Torrid Teasers Volume Three
Page 1
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Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright ©2006 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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TORRID TEASERS
VOLUME 3:
CABIN FEVER & CAREFUL WISHES
by
Susan K. Droney & Sherrill Quinn
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Published by
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052
Casper, WY 82605-1052
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright © 2006 by Susan K. Droney & Sherrill Quinn
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN 1-59374-626-1
Credits
Cover Artist: ESCORPIO
Editor: Lynn Schuster
Printed in the United States of America
Dedication
From Sherrill Quinn:
To my Brazen Vixen friends: Anna, Dorothy, Jeanne, Jenna, Kate, Lauren, Maya, Nancy, Shara, Sloane, and Suz. You guys keep me sane and on track. From the bottom of my heart—thank you. To Jan Springer, for getting it all started. And to Mary Tarver, former editor of Romance & Beyond—wherever you are, you were my first fan. This is for you.
Table of Contents
Cabin Fever 1
Careful Wishes 19
CABIN FEVER
by
Susan K. Droney
Kayla slowly pressed down on the accelerator. The tires spun on the ice, but the car refused to budge. She peered out of the windshield, but all she could see were large snowflakes—and lots of them. Beautiful for skiing, a pain while driving. In another hour, it would be dark. She was stranded in the middle of nowhere, and she was frightened. She picked up her cell phone and turned it on. Still no signal—she couldn't even call 911! Fear gripped her heart as she imagined freezing to death out here all alone.
No, I have to keep a clear head, she reminded herself. I'll figure something out. In the half hour since she'd slid off the road she hadn't seen one vehicle, except the idiot who had sideswiped her, causing her to end up in the ditch. He hadn't even had the decency to stop to see if she was okay, but instead went barreling down the road in his fancy four-wheel drive truck, probably oblivious to everyone but himself, she thought.
Thank God she'd had the common sense to bundle up and throw her knee high boots into the back seat before setting out this morning. She had hoped to surprise her best friend who'd invited her on a skiing trip this weekend with a group of friends she rarely saw. She hadn't been sure she wanted to go, and had made no commitment to Sasha, but at the last minute, rearranged her schedule and decided to surprise Sasha at the ski lodge. Maybe she'd find a new hot stud to quench the yearnings within her, if only for one night. Her past relationships had ended going nowhere and the sex had definitely been unmemorable, leaving her with a large void. Due to her hectic schedule, her sex life was almost nonexistent now. The closest she got to a man was in her fantasies when she used her vibrator, imagining it was a throbbing cock.
She forced her mind to concentrate on her present predicament. Now she wished she'd told someone where she was going—at least Sasha—so she'd make some inquiries when Kayla failed to arrive. No one would even know she was missing. She was on the go so much, that her friends had grown used to her not being home if they happened to stop in for an impromptu visit. But her trusty cell phone had always kept her in touch, until now. She couldn't even pick up a signal in this remote area.
Why hadn't she stuck to the main route instead of trying to save time by taking unfamiliar back roads? She sighed heavily. There was no sense beating herself up over it now. She looked again at the snow now swirling as the wind picked it up. If not for her current predicament, she might have enjoyed the peacefulness. Once again, fear clutched her heart. She'd lived her entire life in Buffalo and she knew how quickly a seemingly innocent snowstorm could become a blizzard in the blink of an eye.
She removed her shoes, then reached into the back seat, grabbed her boots and quickly pulled them on. She turned off the ignition and stuffed her cell phone, car keys and purse into her backpack, then took her thick, fur-lined mittens out and slipped her hands inside. A blast of icy air greeted her when she opened the car door, but she forced herself to step out. She pulled her scarf tightly over her mouth and tugged her knit hat down over her ears, then yanked the hood of her bright yellow ski parka over her head, finally throwing the backpack over one shoulder.
She looked in both directions, but all she could see was the long, snow-covered road and the trees on either side, now swaying slightly from the wind and weight of the heavy snow. She hadn't passed any houses for the last five miles, so her only option was to keep going straight. According to the directions she'd mapped out that morning, there should be a small town about three miles ahead. Could she make those three miles, or would she be frozen to death before the next car traveled this way? She swallowed hard. She had to think positive thoughts. Maybe as she made her way down the road, there would be some civilization. For all she knew, the next bend in the road might reveal a welcoming refuge. She had no choice; she had to force herself to begin walking.
Listening to the eerie sounds the wind made as it whistled through the trees made her feel even more alone. The wind became more intense, dropping the temperature. The snow became thicker, almost blinding her. She trudged up the road, her feet making crunching noises on the road. For every step she took, the wind knocked her back two. Her lungs ached as she forced her frozen limbs to cooperate. Her feet felt like solid chunks of ice and she was finding it ever more difficult to navigate. She couldn't give up. She wouldn't! She was terrified. Why hadn't she heeded the weather reports instead of trying to outrun the storm? Why hadn't she stayed on the main road? If she had, she surely would have been rescued. The main roads were always patrolled, but how often would anyone bother to patrol a back road, especially in a blizzard? Her hope was fading.
