“No thanks.”
“Then…um…I don’t mean to be rude, but why are you here? Was there something you needed?”
“Yeah,” he said, stepping behind the counter and coming closer, filling up the small space with his mesmerizing presence. “I came here to return this to you.” He pulled his hand out of his pocket and opened his fist to reveal…
“Nona’s pin!”
Lest it should disappear into thin air again, she snatched the heirloom her grandfather had given to her on her tenth birthday, just before he’d died. Then because she was so happy, she launched herself at him.
“Thank you, Mason. Thank you so much. It means the world to me.” She squeezed him tight, uncaring that only a few seconds ago she had practically tripped over her feet to avoid touching the man. “Where was it? I looked everywhere, even my car after it was towed to the garage.”
“Ethan found it in the back of the Humvee,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “I’m just the messenger, but I’d be happy to collect the reward if there are more hugs involved.”
She drew back slightly and smiled. “Aren’t you generous.”
“Absolutely.”
He returned her smile, and she soon realized she was wrapped in his arms, practically sharing a breath. It felt good. Right.
Great, actually.
Too great.
She untangled herself, or at least, she ordered her body to move back.
It didn’t listen.
So, there she stood, behind her counter, enveloped in Mason’s warm embrace, staring at his darkening gaze as the smile slowly disappeared from his mouth. He had a great mouth.
Jill’s heart thudded hard in her chest, and once again her mind screamed for her to move, but her limbs were quite happy with their present location.
Just as he started to lower that great mouth of his, the phone in his pocket began to ring.
Muttering a curse, he released her, reluctance dimming his gaze as he answered his call. “Yeah?”
She stumbled back two feet before hitting the countertop on the sidewall, stacked with boxes and gift wrap for customers. Great. She was trapped, caged in with her unhealthy desire for a man just as relationship challenged.
“Hey, Tyler.” His body relaxed and expression softened. “How’s the fort coming, buddy? Ah. Okay. Sure. I’ll see if I can recruit more help.” He was smiling as he shoved the phone back in his pocket. “Feel like freezing your fingers off helping us build a fort for Tyler?”
Thrown completely off guard by the question, she blinked up at him as he neared. “Isn’t it too cold for power tools?”
His smile widened as he lifted his hand to tug her ponytail. “Don’t need them to build a snow fort.”
“Oh, a snow fort,” she repeated. Idjit. Of course that’s what he’d meant.
It also meant agreeing to spend time with him. And his family. The simple invitation wasn’t so simple. There’d be expectations and obligations. She’d carried their weight most of her life and was just starting to enjoy living without the responsibility of worrying about pleasing someone other than herself. Or the inevitability of abandonment.
“This isn’t a big deal. And it’s not a date,” he said, releasing her hair, gaze still warm and friendly. “We’re too busy for that, remember?”
She nodded. “Yeah, I remember.” Then she pushed past him to get out from behind the counter and into more open space where she could breathe and think.
It was nothing serious, just a simple invitation to help his nephew. But, this was Mason, the handsome man with a smile on his face and shadows in his eyes. Problem was, shadows tended to be her downfall.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m busy tonight,” she said, turning around to find him approaching, grin still on his face. She held up her pin and smiled. “Please pass on my thanks to Ethan.”
“Okay, but I’m keeping the hug to myself…unless you care to include another. I could be persuaded to share one.”
She laughed. “Sorry. It was just a one-time hug.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He winked, then continued to the door where he turned to face her. “If you change your mind about the fort, you know where to find us.” His warm gaze was full of amusement, and knowledge that she was running scared.
Then he was gone.
Her heart had no business burning with disappointment. None at all. She was the one who’d given up a fun evening of romping in the snow with the handsome, hot, guardsman in order to go home and sort her sock drawer.
Chapter Six
It was Friday evening, four days later when Mason walked into Timbers after a busy week and an even busier day guiding a photographer and his assistant up Chancellor’s Bluff to photograph the pristine scenery for a brochure. Ten hours, hundreds of photos, and the right lighting had produced enough money shots to call it a day.
