Wicked Wonderland

by LuAnn McLane

  She laughed, leaning into him and laying her head on his shoulder. “I’m honored.”

  They stood there in the steamy semigloom, and Hallie felt the mood shift once again.

  He put a finger beneath her chin and tilted her face toward his. When his lips brushed hers, retreated, and came back with more force, she sighed. They kissed lazily, as if they had hours, days. She ceased wondering if this was wise—ceased caring about how long she’d known him and how soon she would be leaving. For once, she dived right in, content to live in the moment. Throwing caution to the wind had a certain appeal.

  His hands moved beneath her shirt, caressing her breasts through her thin, silky bra. Her breath caught. She moaned and pressed her hips to his. His arousal nestled in the notch of her thighs, making her crazy. In the middle of a busy, crowded army installation, Daniel had managed to find the only warm, deserted oasis of privacy.

  But not completely private. At least not enough for what they both wanted so badly.

  In the distance, they heard muffled voices.

  Chapter Four

  Daniel swore under his breath and started straightening Hallie’s clothes. His breathing was harsh and his hands shook.

  Hallie didn’t feel so steady herself.“Will you get in trouble for bringing me down here?” she whispered.

  He kicked a pillar with his boot and sighed. “No. But I guess we’d better go.”

  They retraced their steps in silence, and never actually crossed paths with anyone. Sounds echoed in the cavernous spaces, so whomever they heard must have retreated in another direction.

  Back in Daniel’s office, Hallie didn’t know what to say.

  Daniel was braver than she. He perched on the corner of his desk and watched as she put her coat back on and buttoned it all the way up to her chin. He cocked his head. “Protective armor, Hallie?”

  She looked out the window, marveling at the fact that it was dark at four o’clock. But even so, ambient light from the reflective snow cover lent a pretty glow to the scene.

  She wasn’t sure how to answer his question, but she had one of her own. Now that Daniel’s arms were no longer around her, she could think straight.The little voice inside her head ... the annoying voice of reason spoke up. “Why me?” she asked bluntly. “Am I convenient? Is that it?”

  He burst out laughing, his face alight with humor. “Lord, Hallie.You’re not convenient at all.We’re both living in an inn surrounded by people. Not to mention the fact that the climate makes outdoor sex lethal. And you’re only here for two weeks. I’d say this is all pretty damned inconvenient.”

  “So why do it?”Was she hoping he could explain this madness to her?

  The office door was closed. Daniel sobered. “Come here, Hallie.” He tugged her close. “I’m no callow twenty-year-old kid who can’t keep his pants zipped. I haven’t been with a woman in several months. And until you showed up the day before yesterday, I was getting along just fine.” He paused and placed her hand over the bulge of his erection. “But now that I’ve tasted those cute lips and touched those lush, curvy breasts, having you in my bed is pretty much all I think about every minute of the day. How’s that for honesty?”

  He might have been feeding her a line. She didn’t really know him at all. But somehow, she believed him.

  Slowly, she stroked the ridge of his arousal through two frustrating layers of cloth. He was unmoving beneath her tentative touch, his whole body braced. Her fingers brushed his zipper. And for half a second, she toyed with the idea of lowering it. But sanity returned. This was a public building. Daniel had an important job to do. “You’d better take me back to my car,” she said, her knees in danger of giving out. “I promised Robbie I’d help them wrap Christmas presents.”

  Daniel hobbled to the car, thankful for the long heavy coat that kept him from embarrassing himself.The arctic air slapped him in the face, but did nothing to dampen his urgent need. Every minute he spent with Hallie made him want her that much more.

  They drove in silence the short distance to where her car was parked. He got out and waited for her to unlock the rental. Then he tucked her into the driver’s seat. Despite the cold, he didn’t close the door immediately. He waited while Hallie turned on the engine, his arm stretched across the top of the open doorframe.

  When she had adjusted the heat, she turned to face him. “Thanks for the tour.”

