Electric!

by Ava McKnight

  “Damn, that’s good,” he said in a strained tone. “Just watching you suck me could get me off. But, Jesus, it’s incredible to be in your mouth.”

  She worked him a little more, her head bobbing a bit faster.

  He groaned. “I’m going to come.”

  Cass put even more effort into the blowjob and he erupted in her mouth, coming on a low growl as his legs shook and his fingers tightened in her hair.

  She let him ride out his orgasm and then slowly moved away. His hand caught her elbow and he helped her to stand.

  Then his arm snaked around her waist and he hauled her up against him.

  “I like you naughty,” he said with a glimmer in his eyes.

  “Now do me a favor and feed me.”

  He chuckled. “Give me a few minutes to get the blood flowing to parts of my body other than my dick and we can get going.”

  Cass snickered as she moved about the bathroom, drying her hair and doing her makeup. She dressed in jeans and a sweater, pulled on boots and then followed Chase out to her Acura.

  Handing him the keys, she said, “I don’t know the town at all, so it’d probably make sense for you to drive. Plus, it’s been years since I’ve driven in snow.”

  He opened the passenger door for her and she slipped into the seat and latched the belt. They drove to Little America where Chase had a corner room with breathtaking views of the forest in which the resort was nestled. He changed clothes and then slung the strap of his bag over his shoulder.

  Back in the SUV, he called Don to say he’d made alternate travel arrangements, and Cassidy was relieved he hadn’t mentioned her name at all.

  Though chances were good Don drew the conclusion anyway, since they’d both slipped out of the party early.

  He drove them to a strip mall on the east side of town and they walked into the crowded restaurant filled with lively conversation and stomach-growl-inciting scents.

  Chase said, “There’s a second location by the university. A popular spot on the weekends for the college crowd. This location is a bit more family oriented. Totally inexpensive, hungry-man portions.”

  “You did work up an appetite.”

  He wagged his brows. “I’d rather burn off calories with you than at a gym any day of the week.”

  The server arrived and Cassidy allowed Chase to order their monstrous breakfast, which she stared at with wide eyes when the large table was covered with plates of eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, hash browns and toast.

  “We could feed a small village with this much food,” she commented.

  He laughed. “Settle in. We’re gonna be here a while.”

  An hour and half later, Chase drove them out of town, toward the San Francisco Peaks and then up the winding road to the Snowbowl ski resort. He managed to find a parking spot in the bustling area and came around to her side to open her door.

  “Careful,” he said as he helped her out.

  The snow was packed down in the lot, but the banks rose high surrounding the area from the recent storms.

  As they walked toward a building with a wraparound deck, he added, “This is the Hart Prairie Lodge. The original lodge, Agassiz, is farther up the mountain.”

  “It’s beautiful,” she said as she took in the snow-laden pines and aspens, and the lodge itself.

  “When my parents first started skiing here, before I was born, Agassiz was the only lodge. There was a bunny slope, another beginner run and then the main chairlift that takes you midway, if you want, or all the way up to the top of the bowl for the advanced skiers. The lines back then were so long they only got in about four runs a day. My dad said they’d spend more time waiting in the lift line than actually skiing.”

  “When did the resort expand?”

  “In the eighties, just before I was old enough for my first pair of skis.”

  They trudged through the powder in their boots and climbed the stairs to the deck. The mouthwatering scent of burgers on the grill wafted their way, but Cassidy was stuffed to the gills from their huge breakfast.

  Chase took her by the hand and led her into the lodge.

  “How about a drink in front of the fireplace?”

  “Sounds good.”

  She plopped down on the sofa and Chase went to the bar. He brought back two steaming coffees with Baileys.

  “This is nice,” Cassidy mused as they kicked back and watched the skiers and snowboarders pop in and out, taking a break from the slopes to grab an early lunch or catch their breaths.

  She asked Chase, “Are you a good skier?”

