Going The Distance (Four Corners Book 3)

by Artemis Anders

“I wasn’t about to accept help from some strange dude I’ve never seen before.”

  “Bullshit. You weren’t taking help from anyone.”

  She pointed her fork at him. “Exactly.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I like figuring things out myself.”

  “Even if it puts you in danger.”

  “Even if it puts me in danger.” She popped another bite of the delicious steak into her mouth and cut another piece.

  “I take it you like the steak,” he said, glancing down at her already half-eaten hunk of meat.

  “I love all food. But especially grilled steak. Thank you, by the way. In case I forget to say it when I leave.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “So, working the High Peaks race. Is that something you do every year?”

  He shook his head. “This was my first time. I moved here a year ago.”

  Hannah stared at him. “How have you lived in this community for a year and I’ve never seen you?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t get out much, unless it’s in the backcountry.”

  “Where’d you move from?”

  Cain hesitated, looking away for just a moment. “From the Army.”

  “Oh, so you’re an Army doctor.”

  “Sort of. I’m out now.”

  “Huh.” She nodded. “That explains a lot.”

  “Like what?”

  “Your no-bullshit bedside manner, for one thing.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Hey, I let you cry on my shoulder, remember?”

  “I mean that in a good way. I like it.”

  He looked surprised at that. Then he took on a more self-satisfied look. “I hope so. You’d be a hypocrite if you didn’t. You’re about as no-bullshit as anyone I’ve ever met, male or female.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said, sipping her water.

  “You should. It’s refreshing.”

  “You said you just started your job. What have you been doing out here for a year?”

  Cain hesitated again. “Communing with nature. Being Grizzly Adams.”

  She smiled. “Chopping wood and hanging with the bears?”

  “More or less.”

  Hannah could tell there was more to that story, but she wasn’t going to press. Honesty was one thing, but getting personal with a virtual stranger was quite another.

  “What do you do?” Cain asked, taking another sip of his bourbon. “For work?”

  “I work for Athena.”

  “The women’s fitness company.”

  She nodded. “I’m an editor there.”

  He nodded, his dark eyes traveling down her body and back up again. “I could see that.”

  Another tingling sensation ran through Hannah, this one starting at her shoulders and traveling down to her hands and feet. She looked away, focusing on her rapidly diminishing plate of food.

  The sun had dipped behind the mountains, and the sky took on a deep blue as evening turned to dusk. Crickets chirped nearby as the two of them finished their plates in silence. And when Hannah pushed her plate away and sat back in her chair, she realized it was the first sense of peace and relaxation she’d felt in a long time. She wasn’t sure how long, but longer than she could remember. Soon, she shivered, rubbing her hands over her arms. She hadn’t brought a jacket. She never thought she’d stay this long.

  Cain stood up suddenly and walked into the house. Hannah watched him, wondering if he’d reached his limit, if it was time for her to go. She stood too, gathering their plates. But when Cain returned, he had a fleece jacket in his hand. He handed it to her.

  “Thank you,” Hannah said, touched by Cain’s thoughtfulness.

  “Have a seat,” he said, taking the plates from her and going back inside.

  Hannah did, putting on Cain’s jacket, feeling warm and toasty in the soft black fleece. It smelled like him, or like she imagined he would smell if she nuzzled up against the crook of his neck. Like male musk and mountain air.

  She shook her head. No. She shouldn’t be thinking like that.

  Should she?

  Cain returned with the bottle of bourbon. “You’re shaking your head.”

  Hannah blinked. Busted.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a random thought.”

  “You warmer now?”

  “I am. Thank you.” She studied him. “You like taking care of people, don’t you?”

  He scowled, like she’d just insulted him. “Where did that come from?”

  Hannah smiled. “Too sappy? Or too personal?”

  Cain chuckled. “You’re a ballbuster, you know that?”

  Hannah giggled at that. She poured herself a little bourbon. When she offered some to Cain, he shook his head and continued sipping what he had left.

