He had said to make herself at home, but she didn’t know what that meant. She had wanted to unpack her clothes, but didn’t know where to put them. She knew she should work on her new novel, but couldn’t get into it. She usually worked on a large table, spreading the mess of her research papers around her living room in miniature stacks of organization. Though, to everyone else it looked like a tree exploded.
She doubted Everest would welcome such a mess into his neatly organized life. He was perhaps the cleanest man she had ever met. But what else did he have to do, being trapped alone in the mountains all year round?
So instead she spent the hours wandering his home, familiarizing herself with her surroundings. Even the man’s kitchen and bathroom cabinets were neatly arranged and organized to annoying perfection. Chloe thought of her own messy apartment and was ashamed. Then, with nothing better to do, she decided she would try cooking. She wasn’t a gourmet chef, but surely she could handle a simple meal for two. She had snooped through the kitchen so she had a basic idea where he kept everything. Everest would have to come back to eat sometime and she felt she had better do something to make her stay with him as painless as possible.
Everest hadn’t asked her to invade his home or his privacy. She had to remind herself that he was a man used to being alone. Their marriage, after all, was mostly her fault. She shouldn’t have drunk so much on the plane. She shouldn’t have dialed the wrong room number. She should have met Paul before they were to be married.
Sighing, Chloe knew it was doing her no good to dwell on what was already done. Instead, she tried to concentrate on what she needed to do. Only, she wasn’t sure what that was.
Chapter Twelve
Everest tightened a loosened bolt on the power generator. He had spent most of the morning doing maintenance on the old generators and plumbing system. Without constant attention they could stop working, the pipes would freeze, and he would be stuck without electricity and water. He had survived without the comforts before, but didn’t think that his houseguest would be so inclined.
Everest could tell immediately that the city woman didn’t belong in this world. She didn’t seem prone to the type of hard work it took to survive in the wilderness. She was pampered and rich—one could tell that by merely looking at her, from her designer jeans to her turtleneck sweaters. And yesterday she had been in a tailored business suit.
Everest marveled that he could have mistaken her for a high dollar prostitute. Thinking of her outraged expression when he had offered her money brought a smile to his face. She was going to be quite a diverting amusement if anything.
Deciding that he was finished, he grabbed a towel hanging on the shed wall. He slowly wiped his hands. The shed was kept warm, so the insulated pipes wouldn’t freeze as they poked above ground. Slipping on his coat, he opened the door and made the trek to the house.
The snow drifted silently from the purpling sky, keeping in spirit of the mild autumn snowfall that had been plaguing the mountains. Everest smiled in distraction, loving the gentle falling flakes. He stomped his feet on the porch before going inside.
“Hello.”
Everest froze as he heard a cheery voice calling from his kitchen. For a moment the sound took him by surprise. He was not used to noise in his home, especially not of a feminine nature. Astonished that she sounded so pleasant, he shrugged out of his coat. He had expected her to be moping.
“Hello,” he answered carefully. His stomach growled as he smelled food. Needlessly, he asked, “Did you make something?”
“Yeah, an omelet.” Chloe came to the kitchen door and leaned against the frame. She wiped her hands on one of his towels. The scene made him a bit uncomfortable. She paused, before admitting, “I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t have too much to do so I thought I’d make dinner.”
“That’s fine, I told you to make yourself at home.” Everest gave her a hesitant nod as he hung up his coat. There was an awkward silence that neither one of them knew how to fill.
Finally, she offered weakly, “I wasn’t sure what you liked.”
“That’s fine. I don’t expect you to cook for me. I’ll grab a sandwich.” Everest bent over and pulled off his boots. Clumps of snow fell on the floor.
“I meant that I didn’t know what to put in yours, or if you even liked eggs. I assumed you did because there were so many of them in the refrigerator.” Chloe stopped talking with a little groan. She wondered what the point was in trying. The man didn’t seem to engage in conversation too often. Every time he spoke to her it was like pulling teeth to get anything out of him.
“Thank you,” he answered in a murmur, as he crossed over to the kitchen in wool socks.
Chloe swept her lashes down over her eyes. His body turned to the side as he passed, brushing up against hers. A pretty blush fanned over her cheeks at the contact and she swallowed as she looked up into his steady gaze.
His shirt was warm. It threw off an intense heat from his chest that jumped onto her tingling skin. With only a hairsbreadth of space between their bodies, Chloe swayed slightly toward him. Her breasts grazed lightly into his chest. She watched as his narrowed eyes dipped to her mouth in question. She licked her lips, waiting breathlessly for his touch.
His hands rose, lightly caressing her arms in a soft stroke. Her skin instantly blossomed in gooseflesh. Stiffening suddenly, he mumbled, “Excuse me.”
Everest hurriedly moved past. He seemed to say all the right, polite things, but Chloe wanted more. She wanted him to engage in a conversation with her. She wanted him to come back and finish what she read in his lustful eyes.
Frustrated, she followed him to the table, grabbing a plate from the countertop on the way. As he sat, she set a plate before him. Then, going to the sink she got him a glass of water. With a wary smile, she said, “Grandpa did take the mattress out of the spare room.”
