by Amanda Rose
To my surprise, Evan leaned over further, and drew his finger around the rim of the bowl of frosting. He brought the finger to my lips and held it there for me, almost touching, but not quite. He was really going to have to work on his fulfilment. You shouldn’t promise a girl something and then not deliver, it's a very fast way to piss her off.
I opened my mouth, and thankfully, he got the hint. I sucked on his finger, swirling my tongue around his finger. Evan groaned and satisfaction welled up within me. Not just satisfaction either. I was about to take it further when we were interrupted by the doorbell chiming. Damn it, why did a customer have to choose this moment to walk in? I was about to get what I wanted, for the third time in twenty-four hours. Or was it second time? It was hard to tell with group sex. I giggled. There was a thought I'd never imagined having before. But even so, I was raring to go, and probably still had sex hair from when Daniel and I had got it on, serving someone tea and cake was a massive let down after that.
Strong arms wrapped around me just as I was pulling back from pulling back the blinds. Soft kisses found their way to my neck, and I leaned back into the person that I could only assume was Cal. Mostly because I could hear Evan pottering about in my kitchen still. Over the course of the day, I'd discovered he wasn't actually working as a patissier at the moment, and had settled for a bar job while he looked. Basically, that meant being in my kitchen was a dream come true for him, and I'd mostly let him play. It was kind of fun not to have to worry about what was going on in the back actually. I could get used to it, though wasn't going to tell him that quite yet. He'd get the wrong idea and likely set up camp in there.
"How was your day?" Cal asked, speaking softly in my ear.
"Enlightening," I deadpanned, turning in his arms and pushing my body against his. If he was going to put himself in this position, then he should definitely expect me to take advantage of it.
"Ah, yes, Evan said you'd had a talk."
"We did, yes." I smiled up at him, wondering what it would take to make him kiss me. I bit my bottom lip. It was normally an involuntary reaction, but this time I did it intentionally. I wanted him to know just how much he was affecting me. And that I was a willing participant in what he had planned. More than willing in fact.
"And?"
"I think it sounds..."
"Saffron?!" Daniel's voice came along with a loud knocking and I sighed. The door was open this time, I knew it was, because otherwise, Cal wouldn't have been able to get in. At least he was respecting my space now.
I disentangled myself from Cal's arms, and made my way over to the door, trepidation building in my stomach. I didn't know what Daniel was going to say, just that I was nervous. I opened the door to find an equally nervous looking Daniel on the other side. He was a shade of the confident man who'd taken me earlier, but then maybe that wasn't to do with the sex. And maybe, after we talked, things would turn out well for me. A girl could hope, right?
I waved into the room in answer. I didn't really have anything I wanted or needed to say in response to that one statement. Maybe when he elaborated more, I'd have an answer.
"Hi," Daniel said nervously when he noticed Cal still standing in the empty café.
"Hi," Cal returned, looking at Daniel curiously. "I just need to go talk to Evan," he said, before turning towards the kitchen. Nervously, I waited for someone to say something. I didn't really want Cal to leave. Him being here made me feel a lot more secure, even if it was all in my head. And even if he was the reason that I needed to have this conversation in the first place.
"No, please stay," Daniel blurted out. "It's probably best that Evan's here too." Cal nodded, before shouting for his brother.
Moments later, Evan left the kitchen, wearing an apron over his clothes, but with flour dusting his cheeks and nose. The image really shouldn't have worked, but something about it was just so damn attractive. Damn, I had it bad for him. I glanced at the other two. I had it bad for all three of them.
"You wanted to talk?" I prompted Daniel. I didn't really want to, but anything was better than the slightly awkward silence the four of us had descended into.
"I do," He nodded, then began to pace. "This isn't normal," he said, gesturing around the room at us.
"No," I acknowledged. There was no use pretending any different. Even if we were fine with it ourselves, there were going to be other people who weren't so understanding. But we'd deal with those when we came across them.
"I think I'm okay with it. But under a few conditions."
Cal took a protective step closer to me and my heart swelled.
"Which are?" he asked, his voice deep and serious and oh so sexy.
"I don't want to have sex with either of you." He looked between Cal and Evan in a concerned manner.
"We don't even have to be in the room," Evan said playfully, earning himself a stern look from Cal. I would've given him one too if I hadn't been more on edge than he was.
"Good." He nodded again. "I want dates alone with Saffron." The butterflies in my stomach began to flutter all the more. This wasn't sounding like someone who wanted me to choose. This sounded like someone who would play the game.
"Don't we all." This time it was Cal that spoke. He chuckled, clearly enjoying the situation far more than he should.
"I wan- wait, what? You're okay with that?" Daniel seemed taken aback, and I had to admit I was a little too. Maybe Cal should have protested a little more? But then again, he was still getting what he wanted.
"Yes. This isn't about what we want, it's about what you and Saffron want. If you want dates alone, and sex alone, then that's what you get. But if you change your mind...well, I doubt either of us would stop you," Cal explained, moving over to me and slipping an arm around my waist. Reflexively, I leaned into him, enjoying the comfort his embrace gave me.
"Oh, okay then. I want to see where this goes."
