Winter Heat, Part 1

by Larissa Emerald

  “How did you get into interviewing celebrity directors?”

  “Just a one-time deal. I have a lot of interests, a couple different degrees. I realized early on that dermatology wasn’t what I wanted to do with my entire life. So I took control and changed direction,” he explained as she waltzed back into the room, carrying a tray with two large mugs and a gigantic bowl of popcorn. “But—”

  A fleeting look of sorrow dimmed the sparkle in her eyes. Not much, but enough to make him wonder what he’d said to cause those tiny lines to furrow between her brows.

  “But what?”

  He shrugged. “I tend to do things the hard way.”

  “There’s a fold-down tray table between the cushions. Can you set it up for me?” she asked, leaning forward with the tray.

  “Sure.” He lowered it into place and she set the tray between them. Man, he didn’t like how far away she was going to sit. He glanced up at her winking. “I don’t think I like this couch.”

  Once again, the glow she wore so easily returned. She smiled, her adorable dimple creasing her cheek. “It’s perfect.”

  He gave her a doubtful look.

  She sat and lifted a mug sporting lavender flowers on its side. “I hope you don’t mind whipped cream instead of marshmallows. I didn’t have any.”

  He chuckled before he could stop himself. “Anyway you serve it is great. Thank you.” And he could think of a lot of delicious things he’d love to do with whipped cream.

  She peeked at him over the rim of her mug, with her long, dark lashes closing slowly, and appeared to savor the taste as she took a sip of hot chocolate.

  Drawing deliberate breaths, he waited for what he knew would come next. The creamy mustache. The sweep of her pink tongue to erase it.

  It had been a long time since he’d played sexual games with whipped-cream, but the memory of the promised pleasure, coupled with the enticing picture she presented tested his control. He quickly grabbed his own mug, and she shot him a surreptitious glance.

  Had she read his mind?

  A slice of disappointment seized him as he met her gaze. Nope, it wasn’t going to work that way.

  With a laugh, she gave a lighthearted swipe with the pad of her finger over her upper lip and caught the froth. A second later, the dab of white disappeared into her sweet mouth as she licked her fingers.

  He tensed. The act was even more sensual than he’d anticipated.

  Well, damn, this wasn’t easy. He eyeballed the contents of his own mug. Whipped cream stared back.

  His mind hit rewind, reviewing the picture she’d just put in his head. It would be a helluva long time before the image released him.

  He slurped a hefty drink, purposefully crude to take the edge off the sexual awareness he was drowning in.

  Not a good plan, though. Now he wore a mustache. Determined not to make a major deal out of it, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. There.

  Mmm. The only thing missing was the taste of—

  “Maybe I should get some napkins,” she said with a grin.

  “Nah. We’ll manage.”

  She ignored him, but he got to watch the rhythm of her corduroy-clad hips as she sauntered to the kitchen and back. Not a bad punishment for his unmannerly behavior. Upon her return, she curled her long legs beneath her on the couch and set a napkin on his thigh.

  His pulse escalated as he thanked her. He tried to take a steady breath and looked over at the television.

  The intro of the movie had long since flashed across the screen; however, for the first time ever he was more interested in the woman sitting beside him than the film.

  He turned back to her face and locked his eyes on hers. After a moment, he tore his attention from her captivating eyes to watch the movie.

  “Spielberg did a brilliant job with the special effects. By today’s standards this is old stuff, but in 1977 it was revolutionary. Plus, the movie is a perfect epic adventure.”

  She sniffed. “Perfect for a man, that is. Shooting, warring, rescuing a damsel in distress.”

  “No, it has something for everyone. Even you. Action, adventure, comedy, sci-fi.” He paused, pinning her with a pointed stare. “A hint of romance.”

  “God knows I don’t want romance.”

  He didn’t believe her. He’d never met a woman who didn’t like—and want—a great love story. After all, hadn’t she exploited the theme to draw customers to the resort?

