Christmas on the Last Frontier (Last Frontier Lodge #1)

by J. H. Croix

  “Marley…”

  His rough voice elicited a shiver, need arcing again in the aftermath. That’s what he did to her…with nothing more than the sound of his voice. She dragged her eyes open to find his waiting. He was on his knees in front of her, his body taut. He lifted a hand and stroked it up her abdomen, the backs of his fingers barely dusting her skin, his touch unbearably arousing. Longing clenched her in its grip.

  He shifted and snagged his jeans off the floor, pulling a condom out of the pocket. He tore it open with his teeth and swiftly rolled it on, eyes on hers the whole time. Vibrating with need, she waited as he shifted his weight forward, his cock, hard and hot, coming to rest between her folds. She began to chase ecstasy again, following him into the storm.

  Her breath came in ragged gasps when he proceeded to drive her wild by slowly dragging the head of his cock back and forth in her slick folds. When his name fell from her lips in a gasp, he finally gave her what she needed and lifted her hips as he slowly surged into her channel. The relief was so acute, she almost came instantly, but he held himself still. Closing her eyes, she savored the sensation of fullness, arching her back and pushing her hips against him until he was fully seated within her. Her channel throbbed around him.

  “Look at me,” he whispered.

  By force of will, she managed to open her eyes and meet his. Only then did he begin to move, rolling his hips against her while she began to move in rhythm with him. The moment between them lengthened into a blur, hot and electric. Sensation teemed within her. She lost herself in the push and pull of him inside of her, each surge driving her higher. Slow, long, hot, and deep strokes pushed her closer and closer. Pleasure built in waves until she thundered to the edge and toppled over with a cry, flying apart in his arms. With a muffled shout, he arched into her, shuddering against her. He held still over her before slowly shifting down, immediately locking his arms around her and rolling them, so he was under her. Her head tucked into the crook of his neck, she slowly settled, her orgasm echoing through her body.

  Marley only wanted to stay there forever, locked in the protective cradle of his embrace, his heartbeat thudding against hers, his hand softly stroking her hair. After an indeterminate amount of time, it could have been as little as a few minutes or as long as an hour, Gage spoke. “You’re getting cold. Let’s get upstairs.”

  When his hand stoked down her back, she felt the goose bumps under his palm.

  “Oh.” She slowly lifted her head and sat up. When she glanced down at him, her heart clenched. His smoky gray eyes were there, waiting for hers. The corner of his mouth hooked up. The firelight flickered over his skin and want arced through her again. That’s what he did to her. She met his gaze and smiled ruefully. “I suppose I should get up.”

  He shrugged. “Fine with me if you stay right there, but we might be more comfortable in your bed.”

  ***

  Gage carried Marley upstairs, thinking he could hold her all day and it would never get old. Her body was soft and lush. He glanced down and caught sight of the freckles scattered across her cheeks. He’d discovered she had smatters of freckles all over her body, which he loved. They were her constellations, and he’d suddenly become enamored with astronomy. She giggled when he set her on the bed.

  “I can walk, you know.”

  “I know, but I like to carry you.”

  He quickly stepped into the bathroom adjacent to her bedroom and disposed of his condom. When he returned to the bedroom, he lifted the quilt and wrapped it around them tightly. She shivered, her skin pebbling against his. He’d never understood the desire to snuggle, but with Marley, it was sheer heaven. She draped herself against him, her foot stroking down his calf as she tucked her leg over his. He tugged her close and breathed deep, listening to her breathing slow and become even.

  He was half out of his mind over her and didn’t know what the hell he was going to do about it. But he couldn’t conceive of stopping whatever was happening between them. His mind flicked back to the fear he saw in her eyes when she answered the door. Cold anger flashed through him. He would find whoever put that fear in his eyes.

