"You never come without a purpose. What do you need?"
"I need you to double with me for Christmas."
Conall crossed his arms and waited for Kane to continue, not liking this a single bit. Kane held his gaze until he eventually ran his hand over his shorn head.
"There is a girl—"
"Of course there is," Conall retorted. His brother glared at him and he shrugged. "Continue."
"Like I said, there's this girl I have the hots for. I wanted her to come spend some time with me over the holidays, but she said she wouldn't leave her younger sister alone for the duration. So she needs a date so she doesn't feel left out and like a third wheel."
"Sorry, I won't be home this year either."
"What? Where are you going?"
"Same place I did last year. The Village Resort in Starview."
"Seriously?"
Conall nodded, having made up his mind the moment he spat it out. He was going back. Not sure why, but there it was.
"Yes."
Hoping that would be the end of it was a futile waste of time and he knew that the second Kane sat down in his living room. He rolled his eyes and went to change into something else to wear to work in. Barefoot, he strode back downstairs and found his sibling still lounging there, waiting.
"Is that all?" Conall asked, sitting back on the bench and putting on fresh socks before sliding his feet back in the work boots.
"Why are you trying to get rid of me?"
"I have work to do, Kane. I'm in a shitty mood and really don't have it in me to be nice right now."
"I can deal with that. What are we working on?" Kane got up, grabbed two beers from the fridge, and tossed him one.
With a sigh, Conall popped the top and led the way out to the back where he had been working on finishing the porch. He knew his brother loved him and the feeling was returned, but right now he wasn't in the mood for idle chitchat. Thankfully, Kane also knew when to shut his trap. The brothers worked side by side for a few hours until they were both sweaty and tired.
Back inside, Conall showered in his room while Kane made use of the one downstairs. Wearing naught but a pair of well-worn jeans, he made his way back downstairs to find his brother heating up the grill. Steaks were on the counter.
"So who's the broad who's put you in such a foul mood?" The question rolled in from the porch they'd just worked on.
Conall snarled slightly before sticking his head in the fridge and withdrawing two more beers. "What makes you think it's a broad?"
"Because you're my younger brother and I know the signs."
"What signs?"
"The permanent scowl, foul language, huge-ass chip on your shoulder.Those signs."
He sighed and rolled his shoulders. "You wouldn’t understand."
By the meat, his brother was again at his side. "Why would you assume that?"
"Because I've never seen you with the same woman twice. From what I can tell, you're just fine flitting from woman to woman."
Kane nodded and drank. "It would seem that way." He ripped off the paper covering the thick steaks. "Do you remember Melissa Shiner?"
Conall thought about it as he reached for the steak rub. "I think so. Redhead, tall, with big breasts?"
His brother laughed. "Yes, that was her. Do you know why I continued to see her, even though she was not the brightest?"
"Or the nicest."
"True. But I dated her for five more months."
"I remember. So why?"
"Because I got to see her employee's big sister. I timed my visits to when I knew she would be there."
"Her employee's big sister.Really? You went out with a shrewish bitch for that?"
"Yes." The response came without delay. "Even now I can't think of her without smiling and wishing I'd taken more time to get to know her. Hell, know her just a little bit."
Conall tried to imagine what that was like. "I don't know the employee or the sister, but I'm assuming she is your typical type. Curvy with definite…um…attributes."
"Couldn't really tell you." Kane shrugged. "She always wore baggy clothing and never tried to bring attention to herself. Still didn't stop the feeling I had for her. My point to all that being, I know when someone is pining over a woman. So spill."
Conall seasoned the steaks and walked with them out to the grill, his brother following. As they cooked, he told Kane all about the enigmatic Sage Addison. By the end of the evening, he had Kane's encouragement in doing what he could to find her. For a brief moment, Conall was tempted to use his brother's connections in the law enforcement world to see if he could reach her.
Chapter Seven
Starview, Colorado
The Village Resort
Sage climbed from the taxi and paid the driver. It was a few days before Christmas, and the resort boasted a good amount of snow on the ground. What the hell am I doing here? She truly had no answer for that. Jason was the one who'd taken her to the airport and pushed her through so she wouldn't back out.
Am I being foolish? Hoping for him to be here and still have feelings for me?
Oh well, foolish or not, she was here now. Might as well make the best of it. She'd not checked her e-mail until the night before coming here, and the amount of e-mails Conall had sent her amazed her. Sure, they’d dwindled off, but to be fair, she'd not answered any of them either.
"Ma'am?"
She blinked and found the porter staring at her. "Sorry, I guess I was just woolgathering."
"No problem."
With a smile she followed him in and to the front desk to check in. They'd put her in a different room than last time, but she loved it just the same. She put away her things as she shook her head over her childish reaction of being on the same floor Conall had been on last year.
She peered out the window and stared up at the mountain. A deep yearning to ski filled her, but she ignored it, called her mother, and headed out to get a bit of window-shopping done before she ate.
The call didn't go the best, and her mood wasn't either; still, she pasted on a smile, determined to have fun. She stopped in a store which carried little knickknacks, and she searched until the perfect one for Jason's mother jumped out at her. Then she found something for him. Purchases boxed up, she took the bag with a grin and began walking back to the resort.
