Stranded with a Hero (Entangled Bliss)

by Karen Erickson

  “Min.” He broke away from her, pressed his forehead to hers. His breathing was harsh, matching hers and she cracked open her eyes to study him, startled by his agonized expression. “We should stop.”

  “Why?” She tried to kiss him again, but he dodged her before her lips could settle on his. “Playing hard to get?”

  He chuckled. “No. Just—after all these years, I don’t want to rush it. Rush us.”

  His words both touched her heart and drove her crazy. She’d been without male company for so long. She was craving this. Craving Josh.

  “It’s not that I don’t want you, because trust me, I do.” Reaching for her, he took her hand and placed it directly over his crotch. “It’s just…the last thing I want to do is screw this up.”

  She breathed deep, stroking him lightly, and she heard his unmistakable shuddering groan. “You want me.”

  “Abso-freaking-lutely.” He nodded.

  A little laugh escaped her. She was dizzy, downright feeling heady, and she pressed a kiss to the firm line of his jaw, breathing in his scent, the prickle of his stubble scratching her lips. “I want you, too,” she whispered, moving her hand from his lap so she could stroke his chest.

  “Ah, Min.” He started to say something else but muttered under his breath, smoothing his hands over her shoulders, along her arms. “Well then, this sweatshirt is in the way.”

  Hope lit within her as she pulled herself out of his arms. “Should I take it off?”

  He looked conflicted. And she kind of liked that. “If you want,” he said gruffly. “By all means, I’m not going to stop you.”

  She tore it off, letting the heavy sweatshirt fall to the floor. She wore the thin long-sleeved shirt sans bra and she knew her chest was brushing against the fabric. No doubt he could see it.

  From the way his gaze dropped and turned immediately appreciative, she knew he noticed.

  God, she wanted his hands on her again. Wanted him to slip them beneath her shirt and touch her bare, shivery skin. She went to him, ignoring the way his mouth opened as if to protest and locking her lips with his. Kissing him as if her life depended on it, she pressed up against him, chest to chest, practically crawling into his lap so she could get even closer.

  He wrapped his arms around her and hauled her in and her legs went around him as she straddled him. Their kiss was endless. Hot and deep and wet. A tangle of tongues and soft sounds and fevered skin, hands everywhere, slipping beneath clothes, touching each other for the first time. Learning each other.

  Wanting more.

  “You feel so good,” she murmured against his neck, kissing and licking him there. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  She couldn’t. Having this second chance with Josh meant more to her than she could ever say.

  “I can’t either,” he whispered just before he kissed her again. All thoughts of the past, of current concerns, of everything going on in her life evaporated. She was in Josh’s arms. His mouth was on hers, his hands stroking her back.

  There was nowhere else she’d rather be.

  Chapter Six

  The incessant buzzing sound was making him crazy. Or maybe that was just having Mindy finally in his arms, kissing the very sense out of him. Damn, she tasted good, felt even better. And if she pressed her braless chest close to his one more time, he swore he was going to haul her over his shoulder and carry her to the bedroom.

  Then proceed to have his way with her until they both couldn’t breathe.

  But the buzzing continued, in a rhythmic pattern that drove him to distraction. He pulled away from Mindy’s tempting lips, glancing about the room in confusion. “What the hell is that noise?”

  “What noise?” She went in for him again, her mouth on his cheek, his jaw, his chin, her hands under his shirt, touching his abs.

  He pulled away from her, tilting his head to try and figure out where the buzzing came from. “That noise,” he said, keeping his voice quiet as he listened to the buzz buzz buzz that seemed to be coming from the direction of the kitchen.

  She remained quiet, her gaze on his, her lips swollen and damp from his kisses. Prompting him to kiss her again, which he did, though far too briefly for his taste. “Oh no,” she gasped, climbing out of his lap so fast she left a breeze when she hopped up off the couch and ran into the kitchen. “That’s my phone.”

