“She’s beautiful,” Betsy confirmed.
“She’s going to go to a pet home. She doesn’t listen to me. I’m sure she’ll make someone a fine companion dog,” Vince said.
The puppy twirled around in a circle and snuggled in Sabrina’s lap like she’d done it a thousand times. “So you already have a home lined up for her then?”
Vince arched his back. “Nope.” Sabrina noticed the muscles of Vince’s jaw flex. His leg was bothering him more than he let on. “Not yet. Unless you want her?” he asked.
Sabrina’s heart swelled up so big she thought it might burst on the spot. She’d always wanted a dog, but her parents weren’t pet people, or at least that’s what her mother used to say. Sabrina knew the truth; dogs were too hairy and smelly and altogether too much trouble.
“Are you okay?” Betsy asked with a maternal look in her eye.
“I’m fine.” Sabrina stood up with the puppy cradled in her arms. “I don’t live in a place that would be the best for an Alaskan sled dog. Although I’d love nothing more. Besides, it’s hot in California.”
“It gets hot here, too,” Betsy said. “Come back in June, you’ll see.” Betsy stood up beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “These dogs can live in any kind of weather.”
“I’m sure they can, but…I just can’t.” Sabrina knew it was her mother’s voice speaking in her head, but truly, a beautiful creature like this needed open space and acres and acres to run. “I just don’t want to set her back down. She looks so comfortable.”
Sabrina heard the sound of a vehicle approaching. They all turned around and saw Zak pulling up on his four-wheeler. He strolled toward them like a man full of self-assurance.
God, he is sexy, Sabrina thought.
“What have you got there?” he asked.
The sound of his voice sent shivers across her skin, and she realized how much she missed being near him, even though they’d only been apart for two hours. “Just a puppy I wish I could keep.”
“Aw…” Zak nodded his head. “Vince might not like you taking one of his prized sled dogs, anyway.”
“Oh no, I already told her she could have that one. They all need names, too. Easier to keep track of who’s who if they have names,” Vince said.
Zak merely nodded and folded his arms across his chest.
The rate at which her heart was pumping, Sabrina knew she had it bad for Zak, and the thought was frightening. “Vince, is it okay if I come back tomorrow to visit Bunny?”
“Bunny?” Zak said mockingly.
“Vince just said they need names, and since she hops like a rabbit—well, I can’t call her ‘Rabbit,’” Sabrina said.
Zak narrowed his eyes at her. A smile tugged at his lips. “No, by all means, you can’t do that.”
Sabrina gently set Bunny down in the doggie bed.
Zak eyed her critically. He had that thinking look going on. Any minute now, she expected him to pinch the bridge between his eyes. “I’m not sure it’s the best thing to name a dog you don’t intend to keep,” he said.
“Probably not.” She opened and closed the gate.
“You’re welcome back to visit anytime,” Vince said.
“Thank you so much. And thank you for bringing me here, Betsy. And Vince, if you’d let me, I could show you some exercises that might alleviate some of that back pain you’re experiencing.”
“I need to get on a training run right now, but if you come back tomorrow…maybe,” Vince said. He’d warmed up to her in the small amount of time she’d spent here. Even though she’d never seen him smile, somehow, she really liked him. He seemed the type willing to go to battle not only for his dogs, but for the people he cared for as well.
Sabrina wasn’t sure about the look she’d seen in Zak’s eye. The man was always thinking. Never a quiet moment in his brain.
He gestured toward his four-wheeler. “Ready to go?”
“Sure. I guess so. Did you finish the work you wanted to get done?”
“More or less.” Zak placed his hand at the small of her back, guiding her to his four-wheeler.
The unexpected touch sent a zing of pleasure through her limbs. She had to wonder if he wasn’t staking his claim for the benefit of Vince, who was looking on. Either way, it didn’t matter to her, because if she had anything to do with it, he’d be touching her a lot more.
“Did you end up playing a board game?” Zak asked.
Betsy threw her leg over her four-wheeler. “Yes, as a matter of fact we did, and I’m sure Lenny and Harold would love a re-match. Neither of them like to lose.”