  She lifted her glass. “To being honest.”

  “Here here,” Cain said, clinking his glass with hers.

  Hannah sipped her bourbon again. It warmed her insides perfectly.

  “So,” Cain said. “No husband? No kids?”

  “Nope. You?”

  “No husband. I prefer women.” When Hannah gave him a look, he said, “No wife or kids.”

  “Why not?”

  “Do I have to have a reason?”

  “No. I was just curious.”

  “I’m not the marrying kind,” he said, his brown eyes watching her, as if waiting for a reaction.

  “In that you don’t like legal marriage? Or you don’t want to settle down with one woman?”

  “Mostly the former. Although I wonder if settling down isn’t in the cards for me. I like my alone time.”

  A few butterflies swirled in her stomach at that. “Me too. It’s a problem.”

  Cain raised his eyebrows. “You attract guys who want more than you can give them?”

  “Like moths to a flame.”

  “Do you want marriage? Or kids?”

  She thought about that. “Kids? I don’t know. I probably need to decide because I’m thirty-six and, well, you know how that works. And marriage… I don’t care about marriage, and I hate anything having to do with weddings…”

  “Me too. They’re so fucking cheesy.”

  “Totally. But… in the interest of honesty… I wouldn’t mind having a partner. Someone who understands me. My closest friends have found these great guys, and I’m busy offending men for wanting my space. So now I’m stuck hobbling to the grocery store by myself on a jacked-up foot.”

  Cain nodded, staring at her with his brown eyes, the eyes that conveyed so much, yet you weren’t quite sure what it all meant. The way he looked at her made her feel a little wobbly inside, like she was glad she was sitting down. Then, it occurred to her that maybe she’d invaded Mr. Alone Time’s private life long enough. In her world, and probably Cain’s world too, overstaying your welcome was a punishable crime.

  “I should get home,” she said, sipping her last swig of the delicious bourbon, “and leave you to your alone time.” She stood up, grimacing just a little and shifting her weight to her right foot. She collected the empty glasses and brought them inside.

  Cain followed.

  Hannah set the glasses in his sink. Then her eye was drawn to the bookshelf again. It was sort of on her way out, and she slowed down to catch a glimpse of a few titles. Classics—Dickens, the Odyssey, Moby Dick. Stories about men on difficult journeys.

  “You like to read?” he said, watching her.

  She nodded. “English major… well, that and business.”

  “There you go. Something to do while you’re laid up.”

  “I prefer to be outside.”

  “Then read outside.”

  Hannah smiled a little, already beginning to get used to Cain’s blunt, matter-of-fact way. She knew he was right, that there was a solution to her temporary ban from running or being active, but she wasn’t going to admit it.

  When she headed to his front door, Cain followed. She picked up her purse and her keys, and opened his door.
Suddenly, the door wouldn’t open any more, and Hannah realized it was because Cain had blocked it with his hand. He stood only inches from her, his dark eyes looking down into hers.

  “Are you sure you have to leave?” he said.

  Hannah stared at Cain, hardly knowing what to think. He stared back, those eyes watching her, sending shivers through her entire body.

  Maybe she did have to leave. Maybe she should. But she realized that he didn’t want her to leave… and she didn’t want to, either.

  Before she could say anything, Cain stood even closer to her, so close that she could smell his masculine scent and feel his heat. He shoved the door closed, and gently pushed her back against the door, caging her in with his arms.

  And then he kissed her.

  Chapter Seven

  Hannah lost track of everything as Cain’s lips met hers. Gently he kissed her, almost tentatively, as if momentarily unsure if it was the right thing to do. But soon, he cast aside any hesitation and kissed her harder, his tongue finding hers, tasting her as she tasted him, just a hint of bourbon on his breath.

  Hannah hooked her finger into the belt loop of Cain’s shorts, yanking him closer, until his solid bulk pressed her against the door. She kissed him, trapped by him, a prisoner to his mouth and his body and the desire that burst from him, and enjoying every moment of it. She felt his hardness pressing into her as his lips traveled to her neck, sending goosebumps down her entire left side. She let out a sigh, losing herself in him.

