When she removed her hand, he smiled. “I’m not really sorry. It’s all your fault anyway. You keep tempting me.”
Her heart lifted at his words, but she decided to keep things light. “Tempting you? With what? My sexy ski suit? Or do you find my toque a turn-on?”
He leaned forward and kissed the tip of her cold nose. “It’s the whole cute little package. You’re a pretty good kisser, by the way.”
She feigned offense. “Just pretty good?”
“Okay, you’re a spectacular kisser. Is that better?”
She returned his smile. At least teasing was better than being sorry. “Much better. Now that we’ve established how wonderful I am, do you think we can go back to the cottage? I’m freezing!”
“Yeah, let’s go. It’s time for me to phone Dylan. I can’t put it off any longer.”
“It’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”
He nodded briefly, but she knew he didn’t believe her.
For his sake, she hoped she was right.
Chapter Eight
As soon as they got back into the cottage and removed their outer gear, Noah reached for his phone and dialed Dylan’s number. Renata went upstairs, with Spike following. Noah appreciated that she was giving him privacy, but a part of him wanted to hang onto her for courage.
Dylan’s voice mail clicked on. Frustrated at the delay, he swallowed past the lump in his throat to leave a message.
“Dylan, it’s Noah. I’m home, and I’d like to talk to you. I’m hoping maybe we can meet. Call me.” He left his cell number and hung up.
What did he do now? Would Dylan call him back? He hoped his brother would answer soon, one way or the other, because the waiting was going to kill him.
He called up the staircase. “Renata?”
She hurried down the stairs. “That was fast.”
“The call went straight to voice mail. I left a message.”
She touched his arm. “He’ll call back.”
“I hope so.”
“He will. I have a good feeling.” She dropped her hand and smiled. “In the meantime, I’m hungry. What are you making me for lunch?”
He couldn’t help but smile. Thank God she was here. “Didn’t I just make breakfast for you?”
“That was hours ago. I worked up an appetite shoveling snow.”
He was completely charmed by her. “Okay, fine. Let’s see what’s in the fridge.”
While he heated leftover soup, Renata set the table. Spike plodded down the stairs and sat on his haunches near the table, looking up adoringly at her.
“I think Spike is going to be brokenhearted when you leave here,” he said.
“I think I’m going to be brokenhearted, too.”
The note of sadness in her voice made him look up. Their eyes connected, a sizzle of awareness passing between them, until she looked away and broke the spell.
He ladled soup into their bowls and brought them to the table. He sat across from her, wondering if he should ask if she was okay. But then she smiled, and he thought he must have imagined that she’d actually miss him when the weekend was over.
“Isn’t it beautiful out there?” she said, gesturing to the view of the lake through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
“It’s also ridiculously cold out there.”
“Don’t be such a cynic. There’s not a cloud in the bright blue sky, and the sun is shining for all it’s worth. I can bear the cold as long as there’s sunshine.”
She was right about the view; it was breathtaking. A heavy blanket of immaculate snow covered the lake, and the snow weighing down the tree branches sparkled in the bright sunshine.
“It’s a Christmas card, all right. But it’s going to take me a while to get used to the cold again. I’m not sure I ever will.”
“Does that mean you’ll go back to Africa?”
“I haven’t decided what I’m doing next. It depends on what happens with Dylan.”
“Of course.”
She stuck her spoon into her soup and stirred it around. For someone claiming to be hungry, she wasn’t eating much.
Spike began to whine, begging for food. Renata looked up at him. “Can I give him something?”
“No, he’s already been fed. He’s going to be insufferable if you feed him every time he begs.”
“Aw, come on. Look at that face. How can you say no to those big sad eyes?”
“Like this: No, Spike.”
“Sorry, buddy. I tried,” she said to the dog.
With an indignant look at Noah, Spike headed for the sofa. He climbed up, turned around twice, and dropped. Within moments he was snoring.
“Your heart’s in the right place, but with a dog as big as Spike, if I don’t show him who’s the alpha male around here, he’ll walk all over me. Literally.”
“I suppose that’s true. I’ll try to be more of a disciplinarian.”
“I can’t wait to see that.” He wanted to know more about her. “How long have you known Caroline?”
She took a sip of her soup. “About five years, I think. We first met when we both worked at a big accounting firm. We hit it off right away.”
“And you decided to go into business together.”
“Caroline decided. If it had been up to me, I’d probably still be at my old job. She cajoled and nagged until I gave in.”
“What were you so worried about?”
“A lot of things. Not having enough business, not making as much money as we did before. Mainly just change. I’m not a person who likes to rock the boat.”
“And yet here you are playing hooky.”
She shrugged one small shoulder. “That’s different. My mother is trying to play matchmaker. I want to get married, but not at any cost.”
Renata looked away as if afraid she’d said too much. When she turned back to him it was with a smile.
“So when you came out here as a kid, what did you do on a rainy day when you couldn’t play outside?”
He gave her credit for deftly changing the subject. “Mostly drove Tyler’s mom crazy, I think. The Montgomerys didn’t have a TV in the cottage in those days. We played his mom’s records when she let us, and held wrestling matches in the living room. I think we broke a lamp or two.”