  He watched her go, running a hand through his hair, trying to calm his racing heart and raging libido. This was happening between them way too fast. Only twenty-four hours ago they hadn’t spoken to each other in years. Now they were making out like reunited teenagers, ready to take off their clothes and get down and dirty at any second.

  Man, they needed to chill. No way could he rush this and potentially ruin it. He wanted whatever he had with Mindy to be given a chance to work, not combust and then burn out quick.

  Leaning back against the couch, he stretched out along the length of it, folding his arms behind his head. He’d need to stoke the fire soon—and he meant the one in the fireplace, not the inferno that raged between them. Smiling, he gazed up at the ceiling, studying the overhead fan. His eyes started to drift closed as he wondered what was taking Mindy so long and then he heard her voice. Soft murmurings at first, then they got a little louder.

  “No, of course I haven’t been texting Kyle and asking how everything is going,” she whispered harshly. “I’m not trying to ruin your family vacation, Marty.” She paused and Josh’s eyes flew open while he listened intently. That jerk Marty was giving her grief when he was the one who sprung the surprise on her about taking the boys? The guy was an ass.

  “I’m sorry Kyle’s been so upset. I can’t help it if he misses me.” More pausing, a little exasperated sigh escaping her. “I can’t believe you’re saying this to me. You act like I’m trying to turn the kids against you when that’s the farthest thing from the truth! You’re their father, Marty. They need you in your life.”

  Okay. That was it. It probably wasn’t his place to interfere, but he refused to let Mindy’s ex-husband beat her up over something she didn’t do.

  He sat up, climbing off the couch and started toward the kitchen, thankful the fire was still bright enough to cast light so he could find his way. As he drew nearer, he could hear the hostility in Mindy’s voice, the tightness in her tone. Clearly she’d had enough.

  Yet she still listened to Marty.

  “I’m not trying to ruin your wedding! God, if you would’ve prepared us from the beginning about this, the situation might have turned out completely different!” she suddenly yelled.

  Yeah, that was it for sure now. Josh strode into the kitchen, his presence making Mindy’s eyes go wide and her mouth drop open. Without a word he reached out, grabbed the cell phone from her fingers, and hit the end button, ending the call.

  “Wait a minute. Y-you just can’t hang up on him,” she sputtered.

  “I can and I just did,” he said grimly, returning the phone to her. “You don’t need to tolerate his abuse, Mindy. You shouldn’t let him talk to you like that.”

  She sighed, looking completely defeated. “You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just…I’ve dealt with him for so long, you just get used to it you know?”

  “He’s not your problem anymore. That privilege now belongs to Bobbi. So remember that and tell him he can go screw himself the next time he tries to talk to you like that.”

  Mindy blinked up at him, her expression frozen. Like a zombie she held up her phone. “I should call him back,” she whispered.

  “No. You shouldn’t.” He plucked the phone from her before she could. “Stop letting him control you, Mindy.”

  “He doesn’t control me. Besides, what do you know? Not like you’ve been around. You have no idea what my life is like.” Aw hell, she was fuming mad. “You think you can waltz back into my life, hang out with me for a few hours, kiss me senseless, and then tell me what to do and how to feel? I don’t think so.” She snatched the phone from his fin
gers before he could utter a word in protest.

  “I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I’m just trying to protect you,” he said but she cut him with a look.

  “I don’t need your protection. I’ve lived without it for quite a few years now and I’ve done just fine.” She lifted her chin, stubbornness written all over her face. He recognized that look. They went through a stage when they were really young where they’d butt heads all the time.

  “Right. We were friends, and then we weren’t.” He rubbed his hand along his jaw, his brain churning. This was probably best. He couldn’t risk getting close to Mindy again only for her to leave him. Reject him. Whatever.

  He flat-out couldn’t stand the thought.

  “Exactly. We’ve lived without each other this long. We…we probably wouldn’t work out. As friends. Or whatever else.” She waved a hand, waving away thoughts of them together.

