Passion: A Single Dad Small Town Romance

by Bella Winters

  “So, you didn’t want to do it? Share?” She asked, trying to catch his gaze again. She could see that she was quickly losing him again. Leon was losing his interest in having this conversation. He wanted to return to his silent solitude again, but Ivy wanted answers.

  “No, I didn’t. Not really. Not you. But Archer was insistent, he said you wanted it too. He said you slept with him because you wanted to be shared. And I couldn’t just deny you what you wanted. And I couldn’t give you up either. I was foolish.” Leon had covered his large hands over his face, and then he swooped them down, widening his eyes and running his fingers through his hair. She could see that this was an ordeal for him, that he didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

  “But Archer said that you shared all your girls, except Vivienne.” Ivy mumbled and Leon shot her a look.

  “That’s right. We did. We do. But I didn’t want to share you. I was selfish, and greedy, and so you deserve to go with him. He is more open, loving and can give you what you want.” Leon said, and stepped to the side, he was making to go for the screen door but Ivy was quick to move, to intercept his path.

  In the darkness, she leaned in towards Leon. She could smell his scent, his musky masculine smell that filled her lungs, reminding her how happy they were together in those weeks before Archer. How she hadn’t care how often Leon spoke to her, because she was the only person who existed in his world.

  To her surprise, he leaned in too. Their lips met, she could taste him on her tongue, she extended an arm, wrapping it around his bent neck. She was pressing herself to him, running her hand down his muscular shirted arm. But then Leon pushed her away.

  “Not any more, Ivy. We’re not sharing. You belong to my brother now and I don’t want to do this any longer.” He said, and this time she couldn’t stop him. He had flung open the screen door and disappeared into the house. Ivy contemplated following him in, chasing him to his room, confronting him and demanding further explanations. But she knew him well, even though Leon revealed so little about himself, she knew a lot about him. He was done now. He had made his decision, just like she had. He wasn’t going to talk about it anymore. There was nothing to discuss.

  Ivy gulped and licked her lips. She could still taste him in her mouth. That was to be her last kiss with Leon. It was only going to be Archer and herself now, and she tried to smile. He made her happy. He made her laugh. He took out time to be with her. He had pursued her, and he deserved his prize.

  Leon had done nothing. She was the one who had coveted him from the start. She seduced him to sleep with her. She made him agree to allow her to stay in the house after their first quarrel. Besides his name, and some bits about his past, Leon revealed very little. The fact that he didn’t want to share her with Archer, could mean anything. That nagging feeling, that maybe Leon had actual feelings for her, were being shoved into the back of her mind. Even if he did, he wasn’t ever going to say the actual words.

  Ivy had her whole life ahead of her, she wasn’t so sure if she would be able to spend it with a man who spoke so little. With someone who denied her the privilege of actually expressing his feelings. She wondered if she might feel trapped, just like her mother had. She remembered her mother’s words of caution. To run away from living in isolation if she could. She was certain that Archer would give her a better, more fulfilling life. The kind of life that her mother had never been able to lead. What sort of life would Leon give her?

  Ivy shuddered as she thought about it. She had never been to Minnesota. Archer had promised to leave the next day, so that they wouldn’t have to remain in the hostile environment of Leon’s ranch for much longer. She felt lucky and privileged that Archer was willing to do so much for her, sacrifice his own relationship with his brother for her sake.

  There was nothing left for her here, she thought as she looked around the estate in its darkness. Leon had his chance, nearly seven weeks to express his feelings. To make her believe that he had more to offer her than employment and satisfying sex.

  And now it as time for her to move on, with a man who really wanted to be with her.

  Chapter 14

  That familiar feeling of packing her bags and readying them next to her bedroom door, returned to her in a flood. This was the third time she had done this, preparing herself to leave Old Marigold Ranch. And this time, it appeared as though it was time to leave for good. A feeling of calmness had descended upon her. She was resolved to not cry, or make a scene.

