His hand swept down her body, marking her curves and leaving an imprint of him wherever he touched. The thought hit her that she couldn’t keep this casual, but he kissed his way between her breasts and down her body, and it was too late.
Way too late.
He nipped her thigh before turning his head. His mouth found her, right where she wanted him, and she fell back onto the pillow as sensations overtook her. So many and so fast. The first orgasm slammed through her with the force of a winter storm. The second swept her out of her own mind, and the third had her whimpering his name.
Then, and only then, did he remove his jeans and lever over her after finding a condom in his wallet. Slowly, carefully, he powered inside her.
Her gaze met his and vulnerability swam through her.
He kissed her again, this time with a gentleness she felt throughout her entire body. “Quint,” she murmured.
“I’m here. Right with you,” he murmured, somehow knowing just what to say. He kept moving and finally embedded himself fully inside her. There was a lot to Quint Albertini, without question.
She tried to lift her knees to the sides of his hips, and he stopped her with a strong hand on her thigh.
“Your ankle. Keep your leg still,” he said, holding her leg down.
Desire burst through her again, even stronger than before.
“There you go.” He started to move, to hammer inside her, to take all of her.
She could only close her eyes and hold on, letting the tumultuous sensations take her away. For so long, he kept her at the edge, his stamina incredible. He sped up, pistoning inside her even harder, and she broke. The room flashed hot and then white, and she cried out his name, digging her nails into his arms.
He grunted her name as his body shuddered with his own release.
She tried to catch her breath, and her mind spun. Slowly, she withdrew her nails from his skin. He kissed her on the nose and slid out of her, heading to the bathroom to take care of the condom. When he returned, he lifted her and put them both beneath the covers.
“Are you all right?” He spooned around her and nipped the top of her ear.
“Yes.” But was she? Everything inside her was relaxed, satiated, and off kilter. She wanted more of him. Yeah, she wanted all of him.
He kissed her ear again. “Good. Get some sleep.” His phone buzzed, and he stiffened behind her. “Hold on.” He released her and rummaged around on the floor. “Yeah. Albertini,” he answered. The atmosphere in the room became heavy. “Understood. I’ll be there.” He clicked off and snuggled back around her.
She blinked and couldn’t help cuddling her butt closer to his groin. “Be where?”
“Fire in Montana,” he murmured against her head. “I have to leave first thing in the morning.”
She frowned. “Fire in December? That’s rare, right?”
“Yep.” He flattened his hand over her abdomen. “We had a dry spring, hot summer, and a very late winter. Lightning strikes can cause problems, and we have a forest fire. The good news is that it should really start snowing soon, so we might not have to fight it for long.”
Great. The guy she’d just figured out she was probably falling for was about to parachute into a wildfire caused by lightning.
She was such a moron sometimes.
Chapter 11
Anna showed up in the morning with lattes. Snow clung to her lashes as she stepped inside the front door and handed one to Heather. “Hey. I have a plan in mind.” She paused at seeing the dog sleeping on the floor near the sofa. “Oh.” A light crimson filtered across her cheekbones. “Um, okay. Why don’t you call me later?”
Heather pulled her inside. “Quint isn’t here. He left early in the morning to handle a fire in Montana.”
Anna stiffened. “I’ve heard they’ve had a dry autumn and late winter snowfall over there, so I shouldn’t be surprised. But I still worry when he heads off to parachute.” She shuffled her feet. “He left his dog here this morning?” She pressed her lips together.
Heather rolled her eyes. “Yes, okay? We’re grownups and all of that.” She banished thoughts of wildfires and what could go wrong with parachutes. Then she caught sight of the dark circles beneath Anna’s eyes. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” Anna took a deep gulp of her coffee. “I staked out Jack’s motel room last night because I figured he’d need to meet with the person he hired to impersonate you, and nobody showed up. I thought you might like to tail him with me today. I have Nonna Albertini on him right now, but she’ll probably try to interrogate him with a wooden spoon to the head, so we should take her place.”