  “Boarder. I started out on skis, but really took to the board when I was about ten.”

  “Did you practically live here in the winter?”

  “Not as much as I would have liked. This resort didn’t start making its own snow until recently, so we had unpredictable seasons. Sometimes we’d get a lot of powder, sometimes not. They might have a short season or not open at all. So when I was old enough to drive and we’d get a really good dump overnight or over the course of a few days, my friends and I would ditch school to come up here. Being the avid skiers my parents were, they’d always write a note to cover me.”

  “That’s so cool.” She sipped her coffee. “How do they like Florida?”

  “Love it. My dad had to give up skiing because of a serious knee injury. He’s all about the sun and the surf now.”

  “Do you come up here often?”

  “Not so much anymore. Unless an enticing snow report comes my way.”

  Cassidy said, “I’d love to watch you board.”

  “Maybe in the fall?”

  She nodded, then asked, “So what’d you do after graduating college?”

  “Traveled through Europe for a year. Moved to Scottsdale and worked as an adjuster for a midsized insurance agency. Switched to account management with MII because I like the marketing aspect where I’m challenged to bring in new business.”

  Cassidy had immediately recognized he’d be a great strength for the division, given his charismatic and ambitious nature. She was more focused on servicing the accounts she’d procured rather than farming for new clients. She enjoyed the relationship-building aspect; Chase liked the competitive edge inherent to landing new customers.

  Truly, they made a well-balanced accounts team. And, as she eyed him over the rim of her coffee mug, she had to admit that they made a good couple. Chase was easy to be with. Even when he’d been flirting incessantly with her and she’d pretended to be annoyed by it, there had always been a very interesting dynamic between them that was comfortable in terms of how naturally they responded to each other, yet unsettling in that very titillating way that left her a bit tingly and exhilarated.

  Chase said, “Since you grew up in Connecticut, I had assumed you ski too. I was surprised to hear last night that’s not the case.”

  She shrugged. “Again, it’s up there in that danger-zone category when you’re raised by a man who eats, sleeps and breathes risk management.”

  He took a drink and then slid a coy gaze her way. “So…now that you’re out on your own, do you wanna learn?”

  The thought actually intrigued her. “Maybe.”

  He leaned in close. “Sort of suspected you had an adventurous side dying to be set free.”

  That was the exact moment Cassidy realized why she’d fought her attraction to Chase for so long. It was more than being a good girl. She’d been raised to always, always play it safe.

  And yet last night… She’d walked a bit on the wild side. No harm had come to her. In fact, she’d enjoyed the hell out of herself.

  She’d shed all the what she should do and what she shouldn’t do and had experienced one incredibly hot and passionate night with a man she’d never believed she could excite or arouse so damn much that he came inside her while calling her name.

  Hmm.

  Something told Cassidy her mom just might have been proud of her for the little breakthrough she’d experienced.

  Tu
rning fully to face Chase, she said, “My job is really important to me. You know that. But what happened last night… I mean, despite all of my previous reservations and all…it was—”

  “Significant?”

  “Yes,” she said. No hesitation. “Without doubt.”

  “Okay, then.”

  “But there’s still the matter of extra effort I have to put into my career. I knew what I was getting into before I sent in my resume,” she reminded him. “I grew up in this business. I know what it’s about. And maybe someday it’ll evolve a bit more. I hope for it all the time. I mean, do you know that the company my dad and brother work for still have no female adjusters above the local level? Not a single one in the regional departments or, heaven forbid, in executive positions.”

  “So give yourself a hand,” he insisted. “Look at what you’ve accomplished.”

  She stared at him. He stared back.

  Then he asked one very simple question that was impossible for her to answer.

  “Why isn’t it enough?”

  Cassidy turned the tables on him.

  “Would it be enough for you?” she challenged. “Are you so content with being a director that the thought of a vice president, senior or executive vice president position isn’t on your radar?”

