“You’ll get over it.” Pete went into the kitchenette and hit his head on one of the hanging pots. “Damn,” he said as he grabbed it to keep it from falling down. “My grandmother loved having these things up here, but I always manage to walk right into them.”
“This is your grandparents’ place?” she asked. She’d heard him mention his grandparents a few times, and his mother, but nothing about a father. Not one word, which spoke volumes. Looks like they both had daddy issues.
“It was.” Pete rifled through the cabinets and glanced in the fridge as he spoke. “My Grandpa Jack died when I was in high school, but Grandma made it to see me graduate from the academy.” A wistful smile played at his lips. “She was something else. A real spitfire, kind of like you.”
“Thanks.” Marianna stood from the fire. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.”
He moved from behind the counter, and it dawned on her how out of place he should look in the middle of this funky little cabin. Between the rumpled tuxedo and unshaven face, he looked as if he hadn’t slept in ages. He was still sexy as hell, and oddly enough, fit into these surroundings perfectly.
“You’re a spitfire alright,” he murmured.
Rugged. Rough. All jagged edges.
He stalked toward her slowly, neither saying a word as he closed the distance between them swiftly and silently. Marianna hugged her arms tighter around herself, but not from the cold this time. It was the predatory look in his eye that sent her libido into overdrive and had her wanting to do all kinds of irrational things. Things she shouldn’t do with someone who pissed her off at every turn—unless, of course, he was her mate.
Her mate. How the hell were they supposed to begin that conversation?
He studied her intently, and his dark brows furrowed as his gaze skimmed her. What was he thinking? Damn. It was like she was blind—emotionally blind. Without her ability to scan his energy signature, she was clueless as to how he was feeling.
“What?” she asked more defensively than she intended. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
He angled his head to one side and narrowed his eyes. “I was thinking about making love to you.”
Her breath caught in her throat as she stared back, too stunned to say a word. She was in big trouble.
“It’ll be incredible.” That cocky grin spread across his face, and he trailed one finger tantalizingly along her jaw. “But it won’t happen until you ask.”
“You arrogant son of a bitch.” Heat flashed up her cheeks, and she smacked his hand away. “Screw you.”
“Ah-ah-ah.” Chuckling, he wagged his finger as he stepped around her and grabbed the bags off the couch. “You have to ask me nicely.”
Shaking from a mixture of adrenaline, anger, and lust, she watched him disappear through the doorway on the other side of the fireplace. She stood there for a few minutes, refusing to follow him. She figured it was probably the bedroom.
Just when she was about to shout to find out what was taking so damn long, he emerged shirtless, and for the first time in her life, Marianna was rendered speechless. She gaped at him like a stunned sheep. She knew he was fit; hell, she got a taste of how hard his body was when he’d kissed her at the apartment, but he looked even better than he felt.
The man was ripped. All muscle, bone, and sinew. The partially unzipped black tuxedo pants hung low on his narrow hips. The defined muscles in his chest flexed, as if inviting her to come on over, and the cold, hard truth was that she wanted to—but she’d be damned if she would lose this battle of wills.
Marianna’s gaze met his, and that lopsided grin crept over his face. “I’m going to take a shower and have a nap because I haven’t slept in over twenty-four hours. Then we’ll go into town and get some supplies. If you want to change, then I suggest you do it while I’m in the shower,” he said, opening the other door. “Unless of course, you’d like to join me?”
“In your dreams,” she said turning back to the fire, pretending not to be ridiculously turned on by the sight of him.
“Actually, wouldn’t the correct term be in our dreams?”
Marianna stilled, but didn’t look at him. As the door to the bathroom clicked shut, she knew he was right. They hadn’t uttered a word about it, but it was clear they knew they were mates and succumbing was only a matter of time.
