Annie bit her lip against the shiver his words sent through her. It was probably his voice as much as the words. His soft baritone was beautiful. Sexy and beautiful. Her heart twisted. She was in so far over her head.
“You’re going to have to take the blame for this,” she said, stealing a trick out of his book. “I swear I don’t end up on these ridiculous topics with anyone else.”
“I’m glad we do. I love to hear you laugh, and I want to know everything about you.”
“You may end up being disappointed. I’m not all that interesting.”
“I don’t believe that.”
She closed her eyes. He was doing it again. Something in the look he gave her made her heart and stomach flip flop. How could CJ be interested in the real her? She struggled to sound interesting to fans of her books. Book signings, Q &A sessions, even social media, all terrifying. At least there she could put on a mask, deflect to her writing. Her fiction had always been more interesting than her fact. With CJ she felt exposed. When would he realize he didn’t like what he saw? He could do better.
“I bet he’d let you redecorate,” CJ said with a silly grin.
Annie frowned. “Who?”
“Superman. You’re probably his Kryptonite too.”
Fingers laced behind his neck, CJ stared into the gloom overhead. Sleep was eluding him. The day played through his mind. He couldn’t have envisioned a better one, right up to saying goodnight at her door. That part had hurt. He’d foregone the familiar comfort of his bed to stay at the lodge and be close to her, but he wanted to be so much closer. Sighing, he adjusted the pillow, giving it a thump before relaxing back into it. Knowing Annie was just down the hall was bittersweet. Part of him wished he was one of those suave guys with a line that would’ve swung her door, and other things, wide open to him. The gentleman in him, a smaller part than he wished at the moment, was ashamed to even be having such thoughts.
Five days. How could everything he’d dreamed of since high school change in less than a week? He frowned. Okay, maybe that was a little dramatic. His dreams were still there. Annie just figured heavily into them now. It was scary how completely she’d slipped into the mental pictures. It hadn’t been nice, but he’d told her the truth in the woodshop. If he’d been married or had someone in his life, he wouldn’t be as far as he was now. Surprisingly, Annie hadn’t been offended. She’d acknowledged his fears as valid but then planted a seed with the suggestion that perhaps it depended on the woman. He’d already decided she was different than any other woman he’d known. The question now was, different enough?
Annie had a passion of her own that she’d fought for. Would she understand the lengths he’d go to in order to protect what he’d started? He hadn’t lied. The bills were getting paid. He was even better off than some, but one, maybe two, bad months of booking and he’d be living hand to mouth. Could she deal with that? Did he want to ask a woman to deal with that? How much was he willing to compromise? He pulled an arm loose to let it drop across his eyes. Was he fucking insane to even be having these thoughts? How could he want to build a life with someone he hadn’t known a week ago?
CJ frowned. A week ago she’d been four states away putting the finishing touches on a book without a thought of him, or maybe any man. The point was, they’d both worked hard to build lives, alone. Was it even possible to mesh their passions without someone compromising to the point of resentment? All the experts said arguments about money were the number one contributor to failed relationships. He couldn’t imagine resentment was far behind. They could be looking at both. Yanking the pillow out from behind his head, he pressed it over his face. Was he really lying here unable to sleep and thinking about marriage?
Groaning, he stuffed the battered pillow back under his head. Yeah, he was. So the next question became was he reading way too much into this? What if she’d really stayed to see more of Wyoming? He shook his head in the dark. No. The kiss in the coat room hadn’t been one-sided. Nor had he imagined the way her fingers had curled in the front of his shirt to keep herself upright afterward. Despite the flood of doubts, he knew she felt the connection between them too.
