The Strong Family Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

  Glancing up at him, she found it was a heady sensation to know she had power over this confident, powerful man. She slowly trailed kisses up his neck and to his jawline. She wrapped her arms around his neck and went on tiptoes, leaning against him and enjoying each second of their connection.

  “Anywhere else?” she murmured.

  Stetson released one hand from her back and solemnly pointed to his lips. Teal smiled. He cupped her face with his palm and waited, as if she was going to cross that distance.

  “I didn’t see him hit you in the mouth,” she said.

  Stetson’s lips lifted in an irresistible grin. “That’s not why they hurt.”

  “Why do they hurt?”

  “Because they’re aching to be kissed by you.”

  Heat flushed her entire body. Teal tugged on his neck, pulling him closer. “Maybe I’m not the kind of girl who kisses on the lips.”

  Stetson let out a low moan and pulled her fiercely against him. “Well I’m the kind of guy who needs your mouth on mine, so you’d better be ready for it.”

  She tilted her chin in a challenge. “Try it.”

  “I think I will.”

  Then he captured her mouth with his. She’d seen the warrior in him when he’d thrashed Ike out front. This was similar but oh so different. His lips were strong, firm, and in control of hers. She matched him kiss for kiss, reveling in the demanding yet awe-inspiring way his lips brought color and light into her world. If she could paint these feelings, she’d be a billionaire.

  Stetson kissed her until she was lightheaded and filled with joy she’d never imagined a kiss could bring into her life. When he finally released her mouth, he kept her in the firm circle of his arms. His dark eyes traced over her face and he muttered, “Wow.”

  “Eloquent,” she teased.

  Stetson smiled, but then he sobered. “Teal. You’re incredible and inspiring, and I’m just some guy from a tiny valley in Colorado who barely graduated college and doesn’t even have a job. I’m not eloquent or accomplished like the men you’re probably used to dating. I—”

  “Stop,” she said. “I was teasing. Please don’t disparage yourself. You’re an impressive man, Stetson Strong, and I’d rather be kissing you than anyone else.”

  He stared at her. “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “Does that mean I can kiss you again right now?”

  Teal released her grip on his neck and slid her hands down to his chest, exploring the impressive contours of muscle housed there. She fisted his shirt in her hands and tugged him closer. “If you don’t kiss me right now, I’ll kick you out of my cabin.”

  Stetson grinned but didn’t waste time with words as he pressed his lips to hers again.

  Much, much later, it was completely dark outside the cabin, and only a light over the stove gave them much illumination inside. Stetson held Teal in his arms. They’d ended up snuggled on the couch. Her kisses were more delicious and addictive than any alcoholic drink he’d tried in high school. He was totally absorbed with her and felt like a sappy teenager who’d fallen head over heels much too fast.

  He wanted to spend every day with her, every minute. He wanted to tell her all about himself and hear all about her life. Yet at the same time, he wanted her to keep looking at him like he was her hero. He was reluctant to tell her about how much he loved football, and how he’d failed to make the NFL. She’d never alluded to the fact that she knew who he was. With her artistic background, it was highly doubtful that she followed college football. He cuddled her closer, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair, like peaches and cream. He’d tell her, soon. Right now, he was going to enjoy this.

  “I’d better kick you out and go to bed,” Teal murmured against his neck.

  Stetson didn’t like the sound of that, especially when she kissed his neck and then trailed her lips along it. Fire licked through him. He lifted her onto his lap and proceeded to kiss her.

  She eventually pulled back, giggling. “Truly, Stetson, you aren’t staying the night, no matter how much I like to kiss you.”

  He sobered quickly. “I would never ask you to stay the night. My family is very moral.”

  She nodded. “I like that.”

  “But I can’t leave you here alone.”

  “Why not?”

  “Ike,” he ground out.

  Her eyebrows rose. “You think he’d come back?”

  “I don’t know, but the guy’s obviously unstable. I hate that he knows where you are.”

