by Rita Hestand
He held her hand for a moment, enjoying the way it melted into his, and stared down into her angry face. Oh, how he wanted her, here and now! His body tensed with needs, his loins already in waiting. "Now wait a minute. Let's face a few facts here. If you can respond to me, you've got to be some kind of frivolous lady. Especially since you were supposed to marry someone else, just yesterday, and you dumped me eight years ago. What man in his right mind could dare take you seriously?"
"Respond to you? But I never meant ..."
She looked like a crippled little animal, not knowing where to turn next. Sure, it had been eight years ago, things had changed, but the feeling between them hadn't, not if her kisses were any measure. He could see that clearly. He couldn't stop the laughter that ripped from his throat. "Yes, you did. And I can't help but feel a little sorry for this Rick character. Although, for all I know, you might deserve each other."
"You've no right--"
"I, of all people, have every right. I almost married you, too."
Kasie's cheeks were blotted with crimson; her emerald eyes sparkling with life. She was gorgeous when she was mad, he smiled inwardly. He wanted her, and he wanted to stop wanting her. He wanted her to put out the fire between them, squelch the hidden emotions, and make them both face the past with honesty. He wanted some kind of end to this torture.
"You've no right to talk now. You know nothing about me, or Rick. I've been kissed a few times. So what? Did it ever occur to you that I might be conniving a way out of here, rather than flirting with you? You stand there like the judge and jury. What right have you? Just because I was scared witless by a bear doesn't make me a flirt. Besides, you don't have all the facts."
She doubled her fists automatically and pummeled his chest.
Like a vise, his huge hands covered hers and held them suspended above her head as he peered down into her flushed face, rendering her helpless. Her eyes widened with anticipation.
He had her exactly where he wanted her. "Someone needs to talk to you like this, and since your father isn't here to do it, I'll have to be the one. Take some advice. If you really care about this Rick, stop flaunting yourself at every man that comes along. Namely me. That was not conniving, I've been kissed before, too."
His eyes suddenly met hers, jolting the socks off him. If only she were as innocent as she appeared. "Give him half of what you offered me last night, and you might make the marriage work."
She looked as though she were struggling to hold back the tears, choking on her words as they finally came out. "Flaunt myself? Why, you're a raving lunatic."
"Am I?" he asked, his voice softening; his eyes going over her with gentle thoroughness. His head began to lower, and his lips seemed to hover just above hers. "Want me," his mind screamed at her. "Hear my words, Little Dove." He spoke the magic of his heritage, romantic magic she hadn't heard before. Magic from his heart, his soul, pouring out to her.
He heard the air rushing from her lungs, saw the small bead of sweat pepper her upper lip, and he ignited the fire in those sea green eyes. He could almost taste the sweetness of her pink lips. Anticipating, he coached himself to wait a little longer. He wanted her willingly in his arms, just as she had willingly kissed him back last night.
"I know what you're doing," she pleaded. Her small breasts heaved like tiny pine needles against his chest through the cotton of her sweatshirt, and he closed the distance between them with a groan.
The heat between them sizzled like cold water on a hot skillet. The air crackled. Too many clothes, he grumbled inwardly, always too many damned clothes.
Then she pushed him away, her eyes never leaving his. "You want your revenge, don't you? You think I don't know? You think I'm still the naive little girl you once knew? Okay, you can have it."
His eyes gleamed with victory as they traveled her, but she held her head high. "You can have all of me."
A pain older than time shot through him.
Slowly her fingers slid the sweatshirt over her head.
At first he watched in quiet fascination until he realized what she was doing to him, and his eyes fastened hard on hers. He wouldn't look. He wouldn't give in to his baser needs this easily. She wanted him to look.
Without another word, she proceeded to peel the sweatshirt from her body, ever so slowly. Then she unfastened the bra, but still he refused himself the pleasure of feasting on her. He walked a tightrope. His entire body stretched to its limit. Her sweatshirt fell to the floor in a blur of a shadow. She stared mutinously at him.
He didn't move, didn't bat an eye, as he schooled himself not to think of her, half-naked before him. He willed himself to not move.
Next, her bra fell, and his loin tightened. He knew it was there on the floor. He knew all he had to do was lift his hands--to touch. All he had to do was drop his glance, but still, he held her gaze.
The room filled with electrical currents, like an unnoticed forest fire.
Holding her chin higher, she started to unsnap her jeans to slither out of them, but his words and expression halted her actions. Her face turned crimson, but still he did not take his eyes from hers.
"No more."
She had to know what she did to him, from the look on her face. Every muscle in his body seemed to tense, until he felt like a tightly coiled snake. He willed his arms not to hold her, his eyes not to look, his body not to go to her.
"You want me stripped of all dignities, bared to your soul. You wanted this; you can't deny it. Is this what I'm here for? Then take it!" She cried aloud, her head proud, and her body stiff.
