by Tena Stetler
Koda laughed, her warm breath formed a fog around her head. “We’re going to start back. Just make sure you return in time to create your famous Maple Cinnamon Twist. Otherwise, no dessert,” Koda said over her shoulder, gaining speed on the downhill slope, Wyatt close behind her.
****
Leaving their ski boots on the porch, Devlin pushed the front door open for Summer and inhaled deeply. “Something smells incredible.” The rich aroma of beef stew wafted through the room as they trudged inside. Piper came bounding in behind them, tongue lolling out as she panted and shook snow all over the floor. “Now that’s a happy pup.”
“She’ll sleep good tonight.” Summer got Piper fresh food and water then collapsed on the couch nearest the fireplace. “My legs feel like wet noodles. And I thought yoga kept me in pretty good shape.”
“Maybe we went a bit too far for your first time.” Devlin conceded. “Tomorrow will be easier, since you have the technique down now. You did real good today.”
Summer beamed up at him. “Thanks. I had a wonderful time. You’re a great teacher. But tomorrow, I’m afraid, I won’t be able to move.”
Koda sashayed into the room. “The kitchen is all yours, big bro.”
Devlin leaned over Summer, gently brushed his lips over her neck below an ear, and whispered, “I’ll be right back.” He straightened and strode into the kitchen.
After preheating the oven, he stood at the counter, mixed flour, yeast, butter, milk and a dash of maple flavoring in a bowl. Leaving the dough to rise on the warm ceramic stovetop, he whipped up a filling of brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter in another bowl, then wiped his hands on the towel tucked at his waist.
Summer padded silently into the kitchen while his back was turned, wrapped her arms around his waist and on tiptoes breathed a lingering kiss at the side of his neck. He turned and peered at her, eyebrow raised. “What can I do for you?” he asked in a seductive voice.
“Oh, nothing at the moment.” She brushed her fingers teasingly over his abs and a bit lower, then glanced at the doorway into the other room where Koda and Wyatt conversed quietly. “Maybe later?” Leaning over the bowl, she sniffed. “Smells cinnamony and delicious. You should bottle that aroma.” Pausing she tilted her head toward him and moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “On second thought—maybe not. I’d be hungry all the time.”
Bending over he kissed the tip of her nose. “Depending on what you’re hungry for, I may bottle it anyway.” He laughed and shooed her out of the kitchen. “You’re distracting me.”
Chapter Nine
Full Moon Rising
After dinner, Summer helped Koda clear the table and put away the leftovers. They stacked the dishes in the dishwasher and turned it on.
Devlin settled on the couch beside Summer, her head tucked in his shoulder, arm wrapped around her, talking softly.
Koda pushed up from the double rocker recliner she shared with Wyatt and announced. “We are going for a run before bed. Don’t wait up. I still have your key.”
Devlin nodded. “Have a good time, but don’t stray too far. Neighbor to the east has set up traps. Foxes are worrying his hen house.”
“We’ll keep a look out.” Koda said solemnly, shoving Wyatt out the door in front of her.
Summer tilted her head and looked up questioningly at Devlin. “Why—”
“I can’t shift, but Koda and Wyatt can. They enjoy running on the property in their wolf form and engage in the wilder side of—things. I don’t want to have to rescue either of them naked from the jaws of a trap on the neighbor’s property. That would be awkward.”
Summer giggled. “Yes, it would.” She shifted toward Devlin, tucked her feet under her, and lifted her face up toward him.
Devlin took her up on her unspoken invitation, covering her mouth with his. Her lips parted allowing his tongue to slip inside, swirls of desire raced through her as their tongues joined in a sensuous dance. She felt his breathing increase as he lifted his head and traced her lips with his tongue. His long slender fingers unbuttoned her flannel shirt, and pushed it off her shoulders.
Trailing kisses down her neck to the swells of her breasts, his tongue dove between her breasts, while his hand eased the silky cup of the bra aside and caressed her pink nipple with his thumb until it was hard. He covered the swollen tip with his mouth sucking gently, scrapping the nipple lightly with his teeth. She arched her breast against his mouth as moisture gathered between her thighs.