She stumbled and struggled to pull herself back on solid footing, but couldn't. It was impossible. I'm going to die, she finally admitted to herself. I can't move. She thought about screaming, but her lungs were sore and even if she did manage to scream, there was no one around to hear her cries for help.
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Kayla slowly opened her eyes. She was warm. She wiggled her toes, relieved that she could feel them again. Where was she and how did she get here? The last thing she remembered was being out in the storm and falling. And being colder than she had ever been before. She glanced around the cozy room. A fire was crackling merrily in a fireplace, a heavy comforter was tucked around her, and a fluffy pillow placed under her head. She breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that she hadn't frozen to death, and to whomever had rescued her and brought her here. She tried
to pull herself to a sitting position, but a jabbing pain between her eyes forced her to settle back against the pillow.
"Hello,” she called.
Seconds later, a tall, muscular form appeared in the doorway. He hurried to the bed.
"How are you feeling?"
"You found me?"
He nodded. “I was worried about you. You'd lost consciousness."
"Why didn't you take me to a hospital?"
He laughed. “We're snowed in, and besides, the nearest hospital is about forty-five minutes away in good weather. Thank God, you weren't seriously injured or I don't know what I would have done. It could be days before the roads here are plowed. I'm just grateful that I found you when I did."
"Days?"
"Maybe weeks, but don't worry, I've got plenty of firewood and food."
Kayla raised an eyebrow. “I've got to get out of here. You managed to find me, so you can get me to town ... it's only a few miles from where I went into the ditch."
He laughed again. “There's already over three feet of snow and more coming. We're in the middle of a full-blown blizzard. We'll be snowed in here for a while, so you may as well get used to it. It could be worse. At least I have heat and plenty of food."
"Where exactly am I?” she demanded.
"Tanner Road in Clarkstown."
"Clarkstown! I was on my way to Ellicottville to the ski resort."
"I think you took a wrong turn."
"Obviously. I wouldn't be in this predicament if some idiot hadn't run me off the road. I would have at least been in the next town, whatever it's called..."
"All you'll find there is a gas station and a small grocery mart. They don't even have a motel. As for the ‘idiot’ who ran you off the road, I believe it was Lucas Williams."
"He seemed to have no trouble driving in this blizzard, so why can't you? After all, you did find me."
"That was hours ago. The weather has worsened considerably since then."
"What am I supposed to do?"
He shrugged. “It could be worse. If I were you, I'd be grateful that you were found. Lie back and take advantage of my generous hospitality."
"I don't even know your name."
His forehead creased. “Maybe it's better if you don't for now."
Her eyes narrowed. “Why? Are you in some kind of trouble with the law? Is this your hideout in the middle of nowhere?” Something about him seemed vaguely familiar, but she couldn't place where she had seen him.
He smiled. “Nope. My record is squeaky clean. Besides, I don't know your name either. For all I know, you could be running from the cops ... a wanted woman. How do I know that I'm not cabin bound with an ax murderer?"
She laughed. “Point taken. Thank you for rescuing me. I'm Kayla North."
He extended his hand. “It's a pleasure to meet you, Kayla. I'm...” He took a deep breath. “Lucas Williams."
"Nice to...” She pulled her hand away. “You son of a bitch! You almost killed me and then left me to die."
"I'm truly sorry about that. I did come back to make sure you were okay. I didn't realize that you'd run off the road. It nagged at me so I decided I'd better check on you. If anything had happened to you because of me, I wouldn't have been able to live with myself."
"I wasn't okay. I was terrified and I didn't know what to do. I started walking until ... well, I don't exactly remember what happened."
"I saved you from freezing to death."
"That was noble of you considering the fact that if it weren't for you I wouldn't have needed any saving."
"You wouldn't have gotten far in this storm, and I can tell you right now that there are few homes on this road and you would have been lucky to have reached one of them. So in all reality, I actually saved you by running you off the road."
"I've got a splitting headache so I'm not even going to try to debate this with you. What time is it?"
He glanced at his wristwatch. “Almost eight-thirty."
"Eight-thirty!"
"Dinner's almost ready. If you'd like to freshen up, the bathroom's down the hall, first door on the right. There should be some aspirin in the medicine cabinet. I took the liberty of retrieving your bag from your car. Your skis are safe. I made sure to lock your car."
"Thank you.” She sat up, the covers falling from her body, exposing her perfectly rounded breasts. His eyes focused on her chest. She gripped the covers, pulling them to her chin. “Why am I naked? Where are my clothes?” she demanded.