Crystal’s last words whispered across his brain. Had Annie said something, even in passing, to her cousin? Somehow, he doubted it. Annie hadn’t needed her aunt to remind her that the weekend wasn’t about her. The sharp words still grated him. Everything that he’d seen from Annie over the course of the wedding weekend, hell, even her companion pony nickname, it all painted her as devoted. She’d gone well above the responsibilities of bridesmaid, or cousin, in his opinion. If Ty’s mom had screamed at him like that…
His brain stuttered to a stop at the obvious answer. If his aunt had treated him like that, his mom would’ve had her head on a platter. Annie didn’t have anyone to stand up for her. Crystal’s mom and dad were as close to parents as Annie had left. So she’d swallowed the hurt without a word. The realization made him feel even more like a schmuck. A frustrated growl rumbled from his chest. When she was his, there would be no question of his right to defend her.
The thought surprised him. The possessiveness was new. He’d never felt this way before. Now, he was at war with himself. The shy boy his mother had raised whispered to take things slow, treat Annie like a lady, and court her. He smiled in the dark. Did anyone even use that word anymore? The new side pointed out the logistics of trying to do any of that from half the country away. If they didn’t establish something serious in the next couple of days, their chances were slim. Distance, work, life, they would all get in the way and become excuses. Combine that with fear and they were screwed. The clock was ticking.
The alarm on her phone beeped. Opening one eye, Annie contemplated hurling it against the wall. Only a fear of hitting the lodge window stopped her. The blue light in the corner of the device flashed, warning of a message or twenty. Didn’t those people sleep? She’d spent most of the night arguing and pleading with her agent and publicist about a pretentious book launch party and added signing appearances. After such an amazing day, it was not the way she’d pictured spending last night.
After dinner, they’d cuddled in front of the fireplace and talked. No topic was too taboo or mundane for CJ. At several points in the evening, they’d engaged in rounds of rapid fire questions, forcing the other to throw out the first answer that came to mind. It had been fun and revealing. They had a lot in common. Little things, like using the same brand of toothpaste. Funny how those ordinary things had piled up, adding to their connection.
When they’d both decided it was late and he’d walked her up, a part of her had been hoping for more than a kiss at the door. After the goodnight kiss, it had been a large part. CJ had seemed just as reluctant to end the evening, but neither had said anything and finally he’d headed back toward the stairs. Annie ground the heels of her hands into her gritty eyes. How could a person that wrote for a living have no words when she really needed them?
She wasn’t going to be able to stay. Commitments had been made for her. So much for me time. The phone chimed with another incoming text. Annie groaned and pulled a pillow over her head. Why couldn’t she rewind the clock and relive yesterday over and over? She smiled into the cotton. Fifty first dates with CJ. She wondered if CJ had seen the movie. It was more a comedy than a chick flick. He liked to laugh. It was on Netflix. Maybe they’d have to…she was leaving.
Pressing down, she screamed into the pillow in frustration. Why? Why when she finally found a guy she was interested in did he have to live in freaking Wyoming? Maybe because she couldn’t imagine CJ living anywhere else. His passion for his home state was adorable. She loved when he slipped into rambling guide mode. It was, well, sexy—just like everything else about him. He had a long list of things he wanted to show her. How was she going to tell him she had to cut this short?
She sat up, thumping the pillow down in her lap. Her reflection in the mirror at the foot of the bed caught her attention and held it. Between her clenching fists
and the pillow, her hair had hit a horrifying new level of bedhead. No ponytail was going to tame that. Flopping back down, she rolled onto her stomach and grabbed the phone to see what couldn’t wait. She needed a shower.
Forty-five minutes later she stepped out into the hall to see CJ exiting a room a few doors down. It was too early in the morning for a filter. Her tongue let fly the flirtatious words she hadn’t been able to find the night before.
“If I’d known you were right next door, you would’ve had a late night visitor.”
“Damn. Missed out again,” he said, looking genuinely disappointed. “And it wasn’t right next door because that would’ve been creepy.”
“I don’t think you could come across as creepy if you tried.”
His arms wrapped around her.
“There goes my backup plan as a stalker.”
She snorted. “Someone is on his game this morning. Fair warning. With the amount of sleep I got or didn’t get, you’re dealing with an unarmed opponent in the wits department.”