Heather jerked. Wooden spoon? “Yeah, let’s go.” It was better than just sitting in her house worrying about Quint. “Can Zena come?”
The dog lifted her head.
“Always,” Anna said. “Come on, girl.”
The dog bounded across the room and licked Anna’s hand before running outside to take care of business in the snow.
Heather drew on her jacket and hobbled on the crutches outside and down the porch to the walkway, which Quint had shoveled that morning before leaving. The snow continued to fall, however. Slow and soft this morning.
Anna opened the passenger side door of a black Ford truck. “I usually drive a Fiat, but it had some trouble earlier this year and I prefer Aiden’s truck on the snow.” She helped Heather inside and tossed the crutches in the back seat before the dog leaped inside. “Settle down, Zena. Good girl.” Then she crossed around and lifted herself up into the truck. “Did Quint feed Zena before leaving?”
“Yeah,” Heather said. “He left the whole bag in my kitchen and asked if I’d keep her while he was gone. It’s nice to have the company.”
Anna nodded. “I agree. Zena is wonderful to have around. Both Aiden and I have hectic schedules, so we just can’t take care of an animal right now. Sometimes I borrow Zena, and I know Aiden likes her, too.”
“Aiden seems like a nice boyfriend,” Heather said, curious about the couple.
Anna ignited the engine and drove down the icy road. She winced.
Heather bit her lip. “Sorry. Was that a bad thing to say?” Maybe they were having problems.
“No.” Anna chuckled. “It’s just that the word ‘boyfriend’ doesn’t fit Aiden, you know? He’s a badass and I can’t figure out what to call him. Friend, partner, or lover all sound wrong, too.”
Heather held her hands closer to the heat bursting from the vents. “How about your ‘badass?’”
Anna turned down another road through town. “That’s better than ‘boyfriend,’ but it’s still a little off. I’m not sure. Either way, he’s my something.”
Quint didn’t seem like a ‘boyfriend,’ either. Not that it mattered. Last night was just last night, although the imprint of his teeth was still on Heather’s left buttock. She hid her smile behind her latte cup and took a drink. It took her a second to realize she was softly humming Christmas songs.
Anna slid on the icy road and then corrected. “You’re in a good mood.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Heather said, unable to hold back the smile.
Anna shrugged. “It’s your choice, but you and Quint seem like a good match, at least to me.” She slowed down to let a couple of fawns run across the road up ahead. “So long as you can deal with his job and understand it’s part of him. He’ll always want to be front and center with saving people and risking himself to do it.”
Could Heather handle that? Was she strong enough? “Chrissy seemed like a nice person, but she couldn’t deal with his job?” Not that it was Heather’s business.
“No. She was needy and always calling him for reassurance, and I think when he’s on a job, he has to concentrate solely on that job.” Anna glanced toward Heather. “Probably like you when you write and illustrate a story. I imagine you get lost in another world.”
That was an excellent way to put it. Although, friend zone? Heather turned toward her new friend. “I’m not sure a
bout anything right now. I’m just getting settled in town, have an ex stalking me, and have the law waiting to arrest me. Quint was clear that he just wanted to be friends—albeit with benefits—so talking about anything more is just fantasizing.” But after one night with him, she had a lot to fantasize about. Quintino Albertini knew how to kiss…as well as do everything else.
Heat filtered through her body.
Anna drove to the far end of the parking lot to Molly’s Motel, which was just off I-90. “Anyway, no matter what happens, I’m glad we’ve become friends.”
“Me, too,” Heather said, settling comfortably into the heated leather seat. She had friends already. Life was definitely looking up.
The motel was painted a bright red and white, and cheerful blue Christmas bulbs lined every eve. A larger than life blown up Santa stood by the main door, his hat covered with real snow and icicles extending from his arms and wide nose.
“Jack is in room 12 on the first floor.” Anna pointed.
“I recognize his car out front.” Heather took another sip and studied the snow-covered SUV that now had key marks and dents all over the metal.