  Archer knocked on her door at eight and she opened it, his smiling dimpled cheeks greeted her. And Ivy was filled with a conviction that she had made the right decision.

  “Where is he?” She asked him, her heart thumping.

  “Who? Leon? I’m not sure, but I told him last night that we’re leaving today. So, he knows.” Archer said, smirking at her before picking up her bags off the floor.

  “How are we going to get into town? Are we taking a train?” She asked him, mighty anxious now. She had never been to Minnesota and she was beginning to grow excited. Archer smiled at her, as he turned to carry her bags over to the front entrance.

  “Don’t worry, I’ve taken care of everything. You just get ready.” He said, and she nodded her head.

  Ivy had been ready since six, but now she gave herself the once over in the full-length mirror. She would miss this room, she thought, as she pinned in a few more black bobby pins into her hair, holding her beautiful golden ringlets in place, neatly away from her face.

  But Archer was rich too. They were both wealthy, and she bit down on her lip wondering what kind of house he lived in.

  She was in a yellow summer dress, that matched her hair perfectly. One she knew Leon loved her in, because it accentuated her curved. Not that she wanted to stir anything in Leon any more, that would be wrong of her to do, she knew that. She was the one leaving him.

  Ivy smoothened the pleats on the front of her dress, and a noise at her door made her turn. She hadn’t shut the bedroom door and now Leon was leaning against the frame. His arms were crossed over his chest, and he was looking at her with his usual expressionless face.

  “So, you’re ready to go?” He asked her, and she smiled at him. Nothing could change the fact that she was leaving, so it would be better if she left on good terms, she thought.

  “I am. Archer has everything arranged.” She said, walking up to him.

  “I’m sure he does.” Leon said, straightening up. She studied his sharp chiseled jaw, that sparkle in his eyes that was lost somehow. His broad chest that made his plaid shirt taut with tightness, how narrow his waist was, how strong his legs were. Ivy gulped, this was going to be more painful than she thought. Leon was like a drug to her. She had fallen for him when she least expected to and he had taught her everything. He helped her explore her own sexuality and she hadn’t thanked him for it.

  Ivy fell on him, wrapping her arms around his waist. For a few moments, it seemed that Leon wasn’t sure how to react. His arms were spread open in surprise, till slowly he started to relax. She felt a hand on the small of her back. He was holding her.

  “Thank you for everything Leon. I promise I won’t disappoint you. I’ll keep studying.” She said, drawing her face away from his chest, where she had buried it earlier. Leon was looking down at her, and something had changed. His expression had grown softer, and his eyes were shining bright.

  “Ivy…” He began to say, and she bit down on her lip. She had no idea what he was about to say, but this was the first time she had seen that look on his face. This was the first time there was an actual imminent danger to their relationship. Was he finally going to say something?

  “Stay with me.” He said it in the most neutral, but heavy voice. There was a hint of a strain there, but she had heard it. And Ivy was suddenly struck with a feeling of utter happiness, like she had never felt before.

  She flung herself on him again, pressing her face to his chest, tightening the grip of her arms around his waist.

 
“That’s all I wanted to hear from you, Leon.” She cried into his chest, as she felt his hand on her head. He was stroking her hair.

  “That’s all I wanted to say to you. I’m sorry I didn’t say it sooner.” She heard him say, and she couldn’t control herself any more. Ivy felt like she was going to burst.

  She pulled herself away from him, and Leon dropped his hands to her face, caressing her gently. Holding her in place.

  “I love you Ivy. I always have. That was why I didn’t want to share you with Archer, with anyone.” He was saying, but Ivy could barely hear him. She was laughing from her burgeoning happiness. Nothing that Leon could say could make her feel better. This was what she was waiting for. There was no choice now. She would never leave him; she couldn’t live without him. Everything she did, had done…she had done to please him.