"Drying. I didn't want to run the dryer ... as it is, we're lucky we still have power, but I doubt it'll be on long."
"Why did you undress me? To get a cheap thrill?"
He laughed softly. “No, to keep you from catching pneumonia. Besides, I like my women to be conscious when I have other things on my mind."
* * * *
Twenty minutes later, Kayla walked into the spacious living room. She had pulled on a pair of jeans and a warm sweater, and had run a brush through her long, dark brown hair. Lucas had set the coffee table and throw pillows were scattered on the floor to sit on. She glanced around. A bright fire was crackling in the fireplace. This fireplace was twice the size of the one in the bedroom. The room had a definite rustic and masculine flair to it with simple, but stylish, heavy furniture, which suited the cabin. A few pictures were displayed in wooden frames on the end tables. A large television was in one corner of the room with a computer at the opposite end. The fireplace was definitely the focal point. Overall, Kayla found the room to be warm and inviting. The coziness made her feel at home.
"I hope you like chili,” Lucas said. He set the large bowls on the table. “I thought we'd eat in here ... it'll be warmer."
"It's fine, thank you. Can I help with anything?” She noticed a plate with warm bread and a mound of butter.
He shook his head. “I've got everything under control. Have a seat. Would you like some wine, or a beer? I keep a couple of bottles of wine on hand, but I'm a beer man myself."
She sat on an overstuffed pillow. “Beer is fine.” As he walked to the kitchen, she noticed how tall and muscular he was. Her eyes swept to his tight rear end. Even in jeans and a flannel shirt, he looked like he'd just stepped off the cover of a magazine. His jet-black hair was medium length and even though she hated long hair on a man, it suited Lucas. He was beautiful, and she found herself being drawn to his warm smile and intense dark eyes. Still, something about him seemed oddly familiar, as if she'd seen him somewhere before. She hated herself for being attracted to this stranger, but she couldn't deny the truth. She wouldn't be here long, so she'd just settle back and enjoy his company. He was right. It could be worse. She had to admit being stranded with a man who looked like Lucas was every woman's dream come true.
He walked back into the room carrying two cans of beer and a glass. He opened one of the cans, poured the contents into the glass, and handed it to her.
His hand brushed hers, sending an electric charge through her. If he noticed her reaction, he made no comment. “Thank you. The chili smells delicious."
Lucas pulled the tab from his can of beer. “It's an old family recipe handed down from my great-grandmother. I let it simmer for ten to twelve hours."
Kayla ate a spoonful. “Wow! This is the best chili I've ever tasted."
He smiled. “I'm glad you like it. If the weather gets any worse, we may be eating it for the next few days."
"Do you think the weather will worsen?” Her eyes widened.
"You're from Buffalo, so you know how nasty and unpredictable winter weather can be."
"Aren't you worried living in the middle of nowhere? I mean, what if you got sick, or had an emergency?"
He smiled. “It's not exactly what I'd call the middle of nowhere. I'm less than ten minutes from the next town ... when the weather's good."
"Maybe the way you drive."
He slowly buttered a piece of bread, then took a bite and washed it down with a swallow of beer, ignoring her comment. Her eyes
stayed glued to him as she fantasized about how it would feel having those strong hands caressing her flesh. She inhaled sharply. She had to stay focused. She knew nothing about this stranger and had no right to be aroused by him.
"Will my car be okay?"
"Should be. The worst that can happen is you'll get towed when the blizzard is over."
"What?” She put her spoon down. “That's just what I need."
"Don't worry. I'm friends with the tow truck driver. It won't cost you a dime."
"It's not the money I'm worried about."
"What then?"
She sighed. “How will I get my car?"
"I'll take you just as soon as we're able to get out."
She looked at the large window. The howling wind slammed relentlessly against the cabin.
Lucas followed her gaze. “It's going to be a rough night."
She took a sip of beer. “Thank you for your hospitality. I'm sorry that I've been so self-centered. I do appreciate you taking me in."
"You're welcome. So, since we're going to be spending some time together, tell me about yourself."
"Well, I was born and raised in Buffalo. Most of my family still lives there.” She shrugged. “I don't lead a very exciting life. I went to college with plans to become a high school math teacher, but after college, decided that I didn't have the passion to teach. So I decided to try my hand at my true passion—photography—which until then had only been a hobby."
He listened intently. “You're a professional photographer? That's fantastic."
"Thank you. I opened a small studio, and even though I'm by no means well off, it pays the bills and affords me a few luxuries. Most importantly, I love what I do.” She smiled. “What about you?"
"I was born and raised in New York City. I was fortunate to accumulate some money so I bought twenty acres and built my cabin."
"And?"
He shrugged. “I spend my days doing whatever I feel like."
"It must have been quite an inheritance."