by Linzi Basset
“Are you still breathing, my pet?” Chance asked against her ear.
Bailey nodded while drawing a few shallow puffs into her lungs.
“Just relax, pussycat and we’ll give you an unsurpassed experience,” Carter coaxed her, licking her nipples and sucking then gently.
She forced her body to relax around Chance’s hard cock that twitched with eagerness for more.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Carter pulled her closer and reached down to pull her ass cheeks apart; smiling at her embarrassed whimper, which was drowned by Chance’s hoarse cry.
“Ahhh, fuck, that’s nice. Squeeze that orifice, pussycat. Yes, tighter. Fuck me.”
Chance dragged his cock back with deliberate slowness, awakening every nerve ending inside her ass, followed by those in her pussy, as Carter immediately pushed back in. Sensations exploded inside her as she trembled with the intense heat that engulfed her. A carnal moan echoed in the room as the demands of her body took over.
“I need more. Please, More!” Bailey demanded on the brink of giving over to a shattering explosion.
Spurred by her lustful cries, they rocked her with firm, even strokes.
“More,” she screamed at them as the pressure inside her needed that final push over the edge. Her undulating body and clenching orifices around their shafts shattered the last of their control and they pounded into her with sharp thrusts.
This time she couldn’t withstand the onslaught and wailed as a wave of pleasure carried her to blissful release, moments before the two men climaxed with unrestrained jerks inside her.
Chance withdrew and slumped on his back, his head on Lucy’s lap.
Carter caressed Bailey’s cheek with the softest of touch, careful not to fracture the intoxicating magic that emitted from her eyes. He pressed a tender kiss against her brow as she completely relaxed in his arms.
Bailey had never been as confused as she was in that moment. For the first time in her life she felt like she belonged in a man’s arms. Almost like she’d found home. She knew instinctively that this might be the only time she’d experience it. Because when she told him that she had no interest in his other offer, he would walk away. They wanted a happily–ever-after with two women who could offer them sexual and emotional gratification.
Bailey knew she couldn’t offer him both.
But, oh god, how can I walk away from this?
Chapter Twelve
The mountain was pristine white; even the dark green pines were covered in snow. Bailey could’ve stood there for a whole day; drinking it all in, listening to the silent music of the woods; become one with nature as Grandpa Joe always said.
“Poppet? My goodness, my girl, what are you doing here?”
Bailey startled at her grandfather’s gruff voice behind her. She hadn’t heard the door open. She walked into his embrace and hugged him—and couldn’t let go. Guilt sat heavy on her shoulders and had been keeping her awake for the past week. Whatever she had done, she couldn’t undo. She could make amends in subtle ways, but confessing was out of the question, especially to her grandfather.
She’d had the most amazing night with the two men who had been responsible for his downfall. There was no way to justify that.
But she couldn’t shake off the memories. The recollection of the two nights with Carter, Chance . . . and Lucy wouldn’t fade. They’d done the same to Lucy. It had been insanely hot and still made her long for more.
Holy shitballs, neither of us could walk properly for days.
New Year’s Eve would forever be ingrained in her memory for the rest of her life. Carter and Chance couldn’t get enough and had turned them into limp noodles and twisted them like pretzels, well into the New Year—with the added assistance of an aphrodisiac to keep them hard.
“Bailey? Poppet, what’s the matter?” Grandpa Joe prodded as she finally pulled out of his arms.
She smiled at the endearment. He’d always called her that. He ruffled her hair.
“I missed you and I needed to get out of the city for a bit,” she skirted the question with a loving smile.
His sharp gaze travelled over her face. She tried not to flinch, knowing how worn out she looked. Sleep had become her enemy for the last six days.
“Come inside. It’s freezing out here.”
