by Lily Graison
Meredith didn’t remember lifting her arm or wrapping it around his neck, but she was locked close to his body, his breath warming her face. His lips were a mere tilt of her head away. She stared up at him, felt his chest move against her own, and a wave of uncertainty washed over her so quickly, she felt sick. Her eyes widened suddenly and she pushed away from him, embarrassed. “I’m sorry,” she stammered. She didn’t wait for his reply. She was out the door, running the best she could in the calf high snow, back to the cabin.
He caught her as she rounded the corner. She screamed, startled, and looked up at him as they hit the ground.
Her hair spilled across the pristine white snow like tendrils of licking flames. Her eyes were large and luminous, her chest rising quickly under his weight. He was half on top of her, pinning her body to the ground. He didn’t question his motives or the consequences.
Lifting his hand, he pushed a stray tendril of her hair from her cheek, glancing at her lips before looking her in the eye. “I’m going to kiss you, Meredith,” his voice was deep, roughened by barely constrained lust. “If you don’t want me to, say so now.”
She did more than that. She grabbed the back of his head, forcing him close to her waiting lips. The first touch sent shocks of pleasure rippling down his spine. Her body went soft and limp under him, her hand wrapped in his hair and holding him to her loosened it grip, the touch becoming tender. Her mouth opened, the wet, slick heat of her tongue darted inside his mouth and he lost what little control he’d been holding on to.
He grabbed her, holding her to him and angled his head, deepening the kiss. He stole her breath, sucked it into his lungs and devoured her sweet mouth like a man starved. She moaned deep in her throat, the sound causing his entire body to tighten.
Meredith surrendered to his kiss, her hands grabbing at him, pulling him to her, and he grew harder with every second that passed. He could take here right where she lay, on the frozen ground outside his cabin, and not regret anything other the discomfort it would cause her.
She gasped for breath suddenly; her head flung back and exposing her slim neck. He kissed the smooth expanse of skin, felt her tremble in his arms and buried his face in the warmth of her yielding flesh. She clutched him to her, her breaths panted out unevenly, and he heard her whisper his name. The sound of her passion drugged voice rasped in his ear, raising the fine hair at the back of his neck and dragging her own name from his lips.
When she stilled under him and said his name again, he noticed immediately the tone had changed. Fear tinged her voice and he lifted his head to look at her. She wasn’t looking at him. She was staring over his shoulder.
He turned his head slowly back to the woodshop and his blood ran cold. Fear trickled down his spine and his body became rigid. “Meredith,” he said, quietly. “When I get up, run as fast as you can to the cabin. Don’t look back.”
Meredith nodded her head, staring at what she assumed were wolves. Wild dogs didn’t get that big. They certainly didn’t advance on people with sharp teeth bared for no reason. Her grip on Travis’ arm tightened and she felt tears burn her eyes as a fear she’d never felt paralyzed her body. “What are you going to do?”
“Distract them,” he said. “Do as I said and you’ll be fine.”
She glanced up at his face. He looked pale suddenly and she could see the same fear she felt shining in his eyes.
“On three,” he said, counting slowly before jumping to his feet.
Meredith screamed when the animals rushed toward them and she scrambled to her feet as Travis ran in the opposite direction. The loud snarls and wild yelping the animals made chilled her to the bone. She did look back when she rounded the corner. Tears clouded her vision, especially when she saw Travis yank an axe from a block of wood from the woodpile. She was crying in earnest as she slammed the cabin door behind her.
The noise outside the cabin was deafening. She flinched at every sound and her frightened sobs drowned out most of it until she heard Travis. His pained scream rent the air and caused her knees to weaken.
She was out the door without thought. When she reached the side of the house, she froze. Travis stood staring at the ground, the wolf at his feet. She glanced around the clearing, searching for other animal and was relieved not to see it. Looking back at Travis, she saw the bloody axe in his hand, held limply and left to dangle at his side. She took a step toward him, her eyes wide. “Travis?”
He turned his head to her slowly before dropping the axe. “He’s dead,” he said, his voice distant and calm.
Too calm, she thought. He swayed on his feet and Meredith gasped when his eyes rolled back and he fell to the ground. She was at his side seconds later.
“Travis!” she screamed. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. What do I do? “Travis? Can you hear me?” She reached out, grabbing his shoulder to shake him and froze when her hand hit wet flesh. Her eyes widened when she pulled her hand away. Blood coated her palm.
Jerking the collar of his shirt back, she impatiently ripped the button of his shirt away, pulling the material wide. Several long gashes slashed through his shoulder and ended high on his chest. They didn’t look deep but it was hard to tell with all the blood.
She glanced around her, looking for help she knew wasn’t there before climbing to her feet. She grabbed him under both arms and spent the next ten minutes dragging him back to the house. Sweat was running down her back by the time she laid him in front of the fireplace.
Rushing to the front door, she slammed it shut and spent precious minutes looking for anything to staunch the bleeding. She let out a relieved sigh when she found a first aid kit in the back of the bathroom cabinet and carried it to the living room, placing it by his side before going to the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and filling it with water.