A maroon-colored Buick fired up at the other end of the parking lot and drove their way, parking on Anna’s side. The window rolled down to reveal Nonna Albertini with her hair in a scarf, and her eyes covered by wide Audrey-Hepburn style sunglasses. “The perp hasn’t moved an inch,” she whispered.
Anna leaned out the window. “Tell me you aren’t wearing a trench coat.”
“It’s your grandfather’s,” Nonna confirmed. “I say we make things happen here. How about I roust him out of the room and you two follow him?”
Heather’s mouth gaped open.
Anna somehow managed to keep a straight face. “I think we’ll do this the old-fashioned way, Nonna. You go on home, and we’ll just watch and see what Jack does. If we need backup, I promise you’re the first person we’ll call.”
Her grandmother’s eyebrow rose. “Are you armed? If not, I brought the Glock.”
“I’m armed. My Smith and Wesson is in the glovebox,” Anna said.
“Don’t be afraid to use it.” Her Nonna dug around in a monstrous purse and handed up a wooden spoon. “This is an extra weapon. Just in case you don’t need bullets.”
Anna dutifully accepted the spoon. “You’re the best. Thanks.”
“Any time. You girls be careful.” The window rolled up, and Nonna drove sedately out of the parking lot to the quiet road.
Anna set the spoon on the seat between them. “See why I wanted to hurry?”
Heather burst out laughing, unable to help herself. “I love her. The woman looks just like Sophia Loren, don’t you think?”
Anna grinned. “Yeah. She hears that a lot.” She kicked her legs out. “Her idea wasn’t bad. What do you think about dealing with this head-on?”
Heather finished her coffee. “I’m all for it. I think I should go talk to him alone and see if I can get him to confess everything.” She’d been thinking about the situation all morning. “If he can be a manipulative jackass, I don’t see why I can’t do the same thing.” She dug her phone from her purse. “I’ll set the phone to record and see what I can find out.”
Anna nodded. “Agreed.” She pushed the spoon toward Heather. “Take the spoon. You’d be surprised how effective it can be when smacked against somebody’s nose.”
Heather shoved the spoon in her purse. “Do you mind driving closer?” Ice covered the cemented parking area, and she’d no doubt fall on the crutches.
“No problem. I’m going to park right outside, and if you scream, I’ll come running. Armed,” Anna said, driving across the lot to park next to Jack’s SUV. “You can do this.”
Adrenaline heated Heather’s veins, and her breath panted, but she forced herself to remain calm. “Yep. No problem.”
Zena whined from the back seat and lifted her head. Her soft brown eyes seemed to provide a warning.
“You could take the dog,” Anna mused. “If Jack does try anything, Zena can be fierce.”
“Good idea.” While Heather wanted to get to the bottom of the situation and find out who Jack had hired to impersonate her, she wasn’t stupid. He was obviously a little nutty, and having a dog protecting her was just smart. “What do you think, Zena? Are you up for a job?”
The dog barked and sat up.
“There you go,” Anna said.
Heather hauled the crutches over the seat and opened her door, gingerly stepping out. She started recording on her phone and slipped it into her coat pocket with the speaker barely poking out. “Come on, girl.”
Zena bounded over the seat and jumped outside, sliding across the ice.
Heather drew her shoulders tight and hitched across the ice to knock on Jack’s door.
He opened it wearing tan pants with a blue sweater, having obviously shaved and showered already. He backed up a step. “Heather.” Pleasure warmed his eyes.
“I thought we should talk.” She moved inside along with the dog.
He glanced down at the canine. “You didn’t need to bring protection. I’d never hurt you.” He frowned, his wide hand still on the doorway. “You have to know that.”
Her head jerked back as her body recoiled. “You tried to have me arrested for vandalism. You set me up. That’s hurtful.”
He shook his head and gestured her inside. “I did no such thing.”
