“You said this place is about a three-hour drive. In what direction?”
“Oh, no. You’re not getting that out of me. The location is a surprise.”
“I see. Well, here’s the problem. Going in one direction, the temperature could be as much as twenty degrees warmer than in the other. How will I know what to pack?”
“Just bring it all.”
The phone was ringing as she got out of the shower. She ran dripping across the bathroom tile into her bedroom and vaulted onto her bed to retrieve her phone from the docking station.
“Don’t eat breakfast. I’m stopping for coffee and scones. Have you had coffee yet? Are you a coffee drinker?”
She stretched her legs, checking for stray hairs. “Okay, I won’t eat breakfast. No, I haven’t had my coffee yet. Yes, I’m an avid coffee drinker.”
“Any special requests for your coffee?”
“Yes, I’d like a grande decaf double tall non-fat extra-dry cappuccino with an extra shot of non-fat.”
He hesitated. “This is about my high maintenance comment, isn’t it?”
Jill caught sight of herself in the mirror, naked and dripping into the phone with effervescent eyes and grinned. “If our goal is to get to know each other, it’s important you understand I like my coffee a certain way.”
He chuckled. “Be there in fifteen.”
Eleven minutes later, the doorbell rang. Her long hair still damp, she’d just finished applying body moisturizer and hadn’t applied a speck of make-up yet. She traded in her towel for jeans and a T-shirt, and went to answer the door.
Gavin looked thirty-seven going on seventeen standing on her doorstep in a navy blue T-shirt and faded jeans. Waiting. Hopeful. Mischievous. And more than a handful.
He burst through the door the moment she opened it and made a bee-line for the kitchen where he unloaded an over-stuffed bag and a cardboard carrier from the local coffeehouse with half a dozen coffees. She laughed and turned away, hoping to at least put on some mascara before he got a good look at her.
But he caught her hand and twirled her around. “Come here, you.” He placed her palms on his shoulders, and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Mmmm, you smell good.”
He vibrated, as if each of his cells burgeoned with anticipation. His lips tasted faintly of coffee and his body smelled shower-fresh. She moved her mouth along his clean-shaven cheek, loving its smooth warmth. His hands traveled her back, and he eased her up against the wall.
“We’ll never get out of here if you greet me dressed—or should I say undressed—like this.”
She protested, “You didn’t give me time to” The rest was lost to his kiss. Finally, she pushed him away. “Leave me alone. I need a few minutes to finish my hair. If you’re not giving me any clues about our destination, I’ll be awhile packing.” She moved down the hall toward her bedroom.
He followed, his footfalls thudding soft against the wood floor.
She turned. “Oh, no, cowboy. This is as far as you go. I have things to do that don’t involve you.”
He grinned and pulled her close again. His hands inched up the back of her T-shirt. “I’m just curious. If you’re not wearing a bra, does that mean you’re not wearing any underwear, either?” He kissed the side of her neck.
“I didn’t have anything on when you first got here.”
His kiss deepened and his hand slid inside the back of her jeans. “No need to get dressed on my account.”
She laughed and stepped away. “All this before coffee.”
Gavin grabbed her hand. “Come with me.” He led her back to the kitchen. “I brought several choices—one of them should be a grande decaf double tall non-fat extra-dry cappuccino with an extra shot of non-fat.”
“I knew you were up to it. And the others?”
He leaned her against the counter. “I included them in case you felt like trying something new.” He brushed his lips to the side of her neck. “Are you feeling adventurous, Jillian?”
She captured his face with both hands, leaned into him and murmured, “Possibly. Convince me.”
A short time later, she called him into the bedroom and pointed to four bags of various shapes and sizes, all zipped closed with their pull bars extended, ready to go.
“If you’ll grab those two, I can take the other two.”
Shaking his head, Gavin blinked. “All that?”
She avoided his gaze and fought to keep the grin that threatened from giving her away. “You said to bring it all. Is there a problem?”