“Hmm,” Everest acknowledged as he took a bite. He acted like nothing happened. Nonchalantly, he shrugged and answered, “He said he was going to.”
“I didn’t know if I was supposed to unpack, but I moved my bags in there. His clothes are in the dressers.” Chloe watched him take another bite without comment. She ground her teeth in frustration. “Is that where would you like my things?”
“The spare room’s fine,” he said, not looking at her. His eyes stayed focused on his plate.
“And how are we going to sleep?” she persisted. A blush fanned her cheeks at his sharp gaze.
“Same as last night, I suppose.” He again shrugged, seemingly not giving it much thought.
“I’ll take the floor, if you don’t mind. I don’t want to impose on you by taking your bed. This is your home. I am trying to respect that.” Chloe sighed in frustration. He didn’t seem to be listening. She cocked her head to the side to better study his face.
After a short time he looked up and wiped his mouth with a napkin. He considered her intensely until she looked away. Smiling at the pink tint lining her skin, he uttered, “No imposition. Take the bed. I can behave like a gentleman. And you might as well put your bags in there with you.”
“Fine.” Chloe wanted to throw the towel at his apathetic head, but she doubted it would change his attitude. Instead, she twisted it in her hands.
“This was good,” he said, pointing to his empty plate. In a low, steady voice he mumbled, “Thanks.”
Chloe shivered. Somehow, she didn’t believe him. He acted so distant. “I have to meet a deadline. Would you like me to set up my office in your den or your bedroom?”
“Den’s fine. You can use my computer if you like.” Everest stood and brought his plate to the sink.
“I have a laptop,” she answered in terse politeness. Chloe laid the towel by the sink. She had already cleaned her dirty dishes and put them away. Turning abruptly, she left.
Everest’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as she stormed out. He didn’t know what he could have done to make her so angry. He had answered her questions, though he knew he co
uld have been more talkative. She was just so incredibly desirable that he was hard-pressed not to jump over the table and pull her into his arms. Smiling, he rinsed the plate and put it away. With a soft laugh, he went to his locked door and pulled the key from his pocket. Turning it in the latch, his grin widened as he went to work.
Chapter Thirteen
“Where is she, Devon?” Paul Lucas tilted his thin, aristocratic nose in the air. His slender body stayed remarkably still under the brusque movement. “I waited for her in Vegas for a week. She never called. What kind of a business arrangement is this?”
Devon studied the attractive man before her. He was everything Chloe had asked for and yet she doubted her friend knew what those requests had added up to. Devon didn’t care for his pompous attitude. “I explained to you on the phone that she had an emergency meeting at with her editors and then she had to fly to London. It was unavoidable. And as far as a business arrangement goes, we have no contract. I told you she could back out at any time. You agreed to those terms.”
“Are you telling me she is backing out?” Paul was an elegant man, well dressed and from a good family. His overly groomed appearance gave the impression of spoiled money. He now sat on the edge of Devon’s desk. “I will sue for damages. My guess is she won’t like the publicity and will settle out of court.”
Devon stood up in outrage. “I never said that she changed her mind. How dare you make threats? You have no proof of the arrangement. You have no case.”
“That is where you are wrong.” Paul laughed. “I have plenty of proof. I tape record all of my conversations, especially the ones in hotel rooms—in Vegas.”
Devon shut her mouth and glared at him.
“I would think you’d better find my blushing bride quickly. I’m not a patient man.” Paul stood and wiped his hands together.
“How long are you giving me?” Devon inquired.
“One week,” Paul answered. “You should be able to get her on a flight back here by then.”
“I need two.” Devon tilted her chin up.
“Done. But I want word in one.” Paul leaned forward to tweak her chin. “And don’t tell my bride of this new arrangement. I wouldn’t want her thinking less of me.”
“Get out of my office.” Devon pointed her shaking hand to the door.
Paul laughed, but leisurely did as she commanded.
Chapter Fourteen
A few days passed since her first night at the lodge, as Chloe now thought of Everest’s mountain home. She spent most of her days in the den, organizing her research to start on her new novel. She was really behind schedule and found it difficult to work in the strange surroundings with the ever looming presence of such a virile man. She tried to keep her mess to a minimum, so as not to upset Everest’s neat and organized life. She was amazed to discover that he was clean all the time, and had yet to see him leave messes sit for more than the time it took for him to clean it up. At home, she barely even made her bed in the morning. In fact, she couldn’t recall ever making her bed since she lived on her own.
Everest pretty much kept to himself. She only saw him at dinner when she cooked for him. So far she had only made him egg dishes. She was afraid that she was soon going to have to confess that eggs were all she knew how to prepare.
Chloe had no inkling as to what Everest did during the day, because she locked herself in the den and worked nonstop. He never interrupted her and he never asked to see what she was doing. She was grateful for the privacy, but did desire human contact every once in a while. As far as contact was concerned, she wanted more from Everest then his conversation.
Hell, she thought in womanly frustration. I don’t care if a single word is uttered from his lips, so long as his body does the actual talking.
