Winter Heat, Part 3

by Larissa Emerald

  Sliding a hand into his hair, she kissed him in desperation. She thrust her hips, eager to connect in a primal way. He emitted a low, throaty growl as he lifter her until her feet left the floor. She draped both arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around him. His hand cupped her bottom as his tongue delved deep, exploring, claiming.

  Fiery sparks licked from her core to her abdomen. Her nipples tightened.

  Breaking the kiss, she threw her head back, pressing harder against his strong body, wanting more.

  “I’ve waited for this since I first saw you.” He kneaded her bottom as if it was the best thing in the world and then ran his fingers down under her crotch, following the seam of her jeans in a way that sent shivers through her.

  She moaned and ground her hips to increase the contact.

  With powerful strides, he carried her upstairs to the bed. Dipping kisses along her neck down to the swell of her breasts, he nosed her neckline lower, lifting her higher to have better access. His teeth found a nipple through her T-shirt. Air rushed down her throat on her inhaled gasp.

  He eased her down to the bed, covering her completely, kissing her deeply again. He tasted so good, with a slight hint of whiskey. She couldn’t get enough of him. Skin. She’d die if she didn’t feel his skin.

  Her hands tugged at his shirt, and in a frantic peeling of clothing, they undressed each other.

  His shirt was the first to go, and she stroked his biceps, running her hands up and over his shoulders, down along his pecs covered with just the right amount of hair.

  Once he freed her of her shirt and bra, he went for her breasts like a starved man. She moaned as he cupped them, buried his face in the soft cleft, and then explored her nipples, languidly pulling, sucking, and licking them into peaks.

  Never in her life had she felt such a burning, furious, and consuming sexual desire. She reached for the front of his pants, undid them, and pushed them lower until she held his erection. Ah.

  He snapped his head back with a deep groan, the muscles in his neck straining. “You’ll kill me if you keep doing that.”

  Cool air breezed over her as he pulled away to strip off his pants and briefs. Her eyes followed the flip of a foil-wrapped condom as it landed on the sheets. Which meant he wouldn’t stop this time. She smiled as she admired the view and hurriedly shimmied out of her own pants, mirroring him without taking her eyes off his gorgeous, taught body.

  He leaned over her, slowly exploring between her legs and then tracing her in tight, unhurried circles around her clit. Her hips lifted as she felt slick need in each stroke. “Now. Please.”

  He chuckled and bent over her breast instead, taking a nipple into his mouth. His free hand kneaded her other breast, with his fingers running over that nipple, too. He kept it up, teasing and stroking her, until she told him with a throaty moan what she wanted most.

  When he sat back, she reached for him, craving to touch him as he had her. “This is way better than my fantasies. Or even our snow excursion.” Her breath came out in a rush.

  “I’d like to hear about those fantasies,” he groaned as she slid her hand around his length, and his cock jumped. “Later.”

  Watching her intently, he groped for the condom, tore it open, pushing her hand away as he rolled it on. He parted her lips as he positioned himself against her center and rubbed his knuckle over her swollen clit. But she was too anxious to take it slow and careful. She arched into him, feeling his bulbous tip enter and stretch her. “Yes.”

  He pushed in gradually all the way, then pulled out. And it felt incredible. Push. Pull. The tempo increasing with the beat of her heart, the strain of her body, the escalation of sensation as she matched his thrusts until she was bursting, grabbing at his sweat-slicked shoulders, trying to control what he wouldn’t allow her.

  From beneath lowered lashes, she watched him, hungry to make new fantasies from realities that matched her imagination.

  He was magnificent, his muscles bunched, his body arched, his jaw clenched. His watchful eyes and the beads of sweat on his brow told her he controlled each movement, maneuvering with perfect technique for her utmost pleasure.

  The hard length of him gliding over her, ignited a blaze of delicious sensation, until she pulsed with spasms and swelled as heat radiated through her like wild strokes of red on a canvas. Her body burned with flourishing awareness. On a gasp, she dug her fingers into his shoulders and wrenched her legs around him, forcing him still deeper.