Frowning, he said, “The car’s a tight fit even without luggage…”
She looked at the luggage and frowned. “Well, I’m not sure what to do.”
His mouth tightened and he ran a hand through his hair. “I should have been more forthcoming about our destination to help you streamline your packing.”
Jill shrugged. “I could probably condense to a bag or two if I had just a little more information.”
“We’re headed to the North Shore.”
Jill clapped her hand over her mouth before the words we’re not slipped out. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t picture Gavin Fairfield baiting a worm on a hook, or portaging a canoe in the wildest country within five hundred miles. Fly fishing maybe, if she really stretched her imagination. “We’re going camping in the wilds?”
He shook his head. “Not that quite far north. We’ll be relaxing at a lake home. The owner’s on holiday.”
Jill smiled and pointed. “Well, that helps. You can take the two black ones. They’ll work for that kind of climate and activity. I’ll be along in a minute.” She turned away, forcing back her laughter.
Gavin carried them out the front door and rolled them down the sidewalk, lifted one of the cases into the trunk, frowned, and then lifted the other.
Standing in the doorway, Jill hugged her sides as the long-threatened laughter consumed her.
He swiveled. After a moment, he lifted the cases out of the trunk and rolled them back up the sidewalk. “These feel suspiciously light.”
She made a soft moue with her mouth.
“They’re empty, aren’t they?”
She laughed, as the slow dawn of understanding washed across his face.
“I won’t be so easy next time,” he promised.
“You were easy,” she agreed. “And maybe next time you’ll at least let a girl know how to pack.”
He grinned. “You realize what you’ve done, don’t you?”
She raised a guarded eyebrow.
“I’m now consumed with doubt about your integrity, Dr. Cole. I would have bet my life you didn’t have a deceptive bone in your body.”
“You’re saying you thought I was easy?” Her laughter trilled behind her as she headed back into the bedroom. “You have a great deal to learn about me, Mr. Fairfield. A very great deal.”
She packed, reached for her phone, sent Gage a text reminder to feed and check on Sydney and Wonder, and turned back to her outfit of choice. She’d chosen an off-the-shoulder sweater the color of claret red. She never wore this sweater because it bared her shoulders, clung to her body, and required either a strapless bra, which she never found comfortable, or going braless. Today, the idea of wearing it without a bra made her feel sexy as hell.
On her way out the door, she grabbed two different kinds of jackets and slung her purse over her shoulder. She walked toward him, pulling a single case behind her. His gaze sent delicious shivers racing each other up and down her body, loving the way he looked at her.
He nodded and opened the car door. “In case I forget, remind me to tell you later just how much you’re worth waiting for.”
She relished the feel of his gaze wash over her, tipped her head and grinned. My thoughts exactly.
At the side of the car, he caught the length of her hair in his hand. “Are you by any chance still laughing at me?” he asked, his mouth grazed her ear.
She tilted her head. “You should have seen your face when yo
u thought you’d have to fit four big fat pieces of luggage in this sweet little ride of yours.”
He smiled, wrapping her hair around his wrist. “Like I said, I won’t be so easy next time. If I’d been paying better attention, I’d have realized by the way you’re dressed those bags were empty.”
“Oh?”
His gaze dipped to her breasts. “You’re traveling light.” His lips brushed her bare shoulder and followed the neckline of her sweater, nudging it lower until his mouth rested high on her breast. He released her hair and slid his hand under her breast, grazing her nipple with his thumb. Into her ear, he whispered, “Get in the car before your watchdog neighbor has me arrested.”
Jill smoothed her hair from her face. Thank goodness one of them had some sense. In another moment, she’d have let him take her right there on the front lawn.
****
About three hours into the drive, Gavin glanced over at Jill, admiring the shapely contours of her shoulders, her breasts, the flat of her stomach and the snug fit of her jeans. “We’re pretty close, but I thought we’d stop for lunch. I have a place in mind, and we’re ahead of schedule.”
