St. Elmo

by Skye McNeil

  “I don’t know…”

  She waved her hand. “Oh, it’ll be fine, believe me.”

  He laced his fingers behind his head as she bounded to the door. Bobbi had no clue what she was up against. One thing was for certain ─she would fall in love with him. She was halfway there already. This will be fun.

  »»•««

  Light snowflakes drifted from the pitch-dark sky by the time the Whitaker and Davis families reached the hot springs at the base of the mountain. Despite the cold, Bobbi was looking forward to sinking into the steamy depths and allowing the springs to ease her tense muscles.

  Heated tents lined one side of the large pool, entirely different than during the warmer months. The springs only opened for private parties in the winter, and the Davises always booked at least one day during the holidays.

  Shedding her fur-lined boots and coat hanging to her knees, Bobbi frowned when she heard giggles and girlish voices coming from the tent next door. Jared’s low voice added to the frenzy. The dick was flirting with her cousins while she watched. Is he trying to torture me? She spread lip balm over her lips. Probably.

  Emerging from the heat, Bobbi tiptoed to the water’s edge and dipped her foot in. It was perfect. She caught sight of Asher and Jessie wading in the shallow end, so she took a deep breath and dove in. The rush of water calmed her warring mind within seconds. She didn’t care about Jared or Erin or anyone else. It was just her and the bubbles as she took long strokes to the other end of the pool.

  When she saw Jessie’s slender legs intertwined around Asher’s waist, Bobbi sputtered to the surface.

  “Hey there, mermaid. Where’s your singing crab?” Asher kidded when she wiped water from her lashes.

  The Ranger turned writer was a sight to behold, she had to give him that. Her sister did well and all by accident. Lucky. She pushed her hair back. “Hardy-har-har, jackass.” She pointed to her sister’s belly. “You ready to pop her out?”

  Jessie gripped the side of the pool. “You have no idea.”

  “But it’s a him, so…” Asher argued with a peck on his wife’s lips.

  Bobbi dunked under the water when Jessie started making googly eyes. She’d seen enough to know this particular Whitaker worked magic. Her sister’s subtle changes were proof enough.

  Coming up once more, she witnessed Jared jump into the deep end of the pool. He held a certain allure too, but she couldn’t figure out his end game. He’d made it very clear at Jessie and Asher’s wedding he wasn’t looking for anything serious. Then he reiterated it in New York. Despite his words, his actions told her the exact opposite. Those light green eyes of his followed her when they were in the same vicinity, and he’d been glued to her since the Big Apple whether he meant to or not. “I don’t get it,” she told the tepid water.

  Switching to her back, she floated and watched the stars above peep through the clouds. A buzz in the air kept her nose tingling but offset the temperature of the spring. She could get used to a hot tub in the winter, yet decided it would be better with someone else to raise the degrees a few notches. Alone it was just sad.

  The list swam across her mind, and she righted her body in time to watch her family interact with the Whitakers. To her surprise, the parents entered the steaming springs, though in the oversized hot tub instead of the pool. Grandma Jane watched from her roost, bundled up in Grandpa’s flannel coat. Her cousins splashed and laughed, and she wished at least one of her male cousins had made the trip. Since it wasn’t Christmas and it was winter, a mere few could make the trip. Namely, the ones who lived nearby or had vacation time to burn.

  Bobbi freestyled to the deep end and wondered if the whole getting an ice bath in the lake incident counted as being adventurous. The day before flashed in front of her eyes. “Yeah, I’m making it count. Five down, five to go.”

  She scanned the water but didn’t spy Erin or Jared. Her mouth dried at the potential places they could be. They didn’t act like a couple, but sneaking away together fit the bill of a horny friendship. Paddling her arms, she reached the other side and watched a chicken fight emerge from Daisy and Gretta. They’re crazy, she decided, though most the time it was her who initiated such an act. She scolded herself for not doing so. This time, she was off her game, and she knew why. Jared.

  Swimming over, she grabbed Asher’s hand. “Come on, Romeo, you and I are going to win.”

  Asher chuckled but didn’t fight her hold. Hoisting her onto his shoulders, they made an impressive tower. “All right, you chicks, prepare to go down,” he heckled.

