Authors: Marissa Dobson
“Is that so?”
“Yes, you are.” Now that he stood in front of her, he was able to reach out and place his hands on her hips. “I’m going to kiss you, stop me if you don’t want me to.”
He leaned closer, pausing just before his lips met hers and looked into her eyes. When she did nothing to stop him, he made good on his promise. He slowly slid his tongue between her lips, exploring her mouth. He finally broke the kiss, leaving them breathless for a moment.
“Stay with me tonight.” Her voice was low as she continued to gaze into his eyes.
“I was hoping you’d ask.” He tugged her toward the sofa.
“No.” She bit her lip as if suddenly nervous. “Come to my bed. I want to feel your arms around me as we cuddle.”
“Are you sure?” Even with every ounce of his body wanting to do just what she asked, he didn’t want to rush her. She had to be sure this was what she wanted, what she needed.
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.” She led him toward her bedroom. “For the first time in years I feel like I’m living. I don’t want that to end. Come to bed and hold me in your arms…just make me feel alive.”
The chirping of birds in the tree next to Ella’s window forced her to stir. She started to roll over to face the window when she collided with someone. Thinking it was Abbi, she forced her eyes open to check on her. Only to find James still peacefully asleep next to her. The night came flooding back. They had cuddled in her bed, talking, until sleep pressed against them, scattering their thoughts and making their eyes flutter shut.
It was the first time she was happy to wake up next to someone else. She could get used to having James beside her, the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes.
Easy girl.
She tried to remind herself they just met, but even that wasn’t enough to stop the thoughts of having him in her bed every night from spreading. They might have just met but she had come to know him better than anyone else in her life, even her former female friends.
“Morning beautiful.” His rough voice, laced with sleep, pulled her from her thoughts. “How long have you been awake?”
“Only a few minutes. I was tempted to curl against your body and fall asleep again.”
“Why don’t we?” He used the arm that was wrapped around her to pull her back down until her head was resting in the crook of his shoulder, and he kissed her forehead.
“Because my parents will be arriving soon.” She reminded him, her hand sliding along his naked chest. “Though a day in bed next to you sounds heavenly.”
“I can’t promise a whole day in bed once Abbi is back to her normal self, but I think we could arrive at a leisurely lie-in.”
She propped herself up on her elbow. “Thank you for staying.”
“I’ll stay every night if you’ll have me.” He ran his hand down her back. “Actually I was wondering if you and Abbi would stay with me tonight?”
“What?” She tipped her head. Wasn’t the occasional trip to town enough for now?
“Don’t look at me with those wide eyes full of fear. I suggested this because Michael and I rotate hospital duty, and this week is mine. I need to be in town in case there’s an emergency but I’d like you with me. That way I can keep an eye on Abbi.”
“I have a feeling it’s less about Abbi and more about getting me out of this cabin.” If she was right about that, she didn’t like it one bit. To have him use his work as an excuse to manipulate her.
“Okay, it’s not about Abbi, but it has nothing to do with this cabin either. It’s about having you with me. I realize this is all happening fast, but I’d like to have you stay with me. I want to get to know you better, to feel your warm body next to mine.” He leaned up and nuzzled his head into the crook of her shoulder, kissing along her shoulder until he reached the base of her neck.
“I don’t want my parents to know.” She shook her head, bumping slightly into his. “I sound like a high school girl sneaking out at night, instead of a grown woman with a daughter. It’s just I don’t want to have to explain, or deal with them.”
“We’ll deal with that once we know if they’re leaving today. I just want you to think about it. Now we should get up, as you said your parents will be here shortly and I want to see how Abbi’s doing this morning.”
“I guess I’m going to have some explaining to do anyway.”
“Why?” He pulled back to look at here.
“You’re going to be wearing the same closes from yesterday. Mom’s going to realize it and know you stayed the night.” She tried her best to shrug it off but the thought of a lecture from her mother turned her stomach.
“Don’t worry, beautiful, I have a change of clothes in the truck.” He slipped out of bed to stand before her, still in his jeans. “Don’t give me those wide eyes again, it’s not for the reason you’re thinking. I don’t keep extra clothes in the truck for one-night stands.”
“Then why do you?”
“It’s a habit I formed in Denver. Sometimes I’d leave the office to do evening rounds at the hospital and get caught up in an emergency. Being the newest doctor to the practice, the others made me handle a lot of the calls that came in during the night. Many nights I’d end up crashing in the doctor rooms at the hospital or on the sofa in my office. A change of clothes came in handy, same with fresh scrubs. If you don’t mind I’ll grab them and then use your shower.”
She was tempted to tease him about joining him in the shower, but the idea alone sent her blood racing. Damn, she wanted this man, wanted him naked, but she barely knew him. Her mind screamed for her to slow down or she’d end up with a broken heart, while her body was raring to go. She wanted to feel his touch all over her naked body, his lips on hers, but more importantly, she wanted the intimate touches lovers share. The looks so full of heat they could melt the snow off a roof in the middle of winter. She wanted it as much as she needed her next breath.
He strolled from the room and she watched the way the jeans contoured to his butt as he walked. It took all she had not go after him, to push him back down on the bed and demand he make her feel like a woman. Her body was so full of desires she hadn’t felt in so long and it scared her. She needed to get her head around what was happening between them before she let her body control the situation and she ended up naked with him.
What’s wrong with me? I’ve known him for two short days and I’m already trying to have sex with him.
