Any Given Snow Day

by Marie Harte

Deacon teased, “Probably because you’ve been busy staring at Becca.”

  “No kidding.” Nora took Deacon by the arm, which must have surprised him, because he seemed to tense. “Come on, love of my life. Let’s find the kid before he hamstrings himself with a free weight.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible, but okay.” Deacon walked away with Nora, leaving Becca to face Mitch.

  “Forgive my brother. He has a big mouth.”

  “So does Nora.”

  He nodded. She nodded.

  They stared at each other in silence.

  “Can I show you something?” he asked after a moment.

  “Not your etchings.”

  He grinned, and a dimple peeked at her. “Not yet. I was saving that for later.”

  She tucked some loose hair behind her ear, nervous. “Okay.”

  He led her to a room off the pool, a small conservatory filled with blooms. The twenty-by-twenty foot room had been encased in thick glass, stonework, and drywall where it joined the main house. Sleet filmed the glass roof and outer walls. But the many pots of flowers boasted rich black dirt and overflowed with colorful flowers of all kinds.

  In the middle of the room, a tan couch, standing overhead lamp, and coffee table sat atop a patterned area rug. On the coffee table, someone had been reading about the Civil War. It was a perfect area to indulge in a good book, surrounded by green and growing things.

  “Oh, wow.”

  “Yeah. This is way cool. Unfortunately, I don’t know a lot about flowers. I guess I can learn though, right?”

  She stared at a nearby wealth of sweet-smelling red roses and inhaled. Closing her eyes, she took in the scent of past summer and earth and sighed. “This is amazing.”

  When she opened her eyes, Mitch stood close. She had to look up to meet his gaze.

  “Can I tell you something?”

  She nodded, unable to speak, her heart thundering.

  “I’ve pictured you here, in front of me. And then I’ve imagined doing this.” He leaned down slowly, giving her all the time in the world to move.

  But frozen in place, she could do no more than reach up to urge him closer.

  She brushed the hair on the back of his neck and drew him down to her, pleased at his swift intake of breath.

  Then his lips met hers, and sensation bombarded her.

  Mitch started out gentle, exploring, and let her lead. She moved her hands from his neck to his broad shoulders and felt his hands at her waist.

  The kiss changed, and her entire body went boneless. Her legs grew rubbery, her breasts aching, and the place between her legs seemed to take on a hunger all its own.

  So turned on she feared she’d combust, she wanted to pull back but found herself clutching him tighter. His chest brushed hers, and she gasped into his mouth.

  And that’s when Mitch took over.

  His tongue slid inside her mouth, darting deeper to stroke hers. He moaned, or she moaned, and then the kiss became a ravaging need to—

  “Mom!”

  Simon’s call from the other room froze them both.

  “Damn.” Mitch leaned his head against her shoulder, breathing hard. “Just…fuck.”

  She felt the same. Still fogged with desire, confused, and overstimulated from a few simple kisses. Nothing made sense.

  “Hey, Becca,” Nora yelled. “Where are you?”

  “She can’t have gotten lost,” she heard Deacon say with amusement. “Not with my capable brother to show her around.”

  “I’ll be right there,” Becca managed and hoped she sounded sure, not shaky. Her hands remained firm on Mitch’s shoulders, her breath brushing his chest. The scent of his cologne mingled with the roses, and she smiled. “You smell good.”

  He groaned again. “So do you.” He lifted his head and took a step back, forcing them to release their hold on each other. “I’m not sorry about the kiss.” He announced, almost confrontational.

  “Neither am I.” To her surprise, she wasn’t.

  He seemed to relax. “Good. I’ve been wanting to do that forever.” Then he let out a breath. “So, uh, why don’t you go out and show them I haven’t buried your body on the grounds.”

  She laughed, feeling amazing. “Sure. Aren’t you coming?”

  He glanced down at himself, and she saw his problem. Even through his jeans she made out a very impressive erection. “At some point, probably.”

  When she caught his meaning, her cheeks heated.

  He laughed. “Sorry. That was crude. I’ll be out in a minute. Go away, would you? You’re making this…hard.” She hurried to leave, but as she got to the door, he said, “Becca? We’ll get back to us later. Don’t even think of pretending this didn’t happen.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do, Mitch Flashman.” Hmm. Maybe I should stick out my tongue at him and sound even more childish. She wanted to smack herself. “And you’re darned right we’ll get back to this.”

  “Good.”

  “Fine.”

  “Mom!” Simon again.

  “I’m coming,” she yelled, annoyed. But as she rejoined the others, she realized fear of what Mitch might mean to her hadn’t made a dent in her desire for the man. Perhaps Nora had the right of it. It was time for Becca to stop worrying over being attracted to someone like Mitch. She could handle a flirtation that might turn into something more. Couldn’t she?

  “Where were you?” Simon asked. He didn’t look suspicious, just curious.

  Praying she sounded calm, Becca smiled. “Mitch was showing me his roses.”

  “He has flowers?” Simon put a lot of disdain into his question.

  Nora nudged him. “Hey. Girls like flowers. Don’t knock it.”

  Deacon nodded. “She’s right. Though don’t credit my brother with the roses. The previous owners had a thing for gardening, and the wife wanted to be surrounded by flowers all year round. Unfortunately, Mitch has never had a green thumb in his life. We’re taking bets on how long before the poor things die.”

  “Liar.” Mitch stuck his head out the door. “Come on, guys. I’ll show you.”

  They looked around the small conservatory, and even Nora seemed impressed.

  “So, girls like flowers. It’s not just a stereotype?” Simon asked…Mitch.

  Why did the boy look to Mitch for answers about women? Becca happened to be a woman. So was Nora.

  She met Nora’s amused gaze. “We could have told you that.”

  “Um, yeah. Most women do,” Mitch answered. He gave her a look she couldn’t decipher, but nothing in his eyes gave away the fact he’d had his tongue down her throat moments ago. “Do you like flowers?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “And you?” Deacon asked Nora.