  The freezing breeze pebbled her skin, but Bobbi clamped her thighs on Asher’s shoulders. She wasn’t going to lose. Jared reappeared with Erin prepped and ready to enter the water war. I’m not losing to anyone.

  As if by fate, the brothers paired off and Bobbi was hand-to-hand with Erin.

  “I bet my favorite dinner we win,” Asher heckled. “Loser has to make it.”

  Jared grinned. “Sounds fair enough, big bro.”

  Fingers colliding, Bobbi was taken aback by Erin’s upper body strength. She was downright lethal. Merriment filled her opponent’s brown eyes as they wrestled for a victory. Screams from falling cousins echoed in the valley, but Bobbi stayed focused on her battle.

  “I’m thinking Cornish hens and potatoes au gratin,” Asher teased, steadying Bobbi’s wobbly body. “Then you have to drive all the way to Salida for the ingredients.”

  “That’s not your favorite,” his brother pointed out.

  Asher moved to balance them out. “It is now.”

  Jared took a lunge forward, sending Erin a bit higher. “Well, I think I’ll go with my actual favorite dinner. Homemade Spanish rice, queso dip, and steak and cheese burritos.”

  Erin pushed Bobbi off-kilter, but she held her position. “Sounds good. Too bad you won’t get it,” she promised, shoving the blonde back. Erin teetered, but her firm abs pulled her upright again. “Damn. Very Matrix. So not fair,” she complained when Erin’s eyebrows wiggled. She patted her stomach. “Brownies and jogging don’t do have the same effect for me.”

  “Enough talk, knock her down,” Jared called after Asher splashed water on his face.

  Twisting her torso, Bobbi dug her heels into Asher’s chest. Slick hands met hers and the chilly air whipped through her wet hair. In one quick move, her fingers slipped, and Bobbi pommeled into Erin. The two knocked heads and then splashed into the heated pool.

  The warm water stung her eyes almost as much as the growing bump on her forehead. Coming up, she coughed and caught sight of Jessie’s wide eyes. “What?” Her sister casually pointed to her own chest.

  Lowering her eyes, Bobbi saw the damning evidence. Somehow, her bikini top had loosened during the chicken fight and now floated at the surface of the water. “Shit!” She sunk to her chin and quickly grabbed the tiny straps.

  “Let me,” Jared insisted, somehow behind her.

  Turning her head, Bobbi noticed Erin had left the pool and was wrapped up in a towel. Asher was tending to Jessie, and her two cousins were in the throes of a backstroke race. No one was watching. A fact she wasn’t sure she appreciated or regretted.

  Jared’s rough hands grazed her shoulders as he captured the string. It shouldn’t have felt sexual, but it did in so many ways.

  “So, who won?” she asked, her breath causing a cloud in the air. The purple fabric tightened at her neck.

  “Me.” His voice was husky and increasingly sexy. “I always win.”

  “Too bad. I like to win too.” His solid body spread warmth through her back. All she wanted to do was lean against him and feel every muscular, wet part of him. “I guess I’m making you dinner.”

  Fingertips dallied over her neck and dropped to her shoulders then beneath the water. Heart pounding, Bobbi held her breath when he traced her spine. Settling his large hands on her hips, Jared tugged her flush to him. The hard lines on her back made a small gasp escape her lips. She could only imagine what he’d feel like w
ithout a pair of red swim trunks.

  “And dessert?” she squeaked.

  His nose pushed aside her hair and inhaled her nape. “You smell good enough to eat. Maybe I’ll sample you after everyone else leaves.”

  Bobbi’s breath hitched at his sultry words. He wasn’t joking earlier. Asher wasn’t the one and only Whitaker with a romantic tongue. “What about your date?”

  His chuckle vibrated along her ribcage. “Ah, Bobbs, I like when you’re jealous.” His lips briefly touched her right shoulder blade. “Your eyes get all fiery, and your body stiffens. Plus, your scowl is adorable.”

  “I’m not jealous.”

  Jared’s thumb hooked under her bikini bottoms, causing heat to flood to her stomach. “You sure?”

  “N—yes.”

