Cruel Fortunes Omnibus: Volumes One to Four

by RAE STAPLETON

  “While there’s still daylight?” he questioned.

  “I guess that means you’re not quite ready to call it a day, then?” I asked, blinking and shaking my head as two enormous snowflakes, one after the other, floated into my line of vision before settling on my upper lashes.

  “Awe, my poor little Aeval, have ye had enough?”

  “I’m just not a huge fan of heights or the cold and besides, I’m slowing you down.”

  “How ‘bout one last run?”

  To ski down back to the chalet would take minutes, whereas another run would take an hour and a half just to get up the chair lift, with another fifteen minutes for the descent. We’d been at it all day.

  “I’m sorry, honey; I just don’t feel like another run. I’ll head back and start dinner. I’m kind of hungry. Besides, my old landlord Rissa was going to stop by. She’s staying up the road at one of her properties.”

  “I’m a little starved myself. We’ll call it a day then. I still need to go into town anyway. I promised Móraí I’d drop that gift off to her friend by six today.”

  “No way. You’re having fun and we’re heading home tomorrow. Let’s just drop it off on the way back. Móraí will never know.”

  “Oh, Móraí knows all, but maybe ye have a point.”

  “Go ski. I’ll have the fire roaring and dinner on the table when you get back.”

  “Brilliant. But are ye sure? Ye aren’t gonna be mad later, are ye?”

  “Cullen. Go!”

  “Okay. One more run and then I’ll come join ye, and I’ll give ye a glorious back rub to pay the piper.”

  I laughed. “Are you sure the back rub isn’t for you?”

  He grinned and pulled me in for a big kiss, almost knocking me off my skis. “It’ll be mutually beneficial.”

  “See you soon. Be careful.”

  I hit the west side of the steep but broad slope and reached the chalet in minutes.

  There was a box waiting for me on the front stoop when I arrived.

  I bent to pick it up and then hesitated. What if it was from Nick?

  Suddenly, the neighbor popped up in the periphery of my vision. I didn’t want to get sucked into another twenty-minute conversation. That little old lady could chat. I almost tripped on the front step as I quickly scooped the mystery package up, and ducked inside with just a wave.

  After removing my gear, I lit the fire and walked to the table, unfolding the note that was tucked inside the box. Sorry I missed you. Call me. Xoxo. Rissa.

  I lifted the lid off of the slow cooker, gave it a stir and reluctantly replaced the lid. My stomach rumbled at the delicious smell of pulled pork. I needed a snack to help me work. I pulled the cheese from the fridge and cut it up. Stealing a few wedges as I poured myself a glass of Shiraz. How peaceful was this? Time to start the dessert, I thought, opening the fridge again and realizing we were out of cream cheese. Irritated, I checked the time and grabbed the rental’s keys and my vest. I could have sworn I’d bought that cream cheese. It must have fell out of the cart. Oh well. It was only four; I still had time to make it to the grocery store before it closed.

  I glanced up at the beautiful snowy hill which was losing daylight by the minute. It was still dotted with skiers. Somewhere up there was Cullen. It made me smile.

  TWENTY-NINE

  My heart galloped inside my chest as I skidded toward the tree, and all I could think about was the stupid cream cheese. Why had I left the chalet? I hated driving in icy conditions.

  This can’t be happening, I thought as I eased off the accelerator and resisted the urge to fight the skid. My hands gripped the wheel as I braced for impact. Against my better judgment, my foot jabbed at the brake in a frenzied attempt to stop the inevitable. A barrage of branches came at me and my head whipped forward—thump!—into the steering wheel.

  I opened my eyes and looked around, dazedly touching my lip, wiping away the taste of something warm and coppery. A cocoon of greenery surrounded me.

  The SUV was dark and eerily silent. The last of the day’s sunlight was blocked by the wall of branches that had smashed against the windows, and the dash was now the only source of light. Processing what had happened, I realized I’d careened off the road at the bottom of the resort and demolished the rental—but the road had been dry, and the airbags hadn’t even gone off?

  My gaze landed on the shadowy shape of my bag, which had tumbled to the passenger side floor. I reached for it, ignoring the sharp pain of the seat belt as it bit into my skin.

