, and her legs shook.
Before she could give in to the panic, she took in fortifying breaths and called out, “Who’s there?” Surprisingly, her voice wasn’t as shaky as she’d thought it might be.
Grabbing the nearest weapon at her disposal—a snow shovel—she clutched it as the sound of footsteps came crashing through the woods. Maybe owning this place was too much for her.
Those kinds of thoughts couldn’t take root. When she got the place up and running again, there’d be all sorts of people around, and it wouldn’t be nearly as frightening. She just had a few more months and she could open the doors. She could make it through the isolation time.
When a man broke through the tree line, dressed inappropriately in slacks and a light jacket, she wondered what in the world was going on. He had to be lost. No one in this part of the country would dare walk through the woods in such light clothing. He held on to a clipboard as he slowly approached her, his teeth chattering, his arms shaking.
“I’m sorry to have startled you,” he said, the words barely audible.
“You’re freezing. What are you doing out here?” she asked, her heart rate slowing down as she realized he didn’t intend her any harm.
“I’m surveying the property. I didn’t realize it’d be so cold,” he said.
“Surveying?” Jenna was confused. “I didn’t ask for it to be surveyed.”
He tried to speak but this time couldn’t. She wanted to send him on his way, but that just wasn’t how things were done in Sterling. The man might die of frostbite if she didn’t get him warmed up.
“Come inside and sit by the fire. I’ll make you a cup of hot coffee,” she offered. She set down the shovel she hadn’t even realized she was still clutching and turned back toward the house.
The man quickly followed and moved to the fire, trembling as the heat began thawing his frozen skin. Jenna made the coffee, anxious to hear what he had to say. She had to get him warmed up before he’d be able to tell her anything, though.
With the cloud cover gone, it was even colder than normal. They’d said there would be a break for a few days, with no new snow falling. That would give the plowers a chance to clear roads and people to move about their properties. Hopefully the blizzards were done for the season.
She handed the man a cup of coffee and he took sips, sighing in pleasure as he began to warm inside and out. Impatiently, she sat and waited for him to turn toward her.
“I truly appreciate this. I think I’m going to have to finish the job after I get better clothes,” the man said. “I’m Dennis.”
“I’m Jenna, Dennis. I don’t understand why you’re surveying my land. I own this property and haven’t asked for it to be done,” she told him. He was just the messenger, she told herself, trying to control her voice.
“I was hired by Stonewood Corp. to come out here. That’s all I know,” he said.
“I have no idea who that is,” she said, more confused.
“They’re a big development company interested in putting a resort up here,” he told her. Her eyes narrowed and she could see that he was unsure whether he should have said anything.
“The land isn’t for sale,” she said through clenched teeth.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. I’m just doing my job,” he told her as he finished his coffee and set the cup down. “My vehicle is just around the corner. I’ll get out of your way.” He turned to make a hasty exit.
Jenna realized she wasn’t going to get any answers from the man. She sighed in frustration as he practically ran from her place. Then she paced impatiently around the house. She had a computer but no Internet connection so she couldn’t look up this company snooping around on her property.
Before she was able to get too worked up about it, she realized they couldn’t just take it away from her. Her aunt had left her the property. It was hers. This Stonewood Corp. could want the land, but they couldn’t just take it from her.
The thought gave her a measure of security before she realized that big corporations didn’t often take no for an answer. They didn’t become all-powerful by backing down. But why her land? She was sure there were many places available that the owners actually wanted to sell. Still, it wouldn’t do her any good to fret. Before she could get too anxious, Carter walked in, his arms loaded down with bags.
“Did you buy out the entire town?” she asked.
“I might have. Can you get the door?” he said as he moved toward the kitchen.
She shut the door and followed him into the kitchen, then started helping him put groceries away. There were also candles and a lantern among the supplies.
“What’s all this for?”
“This storm is over, but another one could blow in and you are woefully unprepared,” he told her with a laugh.
“I know. I have that on my to-do list,” she said. Her list was a mile long.
“This is the most important. You don’t want to get stuck up here without power and have no light. I’m going to make sure you’re stocked up on food and wood as well.”
He didn’t say it, but she realized he meant before he left. The thought sent an unwanted pang through her. Damn him. She didn’t want him to care about her well-being. She didn’t want them to care about each other at all.
“You don’t need to do that. I’m capable of caring for myself,” she said, her tone curt.
He stopped what he was doing and turned to look at her, his expression slightly puzzled.
“Is everything okay?” he asked, as if talking to an unpredictable animal. That infuriated her more.
