by Cora Blu
“No, no. For a year, I begged and pleaded with my parents to go to America. I saved my money. And when the time came, my parents agreed I could go for the summer.” She paused and rubbed her hands over her arms.
“What happened?”
“Josef happened. He was getting off a flight, striding through the airport in his uniform. An hour later, the flight to America left short one passenger. Those dark brown, soul-searching eyes have held me in an embrace ever since.”
“What happened to your dream of going to America?
“My Josef took me to New York the next year. I knew from the first moment there could be no other for me.”
“I’m glad it worked out for you. Seth is a nice distraction—not my love.”
“Alright.” Anya held up her hands. “One of our guests, the woman in cabin “C” has been asking after my Mikhail. Wait until she sees he has a twin. I’ll see if I can find you two separate rooms,” she said.
“Trying to make me envious of the other woman isn’t going to work. Seth and I are friends, Anya, just friends.” She clutched the robe closer, shaking her head. This woman was relentless. “We appreciate your kindness and will be out of here as soon as possible.”
Why did Seth sleeping in a separate room bother her? Because she had the hots for the cute Russian in her room that’s why. Crud.
The door creaked on its hinges as she pushed it open. There was Seth, bare feet, strong calves, and robe hanging loosely tied with the sash. His black chest hair framed by the lapels lay easy on his strong body.
“Have a nice talk?” he asked, eyeing her with a smirk.
“She thinks we’re a couple, but says she’ll find me a separate room if I don’t want to share with you.”
“So you won’t be lying beneath me tonight?” He moaned and she backed up to the wall as he stalked her toward the bathroom. He dropped down in front of her. “Pull your robe back. Let me see your knee.”
She wanted to curl into a ball and roll away. She thought he was gonna kiss her. She gazed up to the ceiling, steadying her mind as his hands closed around her calf, squeezing gently. He kissed her knee and the sensation crawled straight up to her sex.
“Go ahead and shower. I’ll find some ointment for your knee,” he said, pushing up from the floor. He set his hand on the wall to each side of her face. “Am I sleeping alone tonight?” He teased and she shook her head under a second kiss this one her forehead.
“The shooting in the woods—you left that out of the conversation in the kitchen, Why?”
“The man wasn’t alone, and if the Shamochernyi’s are lying, they could be behind the shooting.”
“You saw their faces. They have no idea this is going on.”
“We’ll know soon enough once Mikhail shows up.”
She fluffed a hand through her hair, pulling out small leaves and debris. “It might ease her conscious to think so, since we’re sharing a room and not married,” he said, parting her hair. “You have very thick hair, Simone. Could be a squirrel in here and you’d never know.”
She pinched his nipple through the robe. He jerked back, stumbled and came at her. She lurched to the left and he caught her around the waist, pinning her to the wall. Instead of pinching her, he started tickling her. Simone burst out laughing. Seth found her spot along her ribs and tickled her until she was breathless.
“Seth, I… That’s not fair, stop tickling me,” she said, her breathing ragged.
He leaned over her with her back to the wall. His chest heaved from all the horseplay. “Next time you pinch my nipple, better be with your teeth, lady.”
Lord he was sexy. “Alright, move so I can get a shower. You don’t mind if I get one first, do you?”
“Please do. You stink.”
Her mouth went slack. Did he really just say that? “I stink, wolf-boy? You smell like swamp water. Just for that I’m washing my hair in the shower. I’ll be in there twice as long now.”
“Great then I can finally get one of those pastries you were scarfing down.”
“Me? You ate two before your second cup of coffee, greedy man,” she said, setting a change of clothes from the pile of folded on one of the beds. “We’ll have to buy groceries before we leave just so they’ll have some food at the rate you woof it down.”
The sweater hit the floor as Seth moved on her. Angling her body, she stepped around the dresser and lost balance when her body made contact with air instead of the bathroom door.
The hard tile floor caught them in a tangled mess. He was naked under the robe and the clothing parted, leaving them skin to skin from her knee to her stomach, almost.
