by Orwig, Sara
Oblivious of her cold legs and high heels, Marilee stomped through the snow, pausing with her hands on her hips to survey the Alaskan scene. They were above the timberline; on the mountainsides below were tall dark green pines The rustic log cottage had a wide roof that sloped down to hang over the porch. Behind the house was a small barn and corral, a garage for the truck, and a toolshed. She raised her head to look at the snowy mountains, the brilliant blue sky overhead. The wind swept up the snow, swirling flakes into the air.
Her shadow was dark over the sparkling snow. She kicked her foot, sending a spray of snow flying. Movement caught her eye and she looked up to see a plume of gray smoke curl out of the chimney.
She walked in a circle, making tracks, waiting for Cole to return.
“Marilee.”
He stood on the porch, his blue eyes squinting in the bright light. He looked so masculine, his hands on his hips as if he owned all he surveyed, he made her heart lurch violently.
“Hey, handsome!” she called. “I’ve got everything now. Snow, a sexy male …”
He took the two porch steps in one leap, strode rapidly along the walk to her, scooped her into his arms, and headed for the house again.
“I thought you’d never come out of there,” she teased.
“I had to get a fire roaring to take the chill off and set the mood.”
“I don’t think you’ll have to be too concerned with chills or mood.”
“Is that so?”
“Yep. You see, I have this craving for your gorgeous body.” His deep blue eyes were so filled with love that she caught her breath. “Oh, Lord, how I love you!” she said huskily, tugging his face down to kiss him.
They kissed for long moments, oblivious to the cold, of anything until Marilee became aware of the layers of clothing that were a barrier. As if he felt the same. Cole raised his head, his smoldering gaze sending her pulse into flight.
His voice was gruff, husky, and sensual. “Honey, I have the same damn craving for you. I can’t wait to see your green eyes darken, to know you need me. …“
She buried her head against his throat and clung to him while he carried her over the threshold into the living area. Braided rugs covered the polished floor and a fire was roaring in the stone hearth.
Cole kicked the door closed behind him and set her on her feet. He slipped his hands over the collar of her coat, peeling the coat away and letting it drop to the floor. “Welcome home, Mrs. Chandler.”
Her heart thudding wildly, she wound her arms around his neck. “Welcome home yourself, Mr. Chandler.”
“Want to see your new home?”
With each word his voice deepened. She looked into his deep blue eyes, then her gaze dropped to his firm jaw sprinkled with dark bristles.
“I need to shave.”
“Hmmm? Not necessarily.” .
“We’ve flown all night. Do you know how long it’s been since I had you to myself? Completely to myself?”
He pulled a pin from the bun on top of her head, then another, and a long lock of auburn hair tumbled over her shoulder.
“You have me now.” It was an effort to keep her eyes open, to talk. She tilted her face upward, wanting his mouth on hers.
“There. Your eyes are a deep green.” As he pulled the remaining pins from her hair, letting auburn curls cascade over her shoulders, she studied each feature of his face, his prominent cheekbones, the thick fringe of curly lashes. His beloved face, hers now and forever.
“Are you going to show me around?”
“Sure.” His lashes lowered over smoldering blue eyes.
He stripped off the white jacket of her suit. Over twelve hours ago in the church dressing room in Wichita, she had changed from her white satin wedding dress to the suit.
He kissed her throat, her lips, brushing her mouth with his as he tugged at the ends of the pale blue silk bow of her blouse. His parka fell beside hers and he shrugged out of his light suit coat and tossed it onto a chair.
With each passing second her heartbeat accelerated. How handsome Cole looked! She was aching with longing for him.
The single button at her waist went, the zipper next, then the skirt was a whisper over her hips.
“Everything’s here, luv,” Cole whispered. “A place for you to type and work on your next textbook, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a bedroom.”
Her fingers twisted his narrow gold belt buckle, slipping it free. She slid her hands over his hard chest to unfasten his tiny shirt buttons while he removed his gold cuff links. The gold band on his finger glittered with his movements.
“I’ll show them to you,” he continued, “but not in that order.”