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s just that I need to get used to taking care of myself. I have a big project ahead of me, making sure the inn is ready for guests.” She turned away from him, beginning to pace. “A man showed up today and said he was hired to survey my land. That put me on edge. Then you show up with this stuff as if I’m incapable of doing it.” She blew out a breath.
It took several moments before she realized he hadn’t spoken. When she turned back to him, he wasn’t facing her. Why? She went back through what she’d said. It hadn’t been anything that should have upset him. Then again, Jenna really didn’t understand men.
“You know what?” he finally said.
“What?” she asked impatiently.
“We need to get out of here.” He turned to face her, his expression decisive.
“I can’t just leave. I have things to do,” she told him.
“Just for a night. Let’s get out of here and into some sun,” he said, moving determinedly toward her.
“Carter . . .” she protested, but then his arms wrapped around her and he kissed her into submission.
“Just one night,” he urged, his hands trailing down her backside as he tugged her up against his arousal.
She was faltering—couldn’t even remember why she was protesting as his lips trailed across her neck
and sucked that spot she liked so much.
“I guess one night wouldn’t hurt,” she sighed as he lifted her up, setting her on the counter and stepping between her thighs so they were pressed together while he devoured her mouth again.
“Good.”
But they didn’t go anywhere right away, as he stripped off her clothes and took her right there, making her forget all about the stress she’d been under just a few moments before.
eight
Carter was grateful he was outside when his phone rang and he looked at the caller ID. He glanced at the house, then moved to the woodshed before answering.
“Do you have good news for me?” he asked.
His real estate manager chuckled into the phone. “I wouldn’t be calling if I didn’t,” Bradley said.
“Are there any hiccups in purchasing the property?” Carter asked, again looking nervously at the house. He turned sharply away.
“No. Everything is proceeding as planned. The surveyor ran into some problems but will finish tomorrow,” Bradley told him.
“Good. No one will be here tomorrow, so there won’t be any more run-ins.” Carter had to force himself to push out the words.
“Sounds good, boss. I’ll update you when it’s all finished.”
Carter didn’t say good-bye. He hung up before turning back to the house. He had a trip to get to and wasn’t going to worry about Jenna’s reaction to him buying her property. The only problem was he should have told her—still should, actually. He just wasn’t sure how he was going to do that.
When he got back to the house, they moved quickly to get their bags out to his car and then were silent as they made their way to the small airport. He helped Jenna into the plane and did his walk around.
As Carter did a preflight checklist with Jenna sitting next to him in the small but plush personal jet, he wondered why guilt continued to plague him. Really, there was nothing to feel bad about. Business was business. It was black-and-white.
She had a property she couldn’t possibly take care of, and he had plans to build a great resort. He’d wanted to do it for years, but her aunt hadn’t been interested in selling, saying that it would one day go to Jenna. She’d said with a sly smile that he could own it with her if he did right by her niece.
He’d scoffed at that. He wasn’t interested in marrying anyone—especially not for property. But he did feel guilty that he’d kept the real reason why he was in Sterling a secret. Would she be hurt that he was trying to buy her out?
She shouldn’t be. He was planning on paying more than a fair price. It would set her up for life if she were smart with the money. Still, he should have told her. Instead, he was fearful that the moment he did, she’d push him out of her bed, and he wasn’t quite ready for that to end.
He’d take her to California for the day, spoil her at one of his resorts, and then bring her back all pampered and relaxed. Then he could talk reasonably to her about selling the place. After all, he didn’t want her investing what little money she had in a building he planned on tearing down. That would be counterproductive.
He could see she was nervous as he started the plane and pulled out to the runway, which was fairly icy. He smiled at her with confidence. He was a more than capable pilot.
“It’s not that I’m a nervous flyer or anything, but this runway doesn’t exactly instill confidence,” she told him, her big, beautiful eyes even wider than usual.
“I promise you we’re okay. The sky is clear and the runway salted. We’ll take off just fine, and in a few hours we’ll be in eighty-degree weather soaking up rays on a private beach,” he said.
He pushed the throttle and the engine revved to life as the jet grew anxious to get into the air. Carter loved fast machines. All fast machines—planes were just one of many. And whatever he learned, he taught himself to be the best. It was all part of the fun. Why do something if you didn’t want to be the greatest?
He heard Jenna breathe a sigh of relief when they rose into the air with no turbulence. The view below was breathtaking as they climbed higher, ascending over the snow-covered mountains.
Jenna’s face was plastered to the window as she looked out at the farms and houses below. She giggled as she pointed out a group of stallions running fast in a field. The view from a private jet was one of the best images a person could witness. The plane didn’t have to stay on a set course and they could circle around to look at everything.