“Don’t tell me,” Zak said. “You played Scrabble.”
Sabrina suppressed her smile, delighted at the way Zak kept his hand on the small of her back.
“We did,” Betsy said. “Why?”
Zak shook his head. “Oh, nothing.”
“Let’s plan on another game tomorrow,” Betsy said.
“Sounds good to me,” Sabrina replied.
“See you then.” Betsy started her four-wheeler and sped off ahead of them.
Zak climbed on his four-wheeler and Sabrina tucked in behind him. Before he turned the key, he turned to meet her eyes. “You’ve lured unsuspecting victims to your Scrabble lair again, I see.”
“You’re being a tad bit dramatic, aren’t you?” She settled in her seat and wrapped her arms around his trim waist. The warmth of him invigorated her, and she couldn’t wait to get him alone.
“Maybe.” He shrugged and started the motor.
Sabrina hung on tight and smiled. The air whooshed around her as they sped across the gravel roads. Yellow birch leaves swirled around them. Each day of her stay she noticed more yellow lining the ground than the trees. The air had a bite of cold, a sure sign of the winter to come.
She flattened her cheek against Zak’s back, letting his heat radiate into every pore of her skin. With Zak and this wild land, happiness was swallowing her up. She couldn’t get enough of him and all the new things life was throwing at her. Her life was like a parade passing by, and she desperately wanted to grab onto one of the floats, but she couldn’t hang on. It was slipping through her fingers.
CHAPTER 10
In the evening, Zak prepared dinner. He grilled Copper River Red Salmon, cooked rice, and steamed broccoli. His mind was made up. Just like the puppy Sabrina couldn’t keep, he couldn’t keep her. But he could enjoy being with her for as long as she stayed.
She wore the same blouse and pink skirt she’d worn the day she arrived at the lodge. And the same flip-flops.
Throughout dinner, he tried to keep the conversation light, but his thoughts kept drifting to her body, and how he couldn’t wait to be touching her again. She had her hair in a ponytail and he loved seeing her earlobes and neck.
After dinner, they moved to the sofa in front of the river rock fireplace and watched the blue and orange flames together. Zak couldn’t keep his hands away from her for another second. He’d stick to his plan; keep emotional intimacy at arm’s length, but physical affection was acceptable.
He grabbed a handful of her shirt just below her breasts and pulled her closer. He paid attention to the most meticulous details of how and where her body reacted to his touch. His thumbs inched their way up to the lace of her bra. Her breathing increased and she arched her back, making access for his hands easier. She slid her fingers into his hair and brushed her lips against his.
He pulled back first. The light from the fire cast dancing shadows across her eyes and nose. Her pouty lips begged to be kissed. She pressed her open mouth to the hollow of his throat. He couldn’t get skin-to-skin contact soon enough, and ripped the bottom edge of his tee shirt up and over his head. “I hated being away from you today, even though it was only a few hours,” he said.
“You did?” She panted the words between kisses down his neck. “I missed you, too.”
Was he really going down this path, admitting he missed her?
Stick to the plan. Enjoy her
body—keep his heart out of it.
She slid her hands up his sides and his chest. “What did you miss?”
He missed her presence in the lodge. The logs felt hollow and empty without her, and he’d never felt that way about the lodge before. Heck, he had missed seeing her eyes light up when she scored a bunch of points in Scrabble or discovered gold in her pan.
He cupped his hands under her breasts, then began unbuttoning her blouse. “I’ll show you.”
The lacy blue bra matched her eyes, and he could only imagine she wore the same blue panties. He moved his hand under her skirt and up her leg.
He knew he should take things slow, but he couldn’t. Everything she did showed him how much she wanted him too.
She scooted off his lap and unhooked her bra. “What are you doing to me? You’re making me into a sex maniac,” she teased.
“And there’s something wrong with that?” He watched her glorious breasts fall free and he eyed her small butterfly tattoo. His jeans tightened and he thought he might spontaneously combust.
