Cabin Fever: A Mountain Man Romance

by Rye Hart

She drew her arms in around herself. “So I can meet Tani?

  “No, she won’t be home. My mother is going to keep her a little late for me. I thought I’d make you dinner—

  “You cook?” Her brows rose as she gave me a quizzical glance and let out a giggle.

  “Yes, for your information, I do a pretty decent job, even if Tani is the only one who has ever told me that.” I lifted my chin with pride but she wasn’t laughing anymore.

  “Are you expecting something from me? Like sex?” She crossed her arms and stood a bit taller as if challenging me. I thought for a moment what it would be like and felt an ache in my balls. It had been a while for me and if I were honest I’d love to have her beneath me, but I didn’t think she was ready for that kind of honesty.

  “No, Sarah. Not that the idea isn’t appealing.” I let my gaze slide down her body and back to her beautiful face. “I have a business proposition for you. Something I think could benefit us both in more ways than one, if you’re interested.”

  “Benefit me how?” She stepped closer, keeping her inquisitive eyes locked on mine.

  “You’ll see.” I walked to the counter near her phone and scribbled down my address. “This is where I live. Can I expect you around seven?”

  She thought a moment and eyed me up and down. “Are you sure this isn’t a ploy to try and get me in bed?”

  “God forbid.” I let out a long breath and chuckled. “I know how awful that’d be for you.”

  She responded, “It’s not that I don’t think you’re attractive.” The smile that played around the corners of my lips caused her to take pause. “Don’t let that go to your head. I’m just saying, I find you attractive, but, never mind. If you’re going to stand there smiling at me—I’m going to stop talking.” She shook her head and looked at me like she didn’t know what to do with me.

  “Well? Are you going to let me cook for you or not?” I stepped closer and looked down into her eyes. They weren’t any regular blue eyes. Hers had the color of cinnamon around the edges, and her skin glowed with the warmth of blush.

  “Fine. Yes. I’ll be there. But only because I’m curious about this proposition of yours.” She turned and went back to the oven and put in a tray of cupcakes that had been waiting on the counter for their turn.

  “Good, because now that I know you’re attracted to me, I’d like to warm you up something and feed it to you.” I waited for the playful slap I knew was coming and luckily it landed on my arm and not across my face.

  “You’re impossible.” She shook her head at me and we shared a laugh. Then she went over to the broken cooling rack and tried to tinker with it, but it was no use. She needed a new one and from what she’d told me about her luck she didn’t have money for that either.

  I glanced around at the little kitchen. She really had something nice going on here. It would be a shame to let a bit of bad luck close it down. I watched her whip up another bowl of batter and the large standing mixer was almost as big as she was. She knew what she was doing too. And as I watched her nimble, dainty hands work, I couldn’t help but wonder what they’d be like on me.

  “Would you hand me that bottle of vanilla?” Her voice brought me around and as I handed her the bottle, I realized I wanted to help her. I wanted to help us both. I only hoped that my plan would work.

  CHAPTER SEVEN - SARAH

  I took forever getting myself ready for my dinner with Hunter and Angie had called halfway through my makeup. “If it’s not a date then why are you bothering with makeup? You could have gone straight over from work couldn’t you? Saved the gas?”

  “I could have, but excuse me for wanting a shower after work.” My sister was taking her suggestions of saving money to extremes and she was about to drive me crazy.

  “If you’re lucky, you’ll need another one when he’s through with you.” She giggled through the phone and I heard her fork scrape her plate. She’d been chewing in my ear for the past twenty minutes.

  “You’re impossible. I told you this is about business. I think he’s going to suggest some kind of dual business idea or something. Maybe catering for an event he’s holding. I’m not sure how the hell that would work with bikers and cupcakes, but he said business. Whatever it is, I’m hoping it’s going to perform a miracle, after that rack went crashing to the floor today taking out my pies I cried like a baby.” It wasn’t like me to cry, but I’d been so stressed to my limits. I’d already put off hiring someone and that couldn’t go on too much longer. I couldn’t run the place all by myself.

