“He’s a new cop. He’s overzealous,” Cassie said. Though he was being really weird...
“What does he think I’m going to do? BASE jump off of the top floor of the building?” Montana moved out from behind the rack and shot Eddie a look.
Which he pretended not to see.
Cassie sighed. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Seriously. The guy’s everywhere I turn.” Montana said, dipping out of sight again behind several mannequins.
Eddie turned in a circle, looking for her.
Shit. The guy really was keeping an eye on Montana. “Hey, Eddie, what is your deal?” Cassie asked as she approached him.
“Oh hey, Cass... I didn’t see you.”
“Quit it, Eddie. Montana said you’ve been following her around town. What are you doing?”
He lowered his voice. “She’s an ex-con.”
Cassie scoffed. “Hardly. Her ‘crime’ was an extreme sport, not shoplifting.”
“You’re defending her?”
“No. Just clarifying things for you so that you can relax and give her some space,” Cassie said.
He looked at her suspiciously now. “You two are friends now?”
“Yes. And she’s going to be working at SnowTrek Tours with me.”
“So she’s sticking around?”
Cassie couldn’t tell if he was irritated or pleased. Was there something more to Eddie’s attention toward Montana than just serving and protecting? “Yes.”
“And you’re really okay with that? What about the fact that she’s Tank’s ex?”
“Not a big deal.”
“And she’s Kaia’s mom...and you’ve been that maternal role model for Kaia for so long. Someone else stepping in is okay with you?”
Why was she suddenly being interrogated? She wasn’t such good friends with Eddie that he needed to know her business. “Eddie, Montana is Kaia’s mother. Not some stranger or new girlfriend Tank has brought into their lives. It’s in Kaia’s best interest.”
Eddie looked concerned. “Kaia’s maybe. Yours, I’m not so sure. Protect yourself, Cass...and I don’t mean your wallet,” he said, casting a glance toward Montana.
Cassie shrugged off his concern. “Everything’s fine. Please stop following her,” she said, walking away to rejoin her friends. She forced Eddie’s concern out of mind. Everything was fine. It was more than fine, actually. She and Tank had finally taken the next step.
Erika was browsing a rack of snowboards, but Cassie didn’t see Montana. She scanned the store and spotted her near the camping gear... She headed toward her, but stopped, noticing Lance Baker.
The two were smiling and flirting, perhaps? Montana’s body language certainly suggested it... The head tilt, the eye contact... And Lance was definitely feeling her. His lean in was obvious.
See—Eddie didn’t know shit. Montana’s demeanor around Tank had never even come close to this obvious attraction toward Lance. At least not when Cassie was around. If she was still into Tank, she wouldn’t be flirting with Lance.
Cassie’s shoulders relaxed as she moved a little closer, pretending to browse the thermal sleeping bags. She wasn’t being nosy, she just wanted to keep an eye on Montana. These mountain snowboarding gods had a reputation for being playboys and she didn’t want Montana getting hurt. The woman was here to finally get her life back on track. A casual fling was cool but Cassie would hate to see her get invested in a guy like Lance and have her heart broken.
Though, who was kidding?
Montana was more than likely quite capable of breaking her fair share of hearts.
Her ears pricked up as she heard Montana mention the BASE jumping venture, and she moved a little closer.
“I knew I recognized you,” Lance said. “So, that’s what brings you to Wild River? Isn’t it illegal?” Lance asked, sounding even more intrigued that Montana might be the bad girl her former misdemeanor offence suggested she was.
“Hopefully not for long.”
Cassie listened as Montana explained their plan to Lance and told him about the new site. She felt slightly uneasy with Montana’s confidence in the whole thing. She was talking as if this was a done deal. Which it certainly wasn’t just yet. Cassie had been tight-lipped about the venture because locals would have mixed feelings about it and until things were confirmed, there was no point spreading the rumor all over town.
Shouldn’t Montana have spoken to her about how much they were going to say right now? After all, they wanted this venture to make a big splash if they did follow through with it. Lance Baker could post it on social media and half the world would know within minutes.
“Then, I take it you’re moving to Wild River?”
Cassie started to move away, but stopped when Montana hesitated.
“Well... I’m not really sure yet. Not a hundred percent anyway.”
What? Hadn’t she told Tank she was here for Kaia? That situation wasn’t dependent on this new venture’s success... At least, it shouldn’t have been.
“It depends on whether you are successful in this or not?”
Cassie’s heart pounded as she waited. Would Montana still stay if the mayor rejected the proposal for the jump site? Was that really the only reason she was here?
“That...and a few other things. For now, this is temporary.”
Temporary. Shit. Tank was right not to fully trust Montana and her motivations.
And now, this knowledge was on Cassie’s shoulders. Should she confront Montana about what she’d just heard? Should she give Tank a heads-up? For Kaia’s sake?
Damn, Eddie might not have been too far off the mark after all.
