by Vines, Jolie
Both of their jaws dropped.
“Like a sexy feeling?” Casey asked.
I swallowed. “I don’t know. Possibly?”
Viola cocked her head to one side, her examination of me piercing. “Was it the guy, or did it just happen at random?”
“I’m not sure.”
Subtly, she gestured to the bar. “The bartender is fine. Anything going on when ye look at him?”
I cast my gaze over the lean man pouring drinks. His wide mouth slid into a grin at whatever his customer was telling him, and his eyes twinkled under a thatch of light-brown hair.
He was cute, but nothing sparked in me.
“Nope. But I don’t know if it was the guy so much as the action.”
“The wood chopping? Ooh, you like the mountain man type. Rugged. A little bit wild. Just my type, too.” Casey sipped her drink, her hand to her rounded belly.
I pondered this. “I grew up with mountain men, so I don’t know about that.”
Casey snorted. “But those are your relatives. Presumably Mr Mystery is a new man in town.”
Viola lifted a finger, drawing both of our attentions. “Who are we talking about?”
The heat in me grew, more from embarrassment than anything. I felt like a teenager with her first crush. Maybe I was. Except I was in my twenties.
It was easier when I didn’t feel anything.
“Lochinvar. My neighbour.”
Leo strummed his guitar and commenced another song, acoustic this time so we could still hear each other.
My cousin’s gaze gentled. “At least he’s a safe target.”
“What do ye mean?”
“He’s a married man.”
I gaped then coughed to hide it. “He’s married?”
“His wife isn’t with him, but she exists. He talked to my father about her. I don’t know the specifics, but he didn’t say ‘ex’. That’s a pretty big indication he’s still wed.” She glanced around. “Let me call Da over. He can tell us more.”
“No!” I squeaked, picturing my uncle’s face. I was the only single woman amongst us, and it would be obvious why she was asking.
Then horror struck me. “Oh God, then I did something both bad and stupid.”
I explained about the yoga display and how I’d tested Lochinvar’s reaction in return.
“Gotta say, whether he’s still with his wife or not, most men would probably stare at ye.” Casey grinned.
“He shouldn’t have. I hate that he did.” I slumped onto my arms, the euphoria from my revelation now tainted and cheap.
If this was just the start, I had a lot to learn.
“Aw, honey. Don’t let this faze you. What’s happened to you is wonderful, and there are plenty of great guys out there. Go on a date, try yourself out,” Casey encouraged. “See where this takes you.”
A screech came from the back of the hall. “Leo, I love you!” A woman burst from the shadows and tore through the space.
Before she even reached the stage, Uncle Gordain stepped in front of Leo, just as a huge bodyguard intercepted the fan. With an easy swoop, the bodyguard lifted her from her feet. Arms bulging, he carried her from the hall, the woman yelling her protestations of love.
“Oh God.” Viola dropped her head back to stare at the ceiling. “Why does this happen every time? Da’s going to be unbearable now.”
She and Casey laughed, but my mind had stalled on one thing.
Oh God.
The idea of Lochinvar grabbing me in such a dominant move sent a thrill straight through my nervous system. He’d have no problem throwing me over his shoulder. Stealing me away to his cave.
My breath caught, and I was lost.
Maybe the mountain man thing was true after all.
9
Lochinvar
Around me, the mountain rescue team strode up the damp track, their red jumpsuits bold against the dull green-and-brown landscape, beating a path up the steep glen to our target. I’d invited the younger members of the group on a training session, and they were a tight unit, easy with each other.
With Cameron taking the lead, I slowed to bring up the rear, intending to watch today.
For the past two weeks, I’d been away from the estate most days, visiting farther-flung teams, driving out early and returning just in time to get Isla from school. I’d spent hours on the road, climbed numerous peaks, and met dozens of volunteers.
Despite the hard work rate I set myself, it hadn’t dented my interest in my favourite distraction.
Cait was on my mind too much.
I was also horny as fuck—a need I couldn’t shake no matter what I did.
Yet that glimmer of attraction I’d seen in Cait had died. Ever since I’d caught her watching me, she’d greeted me with cool indifference, and it bugged the fuck out of me.
I needed to know what had happened. What had changed.
I couldn’t ask.
It was for the best that she’d lost interest. I only needed to do the same.
Ahead, a shout came. We’d reached our target.
In a grouch, I strode to Cameron. “The casualty’s been located. What will ye do now?”
Today’s exercise was a complicated one. The victim—a roped-up mannequin—perched on an outcrop midway down a waterfall. From our position on the slope, the water fell mostly out of sight, the river flowing under the hill and thick brown undergrowth concealing the rocks where it emerged. The churning of the falls hitting the ground far below was the only warning many would get.
Under snow, it would be almost invisible.
I’d planned the exercise based on real events. Last winter, a man had broken a leg plunging down the crevice. It would only be a matter of time before it happened again. People ignored personal safety, particularly if there was a photograph to be had.
Cameron paused for a moment then nodded. He strode away, calling on a team to set up the ropes, ready to carry a rescue load. Two of the older members of the team had advanced rigging training, and they approached the gorge with care, talking through the process as they went.