“No wonder you drove her nuts.”
“Sometimes we were good. We played card games and put together puzzles. We used to have some cutthroat Monopoly games.”
Renata got up from her chair, her soup forgotten. “There’s a bunch of board games around here someplace. You want to play? I have to warn you, I rock at Scrabble.”
The last thing he felt like doing was playing games. But he couldn’t sit around wringing his hands while he waited for Dylan to call.
“You’re on. But I think I should warn you. I was the Scrabble champion of this cottage back in the day.”
“Bring it on, Sunshine.”
****
“That’s a triple word score for me.” Renata smirked as she added up her points. “I appear to have beaten you once again.”
“Nobody likes a gloater.” Noah tried to look pouty, but the truth was he’d enjoyed the afternoon with Renata, even if she had beaten him four games out of five. He’d only won that one game because she’d let him use “biq,” the Klingon word for water. He suspected she was just humoring him.
She almost made him forget Dylan hadn’t called. Almost but not quite.
“I can’t help it if I’m brilliant. Would you like to play another round?”
“Sure. I’ll beat you this time.”
She snorted. “In your dreams.”
She gathered the tiles and put them in a cloth bag. “Would you mind turning on some lights? It’s getting dark.”
He stood and switched on the lamp next to the sofa, checking his watch as he did so. Almost five o’clock. If Dylan meant to call, surely he would have done so by now.
“He’ll call,” Renata said, reading his mind. “Don’t lose faith.”
N
oah nodded, even though he had no faith left. Dylan had probably deleted his call the moment he got it. He wouldn’t blame him if he had.
“I was thinking of making tea,” she said. “Would you like some?”
“No, thanks. You go ahead.”
She got up from the sofa and went to the kitchen, filling the kettle at the tap and setting it on the stove. When the water boiled, she made herself tea and returned to the sofa with her cup and a plate of cookies.
“I thought you could use some sustenance,” she said with a smile. “And I have the munchies.”
Despite his disappointment, he couldn’t help but smile. She was adorable. He would have gone crazy without her. It hadn’t escaped his notice that she’d worked very hard to keep him from worrying about Dylan’s call. But it was time to face facts.
“Renata, it’s no use—”
His cell phone rang. When he picked it up, he saw his brother’s name.
“It’s him.”
Renata got up to leave. Noah grabbed her hand.
“Stay. Please.”
She nodded and sat on the sofa once more. He clung to her hand as he answered the phone.
“Hello, Dylan.”
“Noah, it’s good to hear your voice.”
The emotion in his brother’s voice nearly undid him. He swallowed and gripped Renata’s hand a little tighter. “Yeah. I’m glad to hear your voice, too.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t call back sooner. I took Kendall out for a Valentine brunch, and then we went over to her folks’ house. I forgot my phone or I would have called you right away.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad you called now. I wasn’t sure you’d want to talk to me.”
“I’ve wanted to talk to you for two years.” Dylan’s voice broke. “I’m sorry for hurting you, Noah. I hope you can forgive me.”
Noah bent his head, nearly overcome with emotion. Renata rubbed her hand up and down his back, lending comfort.
“I just need to know,” he said haltingly. “Are you and Kendall happy?”
“Yes, we’re very happy. I love her more every day. We’re having a baby.”
“I know. Tyler told me. It’s the reason I came home.” He took a breath, gathered his thoughts. “If you’re happy, then I’m happy. I want you to know that.”
“That means a lot to me. When can I see you?”
“I’m not sure.” He told Dylan about being snowed in at the cottage. “I’ll call you as soon as the snowplows dig us out.”
“Us?”
He wasn’t ready to talk about Renata. “Yeah, me and Spike. My dog. I’ll tell you all about him when I see you.”
“Okay. We’ll see you soon. Goodbye, Noah.”
“Goodbye.”
He ended the call. His heart was beating so fast, the emotion so raw, that for a moment he couldn’t speak. Renata continued to silently rub his back, and when he looked at her, her eyes were full of questions.
“He wants to see me.”
She made a sound that was half laugh, half cry. “Told ya.”
“Yeah, you did.”
He caressed her face. Her skin was impossibly soft, her lips full. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Don’t cry, Renata.”
“I don’t know why I’m crying,” she said as she wiped at her tears with the back of her hand. “I’m so happy for you.”
“It’s probably because you have a soft spot for strays like me and Spike. I don’t know how I would have made it through this day, this weekend, without you. Thank you.”
More tears fell. “I’m starting to be real glad about that blizzard.”
“Me, too.”
He touched his lips to hers, softly, reverently, her tears salty on his tongue. He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her cheeks, her eyes, wanting to dry her tears, to take every bit of heartache from of her life.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, sweetheart.”
She gave a trembling laugh. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
He pulled her close and kissed her, his need for her so strong he was shaking. Renata kissed him back with equal fervor. She moaned softly when he slid his hands inside her sweater and touched her breasts.
“If this isn’t what you want, tell me to stop.”