She started to unzip her skirt, but he grabbed her hand. “No, stop. Keep your skirt on. I’ve always wanted to lift up a girl’s skirt and have my way with her.”
Sabrina’s cheeks tinged pink and she laughed. “All right, Mr. Bad Boy, I’ll keep my skirt on, as long as you take off all your clothes.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m all yours.” The words were quickly said and simple, but Zak could feel himself slipping into an abyss he might never crawl back from. He stripped himself of his clothes and laid her on the leather couch in front of the roaring fire, wearing nothing but her skirt. He lifted the skirt and bunched it around her waist. He wanted to take it slow. She deserved slow, sweet sex, but the minute he eyed the little landing strip of pubic hair between her legs, his desire cut to a primal place deep in his core. He could feel his instincts wanting to go completely caveman.
He’d never remembered a time in his life when he’d given himself so completely and freely. His body seemed to be created specifically to be joined with Sabrina. He hadn’t felt such unbridled happiness since he was a teenager, with no cares in the world.
* * *
AFTER THE THIRD day of Scrabble at the café, Zak strolled in and asked his fellow Gold Creek residents why they continued to play with her when she always won.
“It’s not always about winning,” Betsy said. “It’s about playing the game.”
The hell it is, Zak thought.
“They aren’t sore losers, like you.” Sabrina smirked at him. “If you could help me move these tables, I promised everyone a thirty-minute yoga session.” She pushed one of the tables up against the booths.
Zak stood rooted to the checkered linoleum floor, uncertain how to respond. While he was thinking, three women filed in wearing sneakers and sweatpants. “Looks like you already planned it.”
Sabrina stacked three chairs. “Well, you’re early. I asked you not to pick me up for another forty-five minutes.”
Guilty as charged. He hadn’t wanted to be away from her for more than two hours, and he silently chastised himself for not staying away.
The ladies laid out their mats. The café door opened and Vince strolled in. Zak eyed him skeptically. What was he doing here?
Sabrina must have read his mind. “Vince, I’m so glad you could make it. I promise you some of the stretching exercises we’re going to do will help your back,” she said.
Vince gave a non-committal nod.
“Have you seen any improvement since we worked on your hamstrings yesterday?” Sabrina asked.
Vince grunted and removed his boots and socks. “A little.”
Worked on your hamstrings? What the heck was going on between Vince and Sabrina? Zak thought Betsy took her over there to visit puppies, but instead she was putting the yoga moves on his mushing neighbor.
“Zak, would you mind helping me with this table?” Sabrina’s words shook him from his stupor.
They each took a side of the table to move it to the far side of the room. Sabrina’s tank top gaped open as she leaned over the table, giving him a perfect view of her cleavage and tattoo. “You know what would be really nice?” she asked.
“No, what?” He willed himself to look into her eyes.
“If we could have this yoga class in the lobby at the lodge.”
Zak dropped his end of the table. “Ah…no. The lodge is not a place for yoga. Next thing you’ll be asking is to have a girly sleepover where everyone paints their toenails and sings ‘Kumbaya’ together. The lodge isn’t a summer camp, Sabrina.”
Sabrina didn’t remove her hands from the table’s edge. He swore the gleam in her eye said she’d shove the table into his balls given the chance. “Will you pick up your end please? We’ve got two more feet to move. I don’t want to scratch the floor by shoving it.”
They walked the remaining steps. Sabrina swung around the side of the table and stopped inches away from him. Her breasts brushed his torso and she narrowed her eyes. “If I taught classes at the lodge, a percentage of the fees I charged would go to you. Better yet, you could charge me rent to use the room for an hour. I was thinking it would be a good business venture, a way to bring in another kind of clientele during the off-seasons.” She swiped her tongue across her bottom lip. “But of course, whatever you think is best.”
She’d managed to wrap everyone in this town around her pinky finger and he was no exception. Well, that stopped today. If he wasn’t careful, there’d be pink ribbons and bows strung up at the lodge. No flipping way was he going to stand by and let that happen. The lodge was for men.