Walking back to him as quickly as she could and not spill the water, Meredith sat at his side, pulling the bloody material of his clothes off of him and tossing them away. She tried not to think of anything other than cleaning the wound. She certainly didn’t entertain the thought that this was more serious than just a flesh wound and would kill him if he didn’t get proper medical attention.
She busied her mind with the proper cussing he was going to get when he woke up. He couldn’t scare the shit out of her like this and then have the gumption to pass out without getting the bitter end of her tongue for it. Oh yes, she had a few choice words for him the minute she set eyes on those baby blues of his.
Her lip trembled when she laid the last piece of tape on the bandage covering his shoulder. She sat staring at him, her fear numbing her body to the point of exhaustion. She couldn’t ever remember feeling so weak.
She raised her hand, brushing his hair from him forehead, and her eyes traveled the length of his face. There was a small scratch on his chin. A days worth of stubble barely made it visible. She wet the cloth, washing the small red line of blood away before inspecting the rest of him.
He was perfect except for the shoulder, and if circumstances were different, she would have been able to admire the beauty of him. He looked exactly as she’d imagined he would. She chuckled sadly and shook her head. Of all the ways to get him half naked.
She frowned an instant later, looking at his face. “Don’t leave me here.”
Getting to her feet, Meredith carried the towels and bowl to the kitchen and washed her hands. She looked out the kitchen window. The wolf was still there, its blood staining the snow. She smiled at the sight. “Serves you right, you bastard,” she said.
Walking back to the living room, she stared down at Travis for long minutes. She really hoped he was just passed out. Bending down, she checked his pulse. It was still there, thank god, and strong. She sighed in relief and stood up, grabbing a blanket from the sofa and covering him with it.
She busied herself with adding more logs to the fire, placing a pillow under Travis’ head, and pacing the small cabin while keeping a watchful eye on him. His chest rose evenly with each breath he took and
that small act comforted her. She didn’t think he was going to die—he better not—and she tried to relax. Easier said than done, though.
Walking to where he lay, she sat down, hugging her knees to her chest and watched him. She stared at him until she’d memorized every nuance of his face. She knew every line, every small dip and curve of his cheekbones and could draw his features with her eyes closed.
Her eyes grew heavy, the tension in her body finally letting go, and she yawned wide, her eyes watering with the effort. She lay down beside him, blinking her eyes slowly, trying to keep sight of him. The warmth of the fire at her back lulled her to sleep in minutes.
Chapter Six
The first thing Travis noticed when he opened his eyes, was that the ceiling probably needed repairing. He could see large gaps in the rough-hewn boards. The second was the fact that he was actually inside.
The last thing he remembered was the wolf and Meredith’s frightened face. He turned his head, finding her an instant later. She was lying beside him, a frown now marring her angelic features in her sleep.
He moved to sit up, wincing when pain shot up his arm and burned a trail to his shoulder. He glanced at his chest, noticing the bandage and the memory of the wolf taking a good swipe at him came back in a flash. It hadn’t been a good hit, thank god, but enough to rip a scream from him. He’d been lucky. His axe was sharper than the animal’s claws.
He lay back down, swallowing to moisten his throat, and took deep breaths to will the pain away. Meredith mumbled something in her sleep and he turned his head, looking at her.
A smile crossed his face as he watched her. The memory of their kiss was still fresh in his mind. He could taste her sweet lips, feel the heat of her body under him and hear the soft mewling noises she’d made as he kissed her.
He surprised himself by following her out of the workshop. He still couldn’t believe she’d almost kissed him. One minute she was staring at him with such a look of raw desire on her face he’d hardened painfully just watching her. The next instant, her arm was around his neck, her breath tickling his lips with a promise of passion written so clearly on her face it nearly staggered him.
He wasn’t sure what made her change her mind, though. She’d been embarrassed, that he knew. Her cheeks had turned rosy red in an instant and she was out the door before he could say a word. He hadn’t even thought about what he’d do when he caught her but the minute she was under him, her large emerald eyes fixed on his face and her flame red hair fanned out around her head, he did what any red-bloodied man would do in the same situation. He warned her of his intent and was shocked when she kissed him instead.
He smiled at the memory and reached out, pushing a lock of her hair away from her face. She moved then, her eyes slowly opening. She locked eyes with him and he drew his hand back, laying it at his side.
“Hey,” she said, her voice sleep roughened and damned sexy sounding.
“Hey yourself,” he said.
She stared at him for long minutes before sitting up. “How do you feel?”
“Like a wolf tried to kill me.”
She gave him a look that chilled him to the bone. “If you ever do something that stupid again, you won’t have to wait for the wolf to kill you,” she said. “I’ll do it myself.” She scrambled to her feet, walking away from him and stopping in front of the tree.
“I’m fine,” he said, his voice low and calm.
She continued to look at the tree, crossing her arms under her breasts. “You scared me,” she said.