  She slid off his lap and sat next to him. The romantic moment was gone, and it was his fault, but there was no way he was leaving her here on the off chance that Ike would come back. She lifted her hands. “So what … you sleep in the spare bedroom?”

  Stetson’s body heated up, and he shook his head quickly. “Nope. You’re much too irresistible. No way am I sleeping in your spare bedroom. Besides, it’s covered with your incredible paintings.”

  Teal let out a cute giggle, and he cut it off with a heated kiss.

  He pulled back. “We need to go.”

  “Where are we going to go?”

  Stetson sprang to his feet and offered her a hand. She took it, and he pulled her up. “You can stay in a suite at Gavin’s resort.” He nodded quickly. “That’ll be perfect. You’ll be close. You’ll be safe, but I won’t have to exercise the self-control that sleeping in your spare bedroom would require.”

  Teal pulled her hand free. “You’re serious about this?”

  “Yeah. You saw how disturbed that guy was.”

  “But I’m painting the meadow. I need to be here.”

  Stetson took her hands in his again. “I’m sorry. I’m messing up your schedule.”

  Teal shrugged, but her green eyes were troubled.

  “Do you work every day?” he asked.

  “I take breaks for church … sometimes.”

  This was all Stetson’s fault; Ike wouldn’t have come here otherwise. He felt horrible that he was putting her in danger and disrupting her work. Maybe Ike wouldn’t come back, but he wasn’t risking it. “Can you please come stay at the resort, maybe take a couple of days off? Hopefully things with Ike will die down, and I could come sit with you while you paint your meadow.”

  She studied him. He could see that she didn’t like it, but she’d seen how nuts Ike was. He couldn’t leave her alone here, or let her go paint in the meadow by herself and risk being exposed to that loser.

  “Okay,” she finally pushed out on a heavy sigh.

  “Thank you.” Stetson squeezed her hand and then asked, “Would you be okay spending the next couple of days with my family? I’m taking my nephews and niece to the zoo tomorrow. They’re great.” The rest of his family planned to clean out Papa’s closet and things. When Cassie and Kari had asked if he’d take the kids to the zoo while they all helped Mama, Stetson had said he’d be more than happy to miss out on what was bound to be a hard day, and spend more time with his nephews and niece.

  “With your family?” Her eyebrows arched.” That sounds serious.”

  “It could be.” He matched the lift of her eyebrows, teasing her. “They might think you’re my girlfriend.”

  “Why would they think that?” She pressed in against him and slid her arms around his lower back.

  “Because obviously you can’t keep your hands off of me.”

  “Oh!” Teal gasped and tried to pull away, but Stetson held her fast.

  He bent down low and kissed her neck. “What?” he asked innocently. “Are you thinking it’s the other way around?”

  Teal relaxed and leaned into his lips. “You’d better believe it is. You’re the one who can’t keep his hands off of me.”

  Stetson laughed and easily lifted her into the air, making her squeal and then laugh. “You’re right.” He lowered her to her feet and proceeded to kiss her, whispering against her lips. “I could see myself becoming addicted to you.”

  She smiled up at him. “Well, slow it down, boy fr
om the backwoods of Colorado. I’m just getting to know you.”

  He smiled, but her words made him remember the distance between them. He didn’t like it. She’d asked him to be honest with her, and he would be, but it wasn’t time to show her that he was miles below her in careers and social status. Maybe after a few days spent together, he’d be confident enough to tell her about his failed NFL hopes. Right now, he was going to focus on getting her to fall for him. She’d understand why he wasn’t sharing everything from his past, effectively ruining the moment of their first kisses. At least, he hoped so.

  Chapter Seven

  Teal was amazed by Stetson’s kindness and patience as he carefully loaded all of her paintings into the laid-down cargo space of her Jeep Cherokee, lining each one with butcher paper and blankets, while she packed up her suitcase, not knowing if she’d come back to the cabin or not. She was bugged that man had tarnished her space and she might not get to paint her meadow now, but she agreed with Stetson that she didn’t want to be here alone and have Ike come back.