  He kissed her lips again, and Hannah clung to his belt loops, pulling him as close as she could, closing any remaining space between them. Cain’s breathing grew heavier, his kiss more urgent, filling Hannah with need, until he pulled away suddenly, freeing her.

  Cain’s eyes, alight with all sorts of things she’d never seen in them before, met hers for just a moment before raking down her body. They traveled back up again, stopping at the black fleece jacket he’d loaned her. He slowly unzipped it, then slid his hands underneath the shoulders and peeled it off her, tossing it aside.

  His eyes journeyed up some more, focusing on something that seemed to hold his interest. He reached out and took her ponytail, pulling it forward and stroking it a few times. And all Hannah could think was that she wanted to stay right here for that moment, with Cain’s dark eyes gazing at her, and his gentle hands on her. She wondered what else he could do with those hands.

  “I want to see your hair down,” he said, his eyes shifting to hers.

  Hannah reached up and removed the elastic band that held her ponytail, letting her long blonde hair cascade down over her shoulders and chest. Cain watched, as if completely caught up.

  “How’s that foot?” he murmured, still playing with her hair.

  Her foot? Oh, that. She’d forgotten all about it. But once reminded, she realized it could use a rest. “It hurts a little.”

  Cain bent down and grabbed her, lifting her off the hardwood floor and cradling her in his arms. No one had ever picked her up like that before, but with Cain it felt completely natural. She held onto him while he headed toward his bedroom, rotating her body through the door so her head and feet wouldn’t hit the door frame. His bedroom was dark and cool, the shades pulled. Cain lowered her onto his bed.

  Before he could make another move or even join her on the bed, Hannah sat up and reached for the closest thing—his belt loops—and pulled him closer. Now that this was going to happen, she didn’t want to wait another moment before getting what she suddenly needed more than anything. Him. Right now.

  As she unbuttoned his shorts, she looked up at him, wondering which expression those eyes would convey this time. Happiness? Tenderness? The fires of lust? But instead they had a glimmer of amusement in them.

  “You think you’re in charge now, huh?”

  Hannah smiled. “Is that a complaint?”

  Cain shook his head.

  Hannah pulled down his shorts as he yanked off his t-shirt, revealing a thick muscled chest. She slid off her tank top, then her black lace bra, the one that had peeked out from the edges of her tank. He yanked off her jeans and panties, and Hannah scooted herself farther back onto the bed.

  Cain stood there for a moment, gazing at her naked body and her hair splayed out on his bed, as if imagining all the things he wanted to do to her. He found his way onto the bed, hovering over her and kissing her again. Softly at first, then harder, as if he couldn’t get enough of the taste of her. Hannah panted beneath him, her hands gripping his hips and pulling at him, pulling him onto her, showing him what she wanted and needed. Cain got rid of his boxer briefs, then reached over and grabbed protection from his bedside table drawer. He rolled it on before thrusting into her.

  Hannah gasped at the feel of him inside her. Oh God, he felt good. So good.

  Cain was like a runaway locomotive—once he got going, he was unstoppable. He thrust into her again, and then again, breathing harder and harder as he pinned her to the bed. Hannah gave in to it all, grabbing him to brace herself, feeling his muscles working as he covered her with his bulk, hearing his breathing grow more labored as she dug her nails into his back. But she wanted more of him. She wanted all of him, all he could give her. As if reading her mind and her eager body, Cain took her arms and pinned them above her head, holding her steady as he thrust harder. She muttered a yes… and when he gave her more, she told him yes again.

  Cain went at her faster, grunting like a wild man, Hannah’s pleasure rising rapidly, climbing and climbing until it started to crash upon her like a burst of explosive heat, searing through her from her head to her toes. She cried out, again and again as he thrust even harder, his skin sliding against hers, his chest smashed against her breasts, his hot grunting breath in her ear, each pounding thrust sending a new wave of ecstasy through her.

