Snowed In & Set Up

by Whitley Cox

  “She’s told you all of this?”

  She shook her head. “No. Not all of it. A lot of it I just discerned from her behavior and what she’s told all of us. We’ve chatted here and there. She, Juney and I talked a fair bit on the walk back to the cabin last night when you and Rowan were carrying Austin. She said that even though she loves her job, she doesn’t always enjoy having to be the boss, especially to men.”

  “You know, I don’t have any siblings, but you’d be a pretty cool little sister,” Will said with a chuckle, plugging in the kettle and then bringing down two mugs from the cabinet. “I mean, you’re cute, but you’re not my type.” That was a big ol’ lie, but for some reason he felt like he needed to say it.

  “You’re not my type, either. The chip on your shoulder can be seen from outer space. No thanks! And what the hell is with your hatred for Christmas? I could never be with someone who hates Christmas.”

  Well, that stung. But it was the truth. Just like Amber, Will had an enormous chip on his shoulder. And that chip had gotten in the way and ruined a lot of relationships. Relationships that probably would have lasted if he wasn’t such a selfish prick.

  His lip twitched as he turned around to face her again. “Yeah, it is pretty big, isn’t it?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Ah, well, shitty things just seem to keep happening to me on Christmas. My dad left, my wife left. I don’t exactly have the fondest of memories when it comes to this particular holiday.”

  She rolled her eyes. “And you think I do?”

  Crap, he’d done it again. Here he was complaining about his dad leaving when Hunter didn’t even know who her dad was. She’d revealed that tidbit a few nights ago. At least Will could put a face and name to his “sperm donor.”

  He was about to say something, even though he wasn’t quite sure what, when she cut him off. “I’m not looking for your pity. I had a fine childhood, better than most who ended up in the system. All I’m saying is, you’re a bit of a Debbie Downer being all anti-Christmas, and all because not every single one of your thirty-seven Christmases were chock full of kittens in fuzzy hats and people singing carols around a baby grand piano. Get over yourself, doc. It’s exactly like your Christmas cracker said, ‘not every flat stone is going to skip the same distance.’ Not every Christmas is going to kick ass. Some are going to kick your ass. Just because I’ve had the odd crappy boyfriend, do you think that means I should write off men completely? Three shitty relationships mean that all men are shitty and I should become a nun or start dating women?”

  He crossed his arms in front of his chest and shook his head. “No.”

  “You’ve kind of sucked this week, being all anti-Christmas the whole time.”

  “But what about Amber?” he started to say. “She’s anti-Christmas too, and you’re not harping on her.”

  She tucked her hair behind her ears and gave him a look that reminded him an awful lot of Juney. It was motherly. It was annoyed. It was preparing to lecture. “We’re not talking about her right now. We’re talking about you. And she’s not anti-Christmas, she’s feigning disinterest, if you haven’t noticed. You can’t look at a snow globe the way she looked at the one you gave her and not like Christmas. Hell, I’d go as far to say the woman probably loves it. But that’s a whole different kettle of fish that I’m not interested in getting into right now. You can sort that out with her yourself. But you, you’re being an ass. You were an ass to her, and you’ve been behaving like an ass all week. Stop being an ass.”

  His lips twisted before he spoke. “You said I wasn’t being an ass.”

  She shot him another Juney-esc look. “I believe I said you weren’t being an ass hole. But you’re most definitely an ass. As in jackass.”

  He looked down at his feet. “You’re right.”

  She shrugged. “I know. I might not have a fancy college degree or a bunch of letters behind my name, but I’m no dumb bunny.”

  “I never said you were.”

  “Humph.”

  He needed to change the subject. Things were getting heated, and the last thing he needed was two women in the house out for his blood. “So, what brings you out here at this hour? You and the leader of Mensa get into a fight or something?”

  She shook her head. “No, nothing like that. How many women do you think he’s slept with?”

  “Who? Austin?”

  She nodded.

  Will shook his head. “No clue. He’s decent enough looking, really smart, probably up in the high teens or twenties or thirties.”