The cottage had an old-world charm with the mullioned windows. The stark whiteness of the little squares appeared brilliant against the rustic red brick facade of the walls. The inside was warm and welcoming with a roaring fireplace. It was a comfortable home with large rooms and a kitchen any chef would drool over. This place had been her grandmother’s hideaway. It had been a tradition for them to spend at least one weekend a month in the mountains—away from the demands of the hotel.
They were reminiscing about her visits during school holidays when there was a knock on the door.
“Suddenly, I’ve become very popular,” Grandpa Joe grumbled as he went to open the door. He preferred the seclusion of the cottage but because he was so loved by everyone in the community, he had visitors all the time.
“Gollywock, my boy, it’s good to see you.” Bailey was surprised at the joy she detected in his voice. It had to be someone he loved. “It’s been too long. Come inside and meet my poppet,” he beamed as he stepped back to let in the tall, dark-haired man.
Bailey was gobsmacked and could only stare openmouthed at man who was regarding her with a reticent look. She snapped her mouth closed when she noticed his lips curve in amusement. She pressed her thighs hard into the chair to quell the desire to fling herself in his arms and suck on that goddamned gorgeous mouth of his.
“Carter, my boy, I’m not sure if you’ve formally met my granddaughter? This is Bailey. Poppet, this is—”
“Carter Gibbs. Yes, Grandpa, I know.”
Joe appeared confused as he gazed questioningly between the two people who seemed to share a connection. A smile played over his face. With a satisfied nod, he thumped Carter on his back.
“Take a seat, my boy. I’ll get you some coffee,” Grandpa Joe chatted nonstop with Carter while he poured the coffee and handed him the steaming mug before he sank into his comfortable lazy boy chair next to the roaring fire. Bailey listened quietly to Carter’s low rumble as he replied to the constant volley of questions.
“What a start to the New Year,” Grandpa Joe beamed, spreading his arm to indicate the two of them, “With my two most favorite people in the world.”
What the fuck? Grandpa is cooing over Carter like he is a long-lost son.
“Time out, Grandpa. What the devil is going on here?” She finally exploded.
Grandpa Joe blinked at her questioningly. “What do you mean, Poppet?”
“This is Carter Gibbs. From Gibbs & Hutton Incorporated,” she said. Her lips flattened in annoyance.
“I’m aware of that, my girl, but why are you so upset about that?”
“Grandpa! He’s the one who took your life away from you; who caused Grandma’s death and the reason why you’ve secluded yourself in this remote cottage for the past five years!”
Grandpa Joe glanced at Carter, even more confused than before.
“Whoever told you that?”
Bailey opened her mouth to respond and then snapped it shut with a frown on her face. No one had actually told her that, come to think of it. She’d made her own assumptions when she’d heard who had taken over the hotel and converted it into a modern ski resort.
“Poppet, Carter saved us. Your grandma and me. We were too old to carry on. The pressure and the constant hard work had taken its toll on us over the years, especially on Alice. She didn’t want me to tell you at the time because she was worried that you would offer to buy us out, stretch yourself too thin and follow the same path as we did.”
“You should have! I wouldn’t have thought about it twice,” Bailey exclaimed, shattered by what she was hearing.
Grandpa Joe shook his head. “We didn’t want that, poppet. We loved tha
t old place but it had become a burden, financially and emotionally. It cost us more money to keep fixing it than we made from revenue and we didn’t enjoy it anymore. We wanted to spend our last years in peace and quiet.” He gestured around the cottage. “Here, in the place she loved more than the hotel.”
He leaned forward with his expression earnest and loving. “Alice wanted you to achieve your dreams, poppet. She knew how much you loved the challenges. She wanted you to reach all your goals. She’d be over the moon to know just how well you have done that.” His eyes watered. “I miss my old girl,” he said somberly.
“She had a heart condition,” he smiled at Bailey’s gasp, “another thing she didn’t want you to know. We knew her time was near, poppet, which is why we sold our place to Carter. His generosity and friendship meant so much to Alice at the time.”
“Generosity?”