* * *
Ella stepped out of the truck in front of Winterbloom and took in the old Bed and Breakfast. In all the years since she was here the only thing that had changed was the owner. Chloe had inherited it from her grandmother, and now she owned it with her husband Jordan. They’d hired an innkeeper, Hope, since Ella’s last visit. The owner’s cabin was also a new addition and it gave the new family privacy. It also kept the guests from being disturbed by the newest addition to the Shepherd family, Bianca.
“You coming?” James looked back at her from the front of the truck where he was standing.
“Yes.” She smiled and went to him. “I was just thinking. I knew Chloe years ago and I’m glad to see she stills owns Winterbloom. This place was her grandmother’s heart and soul. Even with the change of ownership, it doesn’t look like it’s changed much at all.”
“I wasn’t here then, but I know that even with Hope, Chloe is still very hands-on. Jordan has been trying to get her to relax more, since Hope can handle the inn, but even with the baby she still finds time,” James explained as they headed to the front door.
“Sounds like Chloe.”
“What sounds like me?” Chloe appeared from the side of the house and as her gaze found Ella she stopped midstride. “Hell, Ella, is that you? I can’t believe it.”
“It’s been years.” Ella took her hand from his and went to the other woman, quickly wrapping her arms around Chloe, tears rolling down her face. “Too long.”
“It has. Come around back to my place and let’s catch up…that is unless you’re busy.”
“No, I have a little time. You have a guest staying here who I’ve come to see but he’s not expecting me. Plus I want to see this baby girl I heard you had.” Ella stepped back and looked at her friend. “You look great for just giving birth.”
“I’m not yet back to my pre-pregnancy body, but this place and Bianca keep me hopping enough that it won’t be long. My baby girl is already nine weeks, I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it, I saw Bianca hours after she was born.” As if James had reminded them he was there, they turned to face him.
“I’m sorry.” Chloe raised an eyebrow at him. “Did you come to see Jordan?”
“Actually, he’s with me.” She held out her hand to him, and when he took it she slid her fingers between his, interlocking them.
“Ahh, it won’t be long before the gossip mill has something new to buzz about.” Chloe laughed. “Come on, let’s get some sweet tea and you can fill me in.” She turned on her heels and headed back the way she’d come.
“Do you want me to find Gioven or Jordan so you can spend time with Chloe?” James leaned in close enough so Chloe wouldn’t overhear.
“No, stay with me.” She squeezed his hand, unsure what she’d managed to get herself into. It had been years since she had seen Chloe, but she thought they’d just pick up where they left off, while something in Ella warned her to be cautious. Rushing this newfound freedom that seemed almost too good to be true could be disastrous in the end.
A small part of her wished she could go back to the life she had a few days ago. She found security in the cabin, but it was also lonely. The comfort, friendship, and attraction she found in James was something she didn’t want to give up, not even for the sanctuary of the woods.
James squeezed her hand, almost as if he realized she was spiraling downward with her thoughts. “I’ll be there and it will be good for you to catch up with an old friend.”
Chloe climbed the steps to the log cabin ranch halfway around the lake, between Winterbloom’s main building and the cabins along the far side of the lake. “Who are you here to see anyway?”
“Gioven Sparks.”
Chloe let the screen door bang shut without going in as she turned to them. “You can’t possibly know him?”
“Umm.” Ella suddenly felt unsure of herself.
“Jordan called me yesterday to help him at On the Rocks and Ella was with me. She helped us get him into the truck, even drove my truck over so I could bring Gioven’s. She was able to get through to him while we couldn’t,” James explained, brushing his thumb over Ella’s knuckles.
“I told him I’d stop by and visit with him. Why, is something wrong?”
Chloe glanced inside the door and then turned back to Ella. “You need to stay away from him. He’s dangerous, especially once he’s had a few drinks.”
“He’s sweet,” she hazarded, but Chloe shook her head.
“When he’s not drinking, maybe…but he can’t give up the bottle. He’s staying here because he’s an old combat comrade of Jordan’s, and I love my husband, otherwise I’d have told him to leave.” Chloe crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m thankful for his service to our country, but he needs help…otherwise he is too dangerous to be around. Whatever he saw during his time in the Marines was too much for him, and the alcohol makes it worse.”
“That’s enough, Chloe,” Jordan snapped from the other side of the door.
“I don’t want her getting hurt because she doesn’t understand the risks,” Chloe insisted as Jordan stepped out of the house with Bianca in his arms.
“His scars might be hidden, but he’s still a wounded Marine, not a freak show. I won’t stand by while you criticize a man who covered my ass on missions.” He handed the baby to her before continuing. “Think back to what happened when I stumbled upon your establishment during a storm.”
“That’s different.”
“I don’t think it is.” Jordan nodded to the chairs on the porch. “Have a seat and let me tell you how I met Chloe.”
“We don’t really need to hear this,” Ella said, nervousness lacing her words, but Jordan was already settling onto one of the porch rockers.
“I think you do. It will give you some insight on me but it will also allow you to understand what might be going on with Gioven.” Jordan waited until everyone was seated before continuing. “A nasty storm was bearing down on Clearwater, but I didn’t care, I had a personal mission and I was going to get it done. No storm was going to stand in my way, not even one that was expected to stall over the area and drop up to ten feet of snow on the town over a five day period. You might be wondering what was so important that I would risk everything for it, but I’ll get to that.”
“Not for some time, as your car broke down and stranded you here.” Chloe smiled. “It was right after my Grandmother passed away, and I was waiting for the paperwork to go through which would allow me to reopen, so I wasn’t expecting any guests. Jordan wasn’t nearly as welcoming as he seems now. He was a grouchy wet man who demanded a room.”
“You forgot the fact that you were threatening me with one of the logs you just carried in.” Jordan smirked at Ella. “She clung to this log like she was ready to beat my head in with it.”