The Lion, the Leopard and the Wolf (2 page)

She’d never been near Arctic, Colorado before, yet when she saw the pictures of the serene mountain town, it reminded her of someplace, no, something she’d forgotten. When she looked at the hills, the area seemed familiar. A warm sense of belonging leant excitement to her overall anticipation of the trip. That’s when she knew this vacation to Fantasy Lodge would change her life.

Skiing wasn’t her thing, not anymore, not since the accident and her problem with her balance. No one would expect her to do much skiing anyway, especially not Celia, not when the lodge brochure read like a hedonistic escape to every woman’s inner-most fantasy. Compounded with no commitments or chance of discovery, who could ask for more? The place promised great, uncomplicated sex and plenty of it.

And, at the moment, sex sounded like a good prescription for what ailed her. Something about her seemed different lately. New scenery would provide a change of pace from the same type of men with stale pickup lines and an inability to satisfy her. She couldn’t wait to get away from the same old crowded bars and the city smog.

As Mac looked out at the mountain through the large glass window, she realized that even though she’d been named after her famous grandfather, Macalister Cameron, today proved a name was all they had in common. The skiers flew down the slopes kicking up the powdery snow as they slid to an abrupt stop at the bottom. And she watched from the lodge window. The fire on the hearth provided heat, and the comforting warmth from the Bailey’s and coffee in front of her internally settled her. She wondered why she worried about living up to her namesake.

No daring. No sense of adventure. Mac had no trouble admitting, at least to herself, she’d suddenly become totally uncoordinated. She’d come to terms with her sudden lack of grace. No balance. Not anymore. Certainly not after the incident today.

Her strained ankle ached, but the warm spiked coffee helped. With her skirt hiked up and her foot propped on a stool in front of the blazing fire, she relaxed from her earlier spill in the hallway and noted some of the swelling in the ankle had receded already.

She chuckled to herself. Even though she remained uncoordinated and still had no balance, at least her sense of adventure had improved. She hadn’t backed down when she found herself face to face with the retreat’s scrumptious young doctor. He had tended to her as if she were the only woman on the planet, and now she shamelessly flirted back.

“I can’t believe I didn’t even make it out to the slopes before falling.”

He smiled, running a hand gently over her knee, checking the angle of the elevation after propping her leg up. “There, the ice pack should help your ankle feel better, at least until your room is ready, then I suggest the Jacuzzi. The circulation will help the swelling.” From his expression, he’d be open to more personal doctoring later. Giving her a telling look, he said, “Call if you need me, for anything. There is no evidence of any real damage to your ankle. Take the medication later with food. It’ll help you rest when you’re ready.”

Mac loved the feel of his hand petting her leg. “Thank you for taking such good care of me.” She felt relaxed from the alcohol and the engaging doctor’s ministrations.

His lids lowered and so did his voice. “I haven’t even started to take care of you the way I’d like.”

Her chest tightened and breathing became difficult as he looked at her with his deep indigo eyes turning darker by the moment. “Ah, em, I appreciate that. This injury is just a result of my natural clumsiness,” Mac admitted.

“Hardly! The ragged rug in front of your door tripped you. It could have happened to anyone.”

How sweet of him to make excuses for her. His eyes sparkled with charisma and the way he exuded charm fascinated her when he smiled. He assumed a sterner visage and added, “Elevation, ice and the anti-inflammatory medication will get you out on the slopes in a day or two. Then, promise me you won’t overdo it.”

“No problem. That’s just the advice I hoped for.” Mac couldn’t have cared less about skiing, since her purpose here centered around having an impersonal fling. She needed the reassurance men still found her attractive and sexy.

Only here two hours and
already...
s
uccess!
The first man she encountered responded to her exactly as she hoped. Her weekend already looked good, and she hadn’t even made it to her room yet.

She humored him, smiling. “I promise to stay away from the slopes, since lately I can’t manage to stay upright on solid ground. I’ll stick to inside activities for now.” She gave him a wink.

Oh my God, I can’t believe I just did that.
When she promised Celia to get into the swing of the resort, she wondered how to start. Her libido seemed to know, and God help her, she intended to give the place her best shot.

