Wonderland

by Bridget Midway

  Her smile heated his blood. "Gentlemen are nice and all of that, but this is no time for that. I have less than a week left."

  He swiped his thumb along her lower lip, marveling at the softness of it. "Consider me notified." Another pass with his thumb. "And allow me to rectify one more thing."

  Conall touched his lips to hers, keeping the contact light. Moving, he applied gentle pressure until she opened beneath him. He slid his tongue in her mouth and moaned at the contact of her tongue stroking against his.

  Her taste exploded across his taste buds. She was a mix of spice and fire and it tore through him, rapidly tearing down his control. Her body curved tighter into him, and he dropped his hands to rest along the small of her back and on the swell of her ass.

  He tried to take his time, but it wasn't easy. With a growl, he dipped, searched, and explored all he could of her mouth. He played the aggressor and loved how she followed. Her hunger was palpable. His skin heated as he envisioned stripping her bare and kissing her all over. Finally, the chatter around him reminded him they were not alone.

  Reluctantly, he ended the kiss. Sage had her hands clutched in his shirt on his chest. Conall drew back and stared down at her. Her lips were shiny from his kiss, slightly swollen, and parted. Her eyes swirled with passion and desire.

  "Just to clear that up," he rasped, willing his cock to settle down and stop trying to punch free. "I'm extremely attracted to you."

  Her breaths came short and fast as she nodded. "Feeling's mutual."

  "God, I want to kiss you again." He licked his lips, searching for any remnant of her addictive taste. "Let's get some breakfast."

  "Food." She nodded. "Good idea."

  He slipped his arm around her waist and guided her into the restaurant and to a table. As they moved, Ben caught his gaze and sent him a wink with a smile. Conall held her chair for her and brushed another kiss along the side of her neck as he seated her at the table. Her shiver made him grin.

  "What do you want to do today?" he asked once they'd placed their orders.

  "The dog sledding looks interesting to me for today, then the snowshoeing. What about you?"

  It took a great deal of willpower not to say what was on the very tip of his tongue. He nodded as he thought about the things offered to them that were part of the singles package.

  "The spa?" He laughed at her expression. "Sorry," he said, holding up his hand. "It's just that, wow, you looked like I just kicked your puppy."

  She ducked her head as a blush heated her cheeks. He liked the look on her; anyone who said black people couldn't blush didn't know what they were talking about.

  "Look," she said, meeting his gaze again. "Have fun at the spa, but that's never been my kind of thing."

  "No massages for you?"

  Her eyes darkened. "Not at a spa. I'd be more than happy to get one," she paused, "or give one."

  His cock pulsed again and he fought the urge to shift on the chair. "What about the trip in the aerial cable car?"

  "That does sound interesting."

  "Honestly, I was going to say snowshoeing. I'd like to be outdoors as much as I can myself. That and snowmobiling."

  She thanked the server who set their plates down before refocusing on him. "Christmas Eve isn't that far away, so let's see how much we can get done before then."

  "You're leaving when?"

  "Day after Christmas. I have to get back so some of the others can get some time off."

  He didn't want her to go. Instead of saying anything, he nodded and poured syrup over his pancakes. Lifting his gaze, he watched her curl her lip at the butter, which had come on the side with her pancake order, and set it aside. That distaste vanished the second she dipped her finger in the whipped cream on her hot cocoa and licked it off.

  A groan threatened to escape as he thought about her lips stretched over his cock, thrust between them. Oh, he wasn't getting up from the table anytime soon. Not with this rod in his pants.

  They kept the conversation light as they ate, talking about their families and life where they each lived. He didn't know anyone in Georgia other than Sage, and in the back of his mind wondered how he'd find a way to visit her. Their time together wasn't even over yet and he was already trying to figure out how to get it to continue.

  Two hours later, they were getting lessons on how to harness and handle the dogs. Personally, he would have been fine with just getting the ride, but Sage had wanted to learn. So she was; he was more observing her than anything. Arms crossed, he watched her as she spoke with the musher.