“It doesn’t matter, Bailey. What matters is that your grandmother got her wish and she was happy when she died,” Carter interjected.
“Grandpa?” Bailey ignored him and prodded the older man for an answer.
“Carter paid well over market value for that old place. In all honesty, it was falling apart and wouldn’t have remained standing for more than two or three years.”
“It didn’t bother you that he wrecked it and built that ghastly glass and aluminum monstrosity in its place?” Bailey asked in shock. She’d made so many wrong assumptions over the years.
Grandpa Joe’s laughter boomed around them. “Of course not, poppet. Like I said, the place was doomed as it was. You have to remember; it was built in the 19th century and had stood its place in time. It was time to let it go.”
Bailey slumped into the chair and battled to overcome the implication of what she’d just heard. It meant that Carter wasn’t the loathsome, ruthless money shark she’d always deemed him to be. He wasn’t unscrupulous either, but kind and gentle. He was a highly successful businessman and she couldn’t hold it against him.
“Let’s go for a walk, Bailey,” Carter suggested quietly. His voice cajoling her with smooth, deep vibrations that reached deep inside her soul.
She stared at him, enamored by his rugged appearance, dressed in jeans, a dark red sweater and boots. He shrugged into his thermal jacket and held out his hand. Her fingers itched to reach out and push the rebellious hair back from his forehead. His blue eyes darkened as he watched her tongue wet her lips.
Bailey had no reason to deny him and allowed him to pull her out of the chair. He assisted her into her dark purple Denali thermal jacket.
“We won’t be long, Joe,” Carter assured the old man who stood watching them with a pleased smile on his lips. It made Bailey groan silently. She’d seen that look a couple of times. Her grandparents had always tried to play cupid for her.
Chapter Thirteen
Carter was quiet as they strolled through the snow in the direction of the cliff that overlooked the lake.
A deep sense of serenity settled over Bailey as she stared in rapture at the expanse of frosted blue down below. Rays of lights danced delicately across the icy water.
“Are you going to tell me why you ran again, Bailey?” Carter asked quietly.
Bailey swallowed hard, recalling waking up with his arms wrapped around her, Lucy in a similar position next to her in Chance’s arms, well into the afternoon on the New Year’s Day. She had stared into his face, relaxed in repose. The feelings that had filled her mind at that moment had been overwhelming.
It had scared the living daylights out of her. It was wrong and didn’t fit with her future plans. None of it. Especially not what he wanted. She’d untangled herself from his arms and within minutes, was running down the street, dressed only in her long coat and high heels, once again.
“I didn’t—”
“Don’t,” he warned darkly. His eyes had turned tumultuous like the sea before a storm. “Don’t fucking lie to me, Bailey. It’s the one thing I abhor.” He took a deep breath. “Let’s try this again. What are you so scared of that you can’t face me after we have sex?”
Bailey could feel the heat warming her cheeks―a sign of the emotional wreck she’d become since she’d met him. She feared that all her insecurities were written on her face and there was nowhere to hide. Not from his eyes that didn’t miss anything.
He caught her by the shoulders and shook her.
“Talk to me, dammit, Bailey. What? Tell me what are you scared of?”
“I’m not scared, Carter.”
As soon as the words left her mouth she began to doubt them. She’d always put her career first but maybe she’d only used it to mask her true fear. An unfounded belief that if she gave her heart, it will be broken. She knew she didn’t have the resilience like Lucy, to overcome it. She was like her grandfather. She would become a lost soul.
“You could’ve fooled me,” he grouched cynically.
“I am not the woman for you, Carter.”
“Let me be the one to make that decision, Bailey.”
Bailey searched his eyes. She was shattered by what she saw there.
Oh god, why can’t I accept what he is so generously offering? Is a career really all that matters?
But Bailey knew deep down, it would always be her first priority. Work will always come first, no matter what. A man like Carter Gibbs wouldn’t accept that. Especially as he wanted kids.