  Chase grinned. “Here’s something that might shock you,” he said. “I do want a juicy promotion. No doubt about it. But I believe, to the depths of my soul, it’ll follow yours. There’s no leapfrogging you, Cass, because you are damn good at what you do and you are very well respected by all the right people. Deservedly so.”

  It took her a few minutes to find her voice. “I just realized that this is why I didn’t shut down your flirting from the get-go. Despite how much I continually say no one gets me…you do.”

  He kissed her on the cheek. “Yeah. I do.”

  They finished their coffee and left the lodge. Chase scooped up a handful of snow along the way, lightly balled it and tossed it at her shoulder. She laughed and they continued on their way. She skimmed her hand over a tall bank of snow, collecting enough fat flakes to make her own snowball and sent it Chase’s way.

  He laughed heartily. Seconds later, a full-blown snowball fight broke out and Cassidy raced toward her SUV to hide alongside it. But Chase was hot on her heels. He wrapped an arm around her and hauled her up against him, kissing her passionately.

  Cassidy lost her breath and it wasn’t from the high altitude. She wound her arms around Chase’s neck and returned his kiss with equal fervor.

  When he finally pulled away, she gazed up at him and said, “I’m glad you didn’t give up on me.”

  He grinned. “Me too.”

  He held her a bit longer, then they climbed into her vehicle and headed back down the mountain. It started to snow again on their return drive to town. They stopped into NiMarco’s Pizza for a thick slice, then Chase suggested a pub crawl. They walked across the street to Beaver St. Brewery for a pale ale. Then strolled east to the Lumberyard Brewing Company for a pint of raspberry amber. Afterward, he took her by the hand and they crossed the railroad tracks by the depot and ducked into Flagstaff Brewing Company, where they shared a hearty wheat beer.

  With a laugh, Cassidy asked, “Is this how you spent your college years?”

  Chase dropped a few bills on the bar when they were done with their pint and guided her down the sidewalk. “Sometimes we’d let loose with an afternoon of drinking. We could always walk back to campus.”

  At San Felipe’s Cantina, he had a glass of water and goaded Cassidy into a shot of tequila. Then they popped into Alpine Pizza for an enormous, melt-in-your-mouth slice of pie.

  “I can’t decide which pizza is better,” she said after swallowing a large bite. “This one or NiMarco’s.”

  “That’s why I wanted you to try both. Think they’re tied for best pizza in town.”

  Chase then escorted her to Heritage Square, with its many restaurant and shops. Finally, they stopped into Uptown Pubhouse for a game of pool.

  “Bear in mind, I had more of a male influence when growing up than most females,” she warned as she examined a cue and nodded her head in satisfaction.

  Chase came up behind her and whispered in her ear, “I’m really just here for the visual effect.”

  Heat tinged her cheeks. As she bent to line up her shot and break the cluster of balls, Chase remained behind her. She glanced over her shoulder to find him eyeing her ass with a lascivious look on his chiseled-to-perfection face.

  “If you think you’re going to distract me, think again.”

  His gaze never left her backside. “I’m the one who’s distracted.”

  Cassidy laughed softly. Returning her attention to the table, she concentrated on her shot and sent the balls flying, dropping three solids right off the bat.

  Chase whistled under his breath. “Impressive.” She straightened and turned to him. He frowned. “I was enjoying that view.”

  “Pay attention to the game. I’d like some competition.”

  He smirked. “Don’t go thinking you’re the only one good at billiards.”

  She didn’t doubt for a second he’d give her a run for her money—Chase was good at everything he did, it seemed. But she liked teasing him.

  “What do you say we make this interesting?” She pulled a twenty from the front pocket of her jeans and laid it on the ledge of the table.

  With a snicker, Chase said, “I don’t want your money, Cass.” He leaned in close again and added, “I want you naked and tied to the bed.”

  She blanched.

  Come on!

  Damn it, she’d known all along not to taunt someone who was so far out of her league. What had she been thinking?

