“Ten days?” he asked as his gaze moved to the window, to the snowy landscape, away from her. “Then we go our separate ways?”
Kai wanted to contradict Tilly’s assumption. Yet, something stopped her. Doubt. Fear. Of what, she couldn’t say. He wanted answers, she had none. At least not the ones he wanted to hear.
“Don’t be silly,” Kai chided. “We’re friends. Always will be. Right?”
Tilly’s gaze turned back to her. His eyes were clear, his smile warm as he reversed their positions. He nuzzled the curve of her neck.
“Friends and lovers.”
“Yes.” Kai sighed, winding her arms around him, pulling him close. “Always.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
♫~♫~♫
TILLY FELT SO good, loose and limber in both body and mind, he would have skipped his rigorous daily workout. He wanted to stay in bed another hour, hold her, touch her, kiss every inch of her delectable body—for the third and fourth time. Then, he would make them breakfast, and they could plan their day over fluffy omelets, freshly baked blueberry muffins, and cups of steaming coffee.
Kai had other ideas. Wide awake before the first hint of sunlight crept over the horizon, she snuck out of bed while Tilly dozed, returning dressed in head-to-toe black workout gear. If she hadn’t looked like a sexy ninja, he would have called her a traitor to the entire concept of vacation time.
Filled with more energy than any human had the right to possess after the night of endless, exhilarating, exhausting, sexual escapades, Kai bounced onto the bed. Her hair swooped in a circle, catching Tilly in the face on the downswing.
“The cabin is equipped with an exercise room,” she said with a happy grin.
“Why?” Tilly groused, pulling the covers over his head.
“Because before I rented the place, I did my research,” Kai explained. “Don’t want your fine, firm ass to go soft and wobbly.”
“Holidays are for lazing around and overeating.” Two things Tilly never did. But for one day, he was willing to give the concept his best effort. “Don’t forget. I’m an old man. You wore me out. Need some recovery time.”
Kai’s clever hand slipped beneath the sheet. Without a lot of effort, she quickly had him rising to the occasion.
“Not so worn out after all, old man,” she teased, nuzzling his neck.
“Part of lazing around is fooling around.” Tilly grabbed for Kai. When she jumped off the bed and jogged across the room, leaving him hard and frustrated, he growled, “Come on. Not nice.”
“I’ll be happy to help you work off some of that renewed energy.” Kai paused at the bedroom door. “Workout room. Five minutes.”
“What if I choose not to participate?” Tilly asked with a, you can’t make me, smirk.
“We have nine days together,” Kai reminded him. “Most of which I plan to spend naked—with you. Of course, I could change my mind.”
Tilly knew a not-so-veiled threat when he heard one. Kai held all the cards, aces high, and he—a seasoned poker player—knew when to hold ‘em, and when to fold ‘em. Tossing in his hand, he threw back the covers and jumped to his feet.
“You won’t always win,” Tilly warned.
“I know.” Kai skipped from the room, calling over her shoulder, “Wouldn’t be any fun if I did.”
He wasn’t kidding anyone, Tilly thought as he pulled a t-shirt over his head. Kai could wrap him around her little finger, and he’d thank her for the ride. But he wouldn’t call himself a loser. Not by a long shot.
Tilly’s heart belonged to Kai. Had from the moment they met all those years ago. She might never feel the same but having her as a friend was priceless, a jackpot that kept on giving. If ten days loving her was all he ever had, he’d take it, savor every moment, and consider himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.
♫~♫~♫
FLAT ON HIS back, Kai standing over him, Tilly reconsidered his earlier assessment. He wasn’t lucky. He was stark-raving crazy, and Kai, apparently, was the woman in a white coat, come to take him away. He wouldn’t argue.
About now, a padded cell sounded good. A huge upgrade from the padded mat where he lay, sprawled and questioning his sanity, courtesy of Kai’s sneak attack. He’d barely walked into the room when she came at him. A jab to his midsection had him doubled over in surprise. A swipe of her leg, aimed at the back of his knees, and he was down like a sack of potatoes.