  She followed him in her Cherokee through the mountains and then the valley, stewing about her paintings all the while. She doubted Stetson had any clue how much they were worth, but she usually cleared at least twenty-five thousand per painting, and there were nine in the back of her vehicle right now. They represented months of work. She’d been meaning to drive into Denver and ship them out or store them at her parents’ house, but this would force her to do that tomorrow. The worry was about keeping them secure for tonight. Even if they were locked up, she felt uneasy leaving them in the vehicle. Maybe she’d have to transfer them to her hotel room. None of this was Stetson’s fault, but she sure wished she’d never met that Ike guy.

  They pulled up to the beautiful Angel Falls Retreat lodge that was nestled against the mountains on the north side of the valley. In the winter a few years ago, she’d come snow skiing here with some college friends. She’d heard that in the summer, it was a great spot for hiking and biking. She’d always wanted to paint the falls but hadn’t invested the time into hiking up and setting up camp there.

  Stetson rushed over and opened her door.

  “Hey.” She smiled up at him, took his hand, and stepped out of the vehicle.

  Shutting the door, he leaned against it. “My oldest brother, Gavin, owns the resort. He had an idea about how to keep your paintings safe tonight.”

  “Really?” Maybe Stetson did have an idea what her paintings were worth, or at least what they meant to her.

  A black Lexus sport utility pulled up behind them. A well-built man, close to Stetson’s size, climbed out. As he approached, Teal could tell they were brothers—they could almost be twins with their dark eyes, coloring, and beards—but Gavin was clearly older by maybe eight to ten years.

  He inclined his chin, giving her a barely there smile in greeting, and Teal didn’t think they looked as much like twins anymore. Gavin appeared to be a pretty serious guy, while Stetson was more of the charming tease with an easy smile.

  Extending his hand, he murmured, “Gavin Strong.” Releasing her hand just as quickly, he pointed at Stetson. “I’m the oldest, so it’s my job to keep him in line.”

  Teal laughed. “Teal Jardine. I doubt anyone could keep him in line.”

  “Hey,” Stetson protested, holding up his hands.

  Gavin’s smile grew slightly. “My wife is going to like you. Do you have any issues with being written into a romance novel?”

  “She writes romance?”

  He nodded. Teal hid a smile. This serious guy had a wife who wrote romance? She’d like to hear how they got together.

  “She claims she doesn’t write us into her stories, but we catch her using our humorous lines or expressions,” Stetson explained.

  “And don’t even think about ticking her off,” Gavin warned.

  “I’ll be on my best behavior.” She arched an eyebrow. “Have you ever ticked her off?”

  Gavin shook his head solemnly. “No, ma’am. I learned quickly that ‘as you wish’ from The Princess Bride is a mantra every happily married man should live by.” His dark eyes twinkled, but he still didn’t give her a full smile.

  Stetson laughed. “None of us thought anybody could break through this guy’s shell, but Kari leads him around like a puppy dog.”

  Gavin almost grinned. “Have you seen how beautiful my wife is?”

  Stetson shook his head. “A whipped puppy dog.”

  Gavin’s face got serious. “Speaking of whipped, how’d you get Teal into some mess with an idiot named Ike?”

  “I whipped him,” Stetson protested.

  “He did,” Teal agreed.

  “If you hadn’t fought him in the first place, Teal wouldn’t be in this mess.” Gavin gave him a serious stare-down, then turned to Teal. “I apologize that my brother is an immature idiot.”

  Teal wanted to stand up and refute him, but she wasn’t quite sure how to start. Gavin was right, in a way. Stetson’s fight with Ike had got her in this mess, but she wouldn’t have met him without it. And Stetson definitely wasn’t an immature idiot; he was an impressive man.

  Stetson flinched but kept his easy smile, not offended or surprised by the callout. “Thanks for helping us.”

  Gavin nodded. “Can you follow me in your Cherokee, please? We’ll make sure to keep those paintings safe; then Stetson can help you get checked into your suite.”

  “Thank you so much,” Teal said.