***
After both of them had napped—Pete on the couch, and Marianna in the bedroom—it was midafternoon by the time they headed into town. He turned the dilapidated, blue pickup truck onto Main Street, and Marianna thought they’d stepped back in time. The quaint village street was lined with an array of shops and restaurants, and if she didn’t know better, she’d think they’d time traveled back to 1965. She’d never been to a small town like this and didn’t believe that hamlets like this one existed.
Smiling, she hopped from the pickup and zipped her jacket closed against the bitter wind. She glanced up to find Pete standing on the sidewalk staring at her.
“What are you grinning at?” she asked as she pulled the knit cap over her ears.
“You.” He slipped the keys into the pocket of his jacket. “You look like a kid in a candy store.”
“I do not.” Marianna tried not to smile again. Jeez. Why could he get her to smile at the drop of a hat?
“Whatever you say,” he said, placating her as he looked at the gray, cloudy sky. “We better hurry up. There’s another storm coming, and it would definitely be better if we’re settled at the cabin before it hits.”
Marianna joined him on the sidewalk. “I thought the old girl,” she said as she nodded toward the banged up truck, “could handle anything.”
“Oh she can.” Pete flicked his pale blue eyes to her. “It’s you I’m worried about.”
“Oh really?” Marianna closed the few feet between them and leveled a challenging gaze at him.
Pete raised his hands in defeat. “I’m just saying that you are not exactly an outdoor gal, and I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable. Trudging through a snowstorm in the Adirondacks is an experience you can live without.” His features darkened, and he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “Trust me.”
Marianna narrowed her eyes and studied him carefully. She may not have been able to read his energy signature, but it was clear that he’d had a less than pleasant experience. She was about to pepper him with questions when he brushed past her.
“Come on.” He started down the sidewalk. “We’ll hit the General Store first for groceries, and then I have to swing into the Towne Store for a few supplies.”
As Marianna stepped into the General Store, her senses were assaulted by the stomach-rumbling aroma of freshly baked brownies. She hadn’t eaten anything since that bagel, and a brownie could hit the spot. The little bell over the door jingled happily, announcing their presence, causing the woman behind the counter to look up from her magazine and smile politely, but when she saw Pete her smile widened.
The cashier twirled her pale blond hair around one finger, and her face flushed, as she looked sideways at Pete. Marianna didn’t miss it, but Pete seemed oblivious, and even though she couldn’t blame the woman for staring, that didn’t keep part of her from feeling territorial. Pete was gorgeous, and she knew women would desire him, but it didn’t mean she had to like it.
“Hi Mindy.” Pete gave her a friendly wave, grabbed two baskets, and handed one to her. “Get whatever you want. I have a house account here, so have at it.”
He didn’t let go of the handle as one strong finger brushed over the top of her hand. That whisper of a touch whooshed down to her toes, and her furry boots felt nailed to the worn wood floor.
He lowered his voice. “We’ll probably be here for a few weeks, so stock up. There’s a bigger storm coming in a couple days, after the one tonight, and if it’s as they say, we could be cabin-bound for quite a while.”
Marianna said nothing. She simply nodded and swallowed the lump in he
r throat. All she could think about was being in that tiny cabin with Pete… alone.
He walked down one of the narrow, overstuffed aisles, and she caught sight of that fine backside. How is it that a well-fitting pair of Levi’s can make a man’s ass look perfect? Her mind went to the sight of him this morning when he emerged from the bedroom without a shirt. Drool.
“Can I help you find something?” the woman at the counter snipped.
“No,” she replied too quickly. Marianna’s face heated with embarrassment because she knew she just got caught ogling his ass. Pete smirked and disappeared around the end of the aisle. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
“It’s okay.” The cashier waved her over to the counter with a conspiratorial whisper. “Everyone gives him the once-over. Hell, the girls down at Flannagan’s bar are gonna bust something when they hear he’s back in town. He’s the finest lookin’ man that has ever set foot through that door.” She stuck her hand out and gave Marianna a friendly smile. “I’m Mindy.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Marianna… Pete’s… friend.”
