by Seton, Cora
When Storm pulled back, Zane took her hands, unwilling to let her go. “What was that for?”
She shrugged. “I guess you’re just too sexy for your own good.”
He liked that idea. “You’re pretty sexy yourself.”
“Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it?”
“Whatever you want me to,” he confessed with a chuckle. “You’re the one calling the shots here.”
“Really?” She seemed pleased. “Then I want you to run the obstacle course.”
“Now?” He had a better idea. He tugged her closer. Storm resisted.
“I want to see what a Marine can do.”
He grinned down at her. “I’ll show you what a Marine can do.” He snatched a kiss and was about to do it again when the stiffness in her posture told him it was time to lighten the mood. He strode toward the monkey bars that started the course. “Tell me when to go.”
Storm got into the spirit of it. “On your mark. Get set. Go!”
He leaped up to the bars and crossed them in the blink of an eye, hitting the ground running as soon as he was off of them. A few short strides brought him to the climbing wall. He leaped up, grabbed the top and swung his legs up and over. Dropping to the ground on the other side, he heard Storm say, “Wow!” Zane grinned. His plan was working. What woman could resist a man at the peak of his physical prowess?
As he ran, Storm trailed after him. The exercise felt great after his last few days of relative inactivity. He’d have to make it a practice to come out here in the mornings and start his day with a lap or two—with Storm as an appreciative audience, if not as a participant.
Although why wouldn’t she be a participant? She was a mountaineer. Wouldn’t she appreciate the chance to exercise and hone her skills? Dressed as she was now in a skirt and sandals, she couldn’t do it today, but he’d have her try it soon.
As he burst out of the forest at the far end of the course, Storm was there to cheer him on. “Go, Zane! Whooo!” she screamed as he crossed the finish line.
“Did you like that?” he said when he caught his breath again.
“I did like that. Good job.”
“How about we race tomorrow—you and me?”
Storm’s expression stiffened. “I don’t know…”
“Why not? You’ll do fine. I’ll give you a head start.”
“We’ll see.”
Zane wondered if she didn’t like the idea of competing against him. “Tell you what. Let’s go through the course again. I’ll show you the obstacles one by one. Tomorrow you’ll feel right at home here.” He didn’t wait for her to answer. He led her back to the first one. “I’m sure you know how to do this.”
“Yes, I know how to do that one,” she agreed and relaxed a little, just as he’d hoped. He went across the bars slowly hand over hand, jumped down again and came to give her a kiss.
“My brothers and I always thought the monkey bars were too easy. We came up with all kinds of ways to cross them, including walking on top of the bars, and crossing them using only one leg and one hand.”
She smiled at that snapshot of his childhood. “That sounds like fun.”
At the climbing wall, he did the same thing. He backed up, leaped up and pulled himself over the tall structure, dropped down and came to give her another kiss. “That damn wall gave us a peck of trouble until we got older. Dad’s rule was if you couldn’t get over it by yourself during a race, you could help each other, but you had to call a time-out until both of you were over the wall and start again at the same time from the other side. We hated doing that.”
“I bet.”
The tire course came next.
“Is the kissing one of the obstacles?” she asked when he approached a third time.
“I prefer to think of it as one of the rewards,” he said, pressing her against a handy tree and kissing her even more thoroughly. He was becoming hot and bothered, which made it a little more difficult to perform the obstacles. It was worth it, though. Each kiss she gave him was sweeter than sweet. He liked the taste of her and the way she softened under his touch. He liked the way she leaned into him, as if hungry for all he could give her.
After the rope swing across a dry gully, he decided he needed more than a kiss. He was happy to see her come to meet him. Evidently, she was enjoying this as much as he was.
“So what’s the story about this one?”
“This one?” Zane searched his memory and chuckled. “There was the time Colt was drunk and fell off the swing. He had a goose egg like this on the back of his head.” He held his hands a few inches apart.
“Ouch.”
“It would take a lot more than that to slow Colt down. He’s relentless.” Zane sobered. “Hope he’s okay.”
“You haven’t heard from him lately?”
“I talked to him last month, but Colt’s a combat controller. He gets some pretty hairy missions. He said he was going to be out of contact for a while. He’s never quite given us that kind of head’s up before. It’s got me a little spooked.”
“Sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, well, he’d be laughing at me if he saw me mooning over his fate rather than getting my ass in gear and running the course.”
“So run the course.”
“First things first.” Zane bent to kiss her again, but this time he slid his hands up under her blouse. Storm moaned and relaxed against him. Her breath hitched when he skimmed them up and traced the undersides of her breasts with his thumbs. He did it again, pushing his fingers under her bra. She twined her arms around his neck and he slid his hands around to unclasp the silky garment. Now he was able to cup her breasts and run his thumbs over her nipples.
He took his time enjoying her, but figured he’d better get back to the course. He didn’t want to go too far, too fast. He was having too much fun playing this out.
He went to hook her bra back together, but Storm pushed his hands away. She wriggled within her blouse, performing some kind of miracle under there and handed him the bra after easing her arms back through her sleeves.