  “Least I can do to make up for this guy.” He cuffed Stetson softly on the side of the head, then turned and strode away.

  Stetson rolled his eyes. “My oldest brother thinks he’s our dad.”

  “I heard that,” Gavin called back. He paused and said, “Oh, and Mama and Kari are dying to meet Teal. Can you come to breakfast before you head for Denver?”

  Teal looked to Stetson. He shrugged. “They’re not all as poorly mannered as Gav, but they will overwhelm you just by sheer number and loudness.”

  She smiled. It would definitely be different from her norm, but she was ready for the challenge. “I’d love to come to breakfast.”

  Gavin grunted and continued on. Stetson smiled at her, ushered her into the driver’s seat, and closed the door. He jogged after Gavin.

  Teal started the motor and slowly followed them around the side of the resort and to a set of double doors. Gavin unlocked a padlock with a key and then they each slid a door open. Gavin gestured for her to drive in. As she did, her lights cast shadows over a large space. Overhead lights flickered on, and she could see that the huge garage was filled with snowcats, snowmobiles, snowblowers, and a couple of trucks.

  She parked by one of the trucks with a plow attached to the front. Stetson got her door, and she thanked him.

  Gavin walked over to them and offered her the key to the shop. “Nobody will bug your paintings in here, but why don’t you keep the key just so you feel secure?”

  “Are you serious?” She took it from him.

  “Sure. If Stetson trusts you, I trust you.” He pushed at his brother with his shoulder. “He’s a good guy, despite how slow he looks. Too many hits to the head.” He lifted a hand and disappeared out the doors and into the night.

  Stetson pushed a hand at his hair. “I’m not so sure you want to come to breakfast.”

  She smiled, clutching the key. “That was really nice of him.”

  “We wanted you to know the paintings would be safe.”

  “Thank you.”

  They stood there staring at each other for half of a beat. Teal wanted to kiss him again, show her gratitude for him, but he gestured toward her car. “Do you want to grab your keys and stuff and I’ll get your suitcase?”

  “Sure. Thanks.” She reached in and retrieved her purse and laptop bag. The keys to the Cherokee were already tucked in a pocket of the purse, since it had a button start.

  Stetson got her suitcase and shut the rear door. Teal pushed a button on the handle that locked the car. Even though it w
ould be locked in this shop, she liked the double security. Stetson took her elbow and carried the suitcase out. They each slid a door closed, and then he secured the chain and padlock. Teal tucked that key into her purse as well.

  They walked quietly back to the main door of the lodge. The front desk girl was kind and professional as she made Teal’s key cards and gave her information about her suite and the lodge, but her eyes kept sliding to Stetson, giving him lingering, flirtatious glances. Gavin had obviously talked to her, as she didn’t ask for a credit card or any kind of payment.

  Finally, they walked away, but Teal could feel the beautiful redhead’s gaze following them. As they loaded into the elevator, she said, “The front desk girl’s a fan of yours, eh?”

  “A fan?” Stetson said sharply, his dark eyes drilling into her with suspicion.

  Teal didn’t like him denying it, and she was feeling a little jealous. “She wants to date you, obviously.”

  “Oh.” Stetson laughed and his shoulders relaxed. “Julie’s a sweetheart, but she’s eight years older than me. She’s had her eye on each of my brothers throughout the years, mostly Gavin. Now that they’re all married, she probably just checks me out by default.”

  Teal felt better but had to tease. “I thought you said you liked older women.”

  Stetson’s gaze traveled slowly over her. “Only talented artists about two years older than me with dark hair, green eyes, and the most tempting lips you can imagine.”

  He leaned down closer, and Teal could already imagine his lips on hers. The elevator door dinged open behind them. Teal jumped slightly. “Oh!”

  Stetson smiled and inclined his head. “Maybe we should continue this in your room.”

  She gave him a sassy shake of her finger. “I already told you, you aren’t spending the night.”

  He chuckled easily as they walked down the sixth-floor hallway. “Good thing, too, since I couldn’t possibly resist you.” He winked.