  “I know you’ve had the worst luck lately sis, but something tells me things are going to take a new course soon. Just keep your spirits high babe. And, don’t take this the wrong way. I want the best for you, but I do think you’ve put off a relationship long enough. When you find the right one, it’s like, I don’t know, an epiphany I suppose, but even then everything isn’t going to just magically fall into place.”

  “I learned that today. It seems that everything was crashing to the floor. Did you know that cupcakes bounce? It’s true. One bounced its way clear to the sink and another hopped its way out the door and to the front counter.”

  She whistled. “Dang, that’s impressive. I had no idea. I’m just saying to take a chance now and then, you won’t find the right one if you don’t try someone.”

  “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.” I slid into my shoes and took a last turn in the mirror, then I went to get the paper with his address out of my handbag. He had nice legible handwriting for a man and I wished my own was as neat. “Do you know where Meadow Lark Lane is?”

  “Sure, that’s near the club. I believe those houses are just off the golf course. Why?”

  There was no way Mr. Badass Biker lived anywhere near a golf course. “This is the address he gave me.”

  “Nice. He’s rich too. That’s good to know.”

  “Easy, Gold-digger, he has a kid, remember?” I’d told Angie about Tani and at the time she thought it was the most adorable thing, but reminded me of the reality. She said I should take the chance with him but told me that I’d never be the only girl in his life. I thought the discussion was ridiculous and refused to discuss it further.

  “Yeah, I remember. I’m just saying that maybe you should reconsider dating this one. He seems perfect.”

  She had that right, but then again I had no idea what kind of proposition he had for me so I decided to head on over and find out before I jumped to any further conclusions. If there was anything I’d learned about him, it was to not to underestimate him.

  I got off the phone with my sister and headed out to my car and took a moment to add the address to my GPS. Sure enough he lived out by the country club. I headed off, letting it guide me to a sight for sore eyes.

  I arrived at a nice, two story home with a gorgeous red bud tree blooming in front. The place was homey with a live oak off to the side and in it a small treehouse with a ladder. It was painted pale yellow and had bright pink curtains flapping out the window, looking tattered from the weather.

  He met me at the door and invited me. His home was surprisingly normal inside. I don’t know why I’d expected it to be painted red with black leather furniture and posters of half-naked women sprawled across motorcycles, but I was relieved. This was a wonderful home he and his little girl had and from the looks of things, he didn’t let her go without.

  “You have a lovely home.” I placed my handbag on the sofa and then followed him to the kitchen.

  “Thank you. Have a seat.” He pulled out a chair at a small breakfast table and I admired Tani’s artistry that was displayed proudly on the fridge as he returned to the stove. “You look beautiful. I hope you’ll eat Italian.”

  “If I say yes are you going to tell me that you’re Italian?” I met his eyes and he chuckled shaking his finger at me.

  “I’d add it to my arsenal if I were Italian. But nope, not even a little. I do like it though when your brain is in the gutter.” He flashed me a wink and my c
heeks burned. He looked sexy in his apron which protected his jeans and casual gray tee shirt. I was glad I hadn’t dressed up and felt more at ease as I noticed his shoes were a pair of men’s slippers which only made him more endearing.

  “So, what’s this proposition you want to hit me with? Is it really business related or was this a ploy to get me alone in your house?”

  He mixed up whatever he was cooking into one pan and then turned the heat down. “I really have an offer for you. Before I tell you what it is, I’d like to see if you’d even be interested. So I thought I’d give you a brief pitch and if it’s not something you’re into then I’ll forget I ever mentioned it and we’ll go on, friends as usual.”

  I kicked out the chair in front of me. “Sit with me and let’s hear this pitch.”

  He looked at the floor and took a deep breath before speaking. “I’m in a bind and need someone to do something for me that could save my daughter and me and from a terrible situation.” The look on his face was so pained that I reached out and placed my hand upon his.