  Hunter shook her head again. “That’s what I had thought too. But his number’s not very high. Not as high as I would have thought, anyway.”

  “All long-term relationships?”

  “Nope. He was a prodigy. Skipped grades, started college early. Says he was always the kid, and that made him socially awkward. He was intimidated by me, or at least that’s what he says. That’s why it took him forever to make a move. And in the end I was the one who made the first move.”

  Will had to hand it to the guy, that was pretty brave admitting something like that. Most men, Will included, would have simply shut down or feigned some other excuse. Admitting intimidation was admitting fault, admitting weakness. But it was also brave to do it.

  “Was he intimidated by your number?”

  “No. He has no idea of my number. I didn’t disclose that. Not yet anyway. He was intimidated by the fact that I own the Curiously Kinky at home romance party company and that I’m loaded and successful. He didn’t think he would be enough for me . . . in bed or in life.”

  “Was he?”

  A wicked glint shone in Hunter’s bright amber eyes. “And then some.” She moved over to the drawer that housed all the tins of tea and opened it. “I mean we haven’t done anything kinky yet, but so far the man has been a freaking sex savant. And he said he’s willing to try stuff, that he’s curious. But he’s not the first guy to run once he finds out what I do. I should never have said anything the other day.”

  “Then tell him that. Tell him you really like him, and that you’re willing to teach and go slow. And if he’s as smart as he claims to be, he won’t run. You’re quite the little package.”

  Averting her gaze, Hunter ran her fingers along the tins of tea, while her cheeks flushed from his compliment. Will poured the steaming kettle into two green mugs, and then Hunter dropped a couple of chamomile teabags into the water. Picking up her mug, she wandered over to sit in the living room. He followed her.

  Snatching her favorite blanket off the back of the couch, Hunter curled up on the couch and tucked her legs under her. Cradling her mug in both hands, she pressed the rim against her lips and inhaled. “Do you think Daisy’s algorithm was correct with Austin and I?” she finally asked.

  “Yes, I do.” He sat across from her on the other end of the couch, his eyes focusing on the reflection of the beautiful tree in the big picture window. “You guys are a lot alike.”

  “We are?” Curiosity stole over her face.

  “You don’t see it?”

  Her lips scrunched, and she looked down into her mug, lightly shaking her head. “I thought maybe at first we were. But I’m not so sure anymore.”

  “You’re both lost. Have reached the top and don’t know where to go now. Or at least, that’s how I see it. More you than Austin. But with Austin I see a lost little puppy who grew up way too fast because of his big brain, but he really doesn’t know the real world. Hasn’t done any traveling or had any wild experiences. And I’m guessing based on your life, you were forced to grow up faster than normal, too. No?”

  She set her mug on the high table behind the couch, her jaw dropping as the flush of pink continued to travel up her neck and cheeks and into her hairline.

  “Hit the nail on the head, didn’t I?”

  “Uh, yeah. I’ve always been mature for my age. And I hitchhiked and backpacked all across the states as a teenager, but I haven’t really been anywhere else in th
e world. I want to travel. I want to travel so badly. And Austin hasn’t been out of the country, either.”

  “You’re lost.”

  Hunter continued to nod. “Totally. Lost and blocked. I mentioned earlier I haven’t had a new design or business idea in ages. That’s not normal for me.”

  “Then go travel. Find yourself, find your passion and drive again. Hell, go travel together. And, if things go south, then part ways. I took a semester off years ago and went backpacking with a college girlfriend. We broke up on the trip, but you meet loads of other travelers. You just glom on to a new group and travel with them.”

  She made a rather unladylike noise in her throat before she put her lips to her mug again, blowing on the steam. “You broke up? Well, that gives me all kinds of hope.”

  He shook his head dismissively and blew on his own tea before gingerly taking a sip. He hadn’t realized until that moment that he was wearing nothing but white boxer briefs. His eyes fell down to his lap and then quickly darted around the room, looking for a blanket. Hunter picked up on his vibe and snatched another cashmere throw from the back of the couch and tossed it to him.