.
The brochure’s motto was
What happened at Fantasy Lodge stayed at Fantasy Lodge,
a good take on Vegas’s.

The doctor glanced toward the bar, stood and for an uncomfortable moment, looked down at her, then back at the bartender, as if evaluating something. He finally shrugged. “You know how to reach me if you need me.”

Mac finished the last of her drink and watched as the bartender slipped out from behind the bar heading straight for her. Talk about tall, fair and handsome. He put the cliché to shame, and so far, promised to be one of the best things about this trip. His slanted green eyes twinkled as he made his way toward her, moving as gracefully as a large cat.

“Mac, your friend Celia called and asked if you’d call her back when you feel up to it. I took the message while the doctor
checked out your ankle
.” His lip curled on one side. Had he practically snarled out the last part of his statement?

She gave him a blank stare. Had she sensed jealousy in his tone? Then, as quickly as the effect appeared, it disappeared, and he looked almost apologetic. “Sorry it took so long to get the message to you, we’re short-staffed.”

A few stragglers relaxed around the room, which had bustled with people thirty minutes earlier. The bartender dropped the note on the table and plopped into the chair across from her, lounging long-limbed and sexy. He sprawled out before her like a smorgasbord, his biceps flexed beneath his sweater, and his thighs strained against the material of his pants.

“Don’t worry about it, and thanks.” She struggled to keep her gaze from the straining bulge obvious in his pants, but his well-muscled chest and the ropey defined strength in his forearms weren’t distracting her nearly enough. She forced herself to make eye contact and hold it there.

He focused on her face, staring into her eyes with an intense curiosity. He searched as if trying to decipher her thoughts, looking for something.

What am I thinking? He can’t search my thoughts.

She shrugged. His scrutiny made her self-conscious. She caught a whiff of him. Exotic. Strange. She inhaled, sensing the fragrance of the leather vest he wore, his subtle after-shave, and something else. The something she suspected belonged uniquely to him. Yes, she smelled
him
, and she discovered she liked his scent so much, she inhaled again, deeply, taking in more of his essence. This time her straining breasts pressed firmly against the thin fabric of her sweater.

His gaze dropped, and she knew without looking, her nipples peaked. Obviously distended. Demanding attention. It may have been a while since a man’s glance caused her to become aroused, but the feelings here seemed mutual. There was no mistaking the look in his eyes. Hunger and a little lust, a lot of heat, and pure sex. She knew without a mirror her face reflected the same need. It had been too long since the last time she felt the craving, the sensation of mutual desire whipping through her, and she loved the return of her sexual power.

His nostrils flared. The civil words he uttered made a connection. “Can I get you a phone, another drink, anything?”

Anything? Well, don’t read my mind.
Quite an offer coming from this testosterone oozing specimen.

Her ankle didn’t hurt much anymore. The drink must be affecting her, because she hadn’t even started taking her pain medication yet. The man’s scent had her insides flushing and her mind a bit mushy. She itched with sexual need. Hunger ate at her. She starved for so long, the A-1 prime sitting in front of her was almost more of a temptation than she could resist.

Her last relationship took a toll on her sexual self-esteem, but she vowed to put sex back into perspective from now on. She’d keep her heart uninvolved this time. Why couldn’t she satisfy her sexual needs with an attractive partner without justifying it with a commitment or forcing a relationship?

In the future, she planned to do exactly that. Sexx with a double x and no attachments. No hearts and flowers. Just low-down dirty, satisfying, in-your-face sex. Orgasm after orgasm. Sweaty, titillating, and hot.

His brows lifted. “Does the ankle hurt?”

Had she just groaned? “Ugh, just a little.” How long had it been since she’d last been satisfied?

“Well, can I get you anything?”

Could he...?
“Sorry...what’s your name, again? I was drifting. I guess mixing the Bailey’s in the coffee was probably a mistake.”

The gorgeous guy laughed, the white of his teeth contrasting against his ski slope tan had her heart flipping upside down in her chest.

“That’s okay, I’ll look after you. You’re not driving or walking for a while. I’m Aaron, and you’re Mac, right?”

She liked his voice and his smile. “Macalister Cameron, the impervious, at your service...well, not so undaunted at the moment.” She laughed, looking over at her foot. “I’m supposed to be good as new in a day or two. Ready for the slopes. Although, to tell you the truth, I doubt that will ever happen.”

He raised his brow in question, then smiled, releasing a small chuckle. “The question stands. Can I get you anything?”

Mac nodded, trying to keep her sexual thoughts to herself. “I think the excitement is catching up with me. I could use another coffee, no Bailey’s this time. Thanks.”

“I’ll get right on it, and when you’re ready to go to your room, let me know. They should have the carpet fixed and the room ready soon. The bar’s slow this afternoon. I’ll get my friend Trent to help you.”

She felt her heart flip and her eyes widen just thinking of Trent. “Oh, the other bartender?” she asked. Mac could never forget the other edgy bartender, just as breathtakingly handsome as Aaron, in a darker more rugged sort of way. He’d been working earlier when she’d been dumped unceremoniously in the bar by a member of the hotel staff, then he left.

“Yes, that’s Trent. He’s on break right now, but he’ll be back by the time they’re finished fixing the carpet outside your room. Sorry, the room wasn’t ready when you needed it most.”

“Is this whole lodge your place?” Mac asked, suddenly suspicious, understanding the excessive attention. Most employees wouldn’t be so effusive.

“Yes, Trent’s and mine. We’re partners. We invested in this place after we got out of the army.” He settled back in the chair. “We’ve been friends since elementary school and bloodied each other’s noses over falling in love with the same girl once or twice in that time. I have to warn you, we’re still pretty competitive. So be sure to tell him I saw you first when he asks. Will you?”

He seemed so darn forlorn as he asked, she had to laugh at his audacity. “Don’t worry, I’m off men that way, for now. Therefore your competitive natures are safe.”

“I’m not here to find

His eyes lit up, glittered, and his lips curved into a naughty grin, “I could handle a ‘fantasy’ or two for you if you’d like. How did you hear about our lodge?”

“Celia, my aunt, talked me into coming here, because I’m not up for the dating games people back home play. Here we expect frivolity and fantasy, no relationship.”

He looked genuinely disappointed at her comment. “How is that a good thing for me?”

“You and Trent won’t have to worry about your noses.” She smiled at him to lighten the mood.

“I’m not one of ‘those’ people. Since you’re stuck with the ankle and all, I could at least entertain you.”

“Oh, are you part of the service? O-Oh sorry, I didn’t mean it that way.” She nervously smoothed her skirt over her thigh.

His gaze caressed her, as his smile melted her insides and heat pooled deep in her core. “Maybe this time I could be persuaded.” God, the man was fantastic if he could do all that with his voice and a smile. “Let me get you that coffee, and we’ll discuss this ‘off men’ situation further.”

She watched him walk away, focused first on his broad shoulders, but only until the view of his ass grabbed her attention. Then it had her mesmerized, or maybe his long, slow, powerful strides hypnotized her.

Off men? Well, only in the emotional sense.
Maybe she should rethink her plan. Aaron seemed so nice.
See? That’s how you get yourself in trouble.

The thought still mulled around in her head when Trent came in with a frown marring his ruggedly handsome face. The ferocity of his expression didn’t hamper the dark attractive angles of his jaw line. For some reason, the scowl suited him, emphasizing his alpha male good looks and enhancing the dangerous effect of his overall appearance.

His stare sent a chill up her spine, making her tremble in anticipation. As he walked toward her with all sorts of concerned attention directed solely at her, his eyes flashed with power.

“I hope your ankle will be all right. The carpet you tripped on has been repaired.” His jaw tensed and he scowled. “I don’t know who pulled the edge up in front of your door like that, but I have to apologize for any inconvenience this injury has caused you.”

So business-like, so formal.
“Please, it’ll be fine. Don’t worry. I wasn’t intent on doing a lot of skiing anyway. To be honest with you, this gives me an excuse to relax, read a few books, and avoid the crowds.” Mac smiled at Trent’s serious expression of concern.