She unfolded her legs and straddled him, wiggled out of her shirt, let it slip to the floor and pushed him back against the couch reaching for the bottom edges of his sweater. Yanking the garment over his head, she caressed her fingertips down his warm muscular chest dragging her fingernails lightly over his nipples. Chest heaving, he groaned as she flicked her tongue over the hardened nubs. “Like that?” she cooed.
When her hand slid beneath his waistband and twisted open the button to his jeans, drawing the zipper down, his brown eyes shifted to golden.
“Devlin, I thought—I mean—your eyes, they’re golden.”
“What?” he groaned, moved against her, and recaptured her lips with demanding urgency.
The hard ridge of his erection strained at the now too tight underwear as she worked her fingers inside stroking his slick head. He moaned, grasped her waist, and held her in place while he arched his hips, closed his eyes for a beat, and groaned. Then he released her, reached around and flipped open the catch of her bra, spilling her firm breasts into his mouth.
His tongue licked from one soft mound to the other as his hands kneaded. One hand moved down to her waist, fingers slipped inside the stretchy waist of her yoga pants, and caressed the crotch of her damp panties.
Devlin smiled wickedly tugging the panties aside and feathered his fingers over the petal soft folds of her center, stroking the sensitive little pearl of flesh causing her to moan and writhe at his touch. Panting, Summer wiggled away, got to her knees, and yanked at his waistband. He slouched down, lifted his hips shoving the jeans and underwear to the floor.
As she tried to get her feet on the floor, he lifted her over him, so she stood straddling him; her feet on the shifting couch cushions. He pealed her pants off one leg at a time and pushed her legs wider apart.
She peered down at him while he did the same with her panties. Now bare to him, he slid his hands up the inside of her thighs and spread her soft folds, teasing a finger at her wet entrance. His stroking fingers sent wild jolts of desire through her, knees buckled and he caught her, guiding her where he wanted her. Balanced on her knees, his warm breath caressed where she was already hot and wet for him. His tongue flicked out and she screamed spreading wider for him, his tongue spread, explored and thrust until waves of ecstasy throbbed through her.
As she hovered over him, relief flooded through her as he peeled back a little foil package and smoothed the condom over his rock hard shaft. Devlin’s eyes widened as she grasped his length and settled over him. The slight discomfort of stretching to fit him lasted only a moment, then she reveled in that full feeling before lifting up. She growled and gave a deep quick thrust of her hips, he groaned and wrapped his hands around her waist pushing deeper into her, holding her there.
Parting her lips, she brought her mouth down to his as he stroked into her until warm sheath, until she pulsed around him on the verge of ecstasy. His hands tightened on her as she rides out her climax, then he gave a loud throaty growl and came. She collapsed on him and he wrapped his arms around her. After a few minutes, he got to his feet bringing her with him, shifted her in his arms, and carried her up the stairs to the master bedroom. He shoved the door closed with his foot and laid her gently on his bed.
“What about our clothes?” she asked. “If your sister comes home…”
His lips twitched as he raised a brow and gazed at her. “They’ll know rather than guess what happened while they were gone.”
She felt heat rise to her cheeks and Piper scratched
at the bedroom door. “She won’t understand being closed away from me in a strange place.”
He took a blanket from the chair and tossed it in the corner, then crossed the room, opened the door. Piper looked up at Devlin, hedgehog in her mouth, slipped past him and trotted over to Summer’s side of the bed.
She leaned on an elbow, pointed to the blanket, and commanded, “Place, Piper”. The dog padded over to the blanket, glanced at Summer, circled twice, dropped the toy and laid down, Piper’s head on the stuffed animal.
He grinned and shook his head. Summer stared at Devlin amazed. He didn’t bat an eye at her request concerning Piper. This man is a keeper.
Devlin crawled into bed beside her tucking her curves neatly into his own contours. “How about a repeat performance?” he whispered, his lips buried at the nape of her neck, his arousal pressed against her.
She wiggled her ass and pushed back against him. “What do you think?”