Cassie moved away, having heard more than she’d wanted to. Glancing across the store, her face flushed, seeing Tank and Reed approach. She quickly moved further away, out of earshot of Montana and Lance. She wasn’t sure how Tank would feel about witnessing his ex flirting...and that made her even more uneasy.
Seeing Erika, Reed headed toward her, while Tank continued straight toward Cassie.
“Hey...you guys made it.”
“Sorry we’re late. We had a call to assist ski patrol this morning,” he said. “Was that Eddie you were talking to?”
“Yeah...apparently, he’s been following Montana around.” She should at least tell him that much.
Tank frowned. “He’s been what?”
Cassie forced a laugh. “You know Eddie. He’s just taking the job a little too far...”
Tank looked beyond her toward the guy. His chest got slightly puffy and Cassie’s stomach knotted again.
Protective much?
“Seriously, it’s nothing. I talked to him. He’ll quit it.”
“He better,” Tank said and the note in his voice had Cassie’s stomach twisting. But a second later, his hand reached for hers. “I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he said.
That made two of them, but she looked around to see if anyone noticed the hand hold.
“Do you want to spend next weekend with me?” Tank asked.
Um, yes. But, “What about Kaia?”
“She’s going on an overnight camping trip with her Girl Guide group.”
“She is? They didn’t need me to volunteer this time?”
Tank looked sheepish. “I may have told them you were unavailable for this one.” He took a step closer and the look in his eyes had her body on fire. A whole weekend together. Not just one afternoon...
“That’s a white lie I can live with.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE REST OF the week dragged on and Cassie’s productivity was next to none. Tank’s invite to spend the weekend with him was the only thing she could think about.
Weekend. Shit. Two full days and nights with him. Uninterrupted. No Kaia. No work—they’d both booked it off. He had Reed filing in at the bar the entire week
end. Would they even leave the bed? She’d be okay if they didn’t. They could order in food if they were hungry.
Other than emergency calls or texts, she was unplugging from the real world and enjoying the time with him.
Pulling into his driveway a little past five, she checked her reflection in the rearview mirror before reaching for her overnight bag from the back.
A sleeping Diva woke immediately and her tail wagged seeing where they were. The dog whined, unable to contain her excitement.
Cassie laughed. “I feel the same way, Diva.”
They got out of the car and headed inside.
The smell of garlic and spices had her stomach growling and her mouth watering. She’d suggested picking up dinner along the way, but Tank reassured her that he was already on top of dinner plans.
She hoped they had the same idea. Eat early and move on to other appetite-satiating activities. “Hello...?” she called out as she closed the door.
“In the kitchen,” he called back.
Diva took off toward the sound of Tank’s voice.
Cassie moved a little slower, dropping her overnight bag into his bedroom on her way to the kitchen. She suddenly felt anxious, yet nervous...as though she hadn’t been friends with him for years, hadn’t spent countless evenings in his home... This was different.
Maybe she should have worn jeans...stayed casual...but the spring sun and unusually warm temperature that day had tempted her to wear her new navy slim-fitting skirt that came just above the knee. It matched her white shirt with the pale blue feather pattern on it perfectly.
Diva was already curled up on her mat near the door, destroying a new bone, when she entered the kitchen. “Smells great in here,” she said.
Tank turned, and seeing her, he nearly dropped the spatula he was using to flip the ground beef. “Wow.”
Cassie gave a nervous laugh. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Tank reduced the heat of the pan on the stove and within two big strides, he was next to her. His arms went around her waist as his mouth crushed hers.
Cassie gripped his face between her hands and stood on tiptoe, closing the gap between their bodies. She’d been waiting for this, craving it, since he suggested they spend the weekend together. He tasted so delicious and smelled so tempting. She was only hungry for one thing in this kitchen.
Tank’s hands slid lower over her hips and ass as he lifted her off the floor. Her legs went around his waist as he hoisted her higher. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she deepened the kiss. She wanted him...couldn’t wait to have him again. Couldn’t wait to be naked with him again. How had they ever been around one another before without being naked? It would certainly be a challenge now.
Tank lowered her onto the kitchen counter and separated her knees, wedging himself between them. He broke the contact between their mouths and buried his head into her neck, kissing gently along her exposed skin.
Cassie moaned as goose bumps surfaced all over her body. For someone who was out of practice, Tank was stirring up all sorts of amazing sensations within her. Maybe sex was like riding a bike.
When his hands slid up her thighs beneath her skirt, her body trembled with desire and anticipation. There was no denying what either of them wanted right now. They had all weekend. Just the two of them...but luckily neither of them seemed interested in wasting a single moment of it. “I’m glad you’re here,” he murmured against her ear as his fingers reached the edge of her underwear.
“I couldn’t wait to see you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. She kissed him softly, her gaze locked with his, and then she ran her tongue along his bottom lip.
He growled as he pressed himself closer. “I want you, Cass...”
“Here?” she whispered against his mouth. He could have her anywhere he wanted.
“I don’t think I can wait long enough to get you into the bedroom,” he said, unbuttoning his jeans. He slid the fabric down over his hips and she took in his erect cock, straining against his underwear.