She felt like an idiot fumbling around for the right word, but what was she supposed to say? I’m his kidnapping victim? I’m his mate? Not likely. Friend would have to do for now.
“Friend?” She popped a stick of gum in her mouth with sparkle-painted fingernails and kept her voice down. “Honey, if I were you, I’d be a lot more than his friend. If I weren’t already married, of course,” Mindy added quickly. “A gorgeous thing like you looks like the right match for that handsome man. Brittany—she waits tables at Flannagan’s bar—she’s been trying to land him ever since they were kids.”
Mindy sighed and peered past Marianna to make sure Pete wasn’t within earshot; although the store wasn’t that big, so it wouldn’t surprise her if he was listening to the conversation.
“I see.” Marianna looked at the jars of jam on the counter, pretending not to be interested, but making a mental note to keep an eye out for this Brittany.
“Oh yeah.” She cracked her gum and whispered, “He used to come here every summer with his grandparents and his mama.”
“What about his father?” Marianna hit the jackpot with Mindy, who as fate would have it, seemed to be the town crier, and she had no qualms about divulging personal information in the middle of the store.
“Nobody ever met him.” She dropped her voice to a loud whisper. “From what I hear, his old man split when he was just a baby. Just heartbreaking.”
“That’s too bad.” Marianna meant it too.
Heartbreak could mend, but it left a nasty scar.
“What’s too bad?” Pete’s voice cut into their conversation.
“This jam,” Marianna blurted out.
“The jam is bad?” He looked at her like she’d lost her marbles.
“No.” She glanced at Mindy, who was doing her best not to laugh. “It’s too bad that they don’t sell this jam in the city. The packaging is adorable, and I bet it would sell like hotcakes in one of those little gourmet shops.” Great. Now she was babbling about jam.
“Well, stock up then.” He winked at Mindy and placed two baskets of food on the counter. “I’m going to make one more pass around the store, and then we’ll head to the Towne Store for fishing tackle.”
“Fishing?” Marianna replied incredulously as he walked away and scooped up another basket. “It’s the dead of winter. I’m not going fishing.”
“Yes, you are,” he shouted from the back of the store.
“Honey.” Mindy gave her arm a friendly pat. “Go fishing. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch more than fish.”
***
They made quick work of their shopping and filled the truck with their purchases. Unfortunately, Pete wasn’t kidding about the fishing gear, but he was crazy if he thought she was going fishing in the frigid cold. She’d heard humans complain about the cold and always thought they were a bunch of whiners—not so much now. Every time they went outside, she felt the cold in her bones, and it was not a sensation she wanted to stay familiar with.
She stared at the passing scenery as the truck bounced along the country road. Marianna wiped absently at the fogged up window as her thoughts went to Dante and her mother. She couldn’t recall ever going one day without touching her mind to theirs, and she caught herself trying to do it again—but still nothing. It had been barely a full day since the powder had taken effect, but it felt more like years.
“How do you do it?” she mused quietly.
“Do what?” Pete gave her a questioning glance and turned into the driveway as snow started falling again.
She was quiet for a few moments, trying to choose the right words. “Live in such… isolation?”
“You mean here in the mountains?” He pulled up in front of the cabin, threw the truck into park, and leaned back in the well-worn bench seat. “I don’t live here year-round. It’s a getaway spot.”
“No.” She shook her head and captured his gaze. “Not the cabin. I don’t mean physically isolated.” Her voice dropped to a shaky whisper, and she closed her eyes, struggling to explain how she was feeling. “I’m talking about the emotional and mental isolation of being human, the inability to connect with another person’s mind, to read their energy and to know exactly how they’re feeling.”
“Marianna?” Pete’s warm hand cradled her cheek and brushed away one tear with his thumb, creating breathtaking friction. “Look at me please.”
She sucked in a deep breath and opened her teary eyes to find that the tenderness in his touch was matched by the look on his face.