Chapter Ten
A Valentine’s Day Surprise
Summer stretched her arms out and felt for Devlin in the bed. He was gone. She sniffed, the wonderful aroma of fresh bread, bacon, and coffee wafted through the room. On the dresser sat a vase with a dozen long stemmed deep purple roses intermingled with baby’s breath.
A pale pink ribbon was tied around the vase along with a tiny envelope tucked between the flowers. She sat up, swung her feet to the floor, and padded over to the roses. Candy hearts were scattered around the vase, she picked one up, and turned it over “Charm Me” it said. Smiling, she popped the heart in her mouth, carefully removed the envelope, and pulled out a card.
The card read, “To the most wonderful woman in my life, Happy Valentine’s Day. I am forever grateful fate brought you to my gun club. We need to spend more time together up here, maybe forever. Will you be my Valentine? With Love, Devlin.”
She held the card to her heart, leaned over to draw in the sweet scent of roses. Ambling across the room to the balcony’s French doors, she peered out at the sparkling snow covered world and sighed. The snow had stopped, for now.
The overnight bag she’d pack sat next to the bed. She unzipped it, pulled out red lace panties and matching bra, a pair of light blue yoga pants and a dusty rose-colored sweater. Dressed in only the panties and bra, she bent over, placed her hands flat on the floor, then stretched her arms to the ceiling and began working her way through Tadasana—mountain pose. Someone knocked on the door, Devlin pushed it open, and Piper bounded in behind him. Summer leaned over and gave Piper a good rub.
“She wanted out early this morning, so I took her out to romp around a bit. I hope you don’t…” His eyes rounded as his gazed wandered over Summer and he sucked in a breath. “You look sexy as hell. Is that an offer?” He crossed to her, fingers caressing up and down the bare skin at her sides, and around her waist.
She giggled as he wrapped her in his warm embrace. “That depends.”
“On what?”
Summer smirked. “What you have to offer.”
“Oh, sweetheart, you know what I have to offer. I gave you everything last night.” Tenderly, he brushed his lips over hers.
Her tongue traced his lips and she murmured, “Speaking of last night, what’s with the golden eyes?”
He shrugged. “It’s a wolf thing.”
Koda gasped loudly at the doorway and covered her eyes. “Give it a rest. Brunch is ready—I’d appreciate you enjoying my culinary extravaganza before it goes cold. And…Summer put some clothes on first.” Chuckling, Koda uncovered her eyes and flounced out the door.
“She is quite the cook. And for some reason she wants to impress you.” Devlin said resting his cheek on Summer’s head.
“Better get dressed. I’d like to stay on her good side.” Wiggling out of his grasp, she pulled on her pants and sweater, brushed her hair, and turned a 360 degree for him. “Presentable?”
“I liked what you had on before, but…you didn’t answer my question.”
“What was that?”
He looked pointedly at the roses and the card lying open on the dresser.
“Oh, of course, I’d be honored to be your Valentine as long as you agree to be mine.”
Quiet for a few beats, he tilted his head. “No one ever asked me to be their Valentine. Maybe that’s where I…Yes of course.”
She raised up on tiptoe and kissed him. “I loved the roses. How’d you know they were my favorite?”
“Your employees are easily persuaded with warm drinks.”
She frowned. “Have you been stalking my employees?”
“Nope, I stopped to see you and you weren’t there. They were very helpful.”
“I’ll just bet they were.” She glanced once more in the mirror and followed Devlin downstairs.
A large bouquet of red roses and white carnations graced the center of the table with Koda’s name on the card. Pancakes in the shape of perfect hearts were arranged on a platter, alongside bowls of fresh fruit, plates of bacon and scrambled eggs. A frothy pink drink sat at each place setting.
Koda dressed in jeans, pink sweater, and heart-shaped apron with white lace, and spatula in hand. “Finally. Now hurry up and sit down, I didn’t slave over a hot stove since dawn for nothing.”
Devlin pulled out a chair for Summer as Wyatt did the same for Koda. Settling into the chair, Devlin picked up a glass of the pink concoction holding it eye level and turning it this way and that. “What the hell is this?”