  * * *

  Kelsey thrust her hand into the bowl of popcorn, grabbing a handful and telling herself she had to stay awake. She’d been up since four thirty this morning and hadn’t planned on this cozy interlude.

  But Jared Michaels was intriguing.

  She tossed some popcorn into her mouth, chewing a bit too vigorously and biting her inner cheek. Ouch.

  She didn’t think she’d said anything aloud, but he glanced her way a moment. With his dark hair falling over his brow and a day’s shadow of beard along his jawline, he looked downright magnificent. He had a glint in his eyes she recognized, too—a passionate glint.

  Not the lovesick kind but the kind of look a person had when he was ardent about his work. She admired his enthusiasm.

  The film progressed, and her eyes felt a bit grainy and tired. They were threatening to destroy Leia’s home planet if she refused to reveal where the rebels were hidden. Kelsey’s stomach clenched.

  “Why do they always have to have a bad guy?”

  “Just like real life, baby. There’s good, and there’s evil. And people make mistakes. And then they pay.”

  They pay. She silently repeated his words, recalling the note she’d received earlier. Reaching for more popcorn, her hand collided with his. She pulled back, not grabbing more of the snack until it was safe.

  What price would the weekend hold?

  After eating the popcorn, she curled her fingers around her mug tightly. She watched Jared, trying to figure out how to deal with him. Her strategy was to be open and helpful, to demonstrate that Chalet Romance had nothing to hide. Now that she’d met him, she still thought that was a good plan.

  He must have felt her stare because he looked over at her and held her gaze for several discomforting seconds. She didn’t want to fool around with games; she just wanted all the drama to go away. And like Leia, she wanted to protect her world, and would at any cost.

  Draining her hot chocolate, she set down her cup. These were sue-happy times. Perhaps the best thing would be to let it just play out. There wasn’t anything to find. And if he did make a case that they were negligent, then she’d find a way to convince him not to sue, or better yet, dig up some dirt on him. She knew it was an empty threat, but it was the best she could think of at the moment.

  His interview with Spielberg came halfway through the movie and lasted about three minutes. Jared looked almost more handsome on the screen than he did in real life. Almost.

  He exuded a laid-back rapport with Spielberg, asking smart questions about his films and changes between Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Jurassic Park. Kelsey was impressed. No, more than impressed. Overwhelmed.

  Her doubts magnified tenfold. If he was that sharp during an interview, he’d probably cut her to shreds in regards to his sister.

  “That was phenomenal. You did an excellent job,” she said when the interview finished.

  “Thanks. You never know what they’re going to show and what they’ll decide to cut.”

  A lingering silence fell between them as the movie resumed.

  She tongued her inner cheek, finding the place she’d bitten earlier. Her apprehension made her cold. She dragged a throw from the basket beside the couch then covered her chilly legs and pulled the soft fabric up to tuck beneath her chin.

  It was one of those moments where no matter how hard she tried to control her thoughts they kept circling back to the very thing she wanted to avoid. What would develop from Jared’s investigation? The stress of it all was too much. She glanced sideways and caught h
im watching her again. There was a real flicker of interest in his eyes she found unmistakable, undeniable. Kelsey wanted to look away. But couldn’t.

  “Do you mind if I hang out and watch the rest of the program? I’m a bit keyed up and wouldn’t be able to sleep.”

  She hesitated, threw off her snuggly cover and leaned toward him, clearing the mugs and near-empty popcorn bowl. “Sure, it shouldn’t be that much longer if I remember correctly.”

  “Sorry, that was completely rude of me. You must be tired. I’ll just head out,” he said.

  “I’m not that tired. Really. I’ll just watch with you.”

  She rose, not believing she’d just said that. He had imposed on her, yet somehow it didn’t feel like that much of a bother. Besides, she didn’t want to be alone.

  “What do you have planned for tomorrow?” she asked, walking to the kitchen.

  He didn’t answer until she returned. “Why? Do you want to watch another movie?” His tone rang of mischief. He pushed the tray table back between the cushions.

  She felt her cheeks fire up. “No.”