  “What kind of terrible situation?” In that moment so many things ran through my mind. Could this be about his daughter’s health? Was she in need of a transplant or something? My mind raced, and I had no idea what was going to come out of his mouth next or how I could help him.

  “Her mother took me to court and gained custody of Tani.” His voice broke saying the words and he cleared his throat and stood up to get some plates down from the cabinet. “She’s never lived with her mother and it’s a bad situation.”

  “I’m so sorry.” I was at a loss for more to say and I sank back into my chair not sure I wanted to get in the middle of a family situation. I could at least put in a good word for him to a judge if that was what he was wanting. He’d helped me so much and I was sure from looking around that he loved his little girl and could more than provide for her.

  “Yeah, me too. I didn’t mean to bring the mood down. Let’s eat and I’ll tell you the rest over dessert.” He forced a smile and then carried the dish to the table. “I made Fettuccine Alfredo with bruschetta. It’s Tani’s favorite so I figured if I could charm one beautiful young lady with it, then maybe—”

  “So, you admit you’re trying to charm me?” I gave him a side-eyed glance and smiled.

  “I will if you admit that it’s working.” He grinned and served me pasta then offered me a plate of bruschetta. I took a slice and took a bite putting my mouth to work before I said something I’d regret.

  I swallowed it down and then he reached in the fridge for a bottle of wine and poured me a glass. “That’s good stuff. I’m impressed by your cooking skills.”

  “I took a cooking class with my Mother one year for her Mother’s Day present. That was when Tani was just a baby, but I figured I better learn how to cook and my Mom had always wanted to do it so I killed two birds with one stone.”

  Cooking classes with his Mother? This guy never ceased to amaze me. And as we enjoyed our food, slipping comfortably into more conversation, I kind of wished it were a date after all.

  When my stomach was full and I’d had my second glass of wine, he suggested we go for a ride on his bike. I imagined myself behind him, holding on to his tight body. It didn’t take much convincing.

  “One more for the road.” I poured myself another half glass of wine and downed it as he went for his boots.

  CHAPTER EIGHT - HUNTER

  Sarah’s arms were loose around my waist as we rode off toward the lake. I knew of a nice little secluded spot that would be perfect for the two of us. I’d found it one time while joyriding and had come back a few times, since.

  “I think I’ve been here before.” Her voice was loud in my ear and I suspected she had no idea how loud she was being because of her helmet. I’d given up mine for hers because Tani’s was too small.

  I pulled the bike to the edge of a cliff where the ground dropped a good ten feet below us. “We’re out on the point. You’ve been here?”

  She bit her lip and looked away smiling. “Maybe once or twice.”

  “Well, this place is known as a popular make out place, so are you telling me that you’ve been here with someone else?” I didn’t want to tell her just yet that this wasn’t our final destination. I wanted to see what her answer was.

  “My ex brought me here.” Damn, I’d hoped it hadn’t been that loser.

  “Well, this isn’t where I’m taking you, so sit tight.”

  I backed up and turned us toward a trail that ran off the side of the lake and followed it around to another point and then finally to another trail. I took the thing as far as it would go and we were surrounded by a ring of trees. On one side there was a large boulder and just beyond that was the lake.

  “This place is amazing. That thing looks a bit out of place.” Her hand rose and she pointed to the large rock.

  “I found this one day and have been back a few times since.”

  I held the bike as she climbed off and then put down my kickstand and joined her as she neared the rock, flattening her palm against it.

  “It’s colder in here, too, almost like we’re in a cave.” Her smile was contagious and she took my hand and pressed it to the rock. “Feel it.”

  There were so many other things I wanted to feel, but I pressed my hand flat next to hers and felt the cold stone. “So, is this place better than the other?”

  “Much better, and I’m in much better company this time as well.”

  “Well, I won’t ask you what you were doing out here, but it’s nice to know you’ve got a rebel’s heart beating somewhere in you.” She gave me a challenging look and dropped her hand from the stone.