“Taste it,” Koda commanded.
“No way, not until you tell me what’s in it.”
She pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. “It’s my famous frozen orange juice, strawberry, raspberry sweetheart surprise. You’ll love it. Guaranteed.”
Summer took a sip and licked the pink froth from her lips. “It’s really good. Try it Devlin.”
He looked over a Wyatt who was nodding. “Ok, but if…” Devlin held the glass up to his nose and sniffed, then took a sip. “Wow.” He took another drink.
After brunch, Devlin chased Koda and Wyatt out of the kitchen, with the suggestion they hit the trails. Summer helped clean up the kitchen, then shrugged into her parka and took Piper out for a romp around the cabin. The sun peeked through the clouds, and she enjoyed the warmth while chasing after Piper, then stopped to build a snowman.
Piper plowed into the snowman knocking it over. Summer enjoyed the time alone and appreciated that Devlin gave her space. Eventually, he stepped out on the porch and stood, gloved hands on the railing.
He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled. “You about ready for hot chocolate?”
“Sounds great.” Summer shouted back, whistled for Piper, and trudged toward the cabin. On a whim, she scooped up snow, quickly formed a snowball, and threw it at Devlin, hitting him square in the chest.
He grinned. “You don’t want to start something you can’t finish.” He swiped snow from the railing for a snowball, and tossed it at her.
Piper leaped up in the air and barked excitedly as snowballs flew back and forth. Cold and wet, Summer conceded defeat as Devlin rushed out, grabbed her by the waist and swung her around in a circle then pulled her tight against him.
“Hot chocolate’s waiting.” He lowered her on her feet and they walked hand in hand into the cabin with Piper trotting beside.
Mugs and a plate of heart shaped cookies sat on the coffee table between the couch and the crackling fireplace. A wooden box intricately carved in the shape of a cabin sat beside one of the mugs.
“Have a seat and I’ll get the pot of hot chocolate,” he said.
She sank down onto the couch, rested her head against the back, and closed her eyes. The physical activity from this morning wore her out, good thing she hadn’t planned to go skiing. Settling down beside her, he put his arm around her. Summer opened her eyes and glanced at the little box.
“That’s for you. If you want it.”
She reached for the box. The rooftop was hinged and she pushed it open. In the cente
r of the box, a purple ribbon secured a ring, set with a large Marquis cut Sapphire and two small diamonds on each side.
“Summer, I not only want you to be my Valentine, but I want to spend my life with you at my side.” Cupping her chin in his hand, he tipped it up and their eyes met. “I love you more than I thought possible. Marry me?” He touched his lips to hers.
Her eyes glistened. “Yes…I’ll marry you,” she murmured against his lips. She felt transported on a soft and wispy cloud as she deepened the kiss. He shifted to envelope her in a warm embrace.
Devlin lifted his head and smiled when she rested her head on his chest. “Did you have a date in mind?” she whispered as if words would interrupt the flow of happiness floating around them.
“Yes. As soon as possible. I’ve spent years putting my needs on the back burner to serve others. You’ve carried that undeserved weight of guilt over the vampire’s demise way too long. Let it go. Embrace our newfound happiness. We shouldn’t waste another minute. I want to start our life together as soon as you feel comfortable with the arrangements.”
The door banged opened, a cold wind swept through the room accompanied by Wyatt and Koda’s unbound energy. Stopping to take off her boots, she glanced over to where Devlin and Summer sat. “Hey what’d I miss?” She elbowed Wyatt nearly knocking him over as he balanced on one foot pulling the boot off the other. “Look at those two. Something’s up.”
Romantic spell broken, Devlin laughed. “I’m going to install a stop behind that door before the knob slams through the wall. Never had that problem until you two arrived.”
“I repeat, what did I miss?” Koda narrowed her eyes at Summer and sighed. “He asked you to marry him, didn’t he?” She danced from one foot to the other. Without waiting for an answer, she leapt across the room, nearly crashing into Devlin and gathered them into a tight hug. “It’s about damn time.”
“Now wouldn’t you feel terrible if that isn’t what happened?” Devlin asked.