  “I’m not interested, just so you know.” She laughed.

  “I’m cold.”

  “Sure. Why’d you and your college girlfriend break up?”

  “We broke up because we finally had the kids talk. She wanted them, and I didn’t. Still don’t. And neither of us planned on changing our minds, so we didn’t see the need to continue on with the charade as if we did. We broke up in Laos. She went on to Vietnam, and I went to Malaysia.”

  “You make it sound so businesslike.”

  He shrugged. “Kind of was.”

  “So, what, you think Austin and I should sit down with the tablet tomorrow and plan a trip to Southeast Asia together, having known one another for all of four days?”

  “People have done stranger and wilder things.”

  She was quiet for a moment. Was she mulling it over? He certainly hoped so. Backpacking had been one of best decisions Will had ever made. Seeing the world, experiencing new cultures, meeting new people. He wasn’t always the broody, overworked man he was now. He used to know how to have fun, how to party.

  “Yeah, maybe,” she finally said, rolling her bottom lip between her teeth.

  “And as far as the kinky shit goes,” he went on, bobbing his eyebrows up and down a few times. That earned him an eye roll and a half-smile. “Just talk to Austin. Most guys, most normal guys are into experimenting and getting a little raunchy. And tell him he’s enough . . . if you think he is. Show him he’s enough. Hell, I’ve tied up, been tied up, spanked and been spanked. Though I definitely prefer to be the one doing the tying up and spanking. But, there is something sexy about a woman who likes to be on top once in a while. Power is hot.”

  Hunter laughed. A creak in the floorboards behind them had them both turning around and looking down the dark hallway.

  Amber stood there at the front of the hall, her body cast into a shadow by the dim nightlight that illuminated the narrow corridor. Her petite, fit frame was slow and hesitant as she padded barefoot toward them.

  She came to stand next to him where he sat on the couch, her eyes taking in the scene of him sitting happy and carefree, drinking tea with Hunter. He could practically see her hackles start to rise.

  He swallowed. “Hi.”

  “W-what’s going on?” she asked. God, the woman looked tinier than ever. Her strength, confidence and big personality ordinarily lent Amber a commanding presence that made up for her lack of height. But at the moment she seemed smaller and more fragile than ever. And it was because of Will.

  He made a strangled noise in his throat while Hunter made to get up off the couch, draining her tea in the process.

  “We were just having some chamomile tea, as neither of us could sleep. And Will here pretty much convinced me to ask Austin to go backpacking with me for a few months. I think I’m going to go do that now. Whip out the tablet, close my eyes and whatever country my finger lands on . . . that’s where we’re headed.” With that, Hunter took her mug to the sink, then made her way back down the hall.

  Amber strolled past him toward the big window. The moon was out and practically full, and it made the gully of snow-quilted trees shiny and shimmer like diamonds. It was eerily beautiful, serene but also deadly quiet and lonesome-looking. She stood in front of the window looking down into the forest, her arms wrapped around her body as she trembled slightly from the chill that swept through the house.

  Will got up, and in less than five strides he was behind her, draping the blanket over her shoulders. “I’m sorry for what I said. You’re not an emotionless robot or a psychopath. And I am a freeloader, you’re right. I’m also an asshole.”

  She didn’t move or say anything.

  “I—I’m used to being in charge,” he went on, not waiting for her to reply. “And I’m used to being taken care of. Nurses and hospital staff at work, a housekeeper at home, and my mother when I was a kid. Besides a scalpel or a pencil, I rarely have to lift a finger. But I’m going to do better. I promise.”

  She still didn’t say anything.

  “And . . . and you’re not a robot. I get that coming from a family of brothers, and with the job you have, you can’t really express your feelings. You’ve been forced to bottle everything up, because you have to. But you know, with me, you can let your guard down. You can remove some bricks.”

  Finally, she moved and spun around to face him. There were tears in her eyes, and a few rogue drops trickled down her cheeks. Will’s chest tightened and, at that moment, he vowed to never be the cause of her pain again. He never wanted to be the reason Amber cried.