  Wrapping his arms around her, Jared ran his palms over her belly and settled them just above the top of the material snug on her hips. She couldn’t move without him coming with her. The zing he spread over her skin was nothing compared to the internal one.

  “Hmm, too bad.” He snapped the strap of her swimsuit top.

  “Bobbi, come help us get out. I think your sister is stuck,” Asher called, interrupting whatever may have happened between her and Jared.

  Glancing over, she saw Jessie in the hot tub with a scrunched face. No doubt, Asher could handle it, but it gave her an excuse to escape the fog Jared enveloped her in. “Be right there,” she yelled and took a step toward the ladder.

  Jared’s grip didn’t loosen. “If you want to lose the rest of your suit later, I’d be happy to oblige.”

  Bobbi’s face felt like it was burning. He let go and swam in the opposite direction. By the time she reached her sister, she realized Jared had managed to make her jealous. Even though it was supposed to be the opposite according to the article, she still swayed him to her instead of Erin. Somehow, it was working, and it scared the hell out of her.

  Chapter Eight

  After a rousing game of cards, Jared refilled his mug with homemade cocoa and topped it off with miniature marshmallows. He skimmed the Davis cabin with his eyes, noting Bobbi hadn’t made an appearance yet. The hot springs did little to cool him off last night. He woke more frustrated than when Bobbi was in his arms. He couldn’t resist his attraction anymore, and he wouldn’t. The problem arose when she didn’t jump his bones at the chance. She wasn’t known for being smart with love interests, but evidently, she was trying a new tactic this time around. It was a challenge, and he was always up for those.

  She’d ignored him this morning at breakfast when he said he was leaving with Erin. Bobbi merely took a giant bite of apple pie and then propped up her book. He didn’t know how she managed to smuggle the pan from the main cabin. Hell, he wouldn’t be surprised if she brought it herself. He grinned. It was part of why she intrigued him so much. Still, she’d narrowed her eyes at his words but didn’t offer a syllable in response. He didn’t have time to explain why he went into town with Erin. He had a few things to pick up from the store and needed time away to think. Erin volunteered to help him navigate the mountain, so he agreed.

  It was clear Bobbi was put off when he left, but he would explain it all later. He couldn’t focus on Bobbi like he wanted, with her thinking he was romantically involved with Erin.

  Gulping the cooled chocolate mixture, Jared heard the clock strike six in the evening. The noon meal passed while he was in town. Bobbi and her cousins made sugar cookies while he was away, so said Asher when Jared returned. Flour all over her body was something he could imagine without any hassle. He shifted in his spot, picturing a smudge of powdered sugar on her cheek. His body reacted in turn to the scenarios possible when Bobbi and food were involved.

  Snatching the perfect snowflake treat with blue sprinkles, he munched on the sweet delight. It went quite well with hot chocolate. According to his dad, Bobbi and the rest of the Davis women were at the guest cabin, creating a masterpiece for dinner. If the rumor could be trusted, it was his prize for winning the fixed chicken fight. Erin had been on point. They’d managed to make Bobbi envious as well as tick another item off her list. If he was keeping track—which he was—a mere three items remained. He didn’t put much stock in the article, but Bobbi seemed to, and if it’d make her happy and tickle his fancy, he was all for it.

  “All right, everyone,” Asher called from the door. “My lovely bride says dinner is ready at the other cabin.”

  Murmurs of thank God and about time revolved the room as people filtered to the exits. As fast as possible, he drank the rest of his hot cocoa and stuffed the cookie into his mouth. He didn’t want to miss one bite of Bobbi’s concoction.

  Swinging on a coat, Jared was stopped at the door by his brother. “Ready?”

  “How’s it going with Bobbi?” Asher asked with his hands on the doorknob.

  “Good.”

  Asher’s dark green eyes narrowed to slits. “Uh huh. Right. I’ve noticed you and Erin haven’t been as handsy. Thank God too. It was weird, man.”

  Jared shook his head and pushed his brother out of the way. “Yeah, yeah.”

  “Do you think she knows how you feel?”

  “Well, I haven’t exactly laid out the red carpet for her by flirting with her cousin.” He winced, hearing the words out loud. He was acting like a high-schooler.