She leaned into the hug, savoring it. There might not be many more of these coming her way. One of CJ’s big hands ran up and down her spine in a warm caress.
“I didn’t sleep much either. Did you think I left?”
Nodding into his chest, she smothered a yawn. “I figured that you went home to check on the babies.”
Annie felt the vibration of his amusement though he didn’t give voice to it.
“I thought we’d stop in there today. I’m sure the babies would like to see you too. Come on. Let’s get some caffeine in you.”
“My hero,” she breathed in a teasing worshipful whisper.
“Was the room okay? What kept you up?” he asked, leading her downstairs.
“Everything is fine with the room. In fact, I need to peel back the bottom sheet to find out what kind of mattress that is. It makes me want to stay in bed forever.”
“Simmons,” CJ answered easily. “So, why couldn’t you sleep?”
She stole a quizzical peek up at him. “I take it that’s a question you get asked a lot?”
“No. I wondered the same thing when I was buying furniture for the house. I bought one.”
“Are you trying to get me in your bed, CJ Barrett?”
“If that’s all it takes, then yes ma’am,” he drawled.
Annie stopped, catching his arm. Maybe no filter was what they needed. Time was so damn short. She traced the plaid pattern on CJ’s soft flannel, afraid to look up at his face.
“Are we being serious here?”
“I’ve never been more serious.”
Resting her forehead against his chest she let his words race through her to crash in a hot coil of anticipation and anxiety behind the buttons of her favorite 501’s. When was the last time she’d felt like this? The answer to that was easy. Never.
Callused fingers slid along her jaw, tilting her chin to lift her eyes to his.
“I’m very serious about you, Annie. I laid awake most of last night thinking about you, about us. Wondering if there could be an us.”
“Great minds think alike,” she whispered.
Dimples carved deep chasms in his full cheeks. God, he was adorable when he smiled.
“I know it doesn’t seem like much, but we have six days. Believe it or not, my mom and dad fell in love in an afternoon and were married a month later. That was thirty-three years ago.”
“Two days,” Annie said, shoulders slumping.
“What do you mean?”
“I have to be in Grand Rapids for a book launch party Friday evening. I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I mean I should have. That’s my fault. I should’ve double checked. They’ve never thrown a stupid party before. I knew I was cutting things close with the wedding and the book release, but I thought it would distract me from Crys being gone. Then I just wanted to spend time with you. I thought—”
What she thought was lost under CJ’s lips. His other hand slid up and he framed her face. His kiss was consuming. Her blood caught flame. Pressing up on tiptoe, she returned the fervor with everything she had. CJ moaned into her mouth and she whimpered in answer. They were both panting for breath when he finally pulled back. Annie blinked up at him. Her eyes didn’t want to focus and her heart felt like it was going to leap out of her chest.
“Two more days. I can work with that,” CJ murmured, his voice rough and strained.
“I’m so sorry.”
CJ’s thumb brushed her lips.
“Just hearing that you wanted to spend time with me makes it all okay. We’ll work it out.”
Annie kissed the pad of his thumb. “The part of the night where I wasn’t fantasizing about jumping your bones, I argued with them about rescheduling. I crashed and burned on both.”
“Damn. We really need to share these fantasies when we’re having them. I hear they’re a lot more fun when you have someone to play with,” he said, pressing his forehead to hers.
Her shoulders shook in amusement. “As a romance author, I can tell you that is the popular consensus. My career kind of depends on it.”
“Maybe we’ll have to do our own research,” CJ suggested, lips sliding over hers again.
“Hmm,” she purred. “I’ve been wanting a technical advisor. Are you expensive?”
“I’m sure we can work something out.”
“That sounds promising.”
“If I hadn’t promised you caffeine, I’d be carrying you back upstairs now.”
She grinned as the frustrated growl of his voice was followed by one from his stomach.
“Blame it on me if it makes you feel better.”
CJ laughed, pulling her into a tight hug. He kissed the top of her head.