  He studied her face. She had pulled up the hood of her coat, and flyaway strands of her soft hair danced in the light breeze. He leaned in and caught one, wrapping the blond silk around his finger. “A woman needs to be cautious. I get that. Why don’t you call Hazel? She’ll vouch for my character.”

  Hallie grinned. “It’s not your character I’m worried about. Let’s not overthink this, Mr. Reynolds. We’re just having some fun, right?”

  Something about her careless statement annoyed him, but he didn’t react. He had a feeling that she was fighting the same out-of-control attraction that was turning him inside out.

  He was a patient man.

  He released her and stepped back.“I’ll be late getting home tonight. Drive safely, Hallie.”

  Hallie made it back to the B&B only moments before the Denmans returned.They brought pizza for dinner and insisted that Hallie eat with them. One of the women plugged her iPod into a portable dock, and soon Christmas music filled the kitchen and dining room.

  Hallie devoured two slices of ham and pineapple without blinking, realizing suddenly that she had forgotten to eat lunch. And she thought it was definite progress when the music didn’t give her indigestion.

  Robbie dropped a third slice on Hallie’s plate. “Where’s Daniel?” she asked. “We brought plenty for him, too.”

  Hallie grimaced. “He’s working late tonight.”

  Robbie plopped down beside her and smiled inquisitively. “So what’s going on with the two of you?”

  Hallie choked on a bite of pizza and had to wash it down with Diet Coke. “Going on?”

  Robbie nudged her with an elbow and kept right on eating. “Don’t be coy, missy. I may have only been here twenty-four hours, but I’ve got an eye for romance. And Daniel Reynolds is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen . . . except for my Stanley, of course.”

  Stanley was sixty-four, carried about fifty extra pounds, and was addicted to ESPN. Love truly was blind.

  Over the years, Hallie had perfected the art of the pleasant, noncommittal smile. It served her well in hotel management. “Daniel is a very attractive man,” she said. “He’s a pleasant guest.”

  Robbie snorted. “Pleasant? Pull the other leg.You’d better snap him up, Hallie. Living under the same roof gives you a definite advantage. All the women in Alaska can’t be slow on the uptake.”

  Hallie picked at a piece of pepperoni one of the kids had left in the pizza box. “What exactly are you suggesting?”

  “Do I have to spell it out?” Robbie shook her head sadly, eyeing Hallie like a slow student. “Sex, honey.”

  “I thought your generation was more conservative. Daniel and I barely know each other, and I’m only going to be here for a short while.”

  “You young people these days are so picky. Life doesn’t run according to a script. If something amazing falls into your lap, don’t waste time wondering if it was really meant for you.”

  “And if it hurts when I leave?”

  “Nobody can predict the future. But don’t you deserve to have a wonderful Christmas this year? You lost your mom and the job you loved. I can see in your eyes, darlin’, that you’ve been through hell these last twelve months. But you’re here now. Live in the moment. Kick up your heels a bit. What’s the worst that could happen?”

  “A broken heart?” Hallie was joking, but she began to wonder whether, deep down inside, that’s really what was bothering her. Was she afraid her heart couldn’t take any more hard knocks?

  That evening she allowed herself to be dragged into the game room, where the Denmans embraced her and
made no attempt to pander to her because she was not one of them. They beat her at Uno. They beat her at Scrabble. They even beat her at Wii bowling.

  A game of Monopoly was her only success. She managed to get hotels along two whole sides of the board and wiped out her opponents in short order.

  Hallie had a lot of fun with the Denmans. And she was abashed to realize how seldom she allowed herself to goof off for an entire evening.

  Daniel never showed. She told herself she didn’t care. The Denmans were delightful people and they made her feel right at home. Which was ironic since she was supposed to be the one hosting.

  Their son Timothy wasn’t off today. Robbie talked about him often, enough that Hallie began putting together a picture of a competent, grounded young man. She wondered if he appreciated his loyal, loving family. But he must, because when she met him last night, his expression, though colored with shyness, had been lit up with happiness.