Closing her eyes, she waited for him to get off her. When he didn’t, she cracked one open and found him smiling above her resting on one elbow.
“I thought you were naked under there,” Seth said.
“You did not.”
“I did,” he teased her. “I never figured you for silk panties.” His deep baritone trembled down her body as heat rode up to her face with that observation.
“You cannot tell…” Her words faded as he moved his hips over her in a slow circle, staring off in thought.
“Silk, like I said.”
“Get up, Dragoslava.”
He ran a hand over her face. “You’re very pretty, Sim. Calling you stinky didn’t make you less attractive as I hoped it would.”
Simone squirmed, trying to keep her bruised knee free of his leg. The length of him slipped in between her thighs where her body cradled him. Awakening the desire building over the last two days for this man. Heat pooled in those same panties under the thickness of him pushing into her. She gave in for two seconds and arched into him. Heavy with muscles, the weight of his body dazed her. His behind fit perfect under the palm of her hand flexing over the hard muscle.
He said nothing, just stared down into her face with the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. Licking her lips, she forced her hand from his butt and brushed hair off his face, giving her time to cool down enough to speak. This man was built for long nights and happy mornings.
“Am I making you blush, Simone Daniels?”
She closed her eyes and swallowed the moisture forming in her cheeks. He was pouring on the charm now and her body was wallowing in it like a cat in heat.
“Anya offered to find us separate rooms. I could go shower in there.” Simone felt her body moistening under the heat of his, hot and thick, a slip of fabric away from being inside her.
“Is a kiss from me so bad?”
There was nothing wrong with enjoying a kiss from him. Why was she being so hard on herself?
She tipped her face up to meet his. His hand beneath her made her moan. Slow and patient, gentler than she would have thought from the way he kissed earlier. She sank into the sweetness of his mouth. Welcomed his deepening search, licking around, and tasting her. He kissed with just the right amount of pressure, him pinning her beneath him.
He rolled over on his back, taking her with him, cradling her hips in his large hands. His voice thick and easy when he said, “I’ll take that room Anya offered.”
“Seth, don’t make it tense between us.”
“Sim, it’s been tense for hours now.”
He crossed back into the room after lifting her off him. “I’ll wait in the kitchen until you’re out.”
Embarrassed, she turned the shower on, striped down, and merged her dirty, cold body with the clean, hot water. Squeezing shampoo into her palm she worked up lather, began vigorously returning her dark ringlets to their fresh state. She had to get Seth out of her system. There was no way a relationship with him would lead to anything but heartache. Hoping on a plane just to make made passionate love for a few days and fly back to America—crazy.
Heat radiated out from over her body from the spot Seth laid wedged into moments earlier. He filled her without even being inside her body. Nestled between her thighs through her panties. Every wiggle, every twitch, every breath he took pushed her closer to the lim
its of her restraint. She wanted to wrap her thighs around his ribcage, lock her heels over that amazing butt and let him ride her across the tile floor.
She braced a hand to the slick tiles on the wall, suds slipping down between her thighs adding to the salacious images playing repeatedly in her mind. Lord, why did he live so far away? She groaned. She finished her shower, thinking of how she would rack up flying miles like crazy hopping on a plane every week. The sooner she left, the better off the both of them will be.
She rinsed the suds down the drain and pulled the towel from the bar outside the shower, wrapping it around her hair. Grabbing a second, she toweled off and froze.
The sound of boots shuffled across the carpet in the bedroom and paused. She stuck her hand along the wall, feeling for her robe, but it was too far away. She clutched the towel to her breasts.
Someone speaking German came through the door. And from the tone, he was mad. She held still. If he didn’t speak English, she was in trouble.