Nothing could have stopped the broad smile that lit up my face. Nor the joy that was filling my heart. They all wanted me, and they were all alright with the others being a part of my life. Really? What could be more perfect? I couldn't wait to tell Jazz.
I glanced around the three men stood in my café. I also couldn't wait to spend what I hoped would be the rest of my life exploring what this was with them.
Laura Greenwood
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Description
Cora and her pets—one dog, three cats and two parakeets—are heading into the mountains for a long winter's rest. She has all the essentials that she thinks she needs: coffee, bourbon, TP, pet food and brandy. She's not expecting to meet anyone: especially not three gorgeous men.
Cora thinks this will be a quiet, easy trip to a private cabin, the perfect Christmas vacation retreat. She is unprepared for the flat tire that leaves her stranded in a snowstorm at the local mountain grocers. She definitely needs some help, but it comes in an unexpected way.
A cowboy, tall and wearing a white straw hat and black boots, comes her way to offer his help. He heads out of the store, and she can't help notice his tight ass cloaked in denim. Little does she know this is just the beginning.
There are always possibilities during the Christmas season. Unexpected encounters. Who knows who else Cora might meet? It could be anyone. Maybe a hot teacher or a sensual organic farmer …
In the snowy mountains it's hard to say what'll happen. Cora may not be getting the long winter's rest that she's expecting … Maybe it's the reverse?
Dedication
CHAPTER ONE
The joke in my immediate family was that there was a Starbucks on every corner. We’d see about that; it might be true in the city, but I doubted there was one up here. When I'd decided to get away for a winter holiday to the mountains, I was spoiled for coffee … and tired of my boring existence.
I worked to pay the bill
s, student loans, and rent. I had not dated in over four years because of the asshole that I'd allowed to make me feel ugly and stupid. My fault too, I supposed—lack of self-esteem. I needed to be somewhere in nature, somewhere cozy. I didn’t have any money, but I did have a new credit card, so what the fuck? I booked a cabin for winter break for two weeks in December, in Oregon near the Mckenzie River. I'd driven Highway 126 several times and had always wanted to stay in the area. The McKenzie was one of the purest, clearest and coldest rivers anywhere, and I was ready to settle in for a long winter’s rest near its peaceful banks.
I didn’t expect anything in my life of change. Everyone always said that, but for me, I truly believed it was true. But at least when I set out for my winter retreat, I was not alone. I had my dog Pandora, a springer spaniel, my three rescue cats—Vin, Eden, and Kikwi—and my two parakeets, Mama Bird and Baby. Sounded like a lot, I knew, but there was no one to take care of them. So, I loaded up the black PT cruiser, an older car, but great for road trips. I tried to remember everything we might need as there weren't a great many stores in the mountains.
Personal List:
Coffee
Bourbon
TP
Brandy
Books
Candles and matches
Wasn't that all a person needed to feel complete?
Well, that list plus pet food, bath salts, extra pillows, and plaid wool blankets.
I could barely fit everything into the cruiser, but I was committed.
Snow was forecast for the mountains, but not until the next day. I felt we had plenty of time, so we left at eight in the morning on December fourteenth … and the snowstorm? It hit fifteen minutes later. Had I mentioned I was out of coffee? Talk about insult to injury …
I started my climb into the mountains anyway. I remembered a small town that had a general store on the way. I believed the store might have hot coffee—fresh was relative in my desperation.
I prayed.
The car was warm from the heater, but something seemed off. I made it to the grocers, got out and … “Goddamn it!”
Yeah—a flat tire! In the fucking snow! Oh, wait, it got better—I didn't own chains. Stupid, I knew, I just wasn't good at car stuff. Okay. I didn't want to be.
Coffee first.
Then I'd deal with this.
My animals were snug and warm in the car. I would just be gone for a few minutes.
The store itself was overly hot, the heater on too high, even for the snowy weather. There were all these psycho winter campers in line for chicken-on-a-stick. It was, apparently, a delicacy here. Fried chicken skewered on a stick. It actually did smell good. Standing in line to get the next popular chicken-on-a-stick serving was someone who just stood out. I mean, the sort of man I didn’t expect to see in a place like this. Tall, a cowboy hat—again tall—black cowboy boots and oh, I’m sorry, tight jeans. Not your usual Oregonian mountain enthusiast. Wow.
Tight jeans, tall, a white straw hat in winter?
Hmm.
He even had a plaid red and green flannel shirt tucked in snuggly. I was a sucker for plaid. A leather belt with silver studs completed the ensemble. I couldn’t see his face, but I did notice large workingman hands.
I made my way to the checker to see if the mini gas station outside had anyone to help with a flat tire. I was sorry to hear everyone had gone home at the start of the storm. I stood there, feeling a bit helpless, trying to figure out what to do next. In the background was a Christmas tune playing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Merry just did not seem to be in the picture.
My cowboy must have heard my conversation because he was just there beside me all of a sudden. His eyes were green like mine. I could just see them by looking up under the brim of his cowboy hat. I was about five-eight he must have been about six-four, lean with dark hair that curled out under his hat. He had a fine smile and when he spoke, I literally swooned. He had just a bit of a Southern accent.