  And somewhere in the middle of her euphoric fog, Cain squeezed her wrists with his hands, his body tensing against hers with his effort, his chest glistening with sweat and his tousled hair tickling her face as he gave a last couple of final thrusts.

  “Jesus fuck,” he groaned, his entire body going completely still as his own release took him.

  Hannah let herself collapse underneath him, the weight of him not oppressive, but instead keeping her steady while her legs fell to either side of him. Normally, by now she’d be ready for a man to clear away and give her some space. But now she relished this moment of respite, with Cain splayed on her, still inside her, pulsating with life. Soon, when he came to and the blood returned to his body, he released her arms and peeled himself off of her.

  Cain sat on his knees, catching his breath, resting his hand on her leg. Finally, the big brown eyes found hers. “That was supposed to last a little longer.”

  Hannah smiled a little. “Do I not look satisfied?”

  Cain chuckled. He got up to dispose of their protection. As he did, a thought dawned on her.

  She’d just fucked Grizzly. The guy who wouldn’t give her directions. The doctor who told her that her race was over and that she’d trained all wrong. The taciturn, unreadable man who liked his alone time as much as she did.

  It surprised her.

  But it didn’t disturb her. At all.

  Still, Hannah sat up, knowing what came next. It was time to leave. She scooted to the edge of the bed, spotting her undies nearby, their black lace standing out on Cain’s off-white rug.

  “Going somewhere?”

  Hannah looked up to see Cain standing there, still completely naked, eyeing her with a perplexed look. “Home,” she said, smiling.

  “We haven’t even done the cuddle thing.”

  “I hate cuddling.”

  He sighed. “Yeah. Me too.”

  Hannah began putting on her undies. “Look, Grizzly. You offered some good advice, fed me a great dinner, and gave me a hell of an orgasm. I think you’re done.”

  He gave a half smile, folding his arms over his chest. “You don’t want to stay a while?”

  “I wouldn’t say
that.” Hannah slid on her jeans and found her bra and tank. “But I need to work in the morning, and I want you to have your alone time.”

  “And for you to have yours.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe.” She stood up, placing a hand on his chest briefly before going out to the main room. The sliding glass door was still open, and the evening mountain air wandered in, carrying the scent of pine trees and casting a chill over her. She eyed Cain’s fleece jacket, lying near the door.

  “Take it with you,” he said. He stood nearby, still buck-ass naked. “Bring it back when you visit again.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “I’m visiting again?”

  He nodded.

  Hannah smiled and picked up his jacket, wrapping it around her shoulders. “I had a nice time.”

  “Me too.”

  She grabbed her purse and keys.

  “You have a phone number?” he said.

  She smirked. “Why? You want it?”

  He shrugged. “In case you forget to return my jacket.”

  Hannah giggled and dug through her purse for a pen.

  “Just tell it to me,” he said. “I’ll remember.”

  Hannah told him her phone number, and Cain gave a single nod, as if committing it to memory. She wondered if that was a ploy he used. If he didn’t call, a woman could assume that he’d forgotten her number, rather than forgotten her. She could hardly hold it against him if he did either. She’d certainly forgotten her share of men. And Cain owed her nothing.

  “Go ice that foot, Grace,” he said, glancing down at her left foot. “It’s swollen.”

  “I will. Grizzly.”

  Cain’s eyes twinkled again. And that’s when she realized it. He liked it when she called him that. He liked it when she gave him shit, and when she spoke her mind. She opened the door, and then paused when she had another thought.

  “By the way, Grizzly, why Grace Kelly?”

  “Because you’d clearly tripped and fallen, and you had that ball-busting way about you.” He gave a wry smile. “I was being ironical.”

  She nodded at his answer, which was more or less what she’d expected. But she couldn’t help but chuckle at his use of “ironical.” Only someone with a literary streak would use that word. “Are you really allowed to say ‘ironical’ when you’re that naked?”