He fumbled through the medicine cabinet then turned toward the shower curtain. Would anyone hear her if she screamed? Maybe he’ll go away. Her body relaxed as he moved to the sink. She could hear him taking the cap off a bottle then the water was running in the sink. The medicine cabinet opened and closed, she tried not to move but water ran down the side of her nose and she knew if she moved her outline would change in the curtain and he’d see her. Scrunching her nose, she squeezed her eyes shut as her skin itched along the trail of water.
She couldn’t take it and scratched her nose. The curtain flung back and the man stood there staring at her. Her towel slipped and she grabbed it up, sucking in a breath she stared at the familiar face before her.
Same dark hair curling behind his ears and serious blue eyes as Seth. Only this man’s eyes held a hint of amusement about them with a soft crinkle in the corner. That same flare to his nostrils as Seth’s when he had lain over her in the cabin on the sofa. The same curious tilt to his head as he trailed his eyes down her body, leisurely across the widest part of her thigh where the towel ended and her wet skin showed. Seldom had she seen two men look so much alike and yet look so different at the same time. His stance was loose, relaxed, and easy. Seth stood tall, erect, and confident.
Neither one of them moved. Seth’s brother, Mikhail, stood ogling her, no doubt in her mind. It had nothing to do with the physical resemblance. He stared the same as Seth had in the woods, with less discretion, roaming her body going from head to toe.
“If I didn’t have such a headache, miss, I’d join you.”
“And get your arm broken,” she said, clutching the towel to her body. The cool air on her wet skin made her tremble.
“You’re American.”
“Yes. Hand me my robe on your way out.”
“Sweetheart, this is my bathroom in my home. Explain why you’re on this side of the cabin. Guests stay on the cliff side. And don’t say you couldn’t read the signs, they’re in three different languages.”
“Get out so I can get dressed. And I am a guest of your parents.”
He gave her a suspicious glare. “You’re a guest here alone from America?”
“I didn’t say I was alone.”
“You’re lying,” he accused and grabbed her hand, yanking her from the shower. Simone fell forward, using her weight to push him into the wall, breaking his grip. She darted for the door and ran into Seth.
“Sim, what the hell?” he asked, looking from her to the man bent over the sink. He pushed her behind him and lunged for Mikhail. Simone tripped over the duffle on the floor, falling to the bed. Scrambling to her feet, she clutched the towel to her naked body. Seth, don’t. He doesn’t know,” she screamed and jumped back seconds before Seth threw Mikhail from the bathroom into the room.
“What did you do to her?” The other man swung, caught Seth around the waist, and they tumbled out into the hallway. A mass of arms, legs, and curses flew through the air.
Seth threw a fist, hitting the other man in the jaw. Mikhail went to his knees. The fight on the floor now, bumping into the walls, wrestling one another.
Simone struggled to get the robe on, fishing the towel out from under the hem, she stumbled over the chair they’d knocked over and fell on her knee. Pain twisted up her leg, but she hobbled out into the hallway. Seth was fighting his brother over her. She had to stop them.
Standing now, Mikhail charged at Seth, grabbed him around the ribs and slammed him into the wall. Mikhail’s nose bled. Seth made a two-handed fist and slammed it into Mikhail’s back. He went down along with Seth.
Their blows were merciless. One of them was going to get seriously hurt and it will be over her. It didn’t make sense the way he went at Mikhail.
“Seth—Mikhail—get up,” she hollered. “I’m leaving. I won’t break-up this family before it starts.”
Simone spun around as Anya ran into the hallway screaming in German, grabbing Mikhail by the shirt. Fearing she would get dragged into the mayhem, Simone wrapped her arms around the women and pulled her back, away from the brawl. Both she and the woman were breathing hard.
“What’s happening? Why are they fighting?” Anya pleaded, still reaching around Simone trying to grab Mikhail.
“Anya, it’s my fault. They’re fighting over me,” Simone said forcing wet clumps of hair out of her face. “I am so sorry.”
“Mikhail, stop! That’s your brother,” Anya yelled.
Everyone looked up as Josef stood smacking his hand along the wall. The two men split apart. “Mikhail! Seth! That’s enough. You will not fight in this house. Now what is this about?”