She stopped to eat at a small diner she passed on the way, then completed her journey. Exhausted, she stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for her floor. That night she slept like the dead, and woke refreshed, ready to face the day.
Two days before Christmas, she reminded herself.
Suited up, she grabbed her skis and headed down to catch a ride to the top of the mountain. It was still early and she had a protein bar in her pocket she'd eat on the way up. Grabbing a seat on a far bench, she had just bitten into her bar when she sensed someone standing over her.
Looking up, she almost choked on her protein bar. As it was, it took her several tries to actually manage the act of swallowing the bite in her mouth.
Good Lord, what the hell is he doing here? "Charlie? What are you doing here?"
He gave a grin which, in truth, scared her more than anything. "I came to spend the holiday with you, since you missed the get-together last year."
It's my family's get-together, you bastard. Not yours. "I had plans. How did you find me?"
"Your mom said they were coming to where you were since you wouldn’t come home. She invited me."
It was a damn good thing Sage was already sitting, for her legs would have given out on her. She had no strength left in them. Not to mention she was light-headed and more than a bit nauseous.
"My…my family is here also?"
He nodded. "I believe they arrived last night." He gave her a large grin. "I got in yesterday morning."
Bully for you. Her smile was much more of a grimace. I wonder if I could jump from here and survive? You know what, surviving is highly overrated.
Forcing herself to
breathe calmly, she made a production of adjusting her gloves and hat. "I hope you have a great time, Charlie." Leaning back, she ate the rest of her bar, which suddenly tasted like corrugated cardboard. Could her life suck any more? Not only her ex, but also her family.
Like typical Charlie, he didn't get—or was that take—the hint. Instead of leaving her alone, he sat beside her, way closer than was necessary for the few number of people in the gondola. She tried her best to block out the cloying scent of his cologne; he was a man who felt it best to bathe in it.
As opposed to Conall who only needed a small dab. That small dab was all it took to send her heart into overdrive. Hell, after a year she could still conjure it up as if she’d just smelled it. She kept her eyes shut, deterring conversation as they finished reaching the top. Once there, she swiftly made her way out.
"Sage!"
Praying for patience, she ground her teeth and turned toward the bane of her existence. "What, Charlie?" Christ, was it too much to ask for some privacy and the chance to enjoy her skiing?
"We should ski down together."
Oh right, sure. Right after which she would have all her teeth removed with a pair of pliers right there in the street. Maybe even offer up her kidney and say, "No need to use any anesthesia, just cut me open."
She'd had enough, and she narrowed her eyes at him. "I didn't think you were good enough for the double black diamond runs. Has something changed?"
Yes, she was being deliberately snotty, but damn it all, this was her vacation and nowhere was putting up with Charlie and his shit on the docket.
He frowned at her while scanning around as if he cared if others were listening. She bit back a laugh. He hadn't changed, still caring so much what others thought of him.
"No, you know I can't," he growled low. "You can ski something easier."
She shrugged. "I could, but the double black runs have something the others don't."
"What’s that?"
"You won't be there; they'll be Charlie-less. And to me, that's priceless."
She headed off, ignoring his offended muttering. Yes, she'd pay for that later when he ganged up on her with her family, but right now she didn't give a flying fuck.
Not much later, she flew down the mountain on the run, her body leaning instinctively at the appropriate moments to keep her upright. She streaked along, zipping through the trees, her stress fading away with each zig and zag. A smile had replaced the grimace by the time she reached the bottom. Yep, that was what she needed. A few more, and possibly a night run, would make it almost perfect. One handsome Irishman would help, and the lack of her annoying family would also.
She took another few runs before heading back to her room. A tingle shot up her spine, and she almost tripped over her feet as she gazed around, searching for the source. There. A man walked toward her, his head tipped as he spoke to a staff member, but he paused a short distance before her and lifted his gaze to hers.
Her heart soared. Conall. Dear goodness, he looked so good. His eyes were direct, and she wasn't sure about the anger in them which swirled with the surprise. Her fingers itched to touch him. She wanted to kiss him, smell him, and just be held by him.
"There you are, Sage."
Are you fucking kidding me? Her mother ran up and grabbed her arm; Sage turned and stared at her. There was no possible way she could say what lingered on her tongue to her mother.
"Come on, we have so much catching up to do."
She glanced back to where Conall was…correction: used to be. He was no longer there. Her heart hated that, but her brain, ever pragmatic, reminded her that he was here. At the Village Resort.
"Why are you here, Mother? And why did you bring Charlie?"
"We came because you seem too busy to spend a holiday with your family."
Sage barely refrained from rolling her eyes. There was no point; her mother was the best at overly dramatic antics.
"I just got off the slopes. I would like to change."
"I'll come with." Just like that, Sage knew the choice had been taken from her.
In her room, her mother paced while she showered and changed. Sitting on the chair, tying on her boots, she felt her mother's gaze on her. "What?" she asked.
"Don't you have something less…mannish?"