“Come on. We can decide what we’re going to do with our two days over caffeine and food.”
With the roads cleared, they’d taken the less adventurous route to CJ’s house from the lodge. Annie had kind of missed dodging trees. Taking her boots off, she wandered into the living room. With the animals cared for, CJ had broken out the tractor to clear his driveway and suggested she wait inside where it was warm. It felt more than a little weird to be let loose in his home alone. She didn’t want to snoop, but couldn’t deny the curiosity was there. Eyes drawn up to the loft, she wondered if his private space was as presentable as the public areas.
He’d confessed his mudroom and desk were a mess, what about his bedroom? Was he one of those guys that at least flung his dirty laundry in the general direction of the hamper, or did he let it fall where it would? She glanced out the window. The long country drive was going to take some time to plow. She bit her lip then shook her head. Would she want someone analyzing her boudoir? The first time Finn had visited her in Grand Rapids, Annie had felt the editor’s eyes crawling over every surface. It had been unnerving because she knew how a writer’s mind worked.
The kitchen, however, was a little different. Public domain. No expectation of privacy there. Annie grinned, walking her fingers over the countertop. Peeking in the side-by-side refrigerator and freezer raised an eyebrow. The stovetop had a grill. Not exactly a surprise, but the appliance looked higher end. His mom’s influence maybe. She paused when she spotted the coffee maker. The sturdy machine was like the one that had graced the Brand kitchen for years. She’d since updated to one of those fancy one cup jobbies since she preferred cocoa or cappuccinos, but seeing the Bunn was like a little slice of home as silly as it sounded.
Opening the top cupboard to the right of the machine, she predictably found the coffee and filters and set about starting a pot. It was still early and CJ would be cold when he came in. There was something comfortable about the mundane task. Her phone rang and she groaned. What now? Her frown faded when she saw Finn’s freckled face. Speak of the devil.
“Are they sicking you on me now?” she asked in lieu of a greeting.
“I was calling to find out if you’d survived the Wild West. What’d you do now?”
“Nothing.”
&n
bsp; “Too late for the innocent act now, kiddo. Spill it,” Finn ordered, audibly taking a drag on her cigarette.
Annie curled up on the end of the plush leather couch where she could watch CJ out the front windows. Finn’s gravelly purr sounded like she gargled with whiskey and razorblades. It drove her husband wild. They were the cutest damn couple Annie had ever seen.
“I didn’t come home from Wyoming.”
“Did you find yourself a hot mountain man to shack up with?”
“How’d you know he wasn’t a ski bum?”
“Not your style, honey,” the other woman said dismissively. “Tell me about him.”
“He’s a hunting and fishing guide.”
The bedroom purr came back saturated with suggestion and wicked humor.
“Ohh, a big game hunter!”
Annie laughed. Even when they were fighting it out over commas and purple prose, she never made it off the phone with Finn without her cheeks and stomach muscles aching.
“Come on. Details!”
“Okay. Okay. His name is CJ. He’s six-footish, yummy shoulders, burly, barrel chest, all solid, dark hair, beard, and the bluest eyes. Oh! And dimples. He’s adorable, like a sexy teddy bear.”
“He sounds scrumptious.”
Annie nodded but waited for more. Finn sounded downright smug.
“All I’m going to say is, it’s about damn time!”
“Yeah right,” Annie scoffed, still waiting.
“What else is there to say? It’s long overdue. You’re a young, vibrant, beautiful woman. Batteries shouldn’t have to suffice!”
“Nothing else to say, but yet, you keep talking,” Annie said dryly.
Finn ignored her.
“So, how serious is it? You said you didn’t come home. Are you really planning on staying in the Cowboy State?”
“I haven’t even known him a week. I think it’s a little premature to be calling movers.”
“But you’re thinking about it.”
It didn’t sound like a question when Finn said it and, truthfully, it wasn’t. She was thinking about it.
Why not Wyoming? (Wyoming Wilds Series Book 1) Page 8