“Let me rephrase. I’m not the woman for any man. I’ve never yearned for love. All I have ever wanted, all I still want, is my career.”
He stared at her with understanding flashing in his eyes.
She cursed softly.
Dammit! He doesn’t get it.
“I won’t expect you to give up your career, Bailey. Quite the contrary, I would encourage you to continue to excel.”
She licked her lips, knowing she was about to slam the final nail into the coffin that would close any chance of a future with him.
“I don’t want children.”
He became quiet; his body tense as he looked out over the cliff.
“I see. So, tell me what it is that you do see in your future, Bailey,” he said without moving his gaze from the view in front of them.
“Carter, let’s just drop this. I’m sorry, I truly am. You’ve taught me things in a small amount of time about myself that I never would’ve learned. You’re a wonderful man. I realized that the other night. Caring, compassionate and you deserve a woman who will love you and give you everything you desire from life. I am not that woman.”
He swung to her. He pushed his hands into his pockets and she got the impression it was to prevent himself from shaking her again.
“No, Bailey, I’m not going to drop this. Seeing as you are too much of a coward to face it, let me tell you how your future is going to be. Ten years down the line, you’re going to start aging―too soon but stress and long hours of work will accelerate it. Twenty years from now, you’ll wake up one day and realize you’re alone,” his voice vibrated with emotion. “Wake up to the reality now, Bailey. You’re going to become more and more entrenched in your work because it’s all you have in your life. It takes guts to accept change but unless you’re prepared to make concessions and consider the possibility that you can have both lives―”
“How dare you!” Bailey raged, struggling to breathe.
“I dare, Bailey Parker, because I fell in love with the thought of you that day at your grandmother’s graveside and I have waited for fucking five years to give you time to become the hotel magnate you so desperately desired. I dare, Bailey because I’ll be damned if I’m going to allow my happiness and future to be swallowed up by your single-minded belief that you’re almighty and don’t need to be loved.”
Bailey gaped at him. Five years? Grandmother’s grave? Her mind scrambled to connect all the dots. She remembered how distressed and devastated she’d been that day. Her beloved Grandma Alice was gone, less than a year after her father. Big hands had caught her and cuddled her into a strong embrace.
A hard, warm chest that she’d leaned into and cried her heart out.
The familiar smell of his sandalwood aftershave tingled her nostrils. Her eyes flared.
“You. It was you . . . at the graveside, who consoled me . . .”
Carter didn’t say anything but his eyes blasted her with the force of an emotional hurricane. On the surface he appeared relaxed but his strong beliefs of what he thought she had to offer kept pulling her closer to his vortex and, with each passing second, she could feel the winds clipping away at her soul. It was tempting to jump into the unknown, to take up the thrilling challenge. For wasn’t to love and be loved the biggest challenge of them all?
“I see I’m wasting my time. Have a good life, Bailey,” he asserted, turned and walked away.
Bailey couldn’t move and when she blinked, he was back, yanking her against his hard chest. His eyes scorched her with blue fire as he whispered against her lips, “But I will give you this to remember me by in the middle of the night, in the loneliness of your cold and empty bed.”
Carter’s lips enveloped hers; and owned her. A fire ignited inside as their bodies moved together, soft curves against unyielding steel. Bailey inhaled frantically, but it wasn’t enough. Her head grew light. He groaned into her mouth; loud, feral and erotic. It unloosed the memories of hours of unadulterated passion, gentle touches, rough ones, but always with the intention to give her pleasure; like now, with his lips.
Heat coursed through her, hot as a wildfire and her skin bloomed under his touch. She had never wanted anything more than to feel his arms around her and his lips against hers.
Always. Never to let her go.
The cold breeze turned to ice when she found herself standing alone. She kept her eyes closed, listening to his retreating footsteps through the thick snow.
He’s gone.
Her heartbeat slowed. Her legs crumbled and she sat down on the soft cushion of snow.