  Conall was figuring her out. She threw herself wholeheartedly into what she did. He had no doubt she was an excellent ranger and guide. He'd follow her anywhere. Right now, however, he wanted nothing more than to pick her up and carry her to either of their rooms. Her skin bore a flush from the cold, and yet she looked perfectly content.

  Thinking of her reaction when he’d mentioned the spa, he realized he couldn't see her there. She wasn't one who liked to sit back; she was hands-on. Her smile made her face shine brilliantly, and he could feel her excitement for this. It fed his own excitement. The musher was a good-looking man, and yet he didn't experience jealousy with the two of them so close together. He noticed the difference when she looked at that man versus when she stole a peek at him. Almost had Conall puffing out his chest, but he controlled himself.

  Not too much later, and they were out on the trails. They were side by side in their respective sleds.

  "What do you think?" he called out over the yipping and barking of the dogs.

  "I think I've found a new sport." She grinned at him.

  God, she was beautiful. She positively glowed. The lurch of his heart caught him unexpectedly and startled him. So much so, he focused forward for a moment. When had this gone from unattached fling to something more?

  Chapter Three

  Sage rolled her shoulders as she sat on the idling machine. After returning from dog sledding, they'd grabbed some lunch then headed back out to do some snowmobiling. She looked up at the clouds and knew they were in for more snow soon. Readjusting her 180s to keep her ears warm, she rubbed her lips together checking the amount of balm that remained, ensuring she didn't need more. An instinctive move, for sure, but this time she was thinking she didn't want chapped lips when she kissed Conall again. That wasn't a typical thought. Just a very nice one.

  She glanced over her shoulder and watched as Conall approached, sitting with ease on the snowmobile as it raced over the snow. Her belly clenched all over again as she recalled the kiss he'd laid on her this morning.

  Dear Lord, he knew what he was doing in the seduction department. She wanted to get him back to a room and just follow her primitive need, one this man had awakened with a vengeance. This had to be her strangest "fling" ever. She'd known him for over a week, was highly attracted to him, and had yet to do more than share one kiss. Well, on the physical side, at least. They’d done a lot of things together, and she truly liked him as a person.

  He halted beside her, his gaze full of mischief. "You okay?"

  She nodded. "I was just waiting on you. I have something I want to go see."

  His grin made her almost say fuck it and turn around to head back. Ignoring her throbbing clit and overly sensitive breasts, she pointed in the direction she wanted to go and headed off. Soon she stopped and shut off the motor. He followed suit.

  "Where are we going?"

  "We're here. Come on." They got off the snowmobiles and she led the way through a few more trees, then halted. Beside her, Conall let out a low whistle. She agreed. Before them stood a large herd of elk. They moved slowly through the deep snow, foraging for anything to eat.

  "How'd you know they were here?" he whispered in her ear as he stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and tugging her back to lean against him.

  "Saw the signs earlier. Not exactly something we have where I'm at. Deer, yes, herd of elk like this, no."

  "Will they make it?
"

  She nodded. "I believe so. If the winter gets really severe, my guess is they'd air-drop in hay for them to eat. We've done that for deer." Turning in his embrace, she slipped her arms about his waist and stared up at him. The look in his eyes had her knees trembling. She licked her lips, and Conall groaned.

  "You are killing me here, Sage."

  He swooped in and kissed her. Hungrily. Possessively. Amazingly.

  She melted into him on a moan of surrender. His was a taste she could easily get addicted to. Hell, she already was. Her core temperature skyrocketed as his tongue plundered her mouth. Needing to be closer, she wrapped her arms around his neck. His strong arms banded about her, pressing her flush against him.

  Her nipples tightened, and her slit was wet, desperate for him to be inside her. Back and forth their tongues dueled and danced with one another, mimicking the actual act of sex. His hands clenched her snow outfit, and she wanted to feel him with nothing between them but skin.