  I unbuckled and felt around. My wallet and makeup had spilled out, but it didn’t take me long to grope through the clutter to locate my cell. My heart fluttered as I clutched my phone and it lit up; I basked in the cell phone’s warm glow.

  The happiness quickly ebbed away as I swiped the screen and saw only the slightest hint of a bar. No signal.

  I’d just have to climb. The handle felt cool as I gripped and pushed, but the foliage trapped the door shut. I threw my shoulder against it and managed to wedge it open enough to squeeze out. Twigs and pine needles stabbed at me, but the cold air outside the truck revived me. I gulped it in, trying to calm my galloping heart. It was lighter out here. I needed to get back to the chalet before complete darkness fell, but leaving the safety of the SUV could be stupid. Cullen would be back from the slopes soon, and he would come looking for me, but would he find me down here?

  Wind whipped through my long-sleeved waffle shirt, and I reached inside the truck to pull out the white ski vest I’d thankfully brought. I shrugged into it and gazed down at the phone again, clicking on recent calls and dialing Cullen.

  Still no service.

  I looked around, taking in the damage. I’d plowed through the stop sign at the bottom of the drive, across the road, down the hill, and landed in a ravine. Thank god there had been no vehicles coming. My tires were all flat. How had this happened? Not that it mattered. I gazed at the crumpled bumper. Tears stung my eyes and I blinked them back as I looked around. Sitting and waiting was an option, but it wasn’t really my style. I climbed up the narrow ravine and out of the thicket, batting away leaves and branches until I was out of the woods.

  The forest was dense and damp and the trees blocked the light. Branches stabbed at me, ripping at my clothes, my hair. It was going to be a long trek back up the rest of the hill. I glanced at the phone again, wishing I had remained on the slopes with Cullen.

  Signal!

  Relieved, I immediately dialed Cullen again, praying the signal wouldn’t vanish before the call went through. Straight to voicemail. Damn it, I thought, just as my neighbor's truck pulled up.

  “My dear, what are you doing out walking right now? And in the middle of the laneway. We almost hit you.”

  “Mrs. Nole. I had an accident.”

  “Where?”

  “The SUV’s at the bottom of that ravine.”

  “Oh heavens, no. I guess that young man didn’t get your tires changed.”

  THIRTY

  I stepped from the shower, toweled off and slipped on a long cream nightgown and robe before walking into the living room where Cullen had the fire roaring, just as I had promised to do. He leaned forward and filled my wineglass, patting the seat next to him. I plopped down, placing my legs to the side and cuddling into him as he enfolded me.

  “Feelin’ better?”

  “No. I just can’t seem to get warm.”

  “Ye’re just chilled.”

  “And I can’t figure out why I lost control. I’ve driven on snowy roads before, you know. I am Canadian.”

  “Oh. I almost forgot, drivin’ in the snow is yer birthright.”

  I cracked a smile. “Exactly. That and maple syrup.”

  “Now that’s better. Ye’r lookin’ lovelier already.”

  I frowned and looked away.

  “All that matters is ye’r safe. We’ll have a new rental by tomorrow. We’ve got insurance. It’s no big deal. Stop worryin’ and let’s enjoy our last night, shall we
?”

  “Okay. How was dinner?” I said, staring out at the mountain through the glass wall.

  “Delicious. Do ye want me to heat some up for ye?”

  “No. I lost my appetite. Maybe later.”

  “I heard we’re in for a snowy night.”

  The light flickered as if on cue.

  I motioned to a pair of candles sitting atop the fireplace. “Maybe we should light them.”

  “Later,” he said, pulling a blanket over us. “We're fine for now with the fire.” A heavy gust of wind shook the windows.

  “Feel that?” I asked.

  “It’s just the wind.” Cullen pivoted my body and pulled my legs over his lap.

  “Whoa, ice-cube feet,” he yelped as I jerked back.

  “Sorry. I told you I was cold.”

  He intentionally pulled them back into his lap and began rubbing them. “I’ll warm them up for ye.”

  “That tickles.” I squirmed to get away, but he had a firm hold on me.