  Chapter 11

  “Any update from the police?” Gage asked, the phone tucked against his shoulder as he tossed papers into the shredder. He was ruthlessly going through the old business files. After noting any pertinent information, he was shredding almost everything. He’d decided to call Aidan and try to get some movement on the police investigation of Marley’s robbery.

  “Not much. All they have is what they have. As far as robberies and assaults go, it’s not much. The guy wore a mask and gloves, so we have no fingerprints and no easy way to ID the guy from the surveillance cameras at the building. Marley gave them a good list of what was stolen, but even if something turns up, usually it will have been pawned and resold,” Aidan replied.

  “Fuck. That’s not good enough. I’m going to talk with her friend here and see if she has anything to add. She called her friend the night of the robbery. Maybe she missed a detail with the police. I also want you to follow up on an email she got…” He quickly filled Aidan in on his concerns about the email.

  There was a long silence after he spoke. “Aidan? You still there?”

  Aidan chuckled. “I’m here. Just wondering exactly who this Marley is. She seems, uh, pretty important to you.”

  Gage experienced a flash of anger. His need to protect Marley was fierce. “So what?”

  “So, I don’t know if you ever got involved with any women for more than a few dates, if that. I don’t mean you’re a player, more that you don’t play. At all. If you like Marley, it’s a good thing if you ask me.”

  “I didn’t ask you.” His anger flared again. He didn’t particularly care to field questions about Marley. He was struggling enough to adjust to how she made him feel.

  Aidan’s laugh was full this time. “No, you didn’t. But you’re a good guy, and I think it might do you good to care about someone.”

  Aidan’s comment hit home, piercing right to the heart of why Gage kept women at a distance. Aidan had been on his Navy SEAL team with Matt. He knew how close they were. Matt had been one of Aidan’s best friends too. But Aidan hadn’t watched from a distance when the helicopter carrying Matt exploded in the air, knowing that his body would fall in pieces along with the helicopter and its other occupants and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do but watch helplessly. Gage preferred to feel in control and as if he had the possibility to do something. Matt’s death had been a bleak reminder of the fact that life always threw curve balls. The only thing he had control of in that situation was how he managed his feelings. The possibility of doing something to change the outcome didn’t exist. Gage breathed deeply, forcing the painful memory out of his mind. Aidan was a good friend and meant the best.

  “Maybe so,” Gage finally replied. He took another breath, his next comment startling him as much as it likely did Aidan. “Marley’s something else. I think you’d like her.”

  “I’m sure I would. I’d love to meet her sometime. Meanwhile, I’ll look into that email thing as soon as I can and let you know what I find. I’ll also keep prodding the police.”

  Gage tossed his phone on the desk and walked to the window. The office window faced the slopes. Don was up there working. Gage had quickly realized that Don’s willingness to return to his old job was going to be a major reason he managed to open the lodge. Gage wouldn’t have known where to start when it came to running the lifts. He probably could have fumbled his way through, but it would have been by the seat of his pants. For Don though, it was old hat. Gage also appreciated the fact that Don clearly savored the work. He was busy from sunup until sundown every day, checking in with Gage as he went along. He’d promised his daughter would stop by today to talk about running the kitchen.

  Marley meandered into Gage’s thoughts—her flashing green eyes and those tiny freckles dotting her skin. She stood in the wings of his thoughts all the tim
e now. His feelings for her had created a situation he’d never encountered. Aidan’s point was accurate. Gage didn’t get emotionally involved with women. Distance worked just fine for him. It was clean and uncomplicated, and he could maintain control that way. But he’d never been tempted. He’d thought for years it was a choice, yet now that Marley had blown his well-honed defenses to bits without lifting a finger, he wondered if his control had been an illusion. He simply hadn’t met the woman who mattered enough to tempt him. With Marley, he had. He rolled his shoulders, uncomfortable with the depth of his feelings. He didn’t want to push her away. Frankly, he couldn’t conceive of that. He couldn’t say precisely why, but she tugged at him—down deep. Aside from the fact that his attraction to her was flat off the charts, he liked her. She was practical, smart, funny and loyal. If he’d been asked to say what mattered to him in a person, Marley was all of those things and more—the ephemeral electricity that sparked between them was undeniable.