  “Well, then, how about we meet out front at nine and you can show me where Tiffani’s accident happened.”

  Kelsey plopped back down on the sofa, drew her knees to her chest, and hugged her legs. There wasn’t any menace in his tone, but this time, the blood drained straight to her feet and a weakness spread through her. “Fine,” she said, glad she was sitting.

  As the commercial segued back to Princess Leia, Kelsey wished he’d change his mind and that he’d miraculously leave in the morning.

  It was a foolish wish, she thought as her eyes grew heavy and closed. Miracles happened to other people, not her.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The greenish-blue numbers on the cable box told him it was ten o’clock. The movie had been over for several minutes, but still Jared didn’t move, couldn’t move, or else he’d wake Kelsey. In the space of a commercial, she’d fallen asleep. At some point she’d tipped sideways. Curled up like a cat, the top of her head now met his thigh with her hair spilling across his jeans.

  He’d have to leave eventually—just not yet.

  No, she presented fresh entertainment. An enticing character. The beautiful fairy queen. He wondered if she painted such creatures, perhaps slumbering fairy angels endowed with extraordinary powers beyond those of mere mortals. Kelsey slept covered with a blanket, but he could picture the delectable package hidden beneath.

  On a gentle sigh, she emitted a whispery breath, then a half-groan.

  He curved his fingers into fists. What did this fairy’s blond tresses feel like? He was aching to find out. Instead, he inhaled the flowery scent of her.

  With a delicate twitch, she snorted, then scratched the tip of her nose.

  He grinned. But the smile abruptly disappeared as she rotated, stretched out on her back and tossed one long willowy arm over her head and onto his lap. She was like cooked spaghetti, and—he was…not. He was a lobster looking at the boiling pot.

  If only the circumstances were different.

  Her face relaxed into the tranquil expression of pleasant dreams. She looked tender, warm, and incredibly delicious.

  If he was looking for a relationship, he would definitely free his schedule to get to know this beauty. Sweat dotted his brow as he contemplated giving in and waking her by threading his fingers through her silky curls.

  Ignoring his attraction, he extended his arm, laying it along the back of the couch and adopting an unaffected position. Best to table his interest. There would be no waking and seducing Kelsey Moore.

  For a while his back was pressing deep into the sofa, tense with expectant energy. He knew, it was time to go yet his body was unwilling to move—not wanting the evening to end. It wasn’t long, though, before uncomfortable thoughts invaded the intimate moment. Thoughts of how bizarre it was that life went on, feeling went on, even when someone you loved was dead or suffered life-altering injuries.

  Which also echoed—life was short.

  He peered at Kelsey, the direction of his musings effectively buried his desire beneath the weight of one huge problem: was Kelsey’s family responsible for Tiffani’s accident?

  His mother would say, What will be, will be.

  But he believed circumstances could be changed. Sometimes. If only he found the key to how his sister ended up so severely injured, he might be able to hold someone accountable. Or at least accept it. The explanation Tiffani gave wasn’t the whole story; that much he sensed.

  Kelsey gave another raspy groan. It was the sign he needed to make himself move. “Kelsey.”

  She turned into him, almost crawling onto his lap, and then her eyes opened sleepily. She froze with recognition. She lifted her chin as her face turned a delightful pink color. “Um, sorry.”

  “Not a problem.”

  Sliding backward, her feet hit the floor and she stood, wobbly, using the sofa to push herself up.

  Jared came to his feet, steadying her with a hand on her arm. “Thanks for being a good sport and turning your home into a theater.”

  “You’re welcome.” She yawned.

  “Sorry to keep you up.”

  She laughed lightly. “You didn’t.”

  He grinned at her show of humor. “Tell you what, I’d like to repay you by taking you to breakfast in the morning. How about it?”

  “I don’t usually eat breakfast.”

  “Aw, come on. If nothing else, a cup of coffee.”

  “Tea.”

  He made a face. “Okay. Tea.” Of course she’d be different. She probably used honey too.

  She tilted her head back for a minute, closing her eyes, seemingly tossing around the idea.