He took it and tucked it into his pocket, searching her face with his gaze. She was biting her lip, but her flushed cheeks and dancing eyes told him she approved of what was happening between them. When he lifted her shirt and bent to take one nipple into his mouth, she sighed and leaned against him. He took his time enjoying her breasts before he pulled away again.
“More obstacles?” she asked.
“More obstacles,” he confirmed. “Get ready. I’m going to need a lot more rewards.”
When he arrived at one of the balance beams his father had constructed from large logs, he practically ran across it in his eagerness to get back to her. Every time they met up again she allowed him to take things further. He was rock hard, aching to be inside of her again. He couldn’t remember when he’d last felt so good.
The salmon ladder came next and with it the opportunity to really show off his prowess.
“Watch this.” He grabbed hold of the metal crossbar and popped up from one level to the next with a chin-up type movement. He knew this obstacle showed off every last one of his muscles and when he jumped down he found genuine astonishment in Storm’s eyes.
“That’s incredible.”
“You’re the one who’s incredible.” He couldn’t stop himself. He needed more of Storm. He eased her down, spread his jacket on the ground and leaned her back on top of it. He undid her blouse, transfixed by the delicious curves of her breasts, and took first one and then the other into his mouth, laving and kissing them. Storm arched back, giving him greater access, and when a few minutes later he pushed up her skirt to reveal her silky panties, she didn’t protest.
What a sight she was, stretched out for his taking. Zane got to his knees, peeled down the scrap of silk and lace, pressed a kiss to her, then began a sensuous exploration that soon had her writhing beneath him and himself so hard he was growing uncomfortable.
“Aren’t you going to kee
p running?” Storm said finally, tugging at him until he moved upward along her body, pressing kisses at intervals wherever he found bare skin.
“I don’t think I could walk a step.” He took her hand and pressed it against his hardness, moaning again when she immediately caressed the length of him through his jeans.
“Is this the problem?”
“That’s right. Got any advice?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she worked at the buckle of his belt, then undid the button and zipper of his jeans. When she slid them down and tugged at his boxers beneath them, Zane couldn’t wait anymore. He bent to fish his wallet from his pocket, searching for one of the condoms he’d tucked inside this morning. He knew how insatiable both of them were together. She helped him sheath himself, then leaned back again.
“You sure you don’t want to take this back to the Hall?” He prayed to God she didn’t.
Storm shook her head. “I don’t want to wait. I want you now.”
Heat suffused him. She couldn’t possibly want him more than he wanted her. He lowered himself until he lay along the length of her, positioned himself between her legs and found her hot and slippery with need for him. Entranced by her beauty, he pressed kisses along her collarbone, then slid inside her, taking it slow to increase her pleasure and his own. Storm let out a shaky breath, her eyes fluttering closed.
Zane stroked all the way in slowly, pulled out and pushed in again. Quickly finding his rhythm, he watched her as he moved, memorizing the lift of her chin as he pushed into her and the way she arched back as he pulled out. He lifted her hands over her head and laced his fingers through hers, stroking into her again, harder. “You know, I’ve got a piece of paper that says you’re mine,” he said. He kissed her on the neck and whispered, “My wife,” into her ear.
Storm’s breathing grew ragged. “My husband,” she whispered back.
Zane nearly lost control. “I guess that means you can make me take you any time you want.”
“Any time?” she said, lifting her hips to meet him. Zane stroked in again.
“Any time,” he agreed.
“I want you right now.”
“You’ve got me.”
Storm moaned as he redoubled his efforts. Zane didn’t think he could last much longer. He stroked in and out, firm and strong, filling her and pulling away until the sweet friction had her panting hard and he was barely hanging on.
“Zane—”
“I’m here. I’ll always be here, Storm.” He increased his pace, thrusting into her again and again, until she came, crying out with it, and he came too, bucking against her until he was spent. Falling slack alongside her, he gathered her close, promising himself that next time he’d make sure they were comfortable in bed. “Are you okay?”
She laughed. “More than okay. That was…amazing. Again.”
“It sure was.”
Chapter Seven
‡
“Bad news,” Zane said forty-five minutes later. They’d crept back to the Hall, slunk up the stairs to shower off and change and had just congratulated themselves on getting away with it when Mason called up the stairs for him. He’d gone down to talk to his brother. Now he was back, and he didn’t look happy.
“What is it?” Storm tried to calm a stab of fear. Had someone found her out?
“Aunt Heloise wants to meet you. Right now.”
She breathed a sigh of relief, but she knew meeting Heloise was no little thing. From what she’d gathered, the woman was sharp, and Storm knew she had to be prepared to answer hard questions.
As Zane pulled her close and dropped a kiss on top of her head, she had to smile, though. It wouldn’t be a hardship to pretend to care for him. In fact, she wouldn’t have to pretend at all. Every time they made love she felt closer to Zane. She knew that was a problem, but right now she didn’t care.
As they drove to town Storm took in more of her surroundings, enjoying the passing scenery. Most of the land they traveled through belonged to large cattle spreads, but as they approached town, the houses grew closer together. Zane took them through a business district and parked a few blocks away in front of an assisted living facility. “Don’t let Heloise throw you,” he said before exiting the truck.
