Cabin Fever

by Shani Greene-Dowdell et al.

  “At this point, it doesn’t even matter. I am with my future husband. So accept it or don’t. I don’t give a shit. Just stay away from me and mine.”

  I hopped out the back seat and climbed into the front. Collin sat behind the steering wheel and placed my snacks in the middle console.

  “Kara, take a nap.” He lifted his shirt. My wide eyes fell on the Glock.

  “It better not come to you pulling that gun from your waistband.”

  “If he gets out of line, I’ll knock him over the head with the butt of the gun.”

  My fingers rolled across my brow. I lost my appetite. After I buckled my seat belt, I leaned against the door. “Collin, wake me when we arrive.”

  He bent over and kissed my temple. “Will do, baby.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  KARA

  My eyes fluttered open. The headlights shined on Collin and Peter. He slipped a switch blade through the zip ties around Peter’s wrists.

  “Find a job in town. Take care of your grandmother and forget about Kara.”

  “I’ll never forget her,” he bit out.

  “You know what? Suit yourself.” Collin stepped closer, pointing his finger in his face. “If you return to Talkeetna, you’ll leave a dead man.”

  Collin stalked back toward the truck.

  I closed my lids, pretending to be asleep.

  We settled into a lodge twenty minutes later. Harry stayed in the room next door. I sat on the bed, channel surfing.

  Collin handled Peter. I felt a sense of calm wash over me. It was weird, I no longer had to worry about my uncomfortable encounters with Peter. I tossed the remote on the bed and walked into the bathroom.

  Collin peeled back the shower curtain, running a hand over his wet face. “Are you all right?

  I tore my T-shirt over my head and threw it to the floor. Collin didn’t tear his eyes away as I stripped away all of my clothes. Walking toward the tub, I twisted my hair in a bun. Collin grabbed my hand and helped me into the small space. “This bathroom is a lot smaller than the one in our cabin.”

  “It’s all I could find on short notice. I would have rather rented a cabin.”

  I swayed my hands along his sudsy hairy chest. “Me too. Guess you’ve spoiled me. I appreciate the finer things in life now.”

  He tilted my chin toward him. “No expense spared when it comes to you, sweetheart.”

  His soft pink lips melted against mine. He pulled back and caressed my cheek.

  “I hope this nightmare is over for good.”

  I wrapped myself in his big, strong arms.

  “Me too, Kara.”

  Collin carried me into the bedroom after our shower and laid me on the bed. I ditched the towel and stood on my knees, pulling him toward me.

  “Hold me, Collin. All night.”

  He tossed our towels to the floor. Collin peeled back the sheet, pulling me with him. His hand grazed my round belly.

  He leaned over, and his lips fell upon my tummy. “You and mommy are all that matters to daddy.”

  My body heated, and my fingertips stroked his wet locks. Collin’s only flaw was his hot temper. It only reared its ugly head when it came to me. I was fortunate that he was my protector.

  “Make love to me, Collin.”

  His lips grazed my neck. “With pleasure, baby.”

  “Kara, Kara.” Collin’s voice pulled me from the memory.

  “It’s time to eat. Then we’ll dance.”

  I wrapped my arm around his waist and grinned. “Yes, please feed us. The baby and I are starving.”

  We greeted guests en route to our table. Bryson and Chrissy were tearing up the dance floor. I was shocked and happy at the same time. Maybe something could blossom between them.

  ~

  Standing at the oversized window, I marveled the lush grass and trees surrounding the luxury cabin in Denali. Collin wanted total seclusion on our night away before we jetted off to Maui, Hawaii, for our honeymoon.

  His arms slipped around my waist from behind. “It’s beautiful here. Are you sure you don’t want to spend our honeymoon here?”

  “No, Collin. I’ve never been to Hawaii. I look forward to sunbathing on the beach right next to you.”

  His tongue slid across the side of my neck. “Kara, I’ve longed for this day. You becoming my wife.”