  * * *

  It had taken every ounce of concentration Jared possessed to resist the temptation of increasing the tempo. She felt so damn, damn good. But after the deep drive she’d now initiated, the one that must have taken him to the heart of her womb, he met her run-away cadence, beat for beat, thrust to thrust.

  “Jared,” she cried out with her orgasm. He gave a final drive, releasing his own climax, drawing her tighter into his arms, savoring the sweet feel of her body pulsing against him.

  He moaned. It had been far too long since he’d been with a woman. But, even so, that didn’t explain why his feelings were so intense with Kelsey.

  * * *

  When Kelsey opened heavy eyelids, it was morning and Jared wasn’t in bed beside her. The covers were thrown back, his pillow still creased with an indent from last night’s sleep. A wave of disappointment washed over her. Of course he would leave—they were nothing to each other.

  Kelsey rose and took a quick shower. She didn’t want to linger and think about how incredible last night was. It would only bring the sting of his departure to the surface, make it sharper. So she moved swiftly through her usual routine of drying her hair, when she smelled—bacon.

  She couldn’t stop the giddy smile that spread across her lips. Throwing on her shirt and pulling on her jeans, she heard whistling…from downstairs. He hadn’t left after all.

  She bounded down the stairs, following the surprising, yet delicious, aroma. Jared was in the kitchen cooking breakfast. She rounded the counter, and he met her between the stove and sink. He pulled her into an embrace that felt way too familiar and comfortable, and kissed her.

  “Morning,” he said with a smile.

  She fingered the uncombed hair at his temple. “You should have woken me up.”

  He shrugged. “I figured you needed the rest.”

  “I guess I did,” she reluctantly admitted. She was more tired than she thought, and she had to confess that the ordeal with the dead animal had taken its toll. And in the height of all that angst she’d turned to sex—amazing sex—as an escape. But, damn, it had been a good one.

  His hand slid down to her butt for a second before he stepped back to the stove.

  “And he cooks, too?”

  “Actually, I’m pretty good.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.” She looked at him from beneath her lashes. She’d learned last night that he was talented at many things.

  He chuckled. “Let’s eat.”

  He picked up the plates, and she grabbed their drinks, leading him to the dining nook. They sat at the round pub table she’d found at an estate sale. She had positioned it near the French doors so she could take in the mountain view while she ate. And today she was glad for it as the sun rose from behind the slopes.

  The meal was basic breakfast fare—scrambled eggs, bacon, toast. She hadn’t been to the store lately so she was out of fresh fruit and veggies, but he’d clearly made do. She breathed in the aroma of his coffee, reminded of their breakfast in the café. She watched his strong hands encircle his cup.

  The fact that he’d paid attention and made tea for her was touching.

  “I discovered I get pretty decent phone reception from this spot,” he said. “I got a text from Tiffani that she evidently sent yesterday. She’s been moved to Spalding Rehab Hospital.”

  “That’s great. My dad’s doctors and physical therapy are there. They are the best, simply fantastic.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.”

  She nodded,
chewing a mouthful of eggs. “Mmm. This tastes marvelous.” She devoured every speck on her plate in no time.

  And he just watched her with that roguish grin that made her stomach flutter.

  “Thanks.” He placed his silverware on the plate and pushed it aside. “Listen, I’ve been thinking, maybe I could drive you into Denver today. I’m going to visit Tiffani, anyway. I could drop you and your dad off at his doctor’s office. After what happened last night, I just don’t like the idea of you out on the road alone.”

  “I’m not alone. I’ll have my dad with me.”

  Jared’s brows came together, all worried and intense. “Sorry, but your dad wouldn’t be much help if something happened.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  He pressed his lips into a tight line. Obviously, he didn’t agree. “Let’s exchange phone numbers so I can reach you.”

  “Okay.” She shrugged and grabbed her cell from the side of the table.

  He held out his palm, but she retreated back. “You don’t have to do everything for me,” she shot him a saucy smile. “What’s your number?”