“I won’t,” she promised him, taking his hand as they walked inside.
They signed in at the front desk and Zane led the way to Heloise’s room. No sooner had they entered it, however, than the old woman made no bones about her desire to see Storm alone. “Get off with you, Zane. You come back in a half hour. Go get me some decent coffee. And a doughnut. The things they serve me here would stand your hair on end.”
When Zane left reluctantly, Storm felt as though he’d just fed her to the lions.
“Well, look at you,” Heloise said, gesturing for Storm to take a seat on one end of her couch. She was a white-haired woman in her eighties with faded blue eyes and angular features, dressed carefully in slacks and a sweater. She wasn’t tall, but she had presence, Storm thought. She could see why Zane and his brothers snapped to attention when she gave an order. “A pretty little thing. You look a little peaky, though. Is Zane keeping you up all night?”
Storm eyed the older woman, thankful Zane had given her a head’s up about her delight in shocking people. She bit back the urge to tell Heloise just what they’d gotten up to on the obstacle course. Give the old girl a dose of her own medicine. Instead, she said, “I am a little tired, but it’s nice to meet you, Heloise.”
“I hear you’re from California. What exactly is it that you do?”
“I climb mountains.” It was uncomfortable to put on Kenna’s persona again, but she knew she’d better not slip up now.
“For a living?” Heloise pursed her lips. “Didn’t know you could make money doing that.”
“I get grant money to help cover costs. I sell articles about my climbs. Conduct research when I can.” Storm congratulated herself on sounding just like Kenna.
“Very interesting.” Heloise’s tone insinuated she thought there might be something untoward about it, though.
Storm smiled tightly. “Thank you.”
“And now you’ve come to marry my Zane. He’s a good man.”
Storm didn’t answer. It occurred to her that despite how close they’d become over the last twenty-four hours, she really knew little about him. Her conscience throbbed. She knew far too much about him, if she was honest.
Heloise lifted her chin. “What’s the story?”
“What do you mean?” Storm grew wary. Had she given away the game already? Every time Zane had brought up Heloise she had thought he’d be there to help her when they met.
“It isn’t easy for four boys to find wives in the space of a single year. I know they think I’m off my rocker, but I’m not. Mason and Austin had to hustle to find their wives. What about Zane? What did he have to do?”
Storm relaxed a little. She rather liked Heloise’s direct manner. “He hustled, too. Wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
Heloise narrowed her eyes. “That glosses over a bit, I’d say.”
“Maybe.” Storm decided she could give as good as she got. “I’m here now and that’s what matters.”
“Yes, but will you stay here?”
Storm held her breath again. Heloise was sharp, she’d give her that. Would she stay? She sure wanted to.
“What would make a mountaineer want to stay in Chance Creek?” Heloise mused aloud. “You need something to anchor you. A baby would be best, but I’ve already played that card with Mason and Austin. I doubt I can do more with you than remind you of your duty as a wife.” Storm’s eyebrows shot up, but Heloise went on before she could say anything. “You need a job. No, not just a job—you’d quit that quick enough. A business.” She smiled in satisfaction. “Yes, a business. That’s just the ticket. What do you think about that, Miss North?”
Storm struggled to find an answer to this surprising statement. Heloise’s use of Kenna’s last name was a helpful remin
der, though, that she had to remember she was here as an imposter. Kenna was the one married to Zane, not her. She had to behave like a dedicated mountaineer—one who planned to leave Chance Creek immediately after Thanksgiving.
“I don’t want a business,” she said, even as her imagination kicked into high gear. Yes, she did; a business was exactly what she’d always wanted. Something that was all hers. A chance to create something that expressed her creativity and allowed her to help make the world a more beautiful place.
“I didn’t ask you if you wanted it. I told you I was giving you one.” Heloise humphed. “As daft as the rest of them, aren’t you? Come on.”
“Where are we going?”
“On a walk.”
“For God’s sake, Heloise; you can’t just take off like that. You, too, Storm—what were you thinking?” Zane said a half-hour later when he found them around the block in a shuttered storefront. When he’d gotten back to Heloise’s apartment and both of them were missing, for one wild moment he’d thought the old woman had sent Storm packing.
“Heloise wanted to show me something.” Storm shrugged as if to say, what was I supposed to do? Zane supposed she wasn’t really to blame. Heloise was a force of nature.
“What do you think about it?” Heloise asked.
“About what? About you disappearing and making me hunt you down all over town?”
“Oh, spare me the drama. A Marine can’t ask a question or two and walk a block? Just like a man. About this store. Isn’t it something?”
“It’s a women’s clothing store.” Mandy’s Cowgirl Emporium had been around since he was a boy. It looked now just like it looked then—stuck in a 1950s time warp. “Who wears this stuff?” The store had a musty smell and he didn’t see a clerk anywhere. He couldn’t blame them for wanting to hide if this was their merchandise.
“No one. The store’s been closed for three months. I bought it from Amanda Hathaway when she retired. Thought it might come in handy.”
He pulled a suede skirt with matching vest off a rack, both fringed to within an inch of their lives. “You thought this might come in handy?”