She looked around to see a king-sized bed, two chairs by a table, and an older television set on a credenza. The curtains were open, and the snowy day brought brightness inside. It was time to manipulate him. “If we’re going to get through this, you need to be honest with me.” She sat gingerly in one of the chairs, careful to keep her pocket pointed toward him.
He shut the door and sat in the other chair. “I am being honest.” His earnest expression was going to get him smacked with a wooden spoon.
Zena growled and moved to sit by Heather’s foot. “Even the dog doesn’t believe you, Jack.”
Jack reached to take her hand and drew back when she glared. “I don’t understand why you damaged my car after I sent you roses. Obviously you need help, and I want to provide that. Please let me.”
Did the guy know he was being recorded? Or was he so crazy that he’d actually convinced himself that he hadn’t hired somebody to impersonate her—crutches and all? “I don’t need help, but I’m thinking you do.” She kept her purse close in case she needed to clock him. “When I broke up with you, I meant it.”
“Your grandmother died and you need somebody to be here for you,” he said gently. “I know we broke up, but after you keyed my car the other night, I understand that you require more assistance than I’d thought. We meant something to each other, and I want to help you. Come away with me to the cabin. It’s peaceful and restful there, and you can regain your equilibrium.”
“As you chain me to the wall,” she snapped. “You really need to listen and get this through your thick head. I do not want to date you, see you, or talk to you. Please just leave me alone.”
His lips turned down. “I can see that you’re refusing to be rational. There’s nothing I can do, then. Pay for the damages to my car, and I’ll leave town.”
Oh, he did not. She shook her head as the hair rose along Zena’s back. How had she missed that he was nuts? “No.”
He sighed. “Then I’m going to press charges. Either you let me help you, or I’ll make sure the system does.”
What a complete ass. She stood and placed her crutches beneath her arms. “Fine. I’ll press charges, too. This town is small enough that we will find who you hired to beat up your car. It’s only a matter of time.” She began to move toward the door, and he stood, blocking her way.
Awareness ticked down her spine. She’d forgotten how tall he was this close. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to save you from yourself,” he grit out, his teeth clenching.
Zena growled and stood between them, and Heather scrambl
ed inside her purse, brandishing the wooden spoon. “Get out of my way.”
He blinked. “That’s a wooden spoon.”
She nodded. “Move, Jack.”
The door burst open, right into him, and he crashed into the credenza. Anna stood there, gun in hand. “I saw you go for the spoon through the window.”
Heather looked down at Jack, who was bleeding from the temple and glaring at them both. Her spine straightened and her stomach stopped cramping. “Nice hit.”
Chapter 12
He’d been away from home for three days, and this was the first time he wanted to hurry back in a long time. After his shower in the antiquated motel bathroom, Quint slipped on sweats and an old T-shirt. His body hurt, and a slight burn on his wrist was driving him nuts. But it had been a successful jump, and this time he even had his own room in the closest crappy motel since the fire was pretty much out now. Oh, it’d smolder for a little while, but dealing with that wasn’t his job.
Unfortunately, finding dead bodies was his job. If he’d known the fire would be that easy to quench in three days, he would’ve brought Zena with him. Of course, he hadn’t expected the strong snowstorm that had unexpectedly arrived.
He sat on the flowered bedspread and sent a video-call to Heather. He hadn’t had a chance to call before now because he’d stayed in a tent closer to the national forest and hadn’t had any service. It was surprising how badly he wanted to see her face and hear her voice. Not that he’d share that fact with anyone.
She answered from her kitchen. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Everything inside him settled at seeing her pretty face. “What are you doing?”
“Baking cookies to thank Anna for being my lawyer.” Heather pushed a wayward blonde curl out of her eyes. “How are you?”
He took in her sparkling eyes. “I’m fine. The fire is almost out, so it’s going to be a quicker trip than I expected. How’s my dog?”
“Fine. She’s tough,” Heather said, looking down and to the side. “I made her some doggie treats that she likes, and I hope that’s okay.” She leaned down, obviously petting the dog. “Are you headed home tonight or do you have to wait a couple of days?”
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