If Tilly fought back, he might hurt Kai. Just as likely, she might hurt him. Deciding he was better off to stay put, he spread his arms in surrender and stared at the ceiling.
“Thought you wanted to work out. Not kill me.”
“You teach self-defense classes back in Eatonville. Yet, I had you down for the count in five seconds flat.” Kai gave him a self-satisfied, smirky smile. “Guess you need my help to up your game.”
Tilly sighed. He figured, in the scheme of things, Kai's behavior ranked low on his annoyance scale. However, he wasn’t a saint. A person could only take so much. Without an ounce of guilt, he reached out and literally pulled her feet out from under her.
Turning his head, Tilly met Kai’s surprised gaze and, yes, he smirked—he was only human.
“Lesson number one, from me to you. If you need to gloat—bad form to do so, by the way—find someplace that isn’t in retaliation range of your opponent.”
In a flash, Kai straddled his chest. Knees pinning his arms to the mat, she grabbed his wrists, her grip like a vice, and lowered her head until her face was inches from his.
“Lesson number two—from me to you. Don’t talk so much. Like a freaking Bond villain,” she scoffed. “Actions, my friend, speak louder than words.”
“My mistake,” Tilly said. “Ready for your next lesson?”
“Bring it on, pretty boy.”
Pretty boy? Tilly almost laughed—almost. Instead, he kissed Kai with enough calculated skill and honest desire to muddle the strongest mind. She melted, as he anticipated, and the next second, their positions were reversed.
“Number three,” Tilly said, ignoring Kai’s if looks could kill, glare. “Don’t let down your guard. Sex is a joy. It can also be a weapon.”
“I had no idea,” she said with a breathy sigh.
Kai batted her eyes, all innocence, as she shifted positions, using her liquid-limber body to maneuver her legs until they were clamped around his waist. From there, all she needed to do was wiggle, and Tilly’s already interested dick sprang to life.
“You. Are. Wicked,” he told her.
Kai stretched like a cat, her breasts pressing into Tilly’s chest. He knew if she continued, he’d either embarrass himself all over the inside of his underwear or strip her naked and sheath himself in her warm, welcoming body. Considering where their standoff began, both options seemed like a version of defeat.
With a frustrated growl, Tilly kissed Kai, then rolled away. Crouched, on the balls of his feet, he waited, his eyes taunting her to try to take him down again—if she dared.
“So arrogant,” Kai said as they moved around each other, eyes locked. She looked him up and down. She snorted. “Men. Size really doesn’t matter, you know.”
“Are we talking hand-to-hand combat or sex?” Tilly asked.
“Both.”
“Less than an hour ago, you sang a different tune.” Tilly grabbed his crotch. Hardly subtle, but sometimes a gesture, crude, even vulgar, said it all. “Remember?”
“Vaguely.” Kai faked a yawn, patting her lips. “I will admit, you are endowed with a huge… ego.”
Before Tilly could respond, Kai attacked. This time, he was ready. Both were expertly trained, and their skill level was almost equal. If he were honest, she could teach him a move or two.
Out of respect for Kai, Tilly didn’t hold back, and she honored him in the same way. Normally, his strength would be an advantage. However, what she lacked in muscle, she made up for in speed and experience.
Th
ough both pulled their punches, a few blows snuck through, hitting their target. There would be bruises. And Tilly planned to kiss each of Kai’s. If she returned the favor, all the better.
“We could go on for hours,” he said, his shirt soaked with sweat, his breathing ragged.
“I know,” Kai huffed, blocking his punch with her arm. “What do you propose?”
“Call the fight a draw?” Tilly jumped back, barely avoiding Kai’s roundhouse kick.
“Now?” she asked.
“Now.”
Turning, back to back, they sank to the mat. Tilly had just enough energy to contort his neck to the left and kiss Kai’s shoulder.
“Water,” she whispered.
When Tilly would have made the sacrifice and moved, Kai shook her head. She rolled toward the cooler, extracted two bottles, then rolled to his side.
“Anything broken?” Kai asked after two deep gulps of the cool liquid.