  He brought his hands up to cradle her face and used his thumbs to sweep away the tears. She looked up at him, big soulful hazel eyes blinking behind unshed tears. Her lip trembled slightly. She swallowed, then crumbled against him, her whole body suddenly shaking with pent-up emotion that was finally being set free. And Will only held her.

  Several long minutes later, she lifted her head from his chest, using the blanket to wipe her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t be.”

  “I—I don’t even know what I’m crying about.”

  “Not getting that doll you wanted when you were seven? You’ve kept things bottled up for a while, haven’t you?”

  With a small snort, she ran the back of her wrist beneath her nose and nodded. “Yeah, I guess it’s been a while. But no, I never played with dolls. I liked tool sets and trains. I was all about the Legos.”

  He tilted her chin up with his finger. “I really like you, Amber. And I don’t want to fuck this up. It’s been a while since I found a woman who challenged me the way you do. Wants the same things I do. Who’s strong and powerful and doesn’t take shit from anyone, even me.”

  “I—I like you too.”

  “I want to see where this goes. I want to date you when we get back to Seattle. Properly. Go out for dinner. The movies, a Seahawks game.”

  Her eyes went wide, and she nodded. “I love the Seahawks.”

  “See, you’re perfect for me. No other woman has ever gone starry-eyed when I mentioned going to a football game.”

  She grinned. “I’d much rather cuddle up under a blanket at CenturyLink Field and watch the Hawks beat the Packers than go to a basket-weaving class or a couples paint night.” Letting the blanket slip to the floor, she stood up on her tippy-toes and nipped his chin. Her arms drifted up to rest on his shoulders. She pressed her lithe body against his. His reaction to her closeness pressed hard and eager against her hip. “I forgive you. Call it a . . . Christmas miracle.” She traced his bottom lip with her tongue and pushed her pelvis against his.

  A low, primal growl rolled through Will’s chest as the smell of Amber, the feel and heat of her enveloped him. This woman had him under her spell, and there was no turning back.

  Fuck.

  He’d never cared ab
out anyone’s feelings as much as he did Amber’s. His heart physically ached knowing he was the reason there were tears in her eyes. And yet, here she was, forgiving him. It truly was a Christmas miracle, and certainly not one he was going to take for granted.

  He wanted to ravish her, take her in his arms and apologize properly. But a bigger part of him wanted to know the woman he was falling for. Help her take down those bricks, tear down the wall she so carefully put up around herself, and let him in. Gently he put his hands on her shoulders and held her away from him.

  “Tell me something that makes or made you happy. And then tell me something that makes or made you sad. I want to know you, Amber. I want you to feel comfortable enough to be yourself with me. I want to feel your emotions right along with you. Tell me.”

  She released a big exhale. “Something that makes me happy . . . well, I love Christmas. Like seriously love it. Obsessed is probably a better word. It’s my favorite time of year. I love everything about it. The music, the cheer, the togetherness, the gifts, the tree, the cookies. I love it all. And you’re the first person I’ve ever told that to. And I thought we were a match, but you . . . you hate it so much, and . . . ” she trailed off. A hiccup snagged in her throat as more emotions threatened to bubble up.

  He shook his head. “Why do you feel you can’t tell people you like a holiday?”

  “Because it shows weakness and vulnerability.”

  “It shows that you’re human, and for the record, I don’t hate Christmas. In fact, I’d say I might actually like Christmas, that is, if you’ll give me another chance?”

  She nodded and smiled, but no light, no happiness flickered in her eyes. She wasn’t convinced of anything yet. “Something that makes me sad,” she hummed. “Well, I know that I don’t want children, but I also actually can’t have them.”

  His eyes widened, but he didn’t say anything.

  “I had cervical cancer a few years ago. Not from HPV, if that’s what you’re wondering. Just good old-fashioned cervical cancer. They removed the cancerous spots, but based on a few things the doctors said after I recovered, they don’t believe I’ll ever be able to conceive, even if I want to.”