  His big, strong arms surrounded us. My fingers caressed his hands. Turning in his arms, I stared into his beautiful brown eyes under his thick brown brows. I slid my finger down his tanned pointy nose and over his slender pink lips. Maybe I was a little obsessed with his handsome face. Clutching his bearded angular jaw, I crushed his lips. My tongue darted out of my mouth, slicking over the peek of hair under his bottom lip. His fingers slipped the tiny buttons through the loops on the back of my dress.

  “Good thing we’re already pregnant, because if I wasn’t, I’d surely be after tonight.”

  He flashed a pearly white smile. “Oh, baby, there’s no doubt you would have.” Collin slid the embroidered short sleeves down my arms. Leaning down, his lips brushed the soft skin on my shoulder.

  He grabbed my hand and kissed the heavy ten carat ring.

  “Collin, I would’ve been happy with a wedding band.”

  His lips traced over the three diamond studded platinum bands. “Kara, I know, but I wouldn’t have. A queen deserves the very best in life. A man like your father surely taught you that.”

  “He did. That’s why I don’t have debt. Everything I own is paid for.”

  He grinned. “Exactly, I will ensure you and our daughter are always well taken care of.”

  Collin’s fingers grazed my tender nipples through my lace bra. Clutching his bulging biceps, my breath caught in my throat. He unhooked my bra and snatched it off of me and threw it over his shoulder.

  “Collin, I’m so hot for you right now.” My chest rose, and fell against his soft lips, wrapped around my areola.

  “Baby, fuck me now.”

  “Kara, not yet.”

  I yanked his tuxedo jacket down his arms and my fingers worked quickly over the vest buttons. “Shit, right now. My pulsing pussy’s begging to be touched, sucked, and fucked,” I whimpered.

  Collin tore his vest and jacket off, throwing them to the floor. He dropped to his knees. “Sweetheart, you forgot licked.”

  His teeth grazed across the expensive gown. Collin slipped the dress over my belly. The gorgeous fabric pooled around my feet. His nose swept along my lower belly as I tugged at his perfectly moussed hair. Gliding my fingers through his hair, I searched for the lustrous curls I loved.

  “Collin, don’t play games today of all days. On my wedding day.” My nose wiggled.

  “Why would I do that?” He sucked my hip.

  “You know why. You enjoy torturing me. Please remove my wedding dress.”

  Gripping his shoulders, I lifted one foot and then the other. Collin tossed my dress on a nearby chair.

  His fingers traced over my red bottom, studded gold stilettos, then up my legs. He caressed my pale blue, pantie, lace covered ass. My body tingled under his touch. I shoved my panties down my hips, stepped out of the skimpy material, pushing them aside. Without him asking, I widened my stance.

  His lips sank into my soaked labia, pulling my clit into his mouth. A shock wave shot through my body, I caught his hair between my fingertips, moaning.

  “God, Collin, I love you so much.”

  “My beautiful, Kara, I love every inch of you.”

  He sucked harder, gripping my ass, he lowered me to the floor. “Spread those legs, baby. I want to swallow every drop of your sweet cum.”

  My hands pressed against my shaky thighs, stretching them open.

  His fingers slipped around my belly and over my sizeable globes.

  I peeked to the side since I couldn’t see over my belly. He swirled his tongue around my clit and my back arched. His tongue slicked through my folds and into my tight hole. My body shuddered.

  “Fuck,
” I yelled at the top of my lungs as my body quaked against his wet lips.

  He didn’t let up until he drank all of me.

  Collin hovered over me. I peered at his glistening beard.

  “You all right, baby?”

  A smile curled my lips. I untied his tie and worked his buttons through the holes of his dress shirt. My fingers caressed his muscled shoulders as I pushed his shirt down his arms.

  “You’re pretty busy getting me out of my clothes.”

  “Yup, because I want to run my tongue along your pecs and abs. Then I plan to suck the head of your cock, just the way you like.”

  He chuckled. “Sounds damn good.”

  “On your feet, Collin.”

  He stood, kicked off his shoes, and peeled off his socks.

  Collin extended his hand, helping me to my feet.

  I yanked his pants and silky navy boxers down his sexy ass. He stomped out of the items, then pulled me into his arms.

  “On the bed, Collin.” I pushed him on the firm mattress.