“I want this. I want you.”
She never ceased to surprise and amaze him. “Then will you come upstairs with me, make love with me?”
“Yes.”
He took her hand and led her up the stairs to his room. He kissed her again, his blood heating, but he had to protect her before he was too far gone.
His breathing erratic, he said, “Give me a minute.”
Leaving her briefly, he rummaged through his suitcase until he found a box of condoms buried amongst his clothes. He placed the box on the night table and, after pulling back the covers on the bed, took her hand once more. Uncertainty struck him at the look of complete trust on her face. What had he done to deserve her trust, to deserve her?
“It’s not too late to say no. I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
He saw her swallow. “Have you changed your mind?”
“God, no! I haven’t changed my mind.” He gripped her shoulders and stared into her eyes, trying to communicate what he felt. “I want you.”
She smiled, relief and pure feminine pleasure shining in her eyes. Then she pulled her sweater over her head and placed his hand on her breast.
“Good. I’m glad we’ve cleared that up.”
The rest of their clothes disappeared in a flurry of touches and soft moans. Soon they were on the bed, lying skin to skin. Her skin was silk, her breasts round and lush. He touched her greedily, with his hands, his mouth, his lips. She explored his body, her small hands caressing every muscle and nearly bringing him to the edge. But it wasn’t enough.
“You’re beautiful, Renata.”
He kissed her collarbone, then her chest, stopping to suck on each dusky nipple before moving downward across her stomach. When he reached the apex of her thighs, he nudged her legs apart and touched his tongue to her center. Tremors raced through her body, letting him know she wanted him as much as he wanted her. The knowledge excited him.
Renata dug her fingers into his shoulders, her breath hitching.
“Noah, please.”
She didn’t have to ask twice. He touched her again, his concentration narrowing to this moment, to Renata and the pleasure he wanted to give to her. A moment later she flew apart, her body bucking.
“Noah!”
With shaking hands, he slid on a condom, then straddled her and slowly pushed inside. Nothing had ever felt so wonderful, so right as making love with Renata. She accepted him inside her, never shifting her gaze away from his. Pausing for a second, he took a breath, willing himself to last but knowing he was hanging on the edge of control.
Renata began to move restlessly, and he moved with her, lost in her eyes and in the dance they created together. He pushed harder, deeper, and she stayed with him in every move. He felt his climax building until it exploded out of him in waves so strong and deep he thought he might drown. When he collapsed on top of her, Renata held him tightly, their bodies still joined.
“I’m too heavy for you,” he mumbled against her shoulder.
“Shh. You’re fine where you are.”
“Liar.”
With regret, he rolled off her and snuggled close. He’d have to get rid of the condom in a minute, but right now, after what they’d shared, he wanted to be near her. His eyes drifted shut as he idly fondled her breast.
Renata suddenly jerked. “Oh, good God! Spike!”
Noah opened his eyes to see Spike’s huge head resting on the pillow mere centimeters from Renata’s. His tongue darted out to lick her face. She turned away, laughing.
“We’ve really got to do something about his breath.”
“Spike, lie down!”
With a doleful glance, the dog backed away from the bed. “Sorry about that, sweetheart.” Noah wiped th
e slobber from her cheek with a corner of the sheet.
“That’s okay. It’s kind of nice knowing I’m adored.”
Noah’s heart contracted painfully at her words, his thoughts whirling in confusion. Spike wasn’t the only one who adored her.
He was in love with Renata.
He wanted to deny his feelings. He’d known her for less than seventy-two hours. Yet he knew more about her—and had let her learn more about him—than any woman he’d ever known, including Kendall.
He loved her.
But he had no idea how she felt about him. They were certainly compatible in bed, but did she want him anywhere else in her life?
He scrambled from the bed. Renata sat up, wrapping the sheet around herself.
“Noah, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just need to use the washroom.”
“Are you…are you coming back to bed?”
“Yeah. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay.” She smiled uncertainly and lay back down. Noah hurried to the washroom and flushed the condom down the toilet. He stared at himself in the mirror.
He’d faced deadly diseases and potential terrorism, but nothing frightened him more than being in love. What if Renata didn’t feel the same way he did?
Maybe it would be easier to walk away than to face the truth.
Chapter Nine
When Renata woke the next morning in Noah’s bed, she was alone. Except for Spike. Once again he was cuddled close, with his head on her pillow. She patted his soft fur.
“Oh, Spike. What am I going to do?”
Noah hadn’t returned to bed all night. She’d waited for him until, exhausted and worried, she’d fallen asleep. Had she done something, said something to upset him? Had she been so dismal in bed that she’d scared him away?
She’d thought they’d been amazing together. Had she been wrong?
A noise outside caught her attention. She hopped out of bed and gathered her scattered clothes before looking out the window. A snowplow was clearing the driveway, which probably meant the highways had also been cleared. It was Monday morning. The weekend was officially over.
And so, it seemed, was her relationship with Noah.
She pressed her hand to her heart to stop the pain. She was in love with a man who didn’t want her. Again.
Chill Out Page 6