He headed for his usual table, hungry and tired, but kept his mouth shut when he joined Keiffer and Ethan who were already there with burgers in front of them and half a pitcher of beer. As the brochure had been his brainchild, any mumblings about discomfort would fall on deaf ears. Thankfully, he’d had the foresight to call down and have the cook drop his order while he’d showered and changed.
His sister Brandi had worked a two-bedroom apartment for him into the resort plans, right next to Keiffer’s. Ben had only wanted an efficiency suite, since he owned a cabin, and Ethan got the main rooms of the Wyne wing at the back of the resort. Dad declined, opting to keep their childhood home, even though the five bedroom two-story was much more house than the colonel needed. Still, no one challenged their father’s logic.
Mason used to own a house, a new contemporary where he and Renee had lived. When they split, he walked away. She’d insisted on buying him out, and if his brothers hadn’t decided to buy the resort, he wouldn’t have taken a penny. Didn’t matter that he had a right to the money; he’d just wanted a clean break. As it turned out, the split had been fairly clean anyway, and Brandi had stretched his contribution into some killer renovations they were all enjoying.
She was a genius. Everyone was happy. Business was good. Life was good.
He was…bored.
Or maybe he was just tired. Yeah, that was it. He was just tired from working nonstop the past few weeks. His fatigue must’ve shown on his face though, because Keiffer kicked out a chair for him while Ethan poured him a beer.
“Tyler staying over at Dad’s tonight?” he asked his older brother as he dropped into the chair.
“Yep, they’re making tacos and watching a stooge-a-thon,” Ethan replied, shoving Mason’s order of burger and seasoned fries at him, along with the beer. “So, how’d it go today?”
“Good. The photographer said he’d gotten so many great shots we’re going to be turning people away. Of course, I didn’t have the heart to tell him all we needed was fresh powder for that to happen.”
While his brothers laughed, he dug into his food, grateful he was scheduled for snowmobiling tomorrow, which afforded him ample time to fit in lunch.
“True,” Keiffer said. “I can’t believe we’re sold out two weekends in a row. I was supposed to help Greg with Stone’s car tomorrow, but instead, I’ll be spending the day with a high school ski club from New Jersey.”
“Get used to it, Keif,” Ethan said, picking at his fries. “According to reservations, our weekends, and most of our weeks, are booked solid for the rest of the month.”
“Sweet!” His younger brother held up his mug in a toast, and he and Ethan followed suit.
“Cheers,” they said in unison.
Mason returned his attention to his food, feeling somewhat better since he had a half a belly full. It’d been a long day of a decent week, full of happy clients. Most of them even knew how to ski. This saved him time and headaches, for which he was grateful. All in all, the week had been successful, except for Jill’s refusal on Monday. A puzzle he contemplated during down time.
When he’d first walked into her s
tore and caught her dancing, he’d been amused, but her sexy moves soon turned his amusement into arousal—swift and strong. Watching her sweet ass wiggle while she slowly squatted to crotch level sent every ounce of blood rushing to his groin. He was stone cold stupid and rock hard in seconds. The transition was almost painful. He’d never experienced anything like it in his life. There was no way he could’ve even cleared his throat to alert the woman of his presence. Need had paralyzed him to the spot for a full two minutes, until he finally managed to blurt out, You’re a fireball.
They certainly were on fire.
“Ben just texted,” Ethan said, checking his phone. “Their bus just got in. They’ll be here soon.”
He nodded, and his mind returned to Jill and her rejection. She hadn’t been baiting him, playing hard to get. Nor had she misread the invitation. On the surface, it had been to help his nephew build a fort, but ultimately, the request had been to spend time with him. She knew this…and turned him down cold.
He had no idea what to make of it, or why he even cared. She’d been truthful, and he respected truth above all else. Jesus. He’d spent too much time thinking about it this week. Time to put it to bed.
“I’m guessing his mind is still thawing out from his day on the mountain,” Keiffer was saying.