“I’ll live.” Again, Tilly took Kai’s hand in his. “You?”
“Maybe. Ask me after a long, hot shower.”
“Damn, a shower sounds good,” Tilly said, contemplating how they would get there. “All things considered, smart to use the buddy system. In case one of us passes out.”
“If you want to see me naked, ask.” Kai snickered. “I’d take my shirt off now if I could raise my arms above my head.”
“Can’t raise my arms, or anything else.” Tilly nodded toward his dick. “I want a shower. I’ll wash your back, you wash mine. Then, a long nap. The last thing on my mind is sex.”
Ten minutes later, water rushing over their bodies, Kai threaded her fingers through Tilly’s hair.
“Liar.” She sighed.
From his knees, Tilly glanced up and grinned as he used his tongue to take a swipe at the tender flesh between her thighs.
“Second wind,” he said. Resting his cheek against her thigh, he ran a hand up the back of her leg. “The restorative powers of soap and water. Go figure.”
“I’m a believer.” Kai gasped. Her muscles quivered but kept her upright—Tilly’s arm around hips helped. “And you, my friend, are a freak of nature.”
“Kind of surprising myself.”
Tilly rose to his full height, lifting her leg, he joined their bodies in one fluid motion. Their sighs mingled in a long, slow kiss.
“When did you have time to grab a condom?” Kai asked, tipping her head to the side as his lips traced the curve of her neck.
“Had one with me the entire time.” Tilly chuckled, pushing Kai’s back flat against the tiled wall. “You know what they say. Always be prepared.”
CHAPTER NINE
♫~♫~♫
THE DAYS MOVED too quickly for Tilly’s liking. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. For the first time, he and Kai celebrated the holiday without stray bullets flying at their heads or business sending her in one direction and him in another.
“I don’t have a gift for you,” Tilly said when Kai handed him a package.
“Sure, you do.” She motioned toward the table set for dinner. “What better present could you give me than roast chicken and mashed potatoes, which you prepared because you know they’re my favorites.”
Tilly smiled. For him, cooking was a joy, a way for him to express himself and be creative. Tonight’s meal held another layer of significance. Each dish was made with love; a way of telling Kai how he felt without saying the words. Perhaps she would taste the difference. Perhaps not. Either way, he knew.
“Should I open the box now or wait until after we eat.”
“Now.” Kai shrugged, biting her lip. “It isn’t much.”
Well, what do you know, Tilly thought as he untied the red satin ribbon. Kai was nervous. A date to remember. Hiding a smile, he made a mental note to mark his calendar.
Tissue paper lined the inside of the box. Underneath, Tilly found a pile of ten index cards filled with Kai’s handwriting. The top of the first read, Northam Family’s Gingerbread.
“You remembered,” Tilly said, amazed and touched beyond words.
“Only took me ten years.” Kai watched his face as though trying to gauge his reaction. “Mom didn’t mind sharing. I asked her to include a few more family recipes. The chocolate crinkle cookies are my favorite. Kind of a silly gift, I guess.”
Tilly shook his head as he examined each successive card, each containing a different, unique recipe. Each handwritten.
“Not silly,” he assured her. “Thoughtful. Thank you.”
Visibly relieved, Kai smiled.
“What else would I get a kitchen geek?”
“The trip. You.” Tilly brushed a kiss across Kai’s lips. “And now a treasure trove of recipes? I’d say you hit gift giving out of the park.”
Content to spend their time together, alone, they didn’t wander far from the cabin. They ate, slept, worked out—Kai was insistent—and engaged in copious amounts of sex. Couldn’t keep their hands off each other would be another way of putting it.
Tilly found himself grinning all the time. In the morning while he shaved. In the afternoon as he prepared lunch. Walking down the hall. Knowing Kai was nearby, close enough to touch whenever the mood struck—which was all the time—made him happy.
Five days into their ten-day vacation, Tilly’s only complaint was that he wanted another ten. And another, and another. He wanted a lifetime.