She swallowed hard at the memory of him inside her. She longed to feel all of him deep inside her body. She reached for his underwear and lowered them, then lifted her skirt higher around her waist. She was so ready for him. So willing to give him all of herself. Over and over again that weekend.
Tank pulled her body closer, his cock pressing against her body through her underwear. “Shit, Cassie... I’ve never wanted someone so badly before.”
“So, what are you waiting for?” she asked.
His grip on her waist tightened, but then he stopped. “A condom...” he said, taking a deep breath and moving slightly away. “I’ll be right back.”
He was. In record time.
Cassie laughed as he rejoined her, tearing open the condom and sliding it down over himself. “That was fast.”
“This will be too,” he said gruffly as he gripped her ass and moved her to the edge of the counter. He pushed her underwear aside with one hand as he guided himself into her ready, wet body with the other.
Cassie gasped and her eyes closed as he filled her. Her body trembled and she held on tight as Tank plunged deeper and deeper inside her.
Her folds tightened around him and her pulse raced as he moved faster and harder with each thrust of his hips.
All weekend. They had all weekend to do this. She wasn’t sure it would be enough. Her desperate pace grew frantic as she rode up and down over his cock. So hard, so big, so fucking incredible. Her body pulsated as the first ripples of pleasure washed over her. “Tank... I’m coming already,” she said, wrapping her entire body around him. She couldn’t get close enough as her orgasm erupted, stealing her breath.
Gripping her hips, Tank rocked forward a final time, his head falling against hers as he came seconds later. “Told you I wouldn’t last,” he said, a satisfied smile in his voice.
“Next time,” she said, kissing him again. “And the time after that...”
“And the time after that,” he said, kissing her forehead.
Good to know they had the same agenda for the weekend.
“Quick or not, it was definitely the best thing I’ve had in this kitchen,” he said.
“Looks like it might stay that way—the meat is on fire,” she said, wide-eyed at the sight of flames coming from the forgotten pan on the stove.
“Shit.” Tank yanked up his pants quickly and reached for the fire extinguisher on the kitchen wall. He sprayed toward the stove and the flames immediately went out.
Cassie climbed down from the counter, readjusting her own clothes. Then, wrapping her arms around his waist, they stared at the destroyed frying pan and charred meat. “Never thought I’d be able to say I’d had sex so hot, it caught a kitchen on fire.”
Tank laughed as he turned in her arms. “Let’s order in for the rest of the weekend. Just to be safe.”
* * *
CASSIE’S HEAD ON his lap, asleep on his couch hours later, Tank stared at her. Diva was curled up at her feet. This—her being there with him—felt so natural, so right. Being with her had always felt that way, and despite their relationship turning physical, things didn’t feel a whole lot different.
That both relieved and worried him.
He thought taking this next step with her would have changed things. It should have. If things still felt the same, was he really opening up to her? Was he putting his heart on the line again or was he only giving in to the physical?
She’d said she was willing to accept whatever he was ready for. They’d move forward slowly...as long as they were moving forward.
But he knew eventually this wouldn’t be enough. Weekend sleepovers when they could sneak them in wouldn’t be enough for either of them...or fair to expect. Cassie wanted a commitment from him. Deserved a commitment from him.
His cell phone vibrate
d on the cushion beside him and Diva opened one sleepy eye. Not wanting it to wake Cassie, Tank reached for it quickly.
The station.
Shit. So much for an uneventful weekend.
“Hello?” he whispered.
“Tank, that you?” Tyler asked loudly into the phone.
Diva must have heard Tyler’s voice because she immediately jumped down off the couch and sat at attention at Tank’s feet.
Tank lowered the call volume. “Yes.”
“Why are you whispering?”
“What do you want?” Please let the guy just need the Wi-Fi password again.
“We just received a call from the state trooper’s office—a bunch of tourists booked ATV tours with North Mountain Sports Company earlier today and ran into mudslide territory on the side of Canyon Mountain. The company called for assistance in getting them out.”
“Any injuries?”
“A few minor ones reported...mostly from trying to get the vehicles unstuck.”
“Can you guys handle it?” This wasn’t a real emergency and even something serious would have him hating to leave Cassie right now.
“We could...but seeing as how you are the only one on crew who could possibly just lift the ATVs out of the mud, we thought it would be faster if you came along.”
“But you can do it without me?”
“I know Kaia’s away with Girl Guides. What else you got to do?”
Plenty. He gazed down at Cassie’s soft blond hair and flushed, glowing skin. Nothing that he wanted circulating around the station. The guys would all know about him and Cassie soon enough. They would think it was long overdue, but it still wouldn’t prevent the razzing...and he wanted to keep all of this to himself for a while.
“Fine. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“Bring your muscles,” Tyler said before disconnecting.
Just once he was tempted to let someone else do the heavy lifting. Literally. But if the crew got stuck out there themselves in the mud, he’d only be called to help get all of the vehicles out later.
Better to get this over with as soon as possible so he could resume his weekend.
Under an Alaskan Sky Page 19