I stood back and let Cameron manage the action, his face damp with the light rain, and his manner confident as he ordered the crew around the slopes.
Some were his relatives, including twin red-headed brothers of nineteen, Max and Maddock McRae. I’d yet to be as impressed with them as I was their cousin, but had spent little time with them. I presumed they worked or were at university, but more importantly, I often saw them heading into Cait’s cottage.
“Max and Maddock, on me,” I barked.
Both raised their heads from watching the rigging set up over the falls, and joined me.
“What are our principle methods of locating the casualty following a report?” I questioned.
“Fuck,” one drawled. “Good thing ye prepped for a test.”
His brother didn’t flinch. “Source of the initial report is best, followed by Phonefind or What3words, if the person needing help has a working phone. A local team member would be another good source.”
I acknowledged his good answer, peering between them. They were utterly identical. The same dark-auburn hair, green eyes, and pale, freckled skin. I guessed their ma could tell them apart, but I had no chance. I wondered at how closely they were related to Cait—they bore little resemblance to her.
“Which twin are ye?” I asked the helpful brother.
He grinned. “Maddock.”
The other lad chuffed a sarcastic laugh, his attention switching to the wide glen below, as if he wanted to be anywhere but here.
Irritation rose.
I couldn’t have passengers on my crew. Either he was here to work or he was gone.
“Then ye must be Max,” I snapped, my patience already thin. “Why don’t ye tell me what you’d do as a runner, attending the scene today ahead of a main party?”
He heaved a sigh like I was annoying him. I glowered deeper.
“Lochinvar, can ye come here?” Cameron c
alled.
I turned on my bootheel and stomped away.
“Saved by the bell,” Max quipped behind me.
Stowing my annoyance away for later, I homed in on the rigging crew. “How’s it going?”
Cameron pointed at the neat rope work on the ground. “Grand. We’ve tested the rigging, and all is well. But I dinna think we should carry out the rest of the exercise today.”
For fuck’s sake. “Why not? We’re here and ready. It’s a waste of time if we pack up now.”
He lifted his chin, indicating behind me. “The fog.”
I spun around and took in the view.
Or lack of one.
In my distraction, I’d completely missed how the light rain had turned into a thick cloud. The summit of the hill was completely obscured, and the slopes of the glen drifted away even as I stared.
Fuck.
The crew waited on my word.
I twisted back, my mood increasing, but at myself now. This was no way to lead. I’d dropped the ball. “Good call. Pack up. We’ll make a fresh attempt another day.”
Cameron gave the orders, and I dropped my head back and gazed at the white-out sky, summoning my strength. I had to get a handle on myself or I was going to go insane.
An angry shout came from my left, and I whipped around to seek the source of the ruckus. The twin lads squared off against each other, antagonism decorating their expressions. Then Maddock, the more helpful of the two, murmured something low and taunting. Max’s lip curled, and he snapped out a punch at his brother. Maddock ducked then shoved Max hard in the chest.
“Ah fuck, naw again,” Cameron muttered.
He jogged over and dove into the fray, knocking a furious Max aside before separating the two men. Another man joined him and frogmarched Max away.
In turn, the remaining crew collected up the gear, packed it away, and descended the hill to our cars. I sought Cameron.
“What the hell’s up with those twins?” I asked.
He raised a shoulder. “Personal issue. They’ve always brawled, though not usually like this.”
“We cannae have fighting in the service,” I warned. “Even with trainees. It’s risky and unprofessional.”
“Agreed,” Cameron said. “It’s up to ye if ye let them continue. But so ye know, Maddock is away at university most of the time, so they aren’t usually on call together.”
At the cars, I paused. I’d travelled to the site in the rescue service’s Jeep, my own car at home, but now, I needed nothing more than a good run.
My muscles screamed for further punishment. My body ached for it. The truth surfaced.
Ah fuck, but I wanted sex.
To chase Cait down and get that look back in her eye. To have the pert blonde woman under me, moaning my name. Christ.
“I’ll make my own way back.”
Cameron squinted at me. “Are ye sure? It’s a fair walk home. Easy to get lost.”
And the visibility was shite. I was a fucking mess to even consider it.
“Fine, drop me at the road. I still need to use up some energy.” I slammed myself inside, not speaking again until we were off the hill.
Cameron halted to let me out, then I was alone in the misty valley. Just me, the empty, winding road, and my spiralling thoughts.
* * *
Forty minutes later, I regretted my choices. The fog had thickened to below ten metres visibility, and fine droplets had leaked inside my waterproofs. I couldn’t lose my way as the road led straight to the estate, but I craved my warm home.
Almost as much as I craved other things.
A low rumbling pulled me out of my thoughts. Already on the verge, I stepped back, wary of idiot drivers speeding despite the conditions.
Orange hazard lights blinked, illuminating the water-filled air. The vehicle grew closer, its rate slow, fog lights glowing. I watched it approach.
Then recognition slapped me in the face.
It was Cait’s car.
She sat forward in the driver’s seat, peering out, though not spotting me on the bank. The car slid past.