  “I’ll have you know I was quite rebellious in my younger years and I bet I’ve pulled more crazy stunts than you would ever imagine.” She lifted her chin with a defiant smirk.

  I turned and leaned against the rock. “Oh? You’ve got secrets then? Care to share?” I could imagine the kind of things she might have done and wished I’d met her when she was younger, back when she was a free-spirited, free from stress, and not so hell bent on refusing me.

  “I’ll tell you what I was doing out here but then I get to ask a question of my own.” She wasn’t asking, and I liked the way she took control.

  “I’ll play along.” I shrugged and crossed my arms waiting for her to spill her best secret, knowing she wouldn’t tell me anything too crazy.

  “Well, the last time I was here I went skinny-dipping.” She turned and walked toward the edge of the large rock, where the water splashed against the sand and the trees behind us had refused to grow but still offered shade as well as privacy. She spun around and gave me a knowing smile. “So now it’s my turn.”

  I closed the distance between us and put my arm around her. “Not so fast. I’m not sure I know what this skinny-dipping thing is you’re talking about, I think you should demonstrate.” Her hand landed on my chest and nudged me but I didn’t move.

  “I’m not skinny-dipping and you owe me a question.” She tilted her chin upward meeting my eyes and I was only a breath away from her lips and the kiss I’d been waiting for since the day I saw her washing windows outside my shop.

  As she opened her mouth to pose her question, I cut her off, bringing my mouth down on hers. She melted against me and I spun her around and lay her back against the rock. Our kiss deepened and she sighed, snaking her long legs around mine to draw me closer still. I grounded against her, showing her my need, my thick shaft pressing against her leg. Her arms fell around my shoulders and my hands slid up to cup her breasts through her shirt. I’d been waiting to get my hands on them since the day we met, and she arched her back as if to give me permission.

  “I’ve wanted to kiss you forever,” I whispered.

  “Why did you want me to come over? What’s the proposition?” I stepped back so quickly that she stumbled forward. “Hunter, just tell me.”

  “I didn’t want to just dump it on you, it’s a crazy idea but I thin
k it’s my only chance.” She walked up behind me and put her arms around my waist as if we were still on my bike.

  “Do you think I’ll hate it? Is it something awful? I’m dying here, Hunter. You’ve got to tell me now.” I had put it off for so long and wondered if now she’d regret kissing me.

  I took a deep breath and let the words fall from my lips. “The judge insinuated that if I had a two-parent home she’d reconsider making Tani stay with my ex.” She stilled behind me, and then pulled away.

  When I turned around she held her hand over her mouth and her eyes were wider than I’d seen them. “You mean, you want me to move in with you?”

  I reached for her hands but she pulled them in tight around her.

  “In a nutshell, yeah. Oh, and marry me too.”

  She closed her eyes tight then opened her eyes and stepped away from me in disbelief. “I didn’t even want to date you until you brought me out here to this make out magic rock and now you’re telling me you want to marry me to save your kid from her own mother?” She wasn’t asking me as much as she was stating the facts as she wrapped her own mind around the very idea.

  “Yeah, but I’d pay you. You need money, I have money. I need a wife, you could be a wife. You’d be a good wife. You’re smart and talented and gorgeous and you own your own business and have a hell of a better reputation than my ex. I mean, I wouldn’t go telling the judge about your promiscuous skinny dipping story or anything, but—”

  “Stop rambling so I can think.” She gave me a nudge then placed her hand over her mouth and gazed up into my eyes. Then she stepped away and talked to herself as if giving herself a pep talk. “This is it. This is exactly the type of moment my sister was talking about.”

  “Is that a good thing?” I stood watching her debate it and then she turned and met my eyes directly like some sort of epiphany had overtaken her train of thought.

  “I’m not saying yes, not just yet.” She rushed me before I knew what was happening and her mouth fell against mine in a kiss so hot I swear I could hear it sizzle. If this was her ‘no’ or ‘maybe’ I wanted to see her ‘yes’.