  “True.” Locking the door, Asher chuckled. “Just don’t shock her too much with your declaration of love.”

  He spun on his toes when he reached the snow-covered deck. He and Asher shoveled it earlier in the day, but up here, the snow fell on a consistent basis. “I think somewhere in her brain, she knows. She just hasn’t let on.” Jared coughed. “Could be because of how I treated her at your wedding though, too.”

  “Yeah, I was disappointed the two of you didn’t stay in touch.”

  They walked down the steps far behind the rest of the family. A tree branch on his left groaned under the weight of the fresh snow. He knew the feeling. The longer he bottled his emotions for Bobbi, the more pressure he felt. “I’m a little worried, to be honest,” he admitted.

  Asher caught on and chuckled. “As you should be. Davis women can be a bit—” he paused for the right word.

  “Pretentious?”

  “I was going to say unpredictable, but yeah, probably both.” Asher tossed the keys to him. “Don’t be shocked if she fights you on it. Mina sure as hell did.”

  Jared’s boots crunched snow. “You were her pretend boyfriend. It’s different for Bobbi and me. We were never anything other than a few kisses in these very woods.” He eyed the trees heavy with snow. He’d never grow tired of these views. The lush greenery was muted by white but remained as glorious as the summertime months. It was a different kind of beauty.

  “But you want more?”

  Halting, he didn’t sense the brisk air or stray flakes. “Yeah, I do. It’s a little weird, but I haven’t been able to get her out of my head since being up here.”

  Asher grinned. “These mountains do strange shit to a man. Believe me. I know firsthand. I was in love before I knew what hit me.”

  “Yes, but you were also her fake boyfriend. You got to sleep in the same bed, kiss her in front of everyone, and punch her ex.” They climbed into the cold SUV and rumbled over the terrain. “I screwed it all up when I left this last summer. I should’ve called her or something.”

  “You weren’t ready,” Asher pointed out. “You were getting over Aubrey and afraid to start something new.”

  Jared shifted gears on the manual stick. “My feelings never went away, Ash. In New York, I pushed them down until I couldn’t anymore. Then when I saw Bobbi almost drown, I didn’t want to know what life would be like without her around. The moment her head ducked under the water, I was done.” He glanced at his brother. “It’s more than being concerned for her safety. It’s selfish because I want to be the one to walk in when she’s dancing naked while supposedly cleaning.”

  “She did that?” His brother held his side, laug
hing hard. “Yeah, sounds like Bobbi. She’s her own person.”

  “I like it about her.” They pulled up the long drive to the second cabin. It was smaller than the Davis’s, but the architecture fit better alongside the mountain in the background. “No, I love it about her.”

  After the car came to a complete stop, Asher tapped Jared’s shoulder. “You’re on your way, Jare. I can see it all play out like in one of my books. But you’re the one who can make it a happily ever after. If you’re not ready to settle down, don’t go any further with Bobbi. She’s a sweet girl who’s been through a lot of shit. She deserves the best, and you could be it.” He opened the door. “Just be sure, okay?”

  Accepting the advice, the two trudged up the recently shoveled walkway and up the wood steps of the porch. Five minutes later, Jared was drooling over a feast fit for Cinco de Mayo. His parents were already loading up their plates when he finally got his boots and coat off. Standing back, he watched the line whittle down until it was just him and Bobbi left.

  “It all smells incredible,” he complimented, reaching her.

  Bobbi handed him a plate and then dished out rice and two burritos. “Thanks. I had lots of help.” She waved the spatula. “I’m not the greatest cook on my own. I work better with a team.”

  He piled tortilla chips on his plate. “What a coincidence, so do I.”

  Her eyes lit up. “You can’t cook either?”

  “Ah, no. I meant for work.” He grabbed the spoon and ladled queso dip over his chips. “I’m not too shabby in the kitchen.”

  Bobbi turned down the knobs on the stove. “Oh, well, then you can cook, and I’ll make sugary goodies.” She nodded to a display of cookies, brownies, and cinnamon churros.

  “You made all of those?” He reached for a churro, but she swatted his hand.