Sabrina stripped off her tank top, tossing it in one of the booths. She wore only her black yoga pants and black sports bra. He didn’t miss the look of appreciation in Vince’s eyes either.
Zak gave Vince a glare that could not be mistaken for anything other than territorial. Blood surged through Zak’s veins. He wanted nothing more than to pitch her over his shoulder, strap her to his four-wheeler, and drive back to the lodge. The café was for eating food. Surely some health code was being broken by having this room do double-duty as a yoga studio. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sucked in the breath. Emotions swirled under his skin, ready to burst. He would think this through, not react hastily and without thought. He turned on his heel, pushed the door open, and stepped out into the crisp autumn air.
Zak paced to his four-wheeler, placed his hands on the seat cushion, and hung his head. He would not let Sabrina intrude into every aspect of his life, of his brain, of his being. He would not.
No more than two minutes later, he heard the café door open. He swung around. Sabrina poked her head out. “Vince said he’d give me a ride back to the lodge. So go on home. I’ll be there soon.”
The blood coursing through his veins pummeled his eardrums in rapid fire.
He wanted to yell. He wanted to fight. He wanted to punch Vince Merrick in the gut so hard he wouldn’t be able to stand up for a week.
“No.” Zak bit down on the urge to take her in his arms. He glanced at her and remembered his pact to himself to keep an emotional distance. She was so beautiful. Her blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Her blond hair cascaded like a waterfall around her shoulders. She didn’t belong here. And more importantly, she didn’t belong here with him. “Actually, yes, that would be great if Vince could bring you back to the lodge.”
He barely recognized the raspy sound of his own voice.
“All right.” She tipped her head, opened her sweet lips, and closed them again. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?” He swung his leg over the seat and started the engine. “See you in a bit,” he yelled over the sound of the motor and sprayed gravel as he sped away.
He raced the mile back to the lodge, hitting potholes so hard his teeth loosened. What a royal ass he could be. He should have waited for her class to end and brought her back himself, because now he’d have to suffer visions of her sharing a four-wheel
er ride with Vince.
Inside the lodge, Zak went directly to his apartment to think. He picked up Sabrina’s bath towel that she’d left in a heap on the floor. He put her toothbrush back in the holder. He straightened the tube of toothpaste she’d squished in the middle. Everyone knew you pressed toothpaste from the end, but apparently not Sabrina. Did the woman really not know how to pick up after herself?
The lodge phone rang. “Forrester Lodge,” Zak answered.
“We got our moose,” Ethan said from the other end of the phone. “We’ll be back tomorrow.”
Zak felt like he’d been kicked in the stomach, but he quickly recovered from the deep ache in his heart. “That’s great. All our clients happy?”
“Yep, they’re happy. Troy, the Texas doc, he got a sixty-five incher. He’s really happy.”
“Good, good. So I guess I’ll see you tomorrow evening?”
“Yep. Is my apartment still occupied?”
“Ah, yes, but she knew the deal was only until you returned, so I’ll make sure she’s gone.”
“No, don’t do that. If she wants to stay, I can bunk up with you. Unless—”
“All right. I’ll see what she says.” Zak just wanted the conversation to end. He didn’t want to offer up any explanations to his brother.
“Sounds good. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.” Zak hung up. Dread encompassed him. He didn’t want to say goodbye to Sabrina.
* * *
SINCE NOBODY SEEMED to be on a strict schedule, Sabrina ended up teaching the class for a whole hour. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d enjoyed working with a group of people more. During her certification classes, she had to teach fellow students, but this was the first time she’d taught a group of people who knew virtually nothing about the benefits of yoga.
Everyone worked together to push the café tables back in place. She glanced at the moose antlers framed over the door. She’d never seen anything similar to a café like this in L.A., and the antlers served to remind her that her time here was limited. The hunters would be back soon and she’d be out of a room, unless she stayed with Zak, which sounded wonderful. But she knew she couldn’t avoid going home much longer. The fundraising event she’d organized was scheduled and she had to be there. She couldn’t rely on her sister to do her job.
Her Alaskan Hero Page 11