Tilly wasn’t a shy man. Confidence had never been a problem. Yet, his feelings for Kai made him vulnerable in a way he’d never experienced. She had the power to break his heart, though she had no idea. How could she when he was too much of a coward to declare his feelings?
“Something wrong?” Kai asked as she pulled on a pair of thick, winter gloves.
“No.” Tilly zipped his coat. “Why?”
“You look pensive.” She touched the spot between his eyebrows. “Haven’t seen many frowns during the past few days.”
“Nothing to worry about,” Tilly assured her. “Let’s get some fresh air.”
As Kai hummed, Do You Want to Build a Snowman, a song he was surprised to discover she knew by heart, they spent the next few hours in the backyard constructing two people and a dog from the snow.
Rosy cheeked and grinning from ear to ear, Kai surveyed their accomplishments with pride.
“Carl, Zelda, and Mick.”
“You named them?” Tilly chuckled. “Is Mick the dog?”
“The dog is Zelda, obviously.” Kai rolled her eyes. “Mick and Carl adopted her last week.”
“You gave inanimate blobs of snow a backstory?” Tilly asked, amazed and charmed. “Are the humans married? Engaged?”
“Married. Three years and counting. Carl wants a baby, but Mick isn’t sure. Zelda was a compromise, for now.”
“Nice.” Tilly took out his phone. “I need a picture of you and your new friends.”
“You, too,” Kai insisted.
Laughing, he snapped the shot. Tilly and Kai and their imaginary snow friends.
“We look good,” Kai said, holding Tilly’s hand as they walked to the house. “Send me a copy.”
“Already done,” he assured her.
Tilly tucked the phone into his coat. Picking up a pile of snow, he slowly formed a ball.
“What are you doing?” Kai asked.
“Guess.”
Tilly threw the ball with pinpoint accuracy, hitting Kai on the shoulder. Brushing away the snow, she sighed.
“You know, of course, this means war.”
A second later, Tilly felt the brunt of Kai’s retaliation—right in the face. An hour later, soaking wet, tired, and laughing like a couple of punch-drunk fools, they stumbled into the cabin.
“Hot chocolate,” Tilly declared.
“Hot shower.” Kai tugged off her boots. “Maybe a bath.”
“You fill the tub. I’ll bring the drinks.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Kai started up the stairs, stopped, retraced
her steps, and gave him a long, heated kiss. “And Tilly?”
“Yes?” he asked, prepared to give her the world.
“Marshmallows,” Kai whispered into his ear. “Lots and lots of marshmallows.”
Tilly watched as she ran up the stairs and sighed. Kai was full of surprises. The woman knew the movie Frozen by heart—truly shocking. Lord, he loved her. Needed her. Wanted her, in his life. But how? He knew the question. Now, all he had to do was figure out an answer.
CHAPTER TEN
♫~♫~♫
KAI TWISTED HER hair into a sleek knot at the base of her neck, securing the bun with two sparkly blue and silver clips. In the mirror, she watched as Tilly slipped a tie around his neck.
A couple getting ready, sprucing up, for a night out. Seemed normal enough. Yet, they weren’t typical. Neither of them had ever been in a long-term relationship. They were used to living alone. Answering to no one’s needs but their own.
If Kai wanted to follow a whim and fly off on a weekend adventure, she could without worrying about what someone else might think. She’d always been satisfied with her lack of ties to anyone. She’d never doubted her choices, never longed for a different way of life. Never needed anyone.
Tilly. Just thinking about him made her smile—always had. When she made up her mind to finally act on their mutual attraction, she wondered if ten days alone in a cabin would be a mistake. She was almost certain the sex would be good—and she was right. Boy, oh, boy, was she right. But she worried about the time in between.
What if they weren’t compatible? Though they were great on the phone, with days stretching before them, what if they couldn’t find anything to talk about in person? She dreaded the idea of looking into Tilly’s eyes and seeing a bored, restless man, looking at an equally uncomfortable woman.
Kai considered settling for a weekend getaway. Better yet, one night. Scratch the itch and move on. Move back to their old phone-tag relationship. Just friends.
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE Page 4