Mason blinked, realizing too late both brothers were staring at him. “What?”
“I asked if you’d heard back about that shipment of skis,” Ethan replied. “They were due in yesterday.”
“Oh, yeah.” He nodded, reaching for a fry. “I received an email. The weather caused the delay in shipping. They’re arriving on Monday now, instead.”
With their influx of clients this month, they were definitely in need of more skis, even though most guests were die-hard skiers. Shit happened, and the past had taught them to always be prepared. Just because clients showed up with skis, didn’t meant they wouldn’t need another pair before their stay was over.
“I’ve the feeling we won’t be recreational skiing for a while,” Ethan stated. “At least, not on the weekends.”
“Lucky me then, since I’ll be able to go tomorrow with those teenagers…and get paid.” Keiffer grinned into his beer. “Besides, I can’t remember the last time we all went out skiing together for fun.”
Ethan nodded. “Me either. Might’ve been last February when Lea had challenged Ben and the idiot was stupid enough to take her up on it.”
Keiffer laughed. “Yeah, and had to do the dishes at Gabe’s the following night. Dummy should’ve remembered she was a natural as a child, unlike poor Brandi. It had taken her a lot longer to find her ski legs.”
“I wonder if Jill skis. Do either of you know?” He didn’t think much about the question until he caught his brothers exchanging a look. “What?”
They shook their heads, but remained quiet. Keiffer was never quiet.
Mason shrugged. “I was just curious if the woman knew how to ski. I can’t remember her ever visiting during the winter. It’s no big deal.”
His younger brother finally opened his mouth. “Hell yeah, it is! You haven’t mentioned another woman since Renee, let alone showed the slightest interest.”
Too bad Mason wasn’t thrilled with the words.
“He’s right, Mase,” Ethan joined in. “You and I have already had this conversation.”
“True, so you know this is where it ends,” he said, returning his attention to the rest of his meal. Christ. It was getting so he couldn’t hold a normal conversation with any of his brothers anymore. Not without them making a bid deal out of something he said.
“Maybe you should ask her.”
Jesus. “Shut it, Keiffer.” He sent the guy a look.
The idiot shrugged. “I’m just saying, maybe you can ask her if she skis.”
“It doesn’t matter. Drop it,” he said through clenched teeth.
The jerk leaned toward him from across the table. “Maybe if you asked her out on a grownup date she wouldn’t turn you down.”
Cursing, he shoved his empty plate away and stared his younger brother down. “Maybe you should mind your own damn business before I mind it for you.”
“You know what? Maybe I should ask her out.” Keiffer pointed to himself, self-satisfying smile on his face. “That woman is smokin’ hot.”
“Yeah, maybe you should…no, wait, scratch that. Leave her the hell alone. She deserves better than your wham, bam, thank you ma’am.”
The idiot was grinning at him. “You’re right, she does. She deserves you. So, what are you gonna do about it?”
Why did he feel as if he’d just fallen into a trap? He sat back and glanced from brother to brother. “What’s the big deal about me and Jill all of a sudden?”
“The two of you fogged up the windows, Mase,” Keiffer replied.
Mason blinked at him, waiting for the goof to elaborate. He didn’t. “I’m getting really tired of you insinuating I was necking with the woman while on state activation.” He leaned toward the asshole, but his older brother placed a hand on his chest to hold him back.
“We know you weren’t,” Ethan said.
He sat back and glanced from one brother to the other again. “Then what are you both insinuating? We were in the middle of a snow storm with no heat in the car. It was fucking cold out. Of course the windows were going to fog.”
“It’s not about the windows fogging, man,” Keiffer said. “It’s about chemistry. You have that with Jill. It’s great. For years now, women have been trying to catch your attention—in some pretty creative ways, I might add—but you’ve always ignored them. Until now. Until Jill.”
“We just want you to admit there’s something different about her,” Ethan said, pouring them more beer.
Mason sighed. “If I do, will you let me the hell alone?”