  “I love you Leon. I don’t want you to share me with anyone. I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to stay here with you.” She was crying by now, but they were tears of joy.

  “As my wife. By my side.” He said, looking deep into her eyes. He wasn’t the kind of man who was going to get down on his knees, and Ivy didn’t care.

  “As your wife.” She said and they were kissing, blissfully unaware of the fact that Archer had appeared at the bedroom door. He had turned away, leaving Ivy’s bags at the front door. He knew when he had lost, and this time, he had lost to his brother Leon. And he was man enough to admit defeat.

  Sneak Peak: The Perfect Holiday

  Blurb

  She’s here for her Christmas holiday

  But she might find more than just snow!

  A baby is not even a part of the deal,

  If only plans worked all the time!

  Training the rich to ski and landing hot ski bunnies at every turn is my passion

  This season again I am all ready for my next set of girls at Aspen

  But one look at Bea and I realise, I’m in trouble…

  Her beautiful looks, and those perfect curves steal my heart;

  And one hot night of passion,

  Leads to more than what I bargained for.

  I am not sure I’m even ready for…this baby.

  Chapter 1

  A Few Weeks Before Christmas

  Cameron

  Traveling as a ski instructor all across the country, from peak season to peak season, was pretty much my dream job, and the most exciting life I could have picked for myself. I had loved to ski since I was a child, competing in Colorado competitions and really throwing myself into it. When it came to choosing a career, ski instruction was already in my blood, having started doing it when I was a teenager. I fell into freelance travel instruction on a whim, with my best friend Glen, and haven’t looked back ever since. This time of the year was my favorite, though, because we were instructing at St. Regis, one of the premier and oldest ski resorts in all of Aspen. This place had it all, from the ski bunnies to the top-notch services.

  “Try not to be your normal self this time,” Glen whispered as we walked toward the Resort Manager, Pierre Bellsworth. “Remember where we are.”

  Bellsworth was a tall man with perfect hair, perfectly groomed eyebrows, a perfectly pressed, extremely expensive suit, and a nervous twitch that I always found it hard to not chuckle at. We were only going to be at this location for a month, but they were desperate to have us here, the resort being three times as booked this Christmas than others. That was good for us since it meant we would receive extra-large bonuses before we left.

  “Mr. Bellsworth,” I said, reaching out my hand for him to shake. “It’s so good to see you. I can tell this last year has treated you well.”

  “Mr. Phase and Mr. Young,” he said, shaking my hand and nodding at Glen. “We’ve missed you here at the resort. Let’s just say my instructors never quite match up to your expertise.”

  “Thank you, sir,” I replied. “We do our best to make sure that all your clients are well taken care of and have an absolutely amazing time on the slopes.”

  “And that is why I always book you well ahead of time.” He smiled nervously. “They are setting up your lodgings, and the front desk will have your keys in just a few minutes. Please feel free to grab a drink at our Shadow Mountain Lodge.”

  “Thank you, sir,” I replied, nodding my head and turning to walk away.

  I walked swiftly across the floor, trying to get out of the way of the massive influx of guests entering and exiting the lodge. I looked around at the ornate décor and marble floors that created a warm, but grand appeal to anyone entering the resort. What I loved most about this place was the concierge service that took care of everything, including delivering the guests right to us at the top of the slope. There were no worries for us at this resort.

  Glen and I walked into the lounge and took our seats at the bar, ordering two beers and relaxing into the chairs.

  “You handled that well,” he said, nodding.

  “I’m growing a bit, I suppose,” I replied with a chuckle. “Besides, I have to know how to handle all aspects of this, so when you finally find that girl you’ve been looking for and decide to bolt on me, I can continue on.”

  “Pfft. Although that sounds nice, I don’t even know where to start.” He laughed.

  “Look around you,” I replied. “This place is packed full of hot little ski bunnies, ready to let go on their vacation away from reality. Take your pick, bro.”

