Rocky Mountain Hero (To Love Again Book 3) (9 page)

“Hopefully the cave was fresh enough,” Jenny laughed again. “That still boggles my mind.”

Isabel laughed, relaxing again. “I can barely believe it myself. Maybe I’ll use that in my book.”

“Seriously, though, where is Tray these days?”

Isabel glanced at her watch, then looked madly around the room, hoping to flag their waiter down.

“It’s late, I have a two o’clock.”

“You’re not skirting this. If I have to walk back to your office with you in order to get an answer, I will. You’re no longer seeing Tray?”

“Not since we got back, well, a night or two after we got back. It was meant to be that way, Jenny. He got what he needed, I got what I needed.”

Jenny snorted and shook her head, staring straight into Isabel’s eyes. “And neither of you got what you wanted?”

“I just said-”

“You got what you needed, I heard you. What about what you want, Isabel? It’s time. You deserve it.”

“It what? I deserve Tray? I just can’t right now, Jenny. Our deal is done and I need to focus on work. Plus, now I’m writing to a deadline so finishing my book is not exactly optional. Not to mention, I already spent the advance.”

“Uh huh. And when you finish your book, there will be another task on your list. I know you, Issy. You’ll keep yourself busy, then one day you’ll wake up and wonder why you’ve spent your life alone.”

Isabel already did wonder. She’d spent the last three years alone. Not to mention that the last few years with Chet had seemed so empty, it felt even longer than that.

Her dramatic exit from the restaurant that last night with Tray kept coming back to haunt her. She’d acted terribly and was embarrassed every time she thought of it. If nothing else, she could have ended their liaison graciously.

She was lying to herself about ending it. She hadn’t wanted to, she’d hoped to continue seeing him, hiding behind the sex for a while until she was able to sort out her emotions.

Time hadn’t diminished her feelings, as she had hoped. She’d known she was falling for Tray, but had fought it every step of the way.

When he’d admitted his age, announced there was only a handful of years between them, she’d known there was no reason for her to fight it any longer. And it had terrified her.

“I blew it, Jenny.”

“What do you mean? With Tray?” They were walking towards the door, past the other fashionable diners and the gracious hostess, into the crisp sunlight of the afternoon.

“He told me he was falling for me, and I got in a taxi and left. I wouldn’t even let him drive me home.”

“I knew it. I knew there was more than just casual sex. So you stomped away. If he loves you, he’ll understand.”

“No, I can’t just pick up the phone and admit I was wrong.”

“You can’t?” Jenny stopped and grabbed Isabel’s arm, turning her until they were facing each other on the sidewalk. “You’re a therapist. You help people face up to their mistakes and admit when they’re wrong all day. You’re telling me, your best friend, that you can’t pick up the phone and tell this man, who wants to love you, that you were wrong… and ask for another chance?”

“What if he doesn’t want to see me?”

“That won’t happen. Give him a chance.”

Her eyes welled with tears and she brushed the back of her hand quickly across her cheeks.

Jenny wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close. “I know you’re scared, but not everyone is Chet. Give Tray a chance.” Jenny stepped back and held Isabel’s gaze. “Give yourself a chance, Issy. You deserve to be happy.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The afternoon passed quickly, but Isabel found herself distracted during the sessions. She wanted to see Tray. Was there a chance that he’d still want to see her?

Jenny was right. She was scared and it was time to start living again. Tray was a breath of fresh air in her safe, sterile life.

She was busy, she was successful, but she didn’t feel triumphant. It all felt empty without being able to share it with him.

She could swallow her pride. She would admit she’d been wrong. If he didn’t want her, then she’d learn a valuable lesson for next time.

She checked the phone book for his address. She didn’t have the patience to start randomly calling numbers again. She’d have to go to the college. If she hurried, she might catch him still there.

She punched the button on the intercom. “Heidi, I need you to cancel my five o’clock.” Heidi was silent at the other end. “Heidi?”

“I can’t do that, Dr. Chapel.”

“Why not, Heidi?”

“I’ll be right in, Dr. Chapel.”

Heidi poked her head around the door and stepped into Isabel’s office, quickly closing the door behind her. “Your five o’clock appointment is in the waiting room, Dr. Chapel.”

Isabel glanced at the clock. “Damn,” she swore softly.

“Excuse me, Dr. Chapel?”

“Never mind. Who’s my five o’clock? There’s no name on my list.”

“The gentleman insisted on not giving his name, Doctor. And he’s alone.”

“Alone?” Isabel paced, her frustration mounting.

“He said his partner wouldn’t agree to come, to talk, but he thought she might change her mind – once he saw you.”

“Who referred our mystery gentleman?”

Heidi fidgeted, her boss’s sharpness making her nervous. “No referral, Dr. Chapel. He said he met you once and you’re the only therapist he wants to see.”

Isabel pursed her lips. She couldn’t afford to cancel this appointment, not as she was just getting things back on track. Referral or not, the man had an appointment.

Isabel sighed deeply and walked to the window. “Okay, Heidi, show him in. It’s the last appointment for today, so I’ll see you tomorrow.”

There was a chance she might still find him at the college once she was done here. If she didn’t find him tonight, she would find him tomorrow. And if not tomorrow, the next day. She wouldn’t let her life be empty again.