She stretched her legs, pointing her toes. “We have a schedule?”
“We need to give Baines a chance to arrive first.” He glanced at her legs.
“Baines?”
“Don’t worry, Baines is just bringing up provisions. Some special amenities and whatever we’ll need for meals.”
“How would Baines know what we’ll need for meals?”
“I gave him a list.” He smiled, remembering the delicacies…dark chocolate…a particular brand of champagne.
Jill tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “How would you know what we need for meals?”
“Well, I wasn’t sure if you like to cook. I’d like to cook at least one night. The rest of the time, we can cook together or just rummage for whatever.”
“You cook?” Her eyes widened as she swiveled against the car door and the neckline of her sweater inched lower.
He grinned, enjoying all of it. “If you like to cook, next time we come to the cabin, we can plan the food together.”
She crossed her arms. “So, now you’re calling the place a cabin? I thought it was a lake home.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Lake home implies modern, comfortable. Cabin implies pumping water from a well, or hauling it from a nearby creek.”
Gavin reached for her hand and squeezed, appreciating their soft warmth. “Which do you prefer?”
She rolled her shoulders. Her sweater slid lower. “I could do either, but on this subject I lean toward comfort. So, which is it?”
He smiled, remembering the vaulted ceilings, the smell of hand-hewn log columns, the open floor plan and wide expanse of windows that overlooked the massive, ocean-like blue of Lake Superior. “I’ll let you decide.”
Chapter Twelve
Jill climbed from the car, stretched her legs, and let out a contented sigh as she took in the breathtaking view. The lake home, built from giant logs and boasting oversized windows, sat on a point almost entirely surrounded by water. Behind the home stood some of the tallest trees with the thickest bark she’d ever seen.
Gavin reached for her and murmured, “I see Baines is still here. I’m just taking the luggage around back. Stay here, will you? I’d like you to experience entering through the front door. More romantic that way.” He winked. “I’ll be right back.”
She watched him walk away, surprised by how comfortable he seemed so far from bright city lights and Orchestra Hall. The sun warmed her skin, but the breeze made her shiver. Despite the mild weather, summer had slipped into fall, especially this far north. By tonight, she’d be glad for a warm fire and blankets.
Back in a flash, he pointed to the water. “We’re on a small cove so this part of Lake Superior is calm compared to the rest. I’ve got a guy bringing the cruiser over later this afternoon. If the weather holds, tomorrow we might spend time on the water.”
He reached for her hand and started walking.
Once inside, Jill took in the open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows and staircase that led up three half-levels. Fighting her amazement, she tilted her head and met his gaze. “I can see why you might refer to this as a cabin.” Gavin’s eyes looked like blue paint slightly stirred and streaked with gray.
“The place is just under five thousand square feet, all made from sequoia logs. Smell.” He drew in a deep breath.
Still angling her head around, Jill said, “Seems a little cramped.”
He grinned. “Just keeping my word. I promised you all the privacy you want, when you want it—if you want it.” His gaze raked over her body. “Some of the fireplaces are wood burning, others are gas.”
They walked up the stairs to the first landing where a pianoforte sat, as if patiently waiting to be played. “Billiards, and all things recreational on this level, plus bedrooms.”
They continued to the third level. “Two separate bedroom suites are on this level. Although I’d prefer otherwise, I had Baines put you in that one.” He pointed down the hall. “It has a gas fireplace. The one in mine burns wood.”
From the foot of the stairs, Baines cleared his throat. “I’ll be leaving now unless there’s something else you require. I’ve left emergency numbers—local fire, sheriff, animal control and Coast Guard—in case you should need them.”
Jill didn’t miss the look that passed between the two men and wondered what it was about.
Baines turned but swung back around. “Oh, I neglected to mention I opened the lid on the pianoforte in the event you intend to play.” Without waiting for a response, he made his exit.