  Conall drew back and stared down at her. His pale green eyes had darkened with passion and she could see flecks of gold in them. Damn, he was gorgeous. His thick, slashing black lashes gave him even more of a sensual and hooded appearance. It was also incredibly intense.

  "Wow," she muttered, slowly lowering her arms.

  "You called it." He rested his forehead on hers and they stood there for a moment, struggling to regain their breath. "Just so you know, Sage Addison, I'm seconds away from laying you down on this snow and making love to you."

  "I think we should go, then." The passion cooled in his eyes, and he began to back up. She grabbed the sides of his jacket, anchoring him there. "Because I don't want frostbite."

  The left side of his mouth quirked. "Let's get to it then."

  Conall and Sage jogged back to the machines and quickly started them up, heading back to the resort. Her body continued to hum as the snowmobile shot across the pristine wilderness. They made it back in record time, yet it felt way too long.

  As they entered the lobby, he took her hand and spun her toward him. She blinked up at him, waiting for whatever he had to say.

  "Whose room?"

  "Yours is fine by me, unless you're sharing with someone."

  "Nope, we all got our own rooms." He began walking again. "Mine is fine."

  She couldn't have agreed more. His was definitely fine. Moreover, she couldn't wait to see the rest of him. In the elevator, he stripped off his coat and gloves. She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her cheek against his sweater-covered chest.

  It wasn't fair for a man to smell so good. Truly, it wasn't. The elevator doors slid open, and he ran two knuckles down her cheek before guiding her out. At his side but no longer touching him, they walked to a room. She briefly noticed it was quite similar to her own room. However, that focus didn't last long. He was kissing her the moment he released the door.

  The simmering heat between them exploded in a breath. Clothes were torn off, boots kicked across the room. It didn't take long and yet seemed too long before they finally pressed against one another, naked.

  Christ, he was hot. Hard, muscled, and hot. Their lips meshed as he moved them back. She ran her hands through his hair, keeping him close. They stumbled over the mattress and fell onto the bed. His erection, long and thick, pressed into her. Her body responded. His chest hair brushed against her nipples, sending points of pleasure cascading through her.

  He levered up over her and stared into her eyes. In his eyes, she could see her own hunger mirrored. One callused hand cupped a breast and she gasped at the wonderful friction his skin created against her own. He touched her nipple and rolled it as she wriggled beneath him. His heated breath covered the turgid tip seconds before he took it in his mouth.

  Her scream echoed through the room, followed by a gasp of raw pleasure when he sank inside her with one smooth stroke.

  "Conall!"

  Her nipple vibrated when he hummed his response. She shuddered as her orgasm washed over her. He stretched her so full, her body was almost on overload. She closed her eyes and gave in to the waves of pleasure which poured through her.

  His mouth left her breast, and she opened her lips when he nibbled on them.

  "Look at me." His order was firm, yet spoken softly.

  It took some doing, but she managed to drag her lids up to find his pale green gaze waiting for her. Passion swirled in his eyes and she almost shuddered from the force of it.

  "You're so tight, baby. I want to come inside you right now. Give me a second, and I'll move."

  Words escaped her, so she nodded. He moved his hands up and sank them into her hair on either side of her head. His warm breath fanned her face and she wanted to melt. He placed small, nibbling kisses all along her lips before actually capturing her mouth in a soul-searing kiss.

  She arched into him as his tongue slid past her lips. Simultaneously, he began to move his hips, stroking her with his thick cock. Goose bumps exploded all over her. Shit! She'd not expected it to be like this, hyperaware and extremely sensitive to every move he made.

  Back and forth, starting slowly, he built up the need until all she could do was hold on for the ride. Up and up he'd send her, only to hold off and not let her spill free, then he'd begin the build-up again. She felt him everywhere.

  She lost track of time. All she knew were the feelings coursing through her, uncharted and scary, yet so worth it. He released one hand from her hair and settled it upon her hip, encouraging her higher. They broke apart from the kiss and held each other's gaze.