  Jared watched her curly hair drape her shoulders, then forced his attention away from her delicate throat.

  She’s a distraction, the voice in his head warned. You can handle it, his heart argued. And he knew he could. All he had to do was maintain a nonchalant attitude, and position his goal front and center, which, for now, included getting to know Kelsey Moore better. She was his lead.

  Unexpectedly, she blessed him with a sleepy half-smile. “Kay” she murmured.

  “Atta girl. See you in the morning.”

  Kelsey groggily trailed him to the door.

  He slung on his jacket. “Good night. And thanks, again.”

  “No problem.”

  He had to stop himself from leaning in to touch his lips to her cheek. It’s what he wanted to do. To kiss her. Taste her. Instead, he stepped through the doorway.

  Outside, he shoved his hands inside his jacket pockets and decided now would be as good a time as any to pick up his Escalade from the entrance parking lot. As he descended the hill, the night sky opened up beyond the trees, presenting lacy clouds partially hiding a three-quarter moon. The ample light made it an effortless trek along the path. In the quiet, he forced his thoughts from Kelsey and instead listened for the cries of nocturnal creatures, finally hearing the yip of a coyote and the hoot of a barn owl. He filled his lungs with crisp mountain air and savored the spicy pine scent of the world around him.

  Ten minutes later, he was driving back to his chalet, noting the lights were off when he passed Kelsey’s place. As tired as he was, he had the feeling he had a long sleepless night ahead of him.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Dressed in her usual short nighty and panties, Kelsey flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. She couldn’t even muster her typical satisfied sigh as the cool sheets welcomed her. No, this evening her emotions were peeled raw from battling distrust and extraordinary attraction.

  Jared Michaels was the most striking man she’d met in years. Well, probably ever. And she desired him. Wow, did she desire him. If only he weren’t out to avenge his sister.

  A man on a mission didn’t equal good relationship material.

  Hmph. Pass that memo on to my screaming hormones.

  She shut her eyes, gave a long, slow sigh, and allowed herself to d
rift into the misty land where sleep met imagination.

  The dream’s buoyancy lifted her to the surface, and she was floating on a raft of sensation and semi-consciousness. The elements of the fantasy materialized in the fragmented form they always did, more like flashes of pictures and little clips rather than a film.

  The backdrop could have been one of those super sensual get-away places she pinned on Pinterest. A handsome, virile man carried her from a mysterious pool to a draped bed. He was bare-chested with firm muscles, and water-droplets clung to the skin over his pecs. He placed her atop a pile of textured blankets and, moving a rich towel inch by inch across her skin, unhurriedly dried her entire body. And the purpose of the evening began—to give her immeasurable pleasure. The one major detail that changed from one dream to the next was her seducer. Usually he was someone famous. An interlude with Christian Bale, Josh Duhamel, or to-drool-over Bradley Cooper that in the veil of darkness took the edge off her sexual yearnings.

  However, tonight, as she looked up into the eyes of her fantasy lover, her breath caught in her throat. Tonight went beyond all the untouchable movie stars. Tonight her lover was the sexy and oh-so-hot Jared Michaels.

  He reached across her to bind a wrist with a cuff, then repeated the action on the other side. She tested the restraint, lifting her arm. Its mechanism sprang free as usual, and then he reset the band. It was one thing to play a game, quite another to be trapped. Her Dream Jared flashed white teeth, seeming to understand and approve.

  Holding a bottle filled with amber liquid over her, he drizzled oil from her collarbone to her abdomen to the vee between her legs. Next, he set about massaging her, running his thumbs along the column of her throat, adding his fingers to rain down and around her breasts until he tweaked and pinched her nipples. She arched into his hands, and he smoothed his palms lower, again using his thumbs, this time to outline and put pressure on the soft flesh between her legs, coating her skin with oil.

  Moving upward, he leaned forward and suckled one breast while massaging the other.

  Then he pulled back to position a tray of sensory objects nearby. She glimpsed feathers and brushes among the items. Kelsey shook with anticipation.