His fisted hand reached to gently stoke her cheek, his knuckles softly caressing her. "No, Little Dove," he cupped her face in his big powerful hands, hands that shook from wanting her. And the raw determination within him held him steady. Something stronger than life held him at bay. "I won't take you like this. If the time comes for us to be together, we'll both know it."
His hands threaded through her hair, holding her head gently, his fingertips tensed.
She looked as though she were about to start a tirade of excuses for her own actions, when a knock came at the door.
Both their heads turned at the same time.
"Are you expecting someone?" She scrambled to pick up her clothes. Her hands shook, her voice squeaked. She couldn't find her bra, and began frantically searching for it. She hurriedly zipped her jeans, and grabbed her shirt, covering herself.
He frowned, and turned away from her, to compose himself. "Are you out of your mind?"
The last thing he needed or wanted right now was company.
Still, the important thing was to find the damned bra. They both searched, scrambling like scattering chickens during a rainstorm. Finally, he found it in the chair by the desk, and, proceeding without thinking, put it on her underneath the sweatshirt, his fingers barely grazing the tips of her breast as he rushed to get it on her. His indrawn breath was the only sign of disconcertion.
Their hands fumbled. The straps wouldn't go up without taking the shirt off. Why had she put the shirt on first? She had to be flustered. His eyes met hers, and he realized her confusion. Without further regard, he practically ripped the offending bra from her. His groin tightened painfully, his eyes were like fire, raging for some sort of release from the torture of actually wanting her.
He turned away from her abruptly, as he cursed and a million stars exploded within him.
Shame seemed a hollow reprieve. He ignored shame and faced her, once more, no guilt in his eyes as they traveled up and down her in a most provocative way. She was fully clothed now, and yet he stripped her bare with his own might. He had marked her as sure as the earth stood still.
His breath grew shallow, and then suddenly the bra was forgotten. As if everything suddenly became slow motion, his eyes on hers, he threw it under the bed.
She stood very still, their eyes meeting and holding, and, as if in some dream state, for only a moment he bent and kissed her tenderly, thoroughly, as though he
really meant it. The earth stood still again, as the second knock came at the door.
He let go of her reluctantly, knowing that, in time, they might have resolved this love-hate situation.
"Probably the last time I get to do that, huh?"
She pinked. "Absolutely the last."
"Yeah."
Moving to the door, he purposely shut his mind to the scene he had created, closing his eyes tight and willing himself under control before he opened the damned door! But there were other parts of him not so willing to behave. Noticeable parts.
He groaned inwardly as he opened the door to Tanka and Gina, his brother and friend. They would never know about this from him, he vowed as he greeted them with a smile and hug.
He grabbed Tanka first, gave him an awkward hug, then Gina. However, when he turned back to Kasie, he grimaced as he realized that her breasts were firmly imprinted against the sweatshirt. Perhaps he wasn't the only one not in control. His own condition wasn't much better, and anyone who could add could have put it all together.
Without hesitation, he smiled at her. "Kasie, I guess you remember my brother, and this is Gina, his friend, our friend."
He wasn't about to explain further to any of them, especially after what had happened between him and Kasie. He could literally kill them for showing up when they did. He needed some time to assimilate what had happened between them, without interference. It wasn't supposed to end like this. He should never have let things go so far, and kept it under control. He only hoped his brother and friend would keep their curiosity to themselves.
Kasie would be gone again in a few days, and he would never see her again, and the realization that he gave a damn bothered him. Worse still, he had wanted her and hadn't taken her.
Wouldn't his revenge have been over and done with? No, he suddenly realized that wasn't the kind of revenge he sought. He wanted more than her mere body.
She was going to be married. She was John's daughter. But all the excuses in the world didn't stop him from wanting to make her his. What was wrong with him?
He needed a mountain woman, he had told himself time and again. A woman with staying power. A woman that didn't need microwaves and dishwashers. A woman that would love him, not break his heart and run. He had told himself that for eight years, and he suddenly realized that he had never once believed it. He needed Kasie. He was sure of that.
Kasie seemed to be struggling with her own composure. She had noticed her obvious body reactions, too, but did nothing to cover it up. Perhaps she wanted to embarrass him. It was too late for that, judging by their expressions. Instead she held her head high and smiled, shaking hands with Tanka and Gina Reynolds.
What must they think? For the first time in his life, Chayton Amory felt as though he might have been wrong. Had she been afraid to trust the feeling between them? She had been such a child, then; a child that taunted him, made him insane with wanting.
The couple looked surprised, but made no comments. Chay knew Tanka would have plenty to say later, in private.
"Well," Tanka drawled effectively, giving Kasie a full fledged once-over, "you're about the last person I expected to see here."
"I'm merely entertaining her till John arrives."
Wrong word. Both heads flew up and smiles cracked. Kasie shot him an instant frown.