  “No way. Ye’re getting warm and after I finish here, I’m heading somewhere north.”

  “Well, in that case, my back is freezing,” I said, smiling.

  He slid his hand to my inner thigh, grabbing roughly and tickling.

  “I was thinking more along the lines of here.”

  “I’m feeling warmer already.”

  I clenched my thighs around his hand and arched so his hand was firmly locked. He shifted his body, bending his head down to nibble on my belly.

  “Ooo-oooh,” I exhaled, “you’re giving me goose bumps.”

  “Good. I like that new nightie you’re wearing,” he said, retrieving his hands from my thighs and moving them up over my stomach, toward my breasts.

  “Oh, yeah, it’s definitely getting warmer in here,” I whispered.

  “Sure is,” Cullen said, stretching out over me.

  I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him. “You know, I don’t know how I ever survived without you.”

  “I feel the same way, darlin’,” he said, taking a deep breath.

  “It’s even nice to just do nothing but lounge around with you.”

  “Especially when ye have cold feet, I bet,” Cullen said, smiling in the dark.

  I snuggled into his arms. “Exactly.”

  Another heavy gust of wind shook the windows and I lurched forward as if my thoughts had been rattled free. “Was there something wrong with the tires?”

  “What? No, why would ye ask that?”

  I relaxed back into his arms.

  “Oh, just something Mrs. Nole said about you not getting a chance to change them. She must have meant snow tires.”

  “The old gal did seem a little confused when we were chattin’ with her yesterday.”

  “Yeah. You’re right. I guess I’m still a little freaked out about everything that’s happened.”

  The lights flickered again.

  “You don’t think Nick could have followed us and done something to the truck, do you?”

  “No,” Cullen said quickly, then paused. “No…” But his words hung in the air and we both looked at each other.

  “We’ll ask Mrs. Nole tomorrow just to be sure.”

  THIRTY-ONE

  Cullen’s bed was a warm and seductive cloud especially with him still in it, but my stomach was growling like a grizzly bear, so I planted a kiss on his chest, folded back the down-filled duvet and snuck into the ensuite for a quick shower.

  Fifteen minutes later, I was downstairs in my fluffy white robe, enjoying the coffee and bacon aroma that filled the air. I didn’t know which one was better.

  “This is why I love ye, woman. To have ye up so early and cookin’ for me, too. How was yer sleep, luv?” Cullen asked, planting a lazy kiss on my forehead, then grabbing one of the pieces of bacon from the plate.

  “Good. It’s nice to be back in our own bed.”

  I pulled the syrup from the fridge and set it on the table, but before I could get away, he pulled me between his legs, wedging a hand inside my robe to cup and massage my breast.

  “Breakfast will be ready in less than five minutes,” I said, “unless you distract me.”

  “I’m fine to wet my appetite,” he said with a grin, moving and pressing me down flat to the table in order to drop kisses down my body. His tongue made lazy circles around my nipples, bellybutton and then zigzagged to my thigh. One and then the other.

  “You’re very naughty Mr. O’Kelley,” I giggled, “and a little unhygienic considering we’re going to eat here soon.

  “Oh, I’m quite happy to eat here,” He said, lowering to my center. His tongue stroked up and down, slow, and then fast, interchanging with his fingers until neither of us could take the teasing. I practically panted like a dog in heat when he straightened and unbuttoned his jeans. I could see the tip peeking out of his boxer-briefs.

  “My turn,” I whispered and leaned forward, gliding my hands down and inside, reaching and revealing the object of my affection. I licked him and teased him just as he’d done to me, swirling my tongue over and around, bobbing my head, sucking and moaning until I pushed him to the edge where I already was.

  At last, he leaned me back and pulled my legs wide, his hardness settled against my entrance as he pushed forward. I tried to scoot closer and he gripped my hips and tugged, thrusting and pounding until we both screamed out.

  “I’ve been summoned,” He said, succinctly once I’d wrapped my housecoat around me tying the belt at my waist.

  I stopped cooking and looked up. “To where?”

  “Work.”

  I wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that. “You knew you had to work.”