  When everyone finally trundled off to bed, Hallie wandered the downstairs, turning off lights, checking door locks, and adjusting the heat. She sank down onto the sofa near the tree and stared hard at the ornaments. She hadn’t bothered to examine them before now, but it was obvious this was a collection accumulated over the years with loving care.

  Many of the shaped-glass ornaments, decorated with glitter, were obviously antiques. She curled her legs beneath her and leaned her head back, letting her eyes half close.The swirls of color danced against her eyelids. Her mind wandered, imagining Daniel here with her.

  Was it wrong to want him so much? Was she using their flirtation to distract her from the horrible year she’d had?

  Where was he? Was he with another woman? He was certainly in no way obligated to check in with her. A guest of the B&B could come and go at will.

  At midnight she gave up and went to bed.

  The next morning Daniel wasn’t at breakfast. Hallie’s stomach rolled as she mixed up a quiche Lorraine from scratch. The recipe called for homemade crust, but Hallie drew the line there. The ready-to-bake crusts she’d bought from the freezer section at the grocery would have to do. Robbie was at her side, jabbering away, so Hallie was forced to produce an air of cheeriness that was entirely fake.

  She wiped away an onion-produced tear and told herself not to imagine the worst. Daniel had a demanding job. He wasn’t avoiding her because he had changed his mind about his feelings. Of course he wasn’t.

  Her second breakfast went fairly well. She forgot to squeeze oranges the night before.There wasn’t any time to do it in the midst of cooking quiche and scones, so she was forced to serve bottled apple juice. But no one seemed to mind.

  The Denmans were in higher spirits than usual, the kids practically bouncing in their seats. Robbie tried to help with cleanup, but Hallie shooed her away. “Go have fun with your family. Seriously.”

  Robbie allowed herself to be persuaded. She dried her hands on a dish towel. “We’ve got something special planned. Timothy was able to get today and tomorrow off. We’re all headed down to Anchorage overnight. I’m sure you’ll be glad to have a morning to sleep in tomorrow.”

  “Oh.” Hallie was taken aback.

  Robbie misunderstood her silence. “Oh, don’t worry, hon. We’re still paying for our room here, but Timothy wanted us all to see a little bit of the state, even though it’s winter. If we’re lucky, we’ll get a glimpse of Denali on the way down. It’s only a couple-hour drive as long as the weather stays dry, and it’s supposed to.”

  Hallie wrapped her arms around her waist. “I wasn’t worried about the money, Robbie. I was surprised.That’s all. But it sounds like a fun trip.When do you leave?”

  Robbie chuckled. “As soon as I get this motley crew corralled.”

  They were gone in thirty minutes.

  Hallie loaded the dishwasher and washed a few of the bigger pots and utensils in the sink.The work occupied her hands, but not her mind.Where was Daniel? Had he even come home last night?

  When the kitchen was set to rights, she went upstairs to do the usual daily “maid” service. The Denmans were a neat bunch for the most part, and Hallie was developing her own efficient system for cleaning. Daniel’s room should have been next on the agenda, but she couldn’t bring herself to walk in there. Instead, she decided to take a shower and wash her hair.

  A half hour later, she slipped into matching bra and underwear, and put on her favorite jeans with an old Seattle University sweatshirt. Her clean hair was still a little damp. A new book in her suitcase was waiting to have the spine cracked, and today was the perfect opportunity for a lonely woman to curl up with a good read.

  She was only ten pages into the story before she sighed loudly and tossed the book aside. Daniel was a paying guest. She had to take care of his room. Otherwise she would be admitting that he scared her.

  The first thing she spotted was the note on his pillow . . . a small folded piece of paper with her name on it. He had known she would be tidying the room, and he must have assumed she would see his communication.

  Berating herself for her own cowardice, she picked up the note and unfolded it slowly....

  Hallie—

  It was late when I got in and I had to be back on duty at six.

  Sorry I wasn’t there to help with breakfast. If you can, stick around the house this morning. I have a surprise for you.