  He never tore his eyes away from me. I kneeled before him. My tongue slicked over his hairy pecs as promised. I circled my tongue around his pink nipples. Each time I sucked them into my mouth, he growled. It was so sexy. I massaged his torso as I moved lower, sucking on each ripped ab. He clutched my neck the second I sucked the head of his cock into my mouth. His head dropped back.

  “I love when you suck my cock, Kara.”

  I peeked up at him through his brown lashes as I slid my mouth down my shaft.

  “God damn, baby. You suck my dick so fucking good,” he growled.

  His hand slid over my neck, relaxing me.

  I moaned as I sucked faster. My tongue slicked up and down his cock. “All mine,” I purred.

  “You got that right, sweetheart.”

  “Shit…Kara, I’m coming.” His thick cock sank further down my throat. His cum erupted in my mouth.

  I stood between his legs and kicked off my stilettos. Climbing over him, I swayed my pussy along his cock. He pulled me with him to the top of the bed. I turned in the opposite direction and gripped his dick. Slowly, I slid down his cock until he filled me. Clutching his tanned muscled thighs, I slid up and down his shaft, quickening my pace. He held my hips and pushed deep inside me.

  “Collin,” I murmured.

  His lips fell upon my back. I bounced up and down his cock. He pushed me forward, then stood on his knees and sank inside of me. Collin’s heavy hand landed across my ass.

  “Fuck, yeah.” Holding my hips, he slammed into my pussy again and again. My body shuddered as I came again. Collin pulled me into his body as he sat on his hunches. I turned my head and crushed his lips. Collin caressed my stomach as I slid up and down his dick.

  “Come here.”

  He stood and scooped me up. Collin pressed my back against the wall. He hung my legs over his forearms. My fingers slipped up the back of his neck through his silky brown hair. His cock sank into me.

  “Kara, your honey brown skin is absolutely beautiful.”

  He sucked my lower lip into his mouth. Our heads twisted to either side as his balls smacked my ass each time he plunged into my pussy.

  “Collin, I’m coming. Come with me.”

  His teeth sank into my neck as his cock slammed into me the final time. Chest heaving, he carried me into the large shower.

  “Now this is a shower.”

  He flipped on the four shower heads. “Sure is.”

  Collin lowered me onto the bench. The second he sat beside me, I clutched his arm and rested my head on his shoulder.

  “Our honeymoon will be fantastic.”

  “Kara, anywhere with you will be wonderful.”

  His lips caressed mine.

  “That’s true. We always have fun. Did you pack the nerf guns?”

  “Sure did, babe.”

  “You’re going down.”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “Doubt that.”

  Cradled in his arms just enjoying each other was the perfect way to end our night.

  ~

  We were finally settled in for the winter in Talkeetna. Just in time for the baby to arrive. My hand slid over my huge belly bump as I stared out the cabin window. Our new home build was coming along well. Collin loved to pamper and spoil me. He said I’d continue my weekly massages in Talkeetna. I told him I could wait to return to L.A. He insisted. Said they’d relax me because so many nights we’d be up late caring for the baby.

  Collin sometimes worked out of our new office in Anchorage, or he worked from home.

  Since I wasn’t allowed to ice fish while I was pregnant, Collin fished with my dad. They both said they didn’t want me to accidentally fall into the ice-cold water and endanger myself and the baby.

  Bryce found himself spending more of his time here. He claimed it was to get acclimated with the new office. I believe he was here to get acclimated with Chrissy.

  Felt good to be home and have lunch with my friends every day.

  Harry and Collin built the furniture for the nursery. Her room was pink and yellow. Every other day Collin, me, and Sparks our new husky went for a walk. In the back of my mind, I wondered who would take care of our child if anything happened to us. I chose Chrissy. She was my best friend and had a kind spirit for children and animals. Anyone else, she’d chew them up and spit them out. In the beginning, she did not hold back on Collin.

  Peter hadn’t returned to Talkeetna. Not even to visit his parents. He was a staple in the bar for years, so it was weird not seeing him at first, but I adjusted. No unwanted advances, no staring from afar, just normalcy.