  I met Glen at a ski instruction conference when I was just twenty years old. That meant we had been putting up with each other for eight long years, something that was a feat for me, since I tended to be a bit of a loner. He was smart, attractive, with a square jaw line and that toothpaste commercial smile, but his heart was soft like cotton. He had gotten on a kick about finding true love, and I was just trying to ignore it.

  “Yeah, they’re all absolutely gorgeous,” he said, showing signs of thinking too much. “But don’t you think that we’re getting too old to be sleeping around? I mean, I’m really starting to think that it might just be time to start thinking about settling down. I just want—”

  “Glen,” I said, interrupting and smiling over at a hot girl in the corner, who was flirtatiously twirling a cherry from her drink around in her ruby red lips. “If you acted as much as you thought, you’d have women begging you for your attention. I can promise you, now is not the time to settle down. It’s just the beginning of the Aspen snow season, man, and I’m looking at my future right now. At least, my very near future in my suite. What do you think? You think I can bag that in under an hour?”

  “You’re seriously hopeless.” He chuckled, looking over his shoulder at the girl in the corner.

  “Hopeless, but man, I have a good time.” I laughed, slapping him on the back and starting to walk over to the girl.

  She was sexy, with strawberry blonde hair, green eyes, and big pouty lips that she had put my favorite color of crimson lipstick across. Freckles speckled her cheeks and nose, and she was wearing stretch pants and a very low-cut sweater. Her snow boots came up to her calves, and white fur fluffed out at the top of them. She was the definition of snow bunny, and I could feel the vacation vibes emanating from her as she sipped her drink and smirked at me.

  “Hey.” I smiled. “Would you mind if I sat?”

  “Not at all,” she said in a soft, sexy tone.

  “I’m Cameron,” I said, reaching out my hand.

  “Myra,” she replied. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “That accent,” I said, holding onto her hand. “Very southern.”

  “I’m on vacation.” She giggled. “I’m from Alabama. Huntsville to be exact.”

  “Well, I love a girl with some southern charm,” I flirted. “And how are you enjoying your time here, Miss Huntsville, Alabama? A bit colder than Alabama, I’m assuming.”

  “I thought I was going to freeze.” She laughed. “I find it much more enjoyable to be inside with a hot bath and a fireplace.”

  “Even though I’m a ski i
nstructor and tend to find my enjoyment in the snow,” I said. “Being in a hot bath next to a fireplace with you sounds much more appealing.”

  We sat there talking for a while, and the martinis were definitely flowing for this sexy girl. Glen tapped his watch every time I looked over at him. At exactly fifty-eight minutes before my hour was up, I figured I had lost my bet, but I’d already invested too much time to not see it through. To my surprise, just as that thought crossed my mind, Myra leaned across the table and perched her lips next to my ear, grasping onto my thigh.

  “Why don’t you come up to my room and let me take care of you?” she whispered, grasping onto my cock.

  “I like the sound of that.” I smiled, glancing over at Glen.

  I stood up, adjusting myself, and handed the bartender my card, telling him to leave it with the guy at the bar and he would sign for the drinks. I reached down, took the girl’s hand, and pulled her toward the elevator. She stumbled a little and giggled before climbing in the elevator and biting her lip. She watched me walk in, shaking my head and laughing. As soon as the doors closed, she was on me, her lips crushed against mine, her hand rubbing heavily against my hardening package.

  We stumbled out of the elevator and to her room, where she tossed open the door and walked inside. I closed the door and locked it behind me. She tossed her bag on the floor and pulled her sweater over her head, laughing. She beckoned me toward her with a curl of her finger. I smiled and did as she asked, closing the distance between us. She kissed my lips a few more times and unhooked her bra, letting her big, fake tits bounce out. Slowly, she lowered herself to her knees, looking up at me as she unbuckled my pants and let them fall to the floor. She pulled my boxers down to my knees and tightly grasped my hard cock.