He did exactly that and let her enjoy the horses awhile longer before he lifted higher and pointed them toward his private resort in Southern California. They were both silent for the first twenty minutes as she gazed below, and then the ground changed and she finally turned toward him.
“Thanks, Carter. I don’t think I’ll ever have a chance to experience something like this again,” she told him.
“Of course you will,” he replied.
She gave him a look that had him shifting in his seat, but he kept his mouth closed. He didn’t want to make promises they both knew he wouldn’t keep. But seeing the excited light in her eyes made him want to tell her he’d take her anywhere, across oceans or to deserts, to all the wonders of the world.
Those were foolish thoughts. Shaking his head, he made himself appear busy as he handled the jet. Not that he really had anything to do right then. It was on autopilot and the thing was flying itself. She didn’t exactly know that, though.
“There are different sorts of people in the world,” she began. “I like where I sit in it. I like that I’m a worker and that I try hard for everything I have. Then there are those like you, who seem to have the Midas touch, where everything you lay your hand on turns to gold. You’ll always jet around the world, while I’ll be on the ground making sure things are cozy on the home front,” she said with a chuckle.
“What is that supposed to mean?” he knew he sounded angry, but she was making him sound like a snob and he didn’t like it. There was a difference between confidence and snobbery. He was simply smart and a good businessman. Part of that included going after what he wanted—even if the person didn’t want to realize it quite yet.
“It’s not a put-down, Carter. I’m just saying that this is an experience for me, a real treat, and I appreciate you taking me on the adventure,” she said.
She rubbed his arm, and just like that, the anger he’d been feeling washed away as he turned toward her, his body aching with the need to hold her. This jet wasn’t exactly set up for making love.
But still, he reached over and gripped the back of her neck, tugging her toward him, where he took his time giving her a hungry kiss. She pulled away with a gasp, her cheeks flushed, her breathing quick.
“You’re going to kill us,” she gasped.
“It’d be a good death,” he told her with a wink.
“Pay attention to the jet,” she scolded.
He laughed but, for her comfort, turned back to the controls. Everything was exactly where it should be. He looked back over at her and loved that he’d been the one to leave that flush on her fair skin.
“I would never do anything to put you in actual danger,” he assured her as he rested his hand on her thigh. The tremor beneath his fingers made him feel strong. He loved that a single touch from him made her come undone.
“You wouldn’t mean to,” she said so softly he barely heard her. He wasn’t sure if she had wanted him to hear.
“I know when I left . . .” he began. He didn’t know what to say.
“We don’t need to talk of the past,” she rushed in. “We’re just two old friends satisfying mutual needs,” she finished, her voice coming out stronger.
He’d been thinking the exact same thing, so he didn’t understand why he was so dang offended by her words. But he was. And because it upset him, he decided he’d better let the conversation drop. He didn’t want his night with her ruined.
They switched the conversation to inconsequential topics like weather and farming, how friends and family were doing. She love
d hearing about the Whitmans, as she’d grown up with them, too, but hadn’t seen them since coming back.
It was all very polite and pleasant. By the time they landed in California, his body was aching to remind her they were anything but boring and polite. They had a hunger that was unquenchable, and no matter how much he tried to keep it simple, with this one girl, it would never be that way.
She was his. For now, he adjusted. He didn’t want her thinking about it ending—he just wanted them to enjoy their time together. Hopefully at the end of the week they would both feel satisfied.
He somehow doubted a week would ever be enough.
nine
Jenna knew she was being quiet, but as she walked beside Carter down the wooden deck that led to their private deluxe water villa, she didn’t know what to say. She’d never been to such an amazing place, and her nerves were showing.
He walked as if he owned the place—and she had no doubt he actually did, since the staff was practically bowing down to them. He’d never told her the resort was his, but how else had he been able to get such an amazing private villa on a spur-of-the-moment decision?
This was a world Jenna didn’t belong in. Carter had outgrown the confines of their small town, and he’d created an empire. Besides a great sex life, the two of them had absolutely nothing in common. The thought was humbling and depressing.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel excited at knowing soon they’d be naked and all their differences forgotten. At least while locked in his arms she didn’t feel the heartache of being left behind. She only felt pleasure at how he mastered her body.
Maybe she would strip for him—make his eyes darken, know that while making love she owned him, that nothing else was on his mind. That was her power, and it was something she very much loved. If only the two of them could stay locked away in a bedroom forever.
She shook the thought away. That wasn’t what she really wanted, she assured herself.