“Yes,” both answered in unison.
“Fine. The woman intrigues me.” He blew out a breath. “There. Satisfied?”
Keiffer shook his head. “We’ll be satisfied when you ask her out.”
Ah, hell. “You know I already did, and she turned me down.”
“That would never have stopped the old Mason,” Keiffer said with a grin, lifting his mug in a salute their older brother returned.
“True.” Ethan nodded.
The old Mason.
He held back a sneer. That guy had disappeared along with his trust. He was no longer the exuberant, fun-loving pursuer. Those days were long gone.
Keiffer straightened in his seat, big smile splitting across his face as he glanced past him. “Maybe he’ll make a reappearance tonight, Mason. Because Ben and Lea are here…and they’re not alone.”
On instant alert, his body stiffened as he turned toward the entrance. Sure as shit, his brother was there, escorting two smiling women into the bar. Both brunettes. Both beautiful. But only one kick-started Mason’s pulse.
Jill.
Chapter Seven
Jill knew this was a bad idea. Every part of her being screamed, No, don’t go with them to the resort. It’s a bad idea. But did she listen? Did she pick them up from the bus station and say, Hey, you can have Lea’s car back, just drop me off at home?
Hell-friggin’-no.
Idjit.
Look what that got her…sandwiched between Lea and Mr. Hottie—Mason panty-melting Wyne.
Okay, so she’d badgered herself all week and had vowed to step out of her comfort zone whenever possible. Turning down Mason had opened her eyes. She’d become too complacent and didn’t like it. She wasn’t sorry she’d turned him down. Spending time with the mesmerizing guy and his family was too much. She definitely needed to stay away from him, but she also needed to start going out more. A girl’s night out or something. She wasn’t a hermit and needed to stop living like one.
But, dang, how did she end up right into the inferno? Sharing burgers and beer with Mason and his family.
She was barely three inches away from the guy, and in some places, not even. Some places, they
touched—if she moved a certain way. And, damn, yeah, she moved that way a lot. On purpose.
Stupid sex-starved body.
Mason oozed sex appeal and heat and smelled so dang delicious she found her needy body leaning into his a few times throughout dinner.
Pathetic.
“So, Jill, do you ski?” Keiffer asked, sparing Mason a pointed glance before returning his attention to her.
Completely clueless as to what that was about, she decided to ignore it like everyone else at the table. “No. I don’t ski. I fall. Pretty spectacularly, too, I might add.”
Laughter echoed around the table.
“Trust me, we all fell hundreds of times when we first started out,” Lea said, smiling next to her.
Jill held back a snort. “Yeah, but I doubt you took out the instructor, two students, three innocent bystanders and a dog.”
Mason chuckled. “You did not.”
“Okay, it was only two bystanders. They can’t pin the third one on me. He was already airborne. Those sidewalks were icy.”
“Sidewalks?” Ben frowned. “Why were you skiing on sidewalks?”
“Because the parking lot was crowded.”
“Jill…” Lea was roaring by now. “You did not.”
She smiled, unsure how to convince her friend, and the others holding their stomachs laughing, that she was telling the God’s honest truth. “Yes, I did. It wasn’t intentional, but the dang sidewalk separated the bunny slope from the coffee shop, and I thought it was best if I remained outside and didn’t create a ski-thru.”
“Ski-thru...” Mason sobered and his face lit up. “I love it.” He glanced at Ethan. “Over at the cross-country trail. We could put up a small building—”
“Yes.” The oldest Wyne nodded, expression mirroring Mason’s. “And offer beverages and a quick snack.” Ethan smiled at her. “Jill, you’re a genius.”
“Yeah, thanks for the idea,” Mason said, squeezing her hand.
She returned the squeeze. “You’re welcome. Glad something good came from my reign of terror on skis.” Something good came from his touch, too. Hot, little sparks of awareness that tingled down her body, waking up long dormant needs.
Wyne and Chocolate (Citizen Soldier Series Book 2) Page 6