  They traded information, and she wondered if this was a step toward a real relationship. “There,” she said…now you can call me.

  To her surprise, though, he didn’t make a deal over the exchange. He simply gathered the dishes, took them into the kitchen, and loaded them in the dishwasher. She followed his lead with the glasses.

  He glanced at the clock, and she noted the time as he did. It was almost eight. “I better get to my place and change. Sheriff Cameron will be here soon,” he said. He placed a finger beneath her chin, tipping her head up and kissed her. “Lock the door after I leave.”

  Kelsey nodded. “Thank you for breakfast.”

  “My pleasure,” he said, his lips tilting into a smirk.

  Not only yours, she thought as he swept out the door.

  * * *

  Jared waited after he closed the door behind him to hear the slide of the lock. But when he turned to head to his chalet, he met Sheriff Cameron’s charged stare.

  The implications were obvious given Jared was wearing the same rumpled clothes he’d had on last night. Part of him wanted to gloat over the fact that he’d spent the night with Kelsey, to further stake out his territory. Instead he dipped his head in greeting.

  The sheriff pursed his lips. “Where’s Kelsey?”

  “Inside. We just finished breakfast.”

  Cameron raised his chin. “I’m here to look for more evidence, and then I need to check with her. Maybe she’ll recall something else about last night.”

  “Okay. I’ll be back in a bit to see if there’s anything I can do to help.” Just keep your paws off my girl.

  Jared was surprised at how possessive he felt over Kelsey, but he wasn’t going to hover like some jealous boyfriend, so he headed to his chalet where he showered and changed.

  He didn’t take time to pack his bag, though. He had every intention of staying. He just needed to confirm with Kelsey that it was okay to keep the chalet for another day or so—at least until he figured out more about what was going on here. It would require him to alter his schedule, but her safety was worth the effort. Too bad the resort didn’t have a more reliable Internet connection or remaining would be very convenient.

  Maybe too convenient with the way Kelsey made his pulse race.

  But regardless, if these threats were somehow connected to Tiffani’s accident, then he needed to get answers. Discovering where this fascination he had for Kelsey would lead was a fringe benefit. One he could expand on with later trips from Denver if he wanted.

  He wasn’t happy that she hadn’t agreed to ride with him there. He’d just have to follow her in his SUV to make sure she arrived safely. Damn. He should be planning strategy for the hotel purchase he had on his agenda instead of running after a sexy, promising artist. He’d been able to adjust his meeting today, at least, and his president and VP were on target with the deal. His construction company would make the upscale changes he required, as well, so things looked outstanding. That was something he should be thrilled about. But he wasn’t. All he could hear was the voice in his head, whispering the hotel would be there tomorrow, Kelsey may not be.

  Twenty minutes later, he already had his computer in his Escalade and was next door at Kelsey’s place to say goodbye. He knocked. When he heard the muffled “Come in,” he entered, noting the door was no longer locked. Cameron occupied the bar stool where Jared had just eaten breakfast. The man was sipping coffee as if he belonged there. Which, of course, in Jared’s mind, he didn’t.

  “Did you find anything else?” Jared asked the sheriff.

  The man’s brows drew together in what Jared took as reluctance. Then Cameron glanced between Kelsey and Jared and straightened. “There were more footprints crossing from the walk over to the street. A man’s boot, I think. But the fox must have been in a bag or something, because there was no blood trail. By the way, I cleaned up the stains on the stoop.”

  Kelsey wrinkled her nose and shook her head. Jared was watching her carefully, her pale face, the way she shifted in her seat.

  “Haven’t you got to get going?” he prodded her.

  She glance at the clock and hopped off her stool. “I didn’t realize it was so late.”

  Outside, after Jared confirmed Kelsey had locked the door behind her, they all went off in their own directions: Kelsey to her dad’s, Sheriff Cameron and Jared to their respective vehicles.