Mannish. Cheese and crackers, shoot her now. "It's jeans and a sweatshirt, Mother. Perfectly acceptable attire for a ski lodge. I'm not wearing a tight little cocktail dress."
"Nothing wrong with a skirt."
Sage bit back her comment, well aware this was a fight which wouldn't end anytime soon. Her mother despised her clothing.
"Why did you bring Charlie?"
"We want grandchildren, Sage."
"So talk to one of my other siblings." She worked on the other boot, lacing and tightening.
"Don't sass."
She knew she should back off, but she just couldn't. Not this time. Lifting her head, she pinned her mother with her gaze.
"I'm sorry, Mother, but you seem to be under the misconception that Charlie will be in my life. I broke up with him for a reason. He's violent, and I don't want to be around him. You want to know why I came here instead of going home where y'all are? I'll tell you. Because I'm sick and tired of the crocodile tears and not-so-subtle remarks about my lack of a man or children."
Her mother gasped and tried to talk.
"No, you listen." She shoved her hair away from her face. "I'm my own person. I'll never be a Barbie like Opal is, who loves to shop with you and wants a man who will buy her a big house and lots of things. I don't need all that, never mind the fact I actually make good money. Charlie will never be in my happily-ever-after, and if y'all keep on the way you are, I won't be home again. I don't like being manipulated or set up. I don't get a lot of time off, and I want to be somewhere that I am not constantly having my decisions dissected and questioned."
Shoving to her feet, Sage jerked her head to the door. Mute, her mother followed her directive.
"I love you, Mother, but this has to stop. Really, it does." She pulled the door shut behind her. "I am going to get something to eat. I'll swing by to see Papa later." That said, she walked off down the hall, only to run smack into someone else.
"Sorry," the person said, his hands holding her up.
She began to reply, only to find her words lodged in her throat. It wasn't just a random man who held her. No, of course not. This was Conall.
* * * *
Conall wasn't sure what to think, much less say, when he realized who was in his arms. Hell, he still hadn't gotten over seeing her briefly downstairs when that woman had come up to talk to her. The expression on Sage's face told him she had no wish to see said woman.
She watched him now, her eyes full of wonderment. Swallowing hard, he released her and raked a hand through his hair. Lord, he wanted to kiss her. Strip her clothes off and relearn all the pleasures he'd experienced in her arms.
"Sage." Her name fell on a whisper.
She licked her lips, the innocent action sending a shot of lust through him straight to his cock. "Hello, Conall."
All those unanswered e-mails and months of not knowing flooded back to him and he scowled.
"Hello, Conall? That's what you have to say to me after all this time? Do you have any idea what I went through trying to reach you? E-mails bouncing back, not a single person who would help me out and give me your location." He took several deep breaths and shook his head. "You know what, never mind. I get it. Nothing but a fling. How foolish was I for thinking it could have been more. So much more. Sorry for bothering you. Won't happen again."
He stomped away, skipping the elevators and taking the stairs. Anger flooded him and he began to shake with the extent of it.
"You okay?"
Conall turned his head and found Steve watching him with concern in his eyes. Conall didn't respond, just shook his head.
"Come on."
He followed his friend outside into the night. The chill of winter
went through his sweatshirt and he shivered. Leaning against a lamppost, he shoved his hands in his pockets. Steve didn't say a word, just stood there with him.
Smack. A coat hit him, and he grabbed it before it fell to the ground. He found Travis and Ben there as well. Putting on the jacket, he immediately felt warmer.
Steve asked the question Conall knew they were all wondering about. "What gives?"
"Sage is here."
All three of them raised their brows.
"What are you doing here, then?” Travis this time. “If she’s here shouldn't you be with her?"
"Why? She obviously didn't want to be with me."
"Seriously?" Ben rolled his eyes. "This coming from the man who was having temper tantrums because he couldn't reach her? Now that she is within touching distance of you, you're pretending you don't give a damn? What the hell is up with that?"
"They weren't tantrums."
"The hell they weren't. You were acting like a little kid who's had his toy taken away."
Conall couldn't argue, for they were exactly right. He had acted exactly like that, worse even. He readjusted his ball cap and crossed his arms. "I'm furious, and I'm thrilled to see her. What the fuck do I do now?"
Lewd suggestions flowed from their mouths, but he just shook it off. Conall loved his friends and knew what fun it was to pick on each other, so he let it go.
"What do you want to do?" Travis asked.
More of those bawdy comments and proposals flew forth. At least they were out of the main traffic artery so they weren't bothering anyone. Conall rolled his shoulders and looked at his friends. Better ones he couldn't find, even if he scoured the earth for them. But right now, he needed good advice, not…what they were giving him.
"You have some nerve!" a woman hissed.
Whirling around, his breath caught at the sight of Sage storming in his direction. Lord have mercy, she was gorgeous when she was worked up into a snit. She'd dragged most of her black hair with those sexy dark gold highlights into a high ponytail. A few strands hung around her face. She wore medium blue jeans, which looked well worn, combined with a black sweatshirt bearing the logo for the University of Georgia on the left breast. He'd never met a woman who could make comfy so damn hot.
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