Deciding that it was about time to cook dinner, she let loose a long gush of air. Instantly, her limbs shook with a nervous excitement. She shut off her laptop and closed her notebook. Going to the kitchen, she noticed Everest was gone. He always disappeared this time of day. She wished that he would tell her where he went and what he did, but when she tried to talk to him he would only give her brief answers. Being a writer, she was very curious by nature and his closed-mouthed approach wore her thin.
Grabbing eggs out of the refrigerator she decided on scrambled with bacon. She had to admit she was growing tired of eggs. But it wasn’t exactly like she could order out for anything or call one of her father’s maids. And she definitely wasn’t about to fix him one of her experimental cooking dishes. He might be frustrating, but she didn’t want to kill him.
It took her only a moment to prepare and she set the plates on the table. With perfect timing, Everest walked in as he had every night. Chloe felt her breath catch. All frustration melted from her when she looked at him, to be replaced by an intense longing. Her flesh began to tingle, making her body ache. She was never going to last three months. Could a person die from sexual frustration? What had happened to her? She’d never been this wanton before.
Everest eyed the plates, but said nothing. He didn’t seem to notice her turmoil.
“How was your day?” Chloe asked, knowing she was going to get a one-word answer.
“Fine,” he said. His voice sent chills over her spine.
“Mine, too.” Chloe sat down and stabbed an egg. Taking a bite, she sat her fork down and grimaced at the plate.
Everest eyed her disinterest before smiling devilishly. “Novel not going well?”
Chloe looked up in surprise. He was actually talking to her? She almost didn’t know how to answer.
“No,” she stammered. “It’s fine. I’m behind schedule, but it’s coming.”
“Hmm.” He mumbled as he ate. “Not hungry?”
“No,” Chloe answered. She finally was granted her wish for conversation and now she didn’t know what to say to him. His rapt attention made her tremble with an unwavering desire to rip off his clothes.
Hell, thought Chloe, I want to rip off his clothes when he’s not talking to me. I am a very bad girl.
Everest sat his fork down and leaned back in his chair. His handsome gaze lit with amusement. He crossed his arms over his chest. “You know, I like other things besides eggs. Not that I am complaining.”
Chloe giggled, relieved that someone finally had said it.
“Something amusing?” Everest asked, amazed by the way her laughter bubbled from her storm-colored gaze. His eyes went to her finely arched lips. He longed to kiss her. Every time she was near him, he could smell the sweet scent of her perfume and he didn’t think he could put off his desires much longer. His loins urged him to possess her, trying to take over his mind with its persistent insanity. During the night he would awaken, rock hard and ready for action. Once he had even caught himself at the bedroom door before jerking fully awake.
“No.” Chloe breathed as she wiped a tear from her eye. Humbly, she admitted, “It’s the only thing I know how to make. My father didn’t think it necessary for me to learn. So in the morning when he was gone the maids would show me how to make breakfast. But we only got to the eggs before he found out. And I was so close to graduating to pancakes.”
Everest laughed softly at the lively way she told her story. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Chloe smile faded at his masculine laugh. It was really the first time that she had heard it, other than to poke fun at her when she first arrived.
“Something the matter?” he inquired.
“Ah, no,” Chloe lied. His laugh had disturbed her. Its deep melody shook her insides until she thought she might melt. The tension between their bodies was palpable.
“What do you say I cook tomorrow? We can have steak.” Everest smiled as he picked up his fork and began to eat.
Chloe forced a smile to her tight lips and nodded her head, knowing the conversation was over.
Chapter Fifteen
Chloe waited in nervous anticipation all day. She felt like a schoolgirl going on a date for the first time. The sound
of his masculine laughter stayed in her head and she remembered his passionately gentle kiss from the first night of her stay. She wanted him. There was no way around it. She wanted him like she had wanted no one else. And she didn’t know what to do about it.
She knew that she had Paul waiting for her. She knew that she would be divorcing Everest and that there was no way that they could stay together. The biggest reason being, he didn’t want it. The second being she couldn’t see their lifestyles working together. She was a rich girl from New York with a career and a life. He was a country boy from the mountains and she wasn’t sure what he did for a living or if he even worked.
She took her time getting dressed. Her wardrobe didn’t give her many options and she was getting down to her last outfit. She needed to ask him about the laundry. Chloe wished that she had packed her more comfortable stay-at-home clothes. She was tired of the nice sweaters and the designer jeans. She wanted her sweats and T-shirts.
Just when she thought she could wait no longer, it was time. She moved to the kitchen, led by the smell of steaks on a grill. Leaning by the frame of the door, her breath deepened. Everest stood over the stove. He had pulled down a section above the flat burners that she hadn’t even noticed before. It was an artfully arranged makeshift grill.
“That looks really good,” Chloe admitted, her tone a bit husky.
Everest turned at the sound of her sultry voice. “You’re early.”
“I couldn’t wait. I smelled it in the den.” Chloe blushed. “Can I help?”
“No, I don’t need eggs.” Everest shot her a captivating grin as he continued about his work.
It took Chloe a moment to realize he teased her. She smiled back and sat down at the table. She watched quietly as he finished preparing their plates.
Mountain's Captive Page 7