Jill’s breath caught. Gavin playing the piano by firelight. “Oh, yes Gavin, will you play, later?” she asked.
Gavin’s eyes flashed and he muttered, “Cheeky butler.” He looked at his watch. “So, it’s going on two. Best time of the day for sun. What would you like to do first? Walk one of the trails? Sit out on the deck? Take a dip in the pool? There’s a horse stable just down the road. We could go horseback riding, or antiquing. If you’re a golfer, there’s a course about thirty minutes from here by car, or”
Jill placed two fingers over his lips. When he quieted, she reached for his hands and put them around her. “I hardly know how to choose,” she said, kissing the side of his mouth, wild from the taste and nearness of him.
****
Several hours later, Jill cozied up to the counter with a glass of wine while Gavin prepared their meal with a confident, ready smile, offering tastes and stealing kisses, ever watchful of her neckline. They ate grilled sea bass on the deck where the air would have been too chilly if Gavin hadn’t set up deck warmers earlier. She bit into a piece of dark chocolate, feeling pleasantly full and a little tipsy.
“Do you know what I’ve been looking forward to all day?” His gaze held hers across the table.
“I might have an idea.”
He grinned and his gaze dropped to her neckline. “Tomorrow will be warmer. Bikini weather.”
Hugging herself, she grinned. “Chilly tonight though.” The movement caused her sweater to inch downward.
“Good weather for a wood fire,” he said, watching her neckline.
She nodded. If he kept looking at her like that, they wouldn’t need a fire. “Or, gas is nice, too.”
He stretched his arms and let his gaze travel her body. “Will you tease me like this all weekend?”
“Tease you?” Her sweater dipped lower. How long before he couldn’t take it?
He filled their wine glasses.
She leaned forward. “Will you play for me some time this weekend?”
Gavin froze for the briefest moment.
Devastation chased the heat from his eyes. Good one, Jill. You just crashed headlong into the man’s deepest pain.
“Does my playing mean so much to you?”
Jill leaned back, unsure how to respond.
Gavin reached for her hand. “I tell you what. Let’s say I’ll play if the spirit moves me.”
Jill spread her fingers until they were interlocked with his, and led him to a deck lounger. They sank deep into the padded cushions. “What are the stars like out here?” she asked, curling into his lean, fit body.
“I don’t know. The only other time I was here, I didn’t stay long enough.”
This was no time for pretending. “And yet, I think this is your lake home, Gavin. Why haven’t you ever stayed here?”
Several moments of quiet ensued. “Because I was here when the accident happened. I came to make the final inspection with the builder. I’d left home in an angry rush and didn’t have my cellphone. The land lines hadn’t been connected yet, I didn’t have an internet connection, didn’t know any of the neighbors, and the local sheriff was out dealing with a highway wreck. No one knew how to reach me.”
All at once, Jill understood the earlier look that had passed between the two men. She swallowed hard, not wanting him to mistake her compassion for pity. “So Baines came for you.” She kissed his ear and the side of his throat. “I’m sorry to have reminded you.”
“After the accident, I didn’t have the heart to come up here.” Gavin pulled her close. “Are you cold?”
“Not me. I’m a fresh air freak.”
“Then what do you say we just stay here for a bit and watch the stars come up.”
She could hear the smile in his voice.
As the sun fell below the horizon, Gavin asked, “How is it that this thing never slides down too far?” His hand rested high on her ribcage.
Jill giggled, glad to see this side of him return. “The sweater looks looser than it is.”
“Nothing about that sweater looks loose.”
“No? Tell me, what would you do if it slid down…say…to here?” She sat up and rolled her shoulders. The sweater dropped until it barely covered her breasts.
Eyebrows lifted, he grinned. “You’re a tease.”
“Well, my being a tease isn’t the problem. It’s too dark out here to see much of anything.”
Gavin hopped up, flipped a switch, and a dozen small lamps shaped like candles illuminated the deck.
Naked Hope Page 12