“Lord.” Lee shook his head at the thought. “Three days in a snow cave? Nope. I was lucky I found the cabin—and that Rachel had the fire going.”
Lucky for so many other reasons as Rachel’s hand lay comfortably on his arm, and he had reason to hope for a future.
“Well, it’s a good thing you found somewhere safe to shelter, because there were no spare emergency crews available anywhere in the county to come looking for you.” Trevor’s tone turned serious. “The night you went missing, there was a huge crash at the intersection of 11 and 22. A truck lost control and slid straight through the stop sign, smack dab into full-speed traffic. T-boned one vehicle and started this chain-reaction pileup. Huge mess. All the garages in town were called out along with the RCMP. Everyone was dealing with emergencies.”
“Any of the Coleman clans need extra help?” Lee asked.
His brother mentioned a few things they’d have to deal with, but even as he talked, most of Lee’s attention was on the woman by his side. Fate had brought them together in the cabin, but that wasn’t going to be enough to make this everything he wanted it to be.
As Trevor turned onto the main highway and closed in on town, all Lee could think about was making sure he had a firm date to get together with Rachel again before she got away.
His brother parked in front of her house, and Lee helped carry her bags to the door. He waited on the doorstep as she put the last of her things into the house.
She turned back with a smile, her eyes sparkling. “Of all the people I vote to be snowed in at a cabin with, you’re number one on my list.”
“Good.” He caught her before she could escape, cupping the back of her neck and holding her in place as he leaned in. She joined in willingly as he slipped against her. He got lost for a moment as her taste enticed him to linger. To take one more sip from her lips. She softened against him, his body tightening as—
Beep, beep, beeeeeeep.
Rachel jerked as Trevor laid on the horn and didn’t let up.
Lee pulled away slowly, nipping her lower lip before he opened space between them. “Excuse me while I go break every one of my brother’s fingers.”
Rachel smoothed her hands down his chest, palms hovering before she patted him gently. “You’d have to do extra chores if he was gone.”
“Drat. Okay, next time I’ll duct tape him to the wheel.”
“With extra-strong tape?”
Lee chuckled. “Super strength. Triple layers—”
Beeeeeep.
Rachel laughed, and Lee swore, and they exchanged a smile that said they had more growing between them than just friends.
“See you tomorrow?” Lee asked.
“Call me.” Rachel unlocked her door and slipped inside. She offered another sweet smile over her shoulder. “Thank you, Lee, for everything. Including what we didn’t do the past few days.”
He didn’t need to add that they’d get around to everything else on the list damn soon. “We’re going to have a good time, Rachel Malone. Just you wait and see.”
“I’m already having a good time,” she said, her gaze dropping over him, her eyes reflecting amusement and heat. “A better time than you. Sorry about the interruption.”
Lee’s hard-on had been the last thing on his mind until this moment. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it by myself.”
Her eyes widened.
“Or you can call me if you want. Talk me through it…”
He had her blushing again. “Dirty boy.”
Lee shook his head. “You need to get over that. I left being a boy behind long time ago.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I guess you did.”
Back in the truck, Trevor didn’t say anything for all of, oh, ten seconds as he headed the truck down the road. “So. You and Rachel Malone.”
“Hands off, back off, and hell, yeah.”
“Hey, I don’t trespass on other men’s women. I have more than enough of my own to deal with.”
“In your dreams.”
“Sorry for interrupting yours.” Trevor leered at him. “Poor little brother.”
“At some point, you’ll push one step too hard, and it’s gonna come back to bite you.” Lee stared out the window and smiled. Not even his older brother’s taunting could harsh this buzz. They sat in silence for a while before Trevor started again, same topic.
“I like her,” he insisted. “I mean for you. I think you two go good together.”
Not that Lee needed his brother’s approval, in this or anything else, but… “Thanks. Taking things slow for a while, but I plan to bring her around for a family dinner sometime. Try not to act like a jackass.”
“Don’t know that’s possible,” Trevor offered sadly. “By the way, Steve said you should take the rest of the morning to get cleaned up and rested. You can join in for evening chores.”
Lee nodded. “I’m fine. I don’t need much catching up.”
“Which means you struck out. Poor ass.”
“Fuck off.”
Trevor’s laughter drifted after Lee as he jogged toward the house he rented with two of his cousins, Jesse and Rafael. It was early enough in the day both of them were still gone, so when the landline rang, Lee answered out of habit.
“Lee Coleman.”
“Hey, baby, you told me to call.”
He just about dropped the phone as a familiar voice carried over the line. “Rachel? What are you—?”
“I figured your cell would be as dead as mine, but you’re listed in the white pages.” Anticipation rushed back in as she purred into the phone. “Get yourself naked, sweetie. I am, and you need to join me.”
He debated for all of two seconds. “You’re terrible.”
“I’ve been taking lessons from the master of terrible. You in?”
Screw it, why not? He hurried down the hallway to his bedroom, abandoning his rucksack in the front hall. He had his clothes stripped away in record time, lying on the bed and taking himself in hand, the phone pressed to his ear. “Do your worst.”