I could see my reflection in the windows of the store. Looking awkward, as usual, in any social situation. My red-gold—decidedly not natural—hair had been recently touched up at the salon, yet still managed to look like a rat's nest. The natural wave in it turned it into dreadlocks. I was hardly dressed for a snowstorm in my black yoga pants and pullover cream sweater. I only had on jogging shoes. I didn't know why I was worried about how I looked though. I was on my own retreat, not here to be social.
My cowboy inquired if he could be of help, overhearing my damsel in distress situation.
“Are you a serial killer?” I asked—I was a little nervous!
“No, ma'am,” he said with a slight smile, explaining he was visiting from over the pass for Christmas, taking a break from his ranch in the Three Sisters Wilderness. He didn’t say who he was visiting. Why did I even care? I decided to take him up on his offer. After all, I was parked right in front of a brightly lit store, what could happen?
We walked outside, snow falling faster in large flakes that looked like giant potato chips falling from the blackness above.
“Oh, I didn’t introduce myself, I’m Cora.”
“Well, I didn’t introduce myself either. My name is Lucas.”
“It’s nice to meet you!”
“A pleasure, I’m sure,” he said with a small wink.
What did he mean by that?
We got to the Cruiser and there was the flat on the front driver’s side.
“It’s a good thing you stopped when you did; you could have had a serious accident.”
I could feel the blood drain from my face. Already pale, I was sure I looked ghastly!
“Well, let’s get the spare out; this storm is going to make driving these roads even more treacherous.” He popped open the hatchback and my dog Pandora went insane, barking and snarling at the supposed intruder.
“What the fuck!” Lucas jumped back and slipped in the icy parking lot. Falling backward, he fell on his ass.
“FUCK! What was that?!”
“Lucas, I’m so sorry. My animals are in the car and you surprised my dog Pandora.”
“I surprised her?”
He looked like he was regretting the offer of help already.
“I’m sorry I forgot to tell you; I feel really bad.”
“Well, help me up, these boots are kinda slick.”
“Oh, sure, right.”
As I helped Lucas up, his backside turned toward me. The wet jeans seemed to adhere to a perfect ass.
I was staring.
“Okay, so what do we have here?”
“Um, one dog, three cats and two parakeets.”
“You do realize we have to take the animals out to get to the spare?”
I actually didn’t, but I was not going to admit it to him.
“You’ll have to take them into the store to stay warm. The temperature is falling rapidly. You might want to stock up on any extra supplies while you’re here. The roads will probably close soon. Snowplows won’t be out for a while and the trucks that sand the road are stuck over the pass. I’ll help with the animals, but check in with the store keepers first.”
The store owners were an older couple in their sixties. They were really generous and said we could bring the animals right in.
“Coffee?” I asked in hopeful desperation. Fresh, hot dark roast in the largest handmade mug I'd ever seen was placed in my waiting hands. I actually gulped it, searing my throat. I didn’t care—it was my life’s blood at this point.
“Better shop while you're here, dear, and make sure you have plenty of supplies. We’ll watch your animals for you.”
Surprisingly, my pets were quiet, lulled by the overheated store into comas. Grabbing a cart and slowly perusing the aisles, I was thinking worst-case scenario: snowed in with six animals, no human contact at all, and running out of supplies. What would I need to sustain me?
Secondary list of the basics …
I hit the coffee aisle first, the wine section next. How many bottles
did one person need? Let’s see … snowed in for a week, maybe … okay seven. Perhaps some Chardonnay and Merlot? More TP and some craft beer? Although I didn't drink beer, so who was that for? Game aisle next. Deck of cards and some checkers. Whom did I think I would be playing with?
I could just see Lucas outside, potato chip snow collecting on the brim of his cowboy hat.
Oh.
I distracted myself with bath salts with mountain lavender—made locally. How could I resist? Did I even have a bathtub at the cabin? I couldn’t remember.
I was still a good half hour away from the cabin. What if I didn’t make it? The Cruiser was not a four-wheel drive.
I wheeled my cart back to the counter just as Lucas came into the store.
“Well, that’s done. How far away are you from where you're going?”
“Half an hour maybe?”
The shopkeepers exchanged looks.
“I don’t think you’ll make it in that car. It’s too low to the ground and no chains … We have an extra room upstairs if you'd like to stay?”
I just stood there again. The shopkeepers were kind to offer a spare room, but I wanted to get to my cabin. I had been waiting for this retreat for a long time.
Lucas saw my disappointment.
“Hey, I have a four-wheel drive. I can take you, your animals, and supplies to the cabin, help you out. Where are you staying?”
“The McKenzie River Cabins.”
“Know them well. I’m not too far away. Let’s get your stuff into my truck.”
“I don’t know you!” I squeaked before really thinking it over, but the shopkeepers assured me they had known Lucas for years. Maybe it was a conspiracy? I really was too tired to argue. I guess I had to trust Lucas or sleep at the general store.
It was a difficult choice, but my desperate need for a vacation drove me into making the decision to accept Lucas' offer.