  —Daniel

  Her hands trembled slightly, and she tucked the small paper in the back pocket of her jeans. A surprise? What did that mean?

  Her mind raced as she went through the motions of freshening the bathroom and making the bed. She had smoothed out the last wrinkle in the comforter when an amused voice behind her startled her so badly she stumbled and had to catch herself on the edge of the mattress.

  She sprawled there awkwardly and looked up at Daniel—a laughing-eyed, red-cheeked, blown-in-from-the-cold Daniel.

  He put his hands in his pockets and relaxed in the doorway. “When I asked you to stick around, I wasn’t expecting to see you in my bed. But damned if I don’t like it.”

  He straightened and approached her.

  She scrambled to her feet. “Why aren’t you at work?”

  He grinned and kept coming. “I have two whole days off,” he said, his eyes locked on her face.“It took some juggling, but I’m in the clear ... barring any disasters, of course.”

  Hallie backed toward the window a half step. “Why did you do that?”

  He stopped, and some of the humor in his face was replaced by a look so serious and determined, it made her heart skip a few beats.

  He gazed at her intently. “I wanted us to have some time to get to know each other. And with me working all day, that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. Now I can be all yours for the next forty-eight hours.”

  She flashed on a vision of Daniel kneeling naked at her feet and had to clear her throat.“That sounds nice.”The words came out choked.

  He came close enough to brush a quick kiss over her lips. “Grab your winter gear, Prentiss.We’re gonna roll.”

  Daniel was in a great mood. His second-in-command had things under control at work. The sky was clear, and the temperature was still hovering above zero, which was downright balmy. Most important, Hallie was by his side.

  He took her to his favorite barbecue restaurant for lunch. Over thick sandwiches dripping in sauce and huge mugs of hot coffee, he fielded more questions about his job.

  Hallie wiped sauce from her mouth and wrinkled her brow. “I still don’t understand your civilian relationship to the post. I thought the army has always had a strong military police.”

  “They have and they do, but with current deployments in two wars, Iraq and Afghanistan, manpower is stretched thin. Civilian employees like us, and even private contractors, remove some of that burden.We still have some MPs on our duty rotation. They do shifts for us here and there while they’re training for their next assignment.Those guys ship out all the time. Our crew is the constant that keeps things running.”r />
  “And why were you at the school the other day? What’s the connection there?”

  “My department is in charge of the D.A.R.E. program.”

  “Drug awareness?”

  “Yeah. I got to know a lot of the students and teachers while running programs at the schools in the Fairbanks district, so the elementary principal invited me to be Santa.”

  “But you had to stay in costume or one of the kids might have recognized you.”

  “Exactly.”

  Her face got a funny look on it, like she had swallowed bad meat. “So how long will you stay in Alaska?”

  He debated his words carefully.Was his answer going to be the death knell for any possible relationship with Hallie? He drummed his fingers on the table and sighed. “I like it here. The job is interesting and challenging, and even though I’m not active military any longer, I feel like I’m serving my country. I came here for a lark, for a change of pace, but I’ve decided I like Alaska and Fort Wainwright. And this work is a good fit for me. I’m happy.”

  “I see.”

  He couldn’t tell from her face what she was thinking.

  She sipped her coffee delicately and put down the clunky mug. “Is it dangerous?”

  “My job? It can be ... at times ... but not often.”

  “This is only your first winter—right? How do you deal with it? The cold and the dark? And knowing you’ll have to do it all over again next winter?”

  He leaned back in his chair, weighing his answer. “You need to see Alaska in the spring, summer, and fall.There isn’t a more beautiful place on earth.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yeah. I got that. From the rental-car guy to the grocery-store clerk to one of the Denman men who has traveled in Alaska extensively.They tell me that August and early September are so amazing that I would never want to leave.”

  “And you don’t believe them?”

  “I do, I guess. I’ve seen pictures, after all. But I’m not sure it makes up for a long run of dark days and nights when it can get down to forty below ... or worse.”