This was going to be entertaining—since he hadn’t once heard her say any dirty words.
“Are you ready?”
“I’m always ready.” Around her, it was true. But even as he slowly stroked his length, it wasn’t just about the physical pleasure, it was about getting to know Rachel more. Getting to admire her stretching her boundaries.
“What are you…?” Rachel paused, and he could imagine her cheeks flushing that adorable red they turned when she was embarrassed. “Are you touching yourself?”
“Cock. Fist. I think that’s right,” he teased before lowering his voice and letting more of what she did to him rumble out. “I remember what it felt like when your fingers were under mine.”
“Oh.”
Silence hung in the air as if she’d forgotten she was supposed to be directing this. Then she went for it, and he grew even more impressed. “If my hand is under yours, then you can help me. Show me how much pressure you like. And I’ve got my other hand between my legs. Touching myself at the same time.”
Jeez. He was going to be done before they even started. The soft tone of her voice wrapped around every one of his erogenous zones and clamped down like a vise. “You’re wet, aren’t you? Like when I’d touch you, all silky and smooth. Do you feel that?”
“Hmmm. Yeah, and I can feel how hard you are under my fingers. And wet, too. Just a little, on my fingers.”
He swallowed hard, all the blood from his brain rushing below the waist and filling his cock like an impending volcanic eruption.
“That’s what I want,” Rachel admitted, her tone gone breathless. “I want to lean over and put my tongue on you again. Lick up that bit of wetness and taste you. And then, once my lips are slick, and you’re wet all over, I’ll put my mouth over the tip and suck.”
Bright white lights flashed behind Lee’s eyes, his balls contracted and his brain melted, pleasure shooting like fireworks. He must’ve made some noise, nothing that sou
nded like a real word or her name, but enough that she’d know he’d succumbed to pleasure already.
Damn if there wasn’t some pride in her voice when she spoke a moment later. “I really do think you’re the best person I could’ve gotten snowed in with.”
“Trust me, I’m not complaining, either.”
Her laughter echoed over the line in the moment before she hung up. Lee collapsed on his pillow, arms flung to the side as he stared at the ceiling and wondered it were possible for his life to get any better.
Chapter Six
“Your boyfriend is late this morning. Did you wear him out last night?”
After a week of it, the good-natured teasing at the café just made Rachel smile. It was none of the girls’ business what she and Lee were up to in the sex department, but there was no getting around the fact the man had been extremely attentive.
Every morning he found time to drop in at her work, before or after he’d done chores. The typical crowd of farmers would all smile knowingly in their direction as Lee pushed through the front door and made his way straight to the counter. He said hello to everyone, but it was clear his focus was on her.
“Maybe she’s getting tired of him.” Sherry reached around her to grab the coffee, grinning as she headed toward the customers. “But if that’s the case, you be sure you let us know. There are a few ladies who’d snatch that man up in an instant.”
“Especially since he’s been putting such a smile on your face.” Connie winked, passing over an order from the kitchen.
Rachel didn’t feel the need to defend herself. In fact, it was nice not worrying much about what others were thinking after the chaos with Gary. The jerk had had the gall to phone her that morning. She’d taken one look then blocked his number. She didn’t want to ever hear from him again.
She’d moved on.
And no matter how much her friends teased, this was between her and Lee. So far they’d been focusing on having a good time. Nothing serious, but lots of quality time. Just like he’d said about taking her on dates and opening doors for her and all of that.
“It’s nice to spend time with a guy who likes to talk,” she shared.
Her fellow employees exchanged knowing glances. “So that’s what the kids call it these days. Okay. Sure.”
“Well, if I told you exactly what we’re doing, you’d get even more jealous.” Rachel headed toward a party that had just entered the café. She walked backward for a moment, flashing a smile at her friends. “And it would be terrible of me to gloat.”
She was nearly at the end of her shift before the familiar bell over the door announced he’d arrived. She paused in the middle of wiping down the counter, looking him over from top to bottom. He stomped the snow off his boots, dark blue jeans casing powerful thighs as he walked forward. Her attention rose to his square jaw and the smile he offered seemingly just for her.
The cook stuck her head through the kitchen doorframe. “I’d just about given up on you,” Sarah intoned melodramatically. “The coffee is bitter, and the eggs wouldn’t set, and nothing was right because you weren’t here.”
Rachel threw a napkin at the woman who stuck her tongue out and vanished behind the swinging door.
Lee chuckled as he slid a hip onto a stool at the counter. “Sorry about that, Sarah,” he answered loud enough she could hear him in the back. “I had no idea my presence was what made you such a fabulous cook.”
She made a face at him from the other side of the kitchen pass through before getting back to work.
Lee turned his attention to Rachel. “How’s your morning going?”
“It’s been rough. Convincing my colleagues they can operate this place without seeing you first thing every morning.” She put a coffee cup in front of him, filling it as she smiled.
He caught her free hand and stroked his thumb over her fingers, speaking quietly. “And can you operate without me? You’re the one I want to miss me.”