She turned after a few minutes and he could only stare at her. The fear he’d seen when outside was back but something else lay underneath it. Concern, sadness, and something he couldn’t even begin to comprehend. A barrage of emotions crossed her face in a flash before she locked eyes with him.
“Don’t ever do that again,” she said softly.
He shook his head and said, “I won’t.”
They continued to stare at each other for long minutes before she finally smiled hesitantly and unfolded her arms. She inhaled deeply, letting it out slowly. “Can I get you anything?”
“Can u help me to the sofa? As hard as that thing is, its more comfortable than the floor.”
She nodded her head, crossing the room and bent down. He clenched his teeth when the movement jarred his shoulder but they got him to his feet easily. He sighed in relief when he was seated on the couch and looked up at Meredith. “Thanks.”
She nodded her head at him, staring at him for a few second and turned, walking to the kitchen. He could hear her rummaging around in the cabinets and turned his head, wincing as his shoulder shot a pain down his arm, and looked at her.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m hungry,” she said, digging through the cabinet. “And you’re not in any condition to cook.”
She grabbed two cans of soup, turning the cans over and reading the label before grabbing a pot and emptying the soup into it. “How do I turn on the stove,” she asked, turning to face him.
He laughed. “You’re kidding, right?” He could tell by the look on her face she wasn’t. “You don’t know how to turn a stove on?”
She shrugged. “I’ve never had to.”
He grabbed his shoulder with his good hand and stood.
“Don’t get up! If I wanted you up and about, I would have just demanded you cook in the first place.”
“As much as I appreciate the gesture, and believe me, I do, I’m in no shape to run from a burning building. I can stand long enough to make sure you don’t catch my cabin on fire.”
“I’m not going to burn the cabin down,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“You can’t turn on a stove. That seriously makes me doubt your cooking skills.”
“How hard can it be?” she asked.
He laughed again, making his way to the kitchen. Meredith held her breath as she watched him. He was stripped from the waist up and looked absolutely perfect except for the bandage on his shoulder.
His powerful body moved with ease despite the pain she knew he was in. The wide set of his shoulders made him look larger than life. His chest was broad and muscular. He had the most impressive set of abs she’d ever laid eyes on and the sharp slant of his hip bones that drew her eye lower made her mouth water. “Jesus,” she said, noticing too late she’d said it out loud.
She looked up when he stopped in front of her. His eyes locked on hers, and her pulse quickened when he reached out, leaning past her to turn on the stove. That massive chest pressed against her and she sucked in a breath, her eyes closing at the feel of him pressed so intimately against her. When she felt him move, she opened her eyes.
“I’ve turned it on low,” he said. “It’ll take a while for it to heat. Do you think you can keep from burning the cabin down while I shower?”
“Uh huh,” she said, dazed.
He smiled, reaching up and hooking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. An expression of heart-rendering tenderness crossed his face and Meredith had never seen such a look directed at her before. His fingertips grazed her cheek, his gaze following the same path before he leaned toward her, placing a soft kiss to her forehead. He held his lips to her skin for long moments before letting her go. “I’ll be right back.”
When he turned around, Meredith’s legs felt like they were made of jell-o. She slumped back against the cabinet, watching him round the corner. The look he’d given her was her undoing. She felt the effects of it warm her body clean to her toes. Her skin tingled; her heart raced in her chest and she suddenly couldn’t breath.
She inhaled deeply, trying to catch her breath and slow her pounding heart. “You can not fall in love with him,” she said softly to herself. “It would never work.”
Turning and bracing her hands on the kitchen cabinet, she stared absently down at the sink. She mentally listed the reason falling in love with Travis was a bad idea. She also went over the list of why it was. Of course, that list was the most impressive.
But he was so beautiful. He was thoughtful and considerate, easy to talk to and made her laugh. He was brave and daring. Reckless beyond reason. And could kiss her socks clean off. She smiled at the thought of their kiss and shuddered wonderfully, her stomach tightening and making things lower tingle. She closed her eyes at the sensation, shivers rippling up her spine. What would it feel like to have all that raw power wrapped around her body? To feel him sliding between her thighs, the length of him caressing her in the most intimate way.
Opening her eyes, she stared out the window. It was already too late, she realized. She’d already fallen for him but how had she done it so quickly? It hasn’t been quick, she thought. Not really.
If she would have met Travis in a normal setting and dated him, she would have had what? Months of dates lasting a few hours each? Here she had constant twenty-four hour a day access to the man. Endless hours to talk to him, to get to know him. Sure there were things she still didn’t know yet but all that stuff could come later. What was important was the now. The man she saw every day.
She never believed a person could fall in love in such a short period of time, despite what she’d read, but she believed it now. Just thinking about him made her heart skip a beat and a longing she’d never felt rip through her system. She wanted him and not just for a while. She wanted him forever.
* * * *
Travis looked at the scratches on his shoulder and chest in the mirror. It wasn’t as bad as he thought. It still hurt like hell, though. It would take a few days to heal and he was almost positive it would leave a scar.