  The sheriff was well past Kelsey’s dad’s chalet by the time Jared pulled his Escalade over a little ways down the hill. He left the engine running while he waited for Kelsey to get her dad situated. He noted that Mr. Moore was using a walker today, leaving the wheelchair behind. Jared wondered if that was a wise decision given that he might be tired following physical therapy. The man was recovering from a stroke, after all, and his mobility was still impaired. But it wasn’t Jared’s place to interfere.

  Kelsey helped her dad into the passenger side of her vehicle, then paused with her hands on her hips, staring back at Jared. She trekked around the rear of her vehicle and stomped up to his driver’s-side window, which she motioned for him to lower.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.

  “I’m going to follow you into Denver.”

  “Ha! I don’t need an escort. We’ll be fine. This isn’t some movie where the bad guys are going to run me off the road. You’ve been watching too many car chase scenes.”

  “Maybe, but I prefer not to take that chance.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That’s ridiculous.”

  The problem was, Kelsey didn’t think poorly of anyone. He’d only known her a short while, and he could already tell that her Pollyanna view was going to get her in trouble. She was too optimistic to consider the possibility otherwise.

  “I’m going that direction, anyway. I may as well watch your back. By the way, is it okay if I keep my chalet for a few more days? I’m rearranging my schedule. What if the same person is responsible for Tiffani’s accident?”

  Kelsey’s eyes flared for a millisecond before she covered her expression. He witnessed the glimpse of fear she tried to hide with her indignation. “Yes, the extra nights will be fine. We only rent out your particular chalet when we’re full.”

  Or when you want to keep someone in plain sight. Maybe his earlier thought was wrong, and she could, when the circumstances demanded it, be suspicious. Of him.

  He considered his original reason for coming to Chalet Romance—Tiffani. Not for a love affair, man.

  Yet, he couldn’t dismiss the feelings he had for Kelsey. He reached his arm out the window, motioning her closer. “Hey. Come here.” And she did.

  He reached up, circling his hand to the back of her head, and drew her toward him. “Be careful,” he said with his mouth inches from hers. He looked into her wide, hazel eyes and kissed her.

  She kissed him back, with an ardent mouth-crush that made him wish th
ey could go back to her place. When it ended, her tongue swept over her moist lips. He wanted more, but she was already moving away. Damn.

  “I need to stop by the office real quick on my way out,” she said over her shoulder.

  She got into her SUV, and, pulling onto the road in front of his Escalade, he glimpsed her eyes, glancing his way in the rear-view mirror. And he could swear she was smiling.

  And again, he considered the way she was getting to him.

  A distinct pain hit him square in the chest, over his heart as she drove off. Tight, like separation anxiety, but longing, too.

  Jared watched the sensual swing of Kelsey’s hips as she hurried into the lobby. He remembered the tune she was singing when he’d first met her. He thought of her womanly curves and how much he enjoyed making love to her last night. And yes, indeed, driving two hours without her was going to seem like a mighty long time.

  He flipped on the radio to a country station. “Achy Breaky Heart” resonated out of the speakers. Oh, God, he was a doomed man.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Kelsey breezed through the empty lobby and into the small office area located behind the front desk. Monday was their slowest day of the week. Amy had her head down, looking at a magazine. Given the crazy incident last evening, she felt she should at least mention to Amy that something weird was going on. And she couldn’t say anything while she was riding in the car with her dad, so that meant a phone conversation was out.

  “What’s up?” Amy asked as soon as Kelsey walked in.

  “I’m in a hurry, on my way to Denver for Dad’s appointment.”

  “Yeah, I remember. It’s on the calendar.”

  “Anyway, I just popped in to let you know something strange happened at my place last night. A prank, I think.”

  “Oh my gosh. What happened?”

  “I’ll have to explain later. I don’t want dad to be late. I just wanted to let you know that Sheriff Cameron may be roaming the resort today, keeping a look out.”

  Amy plopped the magazine on the desk and leaned forward. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “No. Just let me know if anything out of the ordinary happens,” Kelsey said, moving toward the door.