She didn’t hear the man enter, but the small click of the door closing got her attention. She turned to greet her new client.

“Tray? What are you doing here?” Her eyes raked him in, all six feet plus of him. She couldn’t barely believe he was standing in her office. His dark locks framed his square jaw and his blue eyes smiled back at her.

“I’m your five o’clock.”

“
You’re
my five o’clock?”

“It seemed like the only way to see you.” He crossed the room in long, self-assured strides. “And I need some expert advice.”

Isabel leaned against the window, and steadied herself with her hands against the sill.

“I’m listening.”

Tray continued to close the distance between them, until he was within arm’s reach. The clean natural smell of him enveloped her and she watched the small tick in his cheek flutter. She felt weak with joy to see him.

Tray locked eyes with hers and licked his upper lip. “I met a woman-”

“It always starts that way,” she smiled.

“An extraordinary woman. But she thinks I lied to her and she cast me off.”

Her heart wrenched as he continued to stare deeply into her soul. “I’m sure your lady friend knows you didn’t lie to deceive or hurt her.”

“I hope she does,” he replied, reaching a hand out. Isabel placed her hand in his and shivered with the strength of his grip. She couldn’t believe that she’d ever thought him a boy. Standing before her now, he was all man. All any woman could want, and everything she desired.

“There’s another problem,” he continued, inching closer to her until she had to tilt her head up to meet his eyes. Her breasts rubbed lightly against his chest and a warmth started to spread between her thighs.

“She doesn’t want me.” His gaze drilled into her, his lips inches from her own.

Her breath caught in her throat. Eyes locked, she found herself drowning in his gaze. Her heart pounded in her ears, blocking out everything but Tray. Everything but this moment.

“The thing is,” Tray continued, “I don’t believe her. I think she wants me as much as I want her, she’s just scared.”

Laughing, Isabel wound her hand behind his neck to pull him down to her lips. She kissed him deeply, a long passionate kiss that started in her toes and left her weak with desire.

“Is that the kiss of a scared woman?” she asked, coming up for breath.

Tray’s clasped his strong arms tightly around her, and pulled her closer. “Then tell me, Isabel.”

She peppered kisses on his neck, over his chin, up to his mouth. She let her tongue glide over his lips, slowly, and then leaned back in his arms so she could stare into his eyes.

“I’m not afraid, Tray. I do want you,” she said, the words tumbling out of her mouth in a rush. “I was trying to cancel this appointment so I could come to the college and tell you.”

“Tell me what?” He said, his hand tracing her spine until he reached her buttocks.

“That I think about you all the time - that I don’t want this to end.”

With a loud whoop, he scooped her up in his arms and twirled her around. He set her on the desk and kissed her long and hard. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she kissed him back for all she was worth. His hands found their way to her breasts and he started to squeeze gently, plying the nipples with his thumbs.

“Slowly,” Isabel whispered.

“I thought you weren’t scared anymore,” he teased, nuzzling her neck.

“I mean slowly because it’s better that way.”

Tray captured her mouth with his and kissed her breathless. He stepped back and stared into her eyes. “You are no longer the teacher,” he said.

“And you are no longer the boy,” she replied wickedly.

“Then be my woman,” he said, eyes gleaming and moving his hand smoothly over her stomach toward the warm place between her thighs. “Let’s make this a regular thing.”

“I would love to,” she whispered, resting her forehead against his. “Oh,” she pulled back. “I…I want to, I really do. It’s just that… I’m working on a deadline for my book now. I need to be finished by New Year’s.”

“It’s only November,” he said, leaning forward to kiss her neck just under her ear.

“Only November? I don’t know how I can pull this off in six weeks.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, and smiled. “But, if you could be patient for a little while, we could get together maybe once a week, for lunch …”

“It’s not really food I hunger for when I’m with you,” he growled, scooting her closer to him.

She laughed. “Well, once a week and we won’t say what we’ll be doing.”

“Once a week … that’s a tight ration,” he grimaced, trailing a finger over the buttons of her blouse. “So if I promise not to distract you from finishing your book, what’s in it for me?”

“Over Christmas I’ll be in the mountains with the girls on holiday. Maybe you could join us? They’re not actually staying with me,” she rushed on. “They’ll be staying with friends nearby.”

His broad smile was all the answer she needed. “I promised to spend Christmas on the farm, there’s a new baby and all. But I can meet up with you a couple of days after.”

She smiled and nuzzled into his neck. Christmas holidays in the mountain with this beautiful man, what could be better? She threw her head back in ecstasy as he inched his fingers up her thigh and started to stroke her ever so slowly.

“That sounds perfect,” she panted, just as he slid past her panties and touched a place deep within her that she thought would never be touched again. Her heart.

… to be continued in

Rocky Mountain Holiday (To Love Again Book 4)

Coming in the next few weeks.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Fargo writes steamy romance - featuring strong, mature women and hunky, outdoor types - set in the Rocky Mountains.

A pilot and outdoors enthusiast, she has hiked, biked, skied and kayaked her way through five continents. She travels extensively and is always ready for the next adventure.

She divides her time between Canada and warmer climes. When she’s sitting still, you’ll find her with either a keyboard or a good book in front of her. She has a special fondness for the Rocky Mountains and the people who live in and near them.

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