  Hooking her legs around his waist, she purred as he found new depths inside her. They didn’t talk, but she didn't need him to fill her head with words. This was what she needed. His touch conveyed more than any words could. His clenched jaw, combined with the beads of sweat on his face, told her how much he strived to remain in control. Right then, she didn't want control. She wanted all he was willing to give her.

  With one hand, she reached up and dragged her short nails along the back of his head, even as she tugged him closer. Latching onto his firm lips, she kissed him again as she tightened her internal muscles.

  His deep-throated groan was like a lover's caress. Faster he thrust, harder he drove, until she came apart with a cry of release, back bowing with the intense pleasure. He drove into her a few more times before he echoed her cry with one of his own. His release filled her and she came again.

  Heart thundering, she held him close, burying her face in the side of his neck, inhaling the potent combination of man, sweat, and sex. He lowered his large body on hers, pressing her further into the mattress. She liked him over her like this. When he tried to move away, she tightened her legs, indicating silently she wanted him to remain. He complied.

  For a few moments they remained like that, until he drew back and looked down at her. "I'm too heavy to stay on you like this."

  "No, you're not."

  He gave her another grin, which didn't help her heart slow its pace any. Before she’d recovered from that, he'd rolled them over so she lay completely on him, his cock still deep inside her.

  "This work?"

  She nodded, sighing contentedly when he flipped part of the comforter over her bare backside. Sage kissed his jaw before nuzzling close to his neck and shutting her eyes. She was so comfortable. Warm, toasty, not to mention sexually satisfied.

  "Five minutes," she muttered, before closing her eyes. This was the first time since she'd arrived here at the Village Resort that she'd been so relaxed.

  "No rush, Sage. Stay as long as you want. I very much like having you naked in my arms." His whisper escorted her into slumber.

  * * * *

  Conall knew the moment she fell completely asleep. Lord help him, being with her had been an experience he'd never had before. He'd damn well been ready to tattoo her name over his chest…more specifically, his heart.

  She amazed him. There was a new feeling coursing through him since he'd met her. Yes, they'd on
ly known one another for a short time, but while it may be cliché, he truly felt as if he knew her. He knew about her family, how big it was, their professions, and where they lived. And she knew about his. The only thing he'd not told her was he owned the construction company he worked at. Part of him wanted to tell her, but he still refrained.

  Untangling their limbs, he walked to the bathroom. Once finished in there he made his way back to where she still slept. She lay mostly on her stomach and the blankets had been kicked off. Bending to draw them back over her, he paused.

  A tattoo?

  Obviously, other things had been pressing when they'd torn off their clothes. He'd not noticed the paw prints inked on her skin. It looked as if a feline had walked along her left hip, across the small of her back to her right hip, flowing flawlessly with her body's natural curves.

  She shifted with a moan, and he saw another mark fully emblazoned on her right hip. Intrigued, he trailed the marks and rolled her more to see it clearer.

  Damn. The sight took his breath away. It looked like a big cat had sliced her hip open and had hidden inside the wound. A pair of watchful eyes stared out at him. It wasn't grotesque; it was done incredibly well.

  "Full of surprises," he muttered, tucking the covers over her. He drew on some sweats and sat in a chair watching her sleep. As he waited for her to wake, he went over the possible ramifications of not having used protection.

  He'd not done that before. Never been so drunk on his craving for a woman he forgot to cover up. Raking a hand through his hair, he closed his eyes and groaned.

  "Regretting it already?"

  He jerked and glanced up to find her still lying on her belly but had her head turned toward him, eyes open. Surrounding her was an aura of sexual contentment and he nearly preened smugly, satisfied it was there because of him.

  "Are you?"

  He rose and walked to sit beside her on the bed. Reaching out he drew back the covers, exposing her body to the swell of her ass. He stirred again as his fingers connected with her silken skin.

  She gave a moan and put her arms beneath the pillow supporting her head. Up and down, he ran his touch along her spine. She was so reactive, and her purrs and groans were about to drive him insane.