  The look in her eyes when she opened the door last night tightened his chest. If he thought much about what had happened, he wasn’t sure what he might do. For now, he’d make sure she was safe and coordinate with Aidan to look into things in Seattle. When he’d woken beside her this morning, her auburn hair bright against the pillow, her legs loosely tangled with his, it occurred to him that he assumed he’d be with her every night. He wasn’t so sure he was ready for that, nor her. But he wanted her to be safe, and he knew she’d be safe if she were with him. Besides, it just felt…right.

  He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Glancing around the office, he noted that he was almost done with the files. He tugged the last file drawer open and plowed through it. After he was done, he texted Marley to tell her he’d be by later. When he walked out of the office, he heard voices toward the front. He made his way out there and found Don leaning against the reception desk talking with an unfamiliar woman.

  As soon as the woman turned toward him, he knew she had to be Don’s daughter. She had Don’s blue eyes and smile paired with honey gold hair.

  “You must be Delia,” Gage said as he approached them.

  Don chuckled and winked. “That she is.” He turned to Delia.” Honey, this is Gage. His grandparents used to run this place and he’s taking over. He’s desperate for a cook.”

  Delia’s smile was wide as she strode to Gage, her hand held out. Her grip was strong and firm.

  “It’s like your dad said, I’m desperate for a cook. More specifically, I’m desperate for someone to manage the kitchen and perhaps help me hire some staff for the front here. Your dad said you might be willing to help out. I’ll pay you well if you’re interested.”

  Delia angled her head to the side. “Don’t you want to interview me first?”

  Gage shrugged. “I trust your dad. I don’t think he’d suggest you if he didn’t think it would work.”

  Don chuckled again, shaking his head.

  Delia glanced between them. “Well, how about we play it by ear? I was with my mom all the time here. I’m not worried about the cooking part, but I can’t say I’ve run an entire kitchen before, so we’ll have to see how it goes.” Her eyes became hesitant. “Are you going to mind if I bring my son with me sometimes?”

  “Of course not. That’s how it was with your mom. She never minded kids around. I wouldn’t want it to be any different now.” Gage couldn’t help but smile. His memories here, those memories he’d clung to for so many years before he discarded them, were of a place he always felt welcome. He wouldn’t want it any other way.

  Delia’s return smile was bright. “I think we have a deal. Dad tells me we have a lot to do in the next month to have this place ready to go by Christmas. When do you want me to start?”

  “Tomorrow?”

  Delia’s eyes widened. “Tomorrow?”

  Don clapped Gage on the shoulder. “Hon, I told you Gage would put you to work right away.”

  Delia nodded slowly. “Okay. I can probably make that work.”

  After a few more minutes discussing some plans, Delia went her way. Don beamed at Gage, his eyes damp. “Thank you,” he said gruffly.

  Gage shrugged. “I think I’m supposed to be thanking you for finding me a cook I can trust right off the bat.”

  Don shook his head. “It feels good to have this place on its way back. I’ve missed Sandy so much it hurts these last few years, but being here is nothing but good memories. It’ll be pretty nice to have Delia around. Delia’s been at loose ends. Went to college, fell in love, got pregnant and then got dumped. She’s a damn good mom, but it hasn’t been easy on her own. She was all worried about what to do about her little boy Nicholas, so you made her day by saying it’d be okay if he was here sometimes. She won’t bring him everyday, but here and there it’ll be nice for her. She’s been working odd jobs, but hasn’t found anything that works out great for her. I think this might be a good thing. That’s why I’m thanking you.”