  But the sexy glint in his smoldering eyes kept her coming back for more.

  “You really believe I have a kinky side, don’t you?

  He nodded. “Oh yeah. You just haven’t let her out to play yet.”

  Cassidy swallowed down a lump of… Oh shit, what am I getting myself into?

  In a low, scorching-hot tone, Chase added, “I can get pretty creative.”

  She all but melted in her hiking boots. “I don’t doubt that.”

  “We just need to make one stop before we head back to your rental.”

  Excitement shot through her. So too did a hint of panic. She could easily get in over her head with Chase. Yet she didn’t back down.

  “You win this game,” she said, “and you get to tie me up. I win it, and I get to tie you up.”

  What the hell she’d do with him afterward was a bit beyond her skill set, but he did inspire a number of sexy fantasies. Why not act on them?

  With a chuckle, he said, “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, but I like the wager. A lot.”

  Hitching her chin, she said, “I just dropped three balls, Chase. I could end this game before you even get a chance at a single shot.”

  “Then we’ll make it best two out of three.”

  “We might not even get to three,” she told him with a sassy look. “I could easily take both games.”

  “So much talk,” he quipped with a shake of his head. “Let’s see some action, babe.”

  Cassidy surveyed the table and mentally strategized her next three shots. The first two were a piece of cake. The third didn’t quite align properly, because she’d put too much backspin on the cue ball. But she called a bank shot into the corner pocket and nailed it.

  Chase groaned. “Shark.”

  “Hardly. I told you upfront I knew what I was doing.”

  She bent over the table for her next line-up. Chase crowded her and mumbled, “I want you with your ass in the air again.”

  The reminder of him fucking her the night before caused a thrill to race down her spine and Cassidy missed her shot.

  “You’re a cheat,” she said with a laugh.

  “Whatever it takes, babe. I have some very specific ideas of how I want you next, and winning this bet will definitely
work to my advantage.”

  She moved past him and reached for the beer they were sharing. The frosty Hefeweizen helped to cool her blazing insides.

  What, exactly, did he plan to do to her? And why didn’t the thought of being restrained and at his mercy scare the hell out of her?

  Rather, the mere speculation tripping through her mind turned her on even more.

  She gnawed her bottom lip in contemplation as Chase worked the table, dropping a combo and then kissing a stripe into the side pocket. He left two balls perfectly aligned and slammed them in but came up short for the third.

  With a cocky smile, Cassidy told him, “Sorry, Charlie. One chance to run the table is all you get.” She nailed her final solid and then called the eight ball in the far pocket. It dropped in a clean shot and she gloated. “Big mistake betting against me.”

  “We’ll see.”

  She racked the balls for Chase. He broke them with force, dropping one of each. He eyed the table and went for the most beneficial set. “I’ll take solids.”

  He had them nicely arranged and went about efficiently eliminating them. Cassidy cringed. When he finally missed a shot, he only had two balls left. And he’d jacked her program by leaving the cue ball behind one of his solids, with only the narrowest of bank shots possible.

  Wagging his brows at her, he swooped in and whispered in her ear, “You’re going to be naked tonight and so very, very wet.”

  Excitement raced down her spine. So too did fear of the unknown. She should have guessed that someone as sexually potent as Chase Logan would have an intimidating bedroom repertoire.

  He was dangerous to her highly sane and stable lifestyle. He threatened all of her well-constructed walls, especially with his slow-burn seduction. He still toyed with her, she saw it in the twinkle in his ocean-blue eyes. There were boundaries he wanted to push, she held no misconception about that.

  Perhaps that was what the bondage thing was all about. He wanted her vulnerable and wanted to be the one who broke through her defenses.

  Granted, he had last night. To an extent. He clearly knew there were greater challenges to face, for surely he didn’t discount the fact they were having a sexy weekend fling and when it was over…

  Well, could Cassidy keep herself from morphing back into her all work and no play self?