His accompanying wink softened the possessiveness of his words. “It’s difficult, but somehow I managed.”
He spent the next half-hour talking to her when she had a moment, but other than that, he sipped his coffee and watched her. His gaze followed her through the shop, but it wasn’t creepy, it just made her temperature rise.
All too soon he dropped money on the counter. “Friday night at Traders?”
“Dancing?”
Lee nodded, moving in close enough he could tuck his fingers into her belt as he held her against him. He placed his mouth close to her ear as he spoke too quietly to be overheard. “I need an excuse to get you in my arms. I miss waking up with you against me. I miss your fingers playing over my skin, and the scent of you filling my head like a drug.”
Well, now. “I’d enjoy dancing with you too.”
He pressed a brief kiss on her before heading for the door. Rachel stared after him, her lips still tingling. Hell, not just her lips. The man made her hot. Period.
Connie stood at the counter, fanning a hand in front of her face. “Do I need to get the fire extinguisher?”
Rachel deliberately put on a bored expression as she moved past her coworker toward the serving station. “Nah. We’re just friends, that’s all.”
“Friends with benefits,” Connie muttered before thankfully dropping the topic.
But after that comment? Something unsettling rolled over Rachel, and everything she’d gotten up to with Lee over the past week seemed not quite as wonderful.
She thought about it after her shift, continuing to worry off and on all afternoon. Heck, all the next day as well.
Lee had definitely been the one to put the brakes on their relationship. If she’d been in charge of the decision, they would’ve had sex while still up at the cabin.
There was something wonderful about how attentive he’d been, but it still felt strange. He said he wanted to go slow—while Gary had pushed for the exact opposite. It was almost as if she’d been a challenge to her ex, something he needed to accomplish as quickly as possible.
And in the end, what she’d offered Gary hadn’t been enough, or at least it seemed that way since he’d chosen to go from her bed straight into a half-dozen other women’s arms.
Would Lee come to regret he’d made a move? Sure, he’d asked her out in the spring, and they fooled around a little during their time in the cabin, but would he continue to want to see her?
Maybe all that electrical connection between them was just part of being trapped in a cabin.
Liar, liar, pants on fire.
Nope. She knew on her part the attraction was real. But there was no way to know for sure with Lee, since obviously her ability to figure out guys was sketchy.
By the time Lee picked her up on Friday, she’d worked herself into a bundle of nerves. The only thing she knew for sure was—she didn’t know anything. She was back in Rocky, and she was dating Lee Coleman, maybe, and other than that, everything seemed to be one big wide-open slate to write on. If only she was more certain what their next move should be.
And for someone who until recently had prided herself on taking control of her life, it was a very uncomfortable situation.
Walking into Traders eased a few of her fears.
In Rocky Mountain House, there were a couple of places to go on a Friday night, or any night for that matter, but Traders Pub was known in the community as the place the Coleman clan hung out. Not just them—the place was popular with a wide range of ages and backgrounds. One side of the building was dedicated to a dance floor and bar, and on the opposite side of the central wall was a quieter section with pool tables and dartboards, and tables people congregated around to talk while they drank.
The owners were fairly brilliant, Rachel realized, because in one location they catered to just about every demographic of the small town.
As Lee guided her through the doors on the dance side of the building, Rachel noticed a strange coincidence had occurred. The average age on the dance floor hovered somewhere
just over the Alberta legal drinking age of eighteen. Maybe there was a birthday party, maybe it was YOLO night at the pub, but as they moved into the crowded space, Rachel didn’t recognize many faces.
Or more, she recognized the faces but not the names, because ninety percent of the crowd were the younger siblings or the children of people she served on a regular basis in the café.
We’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto.
Even the music wasn’t quite right. The songs were familiar enough, but the tunes weren’t her type. They were that horrific mix of what she considered one step away from blasphemy.
Lee guided them to a standing-room-only table just off the dance floor, linking his arm around her waist and pulling her against his body as he gestured for a waitress and ordered drinks.
Rachel leaned in closer so he could hear her. “Whoever mixed rap with country music needs to be taken out behind the barn and shot.”
His grin widened. “Oh, I don’t know. It’s not so bad, unless you want to do karaoke.”
A shudder rocked her. “Not on a dare. Not if I were drunk on a dare.”
They chatted for a few minutes before the drinks came, the girl who delivered them checking Lee over with open admiration. Her gaze lingered on him even after she spotted his arm around Rachel’s waist.
The adorable young thing tilted her head to the side. “There’s a bonfire happening down at the Tree after closing time.”
She wasn’t sharing this information for Rachel’s sake, that much was clear, as her gaze remained firmly fixed on Lee and her lashes went to work double time.
Rachel swore she felt a breeze.
“I’ve already got plans,” Lee answered easily. “But thanks. Tell the guys I’ll see them some other time.”
The waitress wandered off once she peeled her eyes off him. Rachel sipped her drink and tried to put out the jealous fire in her belly.
Lee seemed not to notice. He linked their fingers together, stroking his thumb over the back of her hand. “Do you get any time off at Christmas?” he asked.
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