  Gage’s chest tightened. All the years of childhood dreams of being back at the ski lodge had been so vague. He’d never considered how much this place meant to some of the people who worked here, or to the locals in Diamond Creek. As a man who’d led a private, structured life and learned the painful lessons grief had to offer, he’d responded by compartmentalizing his life, rarely allowing anyone new into his personal circle. Marley had slipped through the cracks of his heart in her own way. Don and now Delia touched another corner of his heart. He knew he was lucky to have her and Don and was happy to give her the chance to work at the lodge.

  He took a breath, met Don’s eyes and nodded. “Well, I guess we’re even then. I’m glad it feels good on your end, but I can’t tell you how glad I am you offered to come back. I don’t know if I could pull this off without your help. Before I got here, I had high hopes, but I hadn’t really thought through the logistics of it. Pretty damn sure I might have crashed and burned if you hadn’t come along.”

  Don held his gaze and nodded slowly. “Glad to be here.” He looked out the window. The sun was already sliding down behind the mountains even though it was only four in the afternoon. The days were shortening rapidly with winter solstice roughly a month away. Don looked back toward him. “I’ve gotta head back up to grab my tools before it gets dark. I’ll catch you in the morning, okay?”

  After Don left, Gage returned to the office and tidied the mess he’d created. He sat at his desk and quickly checked his email. Out of curiosity, he took a look at the lodge website. Marley had done a beautiful job. Gage couldn’t quite believe it, but seeing the website made his dream feel real. He clicked on the blog page and his heart clenched. Marley had taken photos of his different projects with cute captions. She’d thrown in some wildlife photos—a moose nibbling on alder by the lodge, a raven flying across one of the trails, and an eagle sitting on the signpost. Her updates were light, breezy and inviting. He noticed she’d posted an update this morning announcing they were already almost fully booked for the week after Christmas. His heart squeezed, and he lost his breath for a moment.

  His discarded childhood dream was coming true. Marley’s involvement only made it sweeter, and he didn’t quite know what to do with the feeling. He took another slow breath. His phone beeped, indicating a text had arrived. He glanced down to see Marley had replied to his earlier text.

  Okay. What time?

  His heart clenched, this time for a different reason. He hated that it was important for her to know what time, so she wouldn’t be startled by his arrival. It seemed trivial, but it wasn’t. After what had happened, the last thing she needed was anyone showing up unannounced. He was frustrated with himself for not thinking about that last night when he went over there. The anger he’d been trying to keep at bay flashed through him. He needed answers and fast on who was sending her those damn emails and who was behind the robbery. He knew he couldn’t erase what happened for her, but he wanted her to have closure. That meant finding answers.

  He glanced
at his phone and typed his reply.

  How about six? Can I take you out to dinner?

  After long moments of staring at his phone with no reply from her yet, Gage stood and went to grab the tools he’d left in another wing. He’d methodically made his way through the lodge handling the minor interior repairs. All that was left was for him to hire a cleaning crew and then deal with the new furniture. It had already arrived, and he’d stored it in the basement until the place was cleaned.

  When he returned to his office, his phone lit up with her reply.

  Six works. I’m meeting Ginger at Sally’s. How about I meet you there? You’re welcome to join us.

  He grinned. Any chance to see Marley made him feel like a teenage boy again. Tech savvy though she was, Marley didn’t engage in the banter so many others did with texting. She was short and to the point. He liked it because it was like her—without artifice. If dinner with Marley meant Ginger would be there, Gage would go along though he selfishly wanted her for himself.

  ***

  Marley took a look around Sally’s as she walked in. It was just as she recalled. Sally’s was a hopping local hangout—a restaurant that served basic pub fare and a bar that kept busy year round with music acts booked through every season. It was in a renovated barn with the place divided into the bar and restaurant sections. The old hayloft held overflow seating for the restaurant. She scanned the restaurant and spied Ginger sitting at a booth. She quickly made her way over and slid into the booth.

  Ginger looked up from the menu and squealed. “Marley girl!”