Fuck this. I had to talk to her.
I lurched to a jog and caught up, then banged on the boot. The car shuddered to a halt, but the click of the locks resounded.
Smart woman.
I strode to the front window and ducked to look inside. “Cait, it’s me.”
She clutched her hand to her chest in relief, then hit the button to lower the window. “Ye scared me. This weather is insane. Why are ye out in it?”
“A poorly judged walk.”
She burst out in a laugh. “This is why I never go hiking. It’s dangerous. Need a ride?”
Wrestling my rucksack off, I climbed in the passenger side, too big for her little car and too wound up to speak.
Cait gazed at me. “Are ye okay?”
“Naw really.”
She blew out a breath, her cheeks pink. “Let’s get home. You’ll feel better once you’re in.”
She was still being cool with me. I couldn’t bear it.
The closer we got to home, the greater my emotions spiked.
At the area we parked, under a stand of trees, Cait took the keys from the ignition and tilted her head at me. “Getting out?”
“No.”
She frowned but waited, a witness to my suffering.
I scrubbed my hand over my face, all too aware of how weird I was being. Yet it couldn’t be helped. Bathed as I was in Cait’s company, her scent, and her half-amused look, my surge of need eclipsed all reason.
“Ye want me,” I uttered.
Fuck, that wasn’t how I meant to phrase it.
“I mean, I want ye.”
“Want?”
“Aye. Want. Lust after. Stare at.”
Cait dropped her focus to her lap. “Oh. We’re doing this?”
She could’ve denied it. Told me I was mad. Kicked me out of the car. But Cait only sighed.
Then words fell like lead weights from her lips. “You’re married.”
Utter relief danced through my veins, warming me from my damp clothes. I wanted to laugh. “Divorced. A long time ago.”
Cait’s mouth opened, and her gaze flew to mine.
Stark, heated chemistry swarmed, filling the car. Only half of it coming from me.
My phone buzzed.
I swore but collected it from my pocket.
“The school,” I mumbled then answered, my heart pounding for too many reasons.
“Mr Ross, it’s Una. We won’t be running our after-school club today due to the weather conditions. I can’t ask my staff to stay late in this fog. It willnae be safe. Are ye able to collect Isla or shall I take her to Cait’s?”
“I’ll be there,” I replied, my throat tight.
We hung up, and I returned my attention to Cait. Likewise, she jerked her vision up, as if she’d been examining me.
“I have to fetch my daughter.”
“Okay.”
“This conversation isn’t over.”
Cait blinked but didn’t reply. She climbed from the car and went into her house, and it took every ounce of my self-control not to pursue her.
Instead, I slammed myself into my 4X4 and got back on the road.
Isla needed me, and she would always be my first priority.
10
Cait
Lochinvar’s car disappeared into the mist, and I slouched indoors and fell onto my couch, draping my arm over my eyes.
For a good fifteen minutes, I just laid there, mulling over the same points.
He was not married.
He wanted me.
Casey had called earlier to ask if I’d thought any more about going on a date. She believed getting myself out there was the best test, but my mind and body rebelled against the idea.
I’d dreamed of Lochinvar.
In it, he’d tracked me down and caught me in his strong arms. He’d torn my clothes from me, and I’d…let him.
Liked it.
Woke up in a sweat.
If this was my sexual awakening, it had waited a hell of a long time to come about. I rolled up and padded to my bedroom, stripping my work suit, shirt, and underwear. Then I dove into a hot shower.
The water cascaded over my body, hitting areas that previously never registered as so sensitive. Now, I was keyed up and…what was the description my friends used? Needy?
Yeah, that.
I slid my hands down my naked flesh, lingering over my nipples before delving south. Touching myself had never been high on my agenda. I could orgasm, but it wasn’t the big deal everyone else made it out to be.
Right now, it wasn’t my hands I wanted there.
Lochinvar’s face appeared in my mind. His thick body. His piercing stare.
His mouth.
I glanced over my clit and hissed at the sensation.
Shite. That felt good.
Yet…I didn’t want to do this alone.
I killed the shower and stepped out, dragging my dressing gown over my wet body. On my bed, I towel dried my hair, considering those fresh thoughts of my burly neighbour.
A thudding shook my front door.
I jumped, and goosebumps rose on my skin. Keeping low, I snuck to the bedroom window and peered out.
Lochinvar’s broad back loomed next to my door. I sighed in relief and skipped to answer. The moment I did, Isla flew inside.
“Da’s had a call,” she announced.
I lifted my gaze to her father. He stared at me, and his focus sank to my neckline, and lower before jerking up.
I shivered.
“Isla’s right. I have to go. An entire hiking group is lost in the fog, high above Glen Durie. Will ye be okay?”
I swallowed, that pesky neediness spiking. “We’ll be fine.”
He took a step back. Then another.
“Wait,” I said. “What should I do if you’re not back by Isla’s bedtime?”
His gaze darkened. Without a word, he reached for his keys and removed the one for his cottage. I accepted it, his fingers brushing my palm.
Electricity licked me.
Lochinvar gave me one last searing, lust-laden look, then left.