  Dismissing him outright.

  “Yeah. This is best. I agree.” Before she could say another word, he turned away from her, exiting the kitchen. Walking away from the only woman who was capable of breaking his heart not just once, but twice.

  Maybe even more. Not that he’d ever give her the chance.

  “I’m going back to bed, Josh,” she called after him. “Good night.”

  He didn’t bother saying a word. What was the point? They’d already expressed their true feelings.

  And they definitely weren’t for each other.

  …

  Sleep came fitfully and when it finally did, he dreamed. Of Mindy. She’d gone from sweet to indifferent to flippin’ furious all in a matter of seconds, till he was running out of the house and as far away as his feet could take him.

  Waking up had been a test in agony. His head ached and he hated that dream he had because really, the last thing he wanted to do was run away from Mindy. Maybe when he was younger, hell yeah.

  The way he’d treated her last night after that stupid horrible phone call with Marty had been all about wanting to protect her. He hadn’t meant to act like such a bossy ass.

  Josh had wanted to defend her in the only way he knew how and instead, he’d come across as a complete jerk. Then he’d panicked, not wanting to let his feelings get involved when it came to Mindy.

  Funny thing was, they already were. He just didn’t want to admit it.

  Josh climbed off the couch and went to the fireplace. He threw another log on, sending a scattering of sparks flying from the already burning wood. They were running low on firewood, which meant he’d have to go outside and gather up more. Going to the window, he pulled the curtain back, a low muttered curse escaping when he saw what awaited him.

  Nothing but pure, solid white. They were completely snowed in. The snow rose higher than the window and that meant it was also higher than the front door, though the covered porch could allow them a bit of a break. As in, find a way to get them out.

  Hell. He’d have to tunnel his way out of here just to get to the stack of firewood he knew sat on the backside of the house. And there was no guarantee they’d make their escape any time soon. They could be stuck like this for days.

  Mindy was not going to like this.

  Letting the curtain drop, he moved from the window and went to the front door, unlocking it quickly and stepping just outside so he could stand on the thick doormat. He was still in his thick socks, jeans, and sweatshirt and the frigid, damp air nearly took his breath away.

  The covered porch had faired well but was completely socked in by snow on all three sides. Sound was muffled. He could hardly tell if the freaking sun was out or not, though he doubted it was.

  This was not good.

  He headed back into the house, his mind awhirl with a game plan. After he’d angrily left Mindy last night, he’d powered off his cell phone to save the battery. With the power out, he thought it was a good move. He had no idea how reception would be now though, considering they were snowed in. All that packed snow could obliterate reception.

  Maybe he could check out the upstairs…

  Josh glanced up the staircase, knowing that Mindy was still up there and most likely sleeping. He’d checked the battery-operated clock that hung on the kitchen wall when he first woke up and he knew it was around seven. Naturally he was an early bird, his job called for it and after last night’s epic fail of a make-out session that turned into an argument, he’d tossed and turned.

  Deciding to hell with it, he took the risk and slowly climbed the stairs, not wanting to create too much of a racket and wake her up.

  Confess the truth, jerkwad. You don’t want her to catch you up here.

  He stopped at the top of the stairs, looking around. The wall facing him was lined with various photos, most of them of Mindy’s boys at the different stages of their lives. Babies, toddlers, school pictures, sports-team photos, this wall was the life and times of Mindy and Marty’s children. In a few photos Mindy stood with her boys, smiling proudly, her arms around their shoulders after a soccer game or some sort of school function.

  Marty wasn’t in one single photo. That gave Josh such a flare of satisfaction, though he felt like an ass just thinking it.

  Moving away from the wall, he headed down the hall, glancing in each open doorway he passed. One boy’s bedroom, a bathroom, then another bedroom. He approached the last door on the right and he slowed his steps, knowing exactly who waited beyond that partially closed door.

  It was Mindy’s room. And most likely, Mindy was in bed, sleeping soundly.