“I can’t wait. It’s wonderful …” She pushed his shirt off his shoulders as he leaned down to kiss her throat, to trail enticing kisses to her ear, to tease the corner of her mouth with his tongue. “Lord, how I need you,” he murmured. “I couldn’t face coming up here without you. I couldn’t bear another day without you. You don’t know how many nights I stayed awake wanting you. Marilee … my life changed that day by the pool, changed forever, for the better.”
“It’s mutual. Cole.” She closed her eyes, tilting her head back, making her hair swing free behind her head.
Cole’s hand slipped around her waist as he pulled her to him to kiss her. Her mouth opened eagerly as she returned his kisses.
After a few minutes he lifted his head. “I wish I hadn’t had to rush you.”
“Do you now?”
A brief smile flicked across his features. His chest heaved as his eyes devoured her. His voice was raspy. “No more hang-ups?”
She smiled, looking at him beneath lowered lashes as she shook her head. “No, you gave me the cure.”
His laughter was throaty and deep as he swept her into his arms, holding her against his bare chest. “Let’s see how thoroughly cured you are, woman.” He leaned forward to kiss her while he carried her to the rug in front of the roaring fire.
More from Sara Orwig…
THE GOODIE’S CASE
The search for the perfect man ends in a sweet surrender.
Crystal has dedicated her life to caring for her nutty but loving family. She’s determined to bring order and reason into her life, and the next goal on her list is to settle down with an ordinary man. But Pug Moffitt is determined to throw Crystal’s plans off course. The owner of a gourmet food shop where Crystal is reluctantly taking cooking lessons, Pug seduces her with sweet confections, appealing to her sweet tooth, as well as the passions she’s been trying to keep at bay.
OREGON BROWN
Fantasy clashes with reality as a woman’s passions are torn between two impossible options.
Charity Jane Webster spends her evenings listening to the sexy voice of DJ Rory Runyon flowing across the airwaves. Filling her nights with love songs and whispered endearments, he’s the perfect fantasy lover – unlike her distractingly handsome neighbor. Oregon Brown drives Charity crazy, somehow knowing all of her deepest secrets while being impossibly seductive. Charity will have to choose between the voice that haunts her dreams, and the man who can hold her in his arms.
NEW ORLEANS
The start of a sweeping historical trilogy, the search for romance begins as the threat of civil war looms.
As rumblings of succession begin in the south, New Orleans heiress Chantal Theirrie is looking for a husband. Propriety drives her towards Lazare Galliard, the man who has it all, including wealth, power and passion. But Rafferty O’Brien, an Irish immigrant who has come to New Orleans to seek his fortune, has an impossible-to-resist drive and determination to get what he wants, including the beautiful but out of reach Chantal. As a war brews between the states, Chantal will be fighting her own war between what her heart and her mind wants.
MEMPHIS
In the second book of the sweeping historical trilogy, a woman defies expectations to hold onto her land, and her heart.
; Spirited Sophia Merrick is left to run the family farm after her father and brothers go off to fight for the South in the ongoing civil war. Scorning the limitations imposed on her because she’s a woman, Sophia vows to protect her family’s land from invaders. What she doesn’t anticipate are the stirrings of passion dredged up by cavalryman Caleb O’Brien, the immigrant who has vowed to fight for the South just as his forefathers fought to protect Ireland. Her resistance to his charms makes Sophia all the more alluring to Caleb, and he’s just as determined to bring her womanly passion to the surface as he is to protect her from the dangers of war.
ATLANTA
The conclusion to the sweeping historical trilogy, as both the South and its people have been transformed by war, unexpected passions are ignited.
The Northern soldiers ravaged Atlanta during the Civil War. Now as the city attempts to recover, all Claire Dryden has left is the little boy she has adopted and sworn to protect with her life. When the handsome Yankee colonel Fortune O’Brien storms into town, demanding to reclaim the boy he claims is his stolen son, Claire’s vow is put to the test. For she loves the boy more than life itself, but the passion O’Brien ignites in her threatens to weaken her resolve.
Connect with Diversion Books
Connect with us for information on new titles and authors from Diversion Books, free excerpts, special promotions, contests, and more:
@DiversionBooks
www.Facebook.com/DiversionBooks
Diversion Books eNewsletter
www.scribd.com/DiversionBooks