  Eric and Collin hung out at the bar sometimes, watching football, basketball, or baseball. Eric also gave Shelly a chance. They begin dating over the summer. Not sure where their relationship would go. I was happy he chose to live his life.

  Garrett learned to accept my relationship with Collin, too. They weren’t buddies, but at least they were cordial to one another. Honestly, none of the guys had much choice in accepting Collin. It wasn’t about what they wanted. It was always about my wants, needs, and definitely my desires.

  My cell vibrated in my back jeans pocket. Collin was probably calling from the office to check on me and the baby. I grabbed my cell. Ernie was calling.

  “Hey Ernie, how are you?”

  “I’m fine. How are you feeling today?”

  “Sleepy, but I guess in this stage of my pregnancy that’s to be expected.” I chuckled.

  His laugh was light, not hardy like it was normally.

  “What’s on your mind, Ernie?”

  “Yesterday your dad said he was a little under the weather and asked if I’d lock up. I said sure. This morning I arrived at ten, but the shop was closed.”

  My heart plummeted to the floor.

  “I had to open the store. I called him several times. He hadn’t answered. It’s pretty busy here. George is out on a tour. I can’t leave the store.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll check on him. I’ll call you the moment I speak to him.”

  “Thanks, Kara.”

  “You’re welcome.” I disconnected the call.

  I layered my clothes, then slipped into my snow pants and coat. This time of year, was very cold. You couldn’t take chances wearing just a coat without thermo wear underneath. I slid my favorite boots over three layers of socks. Sometimes dad liked to take an early walk before work. What if he fell and couldn’t call for help? It was difficult to think my father would have a hard time doing anything. He was young in my eyes. Kara, don’t think of the worst-case scenario. He was probably sleeping.

  I called Collin as I walked out the house. He didn’t answer. Shit, he had a conference call this morning. I left him a voicemail. He said I needed to call him anytime I was leaving. And not to leave without Harry. I was only going to my father’s house. Harry didn’t need to accompany me over there.

  Twenty minutes later, I knocked on dad’s door and rang the doorbell. No answer. M
y heartbeat thudded my rib cage. I took a deep breath.

  “Really, dad?” I muttered under my breath as I unlocked the door, then entered the house.

  “Hello, Dad?” I called out as I closed the door.

  I walked through the living room that hadn’t changed much over the years.

  “Dad are you here?” I yelled.

  “No answer.”

  I walked upstairs toward his bedroom. Strolling down the hall, I peeked into my old room as I continued on.

  Standing in his doorway, I peeked around the bedroom. The bed was made. Hmm. He must’ve gone for a walk. Why wouldn’t he call Ernie and ask him to open the store?

  I scoured every room in the house. Standing in the kitchen, I peered out the window that had a view of the lake that ran behind the house. He wasn’t out there either. I opened the door to the garage. The tiny hairs stood on my neck as the auto light popped on. Dad’s truck was here. I rubbed my brow and sat at the top of the three steps. My eyes fell over the ground near the driver door. I squinted. Inching closer, I peeked at the drops of blood. My hands flew over my mouth.

  Slipping my cell from my pocket, I called Harry.

  “Good morning, Kara.”

  “Good morning, Harry. I know I was supposed to call when I left the house, but I wasn’t going far.”

  “Where are you?”

  A shadow came into view behind me. My heart lurched.

  “Shit.”

  “Kara, what’s wrong?”

  I glanced over my shoulder. Before I could say another word. I was hit over the head.

  My eyes fluttered open. High winds smacked my face. I rubbed my throbbing head. Barking dogs’ paws slapped the fresh snow filled paths. I peeked above me. Peter’s face came into view. He held onto the sleigh handles. His attention was focused on our route. Path to where?

  I didn’t want to alarm him. Lying in the sleigh bed, I wondered if I could reach into my pocket without him knowing? Luckily, I knew this land like the back of my hand. I pressed my gloved hands against my pockets. No cell, Shit. What I had was snacks.

  Slowly, I removed my hand from my glove and slipped my hand into my pocket. I dropped a Cheez-it on the ground every few inches until I had nothing left.