Mikhail wiped blood from his nose. Seth stood along the wall chest heaving, eyes set on Simone at the other end of the hall with Anya. He touched the cut above his eye and she crossed the space taking the towel from her hair to dab the wound.
“Seth, is your brother Mikhail,” Anya said, her small frame trembling watching the two men trying to kill the other.
“My brother? I don’t have a brother.”
“Mikhail,” Josef started, “we never knew, but you are a twin. This is your brother, Seth. From London.”
Simone watched the two men eye one another, their breathing ragged, distrust on both faces.
The silence filled the space as the two men sized one another up.
Seth touched her face. “We’ll leave as soon as I get a car up here.”
Before she could argue, Anya’s voice rang out. “Mikhail, what happened to your face? This bruise isn’t new. You were in a fight before this?”
“Patrick and I caught hikers using the cabin without paying. Patrick caught a bullet in the leg, but I only got an elbow to the jaw.”
Simone tensed and elbowed Seth. They had to say something.
“Our hiking cabins are throughout the woods. We own much of this land and contract with the hotel as one of the tours,” Josef said, eyeing Seth. “What is the look you two pass between you, Seth?” Josef looking from Seth to Simone, lids squinted low.
“Mr. Shamochernyi…” Simone started.
“I shot your friend, Patrick,” Seth admitted.
“What?” Anya’s voice came out in a screech.
The hallway erupted in questions and accusations.
Mikhail stepped closer to Simone, head cantered to the side, eyes trained on her legs. “That was you who elbowed me in the temple.”
“You grabbed me,” she returned.
“That is enough. Everyone in the kitchen. Sounds like we have a lot to talk about.”
As they filed down the hall, Simone pulled Seth to her side.
“You realize I’m just in the way now. This entire thing is between you and your family. If they aren’t pressing charges, I’m going to call the hotel to get a taxi up here while it’s still daylight.”
“You’re serious about going back tomorrow?” he said and she nodded. “Then of course, you should get back to the hotel. I’m sure your friend is worried.”
“It was nice meet
ing you, Seth Dragoslava. I had an adventure with you here in Austria.”
“It was a pleasure meeting you too, Miss Daniels.”
Fire smoldered between them and she knew if she didn’t leave now she’d be writhing beneath him tonight.
“Is everything okay?” Anya asked from the end of the hall.
“Mrs. Shamochernyi, thank you for your hospitality. I’m going back down to the hotel after I call for a taxi, if I can use your phone.”
“Of course.” She nodded at the phone on the ledge. “You’re welcomed to stay. Once we get this all settled I would love for you to help me make dinner.”
“I really should be going. I came with a friend and I’m certain she’s worried.”
“I hope this show between the boys has not run you from my home, young lady.”
“Just the opposite. I can see this family needs to talk and I’m in the way.”
“Simone, my truck is out there. I could run you down to the hotel,” Mikhail offered. “My way of apologizing for earlier.”
She caught the flush moving up Seth’s neck.
“If it weren’t for the street clothes, I’d have stepped out, thinking you to be your brother,” she assured him and felt her own heat as his brow jacked up at one end. He aimed his thumbs up approving eye to his brother who didn’t return it. “I’ve imposed long enough. I need to speak to Seth then I’ll be on my way.”
She led him by the hand into the bedroom and closed the door. Holding both his hands, she looked him in the face, taking in his handsome features. Saying good-bye to him was harder than she anticipated.
“It really was nice to meet you, Seth. I’m not leaving until the day after tomorrow if I can get the flight changed. I want to get some pictures taken before I go. If you want to get some lunch with me and tell me how it went tonight, just ask for me at the front desk.”
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Simone Daniels. I’ll take you up on your lunch offer.”
“Can I have a hug?” she asked shyly.
“Is that all you want from me?” he asked, a disappointing hint behind his words. His dark stare wanted more than either wanted to admit they needed.