“I’m sorry.” He gently wiped away another tear. “Do you really need your Amoveo abilities to know how much it’s killing me to see you hurting? And because of something I did?” His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “But it’s nothing compared to how I’d feel if those Purist assholes got their hands on you. They won’t touch you, Marianna. You have to trust me.”
His eyes searched hers for something. Trust? Forgiveness? Love? The truth was that she simply didn’t know. She couldn’t sense his energy, but she could most definitely feel his touch, and it was enthralling.
Pete’s fingertips brushed the side of her neck as he held her face in his hand. She slipped her glove off and placed her hand over his, pressing it against her cheek, needing to connect with him—to feel another person—to feel something.
The sound of their breathing and the hum of the engine surrounded them in the cab of the old truck. As the snow fell silently outside, the rest of the world fell away, and it seemed that it was just them… alone… in the quiet of the falling snow.
Her gaze wandered over the sharp angles of his face, the high cheekbones and square jaw that looked like they’d been made by the gods. His most striking feature, those piercing blue eyes, reminded her of ice. Cool. Sharp. Steal-your-breath intense. And right now, they were locked on her.
His mouth was on hers in a whisper or a curse—she wasn’t sure which—she didn’t care. She groaned and opened, welcoming him. He tasted like sin and sex. Marianna broke the kiss, pushed him back with both hands, and straddled him in one swift move. She fit perfectly between Pete and the wheel.
His look of surprise shifted to that deliciously cocky grin as she settled on his lap and kissed him again. His hands slipped beneath her jacket and sweater, and she sighed against his lips as flesh met flesh. She’d never appreciated or needed the touch of a man more than she did at this moment—especially this man.
She held his head and kissed him as her greedy hands found their way inside his jacket and under his shirt. Marianna groaned as she ran her fingers along the washboard abs and reveled in the smooth, warm skin beneath her fingertips.
She couldn’t get close enough or connect enough—she needed more.
Pete’s hands rested on her waist, and his fingers dug into her hips as he pulled her against his growing erection. She licked and nibbled at his lips as she writhed seductively in his lap, seeking relief from the storm of
lust building inside.
One strong hand wrapped around the side of her neck, and Marianna tilted her head, giving those talented lips access to the sensitive skin along her throat. She arched back further, and when her eyes fluttered open, she caught sight of sudden movement outside.
Marianna let out a shriek of surprise as a dog barked and launched itself against the driver’s side window. Pete cursed, and in one smooth, cop-ninja move, had her off his lap and shoved protectively into the passenger seat behind him.
Breathing heavily, Marianna stared openmouthed at the goofy dog bouncing up and down at the door like it had found a bag of milk bones.
With Pete’s taste fresh on her tongue, Marianna clutched her jacket closed and looked from the dog to Pete, who gave her a sheepish grin.
He shut off the engine and shook his head. “Jesus, Tramp.” Pete laughed and leaned on the headrest. “You have some shitty timing.”
Chapter 7
Pete squatted next to the truck and gave the overzealous dog a good scratch behind the ears as the animal licked his face with exuberance.
“Where the hell did that dog come from?” Marianna asked as she got out of the truck. She walked around and eyed the animal warily. “He appeared out of nowhere.”
“He’s a stray, I think,” Pete said as he stood. “Marianna, I’d like you to meet Tramp.” The blue-eyed husky sat at Pete’s feet and stared at Marianna, but didn’t make a move to go near her. “At least that’s what I call him. He showed up a few summers ago and comes by every time I’m here.”
“Hi, Tramp.” Marianna reached out tentatively, and to Pete’s delight, the dog yipped and went right to her.
Smiling, she knelt in the snow and gave the husky scratches behind his gray and white ears. Her smile might have been the best sight Pete had ever laid eyes on. It lit up her face when she laughed as Tramp licked her. He grinned at the sound because he hadn’t heard her laugh in a long time.
“He’s adorable and looks well cared for, especially for a stray.” She stroked his large body. “Are you sure he doesn’t have a home around here?”
Undone (The Amoveo Legend) Page 8