  Josh peeked inside around the edge of the door, catching sight of Mindy lying on her stomach, sprawled across the middle of the bed. Despite their earlier fight and the uneasiness over where he stood with Mindy that clung to him like smoke, he smiled. Pleased to see she’d taken over that entire bed versus lying on just one side.

  He wished she could be the same about her life.

  Damn. The minute she was awake and coherent, they were going to talk about what happened last night. He refused to let it end like this. More than anything, he needed to apologize for trying to take over her life so thoroughly. He hated himself for that the most.

  Quickly he left her doorway and went into one of the boy’s bedrooms, headed straight for the window. He cracked open the blinds, relief flooding him when he found that he could actually see outside. The sky was dark with clouds, not a hint of sunshine anywhere and the snow seemed to stop just at the first story of the house.

  The clouds appeared bloated, and he knew with the cold air outside if any rain fell from them, it would turn into snow. What he needed to get out of here was for the temperatures to warm up. A steady rainfall would work away at the snow. And warmer air would do the same.

  “What are you doing?”

  He turned from the window to find Mindy standing in the doorway, looking disheveled and sleepy. “Checking the weather,” he answered, trying to gauge her mood.

  She didn’t look angry or resigned or even sad. No, she appeared to be nothing but sleepy.

  A little frown curved her full mouth. “Why can’t you just do that from downstairs?”

  “Come over here and I’ll show you why,” he said, immediately regretting his suggestion once he saw the wary look on her face.

  Damn. Maybe she was still angry.

  But she came to him anyway, shuffling up to the window in her slippers and peeking through the blinds. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “There’s snow everywhere.”

  “Yeah,” he agreed.

  Mindy turned to him. “It looks deep, too.”

  “It is.” He shrugged when she squinted up at him. “We’re socked in. The snow is as high as the front door.”

  “This is crazy. What are we going to do?” she asked.

  Josh started to leave without answering her and she followed, her steps determined and her mood…he could tell she wasn’t happy. “So if we’re really snowed in…” She trailed off.

  “Yes, we’re snowed in,” he confirmed.

  “What a
re we going to do?”

  “Guess we’ll just have to kiss and make up,” he said, hoping she was open to his suggestion.

  If she still wasn’t a little angry over what happened last night, Mindy would’ve been in full agreement with Josh. Kissing and making up sounded like the perfect solution to how they could spend their time snowed in over the next few days.

  But she was still angry at him—more frustrated than anything else. From what she could tell, he felt the same way.

  “Kissing is not going to solve all of our problems,” she threw out, because it had to be said. Yes, last night’s kisses had been nothing short of amazing. But then they’d argued and the both of them ruined everything with a few choice words.

  So silly. So typical. But if she couldn’t be truthful with Josh, who else was there? He was her oldest, dearest friend. She needed to be honest with herself. Now that she’d spent only a few hours with him, in his arms, kissing him, she wanted to turn her oldest, dearest friend into something more. Something serious.

  The question was could they work together as a couple? He’d been incredibly bossy last night, barging into her personal life and telling her what to do. His attitude had made her angry.

  But he’d also been sweet. She’d enjoyed making dinner for him, frosting cookies with him, reminiscing over old times. They had such a strong connection that went years deep. Now that she had him back in her life, she didn’t want to let that go.

  “Yeah, but an apology might solve them. At least for now.” He smiled but it was grim. “I’m sorry, Mindy. For acting out of line and snatching your phone from your hands when I had no right to. I even made you hang up on your ex, the father of your freaking children. I still feel like an asshole for that move.”

  “I accept your apology,” she said softly, hating how full of despair his expression was. “It’s okay, Josh. Really.” She wanted to go to him despite the residual anger lingering from last night. It didn’t help, seeing him. Having him here before her. He just looked so good this morning, making her want to forget all about their earlier confrontation. His tousled hair, the dark stubble lining his cheeks, heck even his big feet covered in the thick white socks—the entire package was sexy.