"You certainly don't owe us an explanation, Chay," Gina said, her red lips curling into a knowing smile. "So, you're John's daughter. Tanka's spoken of you so many times. I feel as though I know you, or should. It's a pleasure to meet you. Yes, I can see it now. The same eyes."
Gina had practically inspected Kasie like a side of beef at the market. Chay sighed, indulging Gina, and watching Kasie for any reaction.
"You know my father, too?" Kasie asked, then nodded, "But of course you do. Everyone knows him around here, don't they?"
"Not well, but I've had the pleasure of meeting him on several occasions. A nice man." Gina pursed her lips.
Chay moved protectively towards Kasie now. She looked like a little lost pup, and she had done a fine job of not losing her cool. He draped an arm over her shoulder and pulled her against him, knowing he'd get a tongue lashing from her later for the action. He felt her stiffen, and saw her total disregard for him in her eyes. She hated him at this moment.
"Gina is an airline hostess."
"Really, how exciting."
"It gets to be old hat after a while, believe me."
Tanka and Gina wandered further into the room, immediately striking up a conversation with Chay.
"So, are we squared away with the Boone contract?" Amory was asking, his tone indulgent as he glanced at his brother.
Tanka smiled, a big smile that nearly covered his entire face. "My brother, we needed some time off, anyway. So John's coming up here, eh?"
"Don't change the subject, little brother. Rosie told me all about it. You let Meyers beat you out of the contract, didn't you? I was afraid of that all along. I knew I should have bid on it, myself! What were you thinking?"
"Boys, boys," Gina cried, running to both of them, putting her arms around them and smiling. "Let's not fuss about something you can do nothing about. Tanka's right. You needed some time off. The two of you haven't had a vacation in years. And then there's that bathroom you keep promising to finish."
"Yes, well, I've been reminded about that by several others already. And yes, John's coming up here. I just spoke to him in South America on the ham radio. He's been delayed."
Tanka nodded. "I heard something about a disturbance down there on the news."
As mad as Amory was about the contract, Tanka's words about the delay made up for it. His growing frown vanished as though it had never been, and he slapped his brother on the back and smiled at him.
It was obvious Kasie heard it, too.
"By the way, I've heard rumors they are after Ole Blue again," Tanka was saying, as he lit his pipe. He settled by the fire, his glance occasionally straying to Kasie, then back to his brother.
Amory nodded, his big shoulders slumping. Funny what a strange affection he had for that silly old bear, despite the added aggravation. They went back a long way. "Yeah, they aren't just rumors. He's become a real nuisance. He nearly ransacked this place the other day. And we aren't the only ones, so I'm told. I scouted the area and found his den. He's not even bothering to stock up for winter. He's just a tired and very spoiled old bear. And thanks to Kasie here, he'll be back, I'm afraid."
Everyone's eyes turned on her, as though she had suddenly torched the cabin.
"Yes, Ole Blue paid her a rather untimely visit, and she decided to feed him."
Amory didn't bother hiding his enjoyment. "But I guess we should be thanking her, she did save the lean-to."
Tanka quirked a brow. "Saved it?"
"That's her story."
Kasie sneezed, and started to explain, but they went on chatting and changing the subject.
Amory shot her a reproving glance, "Better get some socks on those feet, Kasie."
She wiggled her bare feet, and shrugged, deliberately ignoring his advice.
"So, how long will you be staying, Kasie?" Gina asked, moving a strand of raven hair out of her eyes, and adjusting her beautiful yellow ski suit as she sat by the fire on the floor.
"Not a minute longer than I have to, I assure you. I'm afraid my father is being his regular untimely self."
"Some things can't be prevented," Amory said with a scowl. "Kasie is understandably upset at the delay of her father, and her impending marriage being put on the shelf, so to speak."
"Delay being the key word," she added, fueling their curiosity. Gina seemed to notice the bed's demise, and glanced from one to the other, but had the good manners not to say anything.
"You're getting married?" Tanka and Gina both chimed, as though they had misjudged the scene.
Kasie smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am."
"To whom?"
"Some rock star, Rick Springer, I believe. Ever heard of
him?" Amory asked, a frown lining his ruggedly handsome face.
Gina nearly jumped up, her eyes sparkling with interest as she glanced at Kasie once more. It was obvious she couldn't believe Kasie was marrying Rick Springer. "Have I? Why, he's the most popular rock star on the charts toady. And the dreamiest. She's going to marry him?"
They looked incredulous.
"Still may." Amory moved about them restlessly. "You see, John wanted to stop the wedding long enough to find out if she really loves this guy. That's the reason she's here. I sort of brought her here against her will. And she's not too happy about it, either. She was under the impression her father would be here when we arrived. Needless to say, he wasn't. And of course, this blizzard isn't helping matters. There's no way she can leave. How did the two of you get up?"