  Cullen waved a hand in annoyance. “Aye, but I didn’t know I’d be needed in London.”

  I frowned. “I thought you finished up that job.”

  “I did. This is about a new project, Dunlace Castle. Anyway, cheer me up. Tell me what smells so delicious. My stomach's doin’ leaps inside this mornin’.”

  “French toast, but it’s probably burnt now,” I said, setting his plate down in front of him.

  “Awe. Eggy bread, ye mean. I don’t regret a thing.”

  I smiled as he winked and pinched my bum, and stuffed a huge forkful into his mouth. He was mostly dressed, although a little more casual today than usual, in a pair of jeans and a white shirt with the cuffs rolled to his elbows. His shirttail was out, and his hair looked like it had withstood a tornado. “So, listen, darlin’, I have to catch that flight shortly, but Liam’s takin’ ye to his place til I’m back.”

  “Oh, Cullen. Did you just call him? He’s busy enough always being pulled away to accompany Móraí everywhere. He hardly needs to worry about me, too. Besides, didn’t he take like a vow or something? How’s he supposed to protect me?”

  “Don’t you worry ‘bout Liam. He’s a tough bugger. I know—I’ve been on the end of it much of the time.”

  I scoffed, but then I thought about the huge scar that trailed down his face. Perhaps he had been a bit of a bruiser once upon a time. “I’ll set the security alarm. Anyway, it’s not like Nick is gonna come back so soon, not with the Garda on his tail.”

  “I wouldn’t put it past the arsehole. He is a coward, but with me gone, he’ll be feelin’ bold. Anyhow, ye tossed and turned most of the night. There were even tears at one point. I know ye’r afraid. Ye needn’t act brave with me.”

  “Crying? Oh, that was just one of my nightmares,” I said, dropping my fork. “Why don’t I just come with you. I don’t want you to leave me.”

  “I’m not overly fond of the idea myself, but the flight’s booked and I can’t wait for the next one.”

  “Which castle are you meeting about?”

  “Dunlace Castle.”

  “I thought Dunlace was in Northern Ireland.”

  “It is, but the owner’s in the hospital. Apparently, he had an accident and his son, Samuel lives in London. He’s adamant that we meet this week. I just hope he doesn’t want to bac
k out of the arrangement. He’s being difficult. Anyway, ye can do as ye please, but if ye won’t go with Liam, then I’ll cancel on him and may the devil go with them if he won’t reschedule.”

  “No. You can’t cancel. You told me you love that castle. It’s the reason you started your company.”

  “It is. There’s something magical about that place, Aeval. I can’t wait to show it to ye, but still, I’ll turn him down flat if ye refuse to go to the Colley estate. Ye’re not stayin’ here alone.”

  “Fine. I’ll go with Liam.”

  “Good. Ye’re a very wise woman.”

  “Thank you. You’re a very wise man,” I said slowly, getting up and settling myself into his lap.

  “Well, now, that’s the first time I’ve ever been accused of that, but I can’t say I disagree much.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a long kiss.

  “In fact, a truer statement’s never been said,” he went on.

  “All right, let it go, there, big boy.” I attempted to stand. “You won’t be able to fit your head through airport security.”

  “And where do ye think ye’re goin’?” he said, pulling me right back down onto his lap. “I’ve still got twenty minutes before I have to go.”

  I smiled. “Oh, give it a rest before you run out of gas.”

  “Oh, this tank is still full, baby.” He grinned.

  “That reminds me, what did Mrs. Nole say when you went over to talk to her about the rental vehicle’s tires?”

  He grimaced. “They’d already left. I can try to track her down if you want.”

  “No. That’s okay. We’re back now anyway, but maybe you can speak to the Guarda and see if they looked into Nick.”

  ***

  Cullen hadn’t even been gone ten minutes when the doorbell rang. I closed the book and tucked it back under the magazine on the kitchen table. I wonder what he forgot. I turned and saw my soon-to-be brother-in-law at the door.

  “Liam, what a surprise.”

  He took a fleeting look down at my bare legs and then shot his glance back up. My hand instantly went to my unruly hair, which I hadn’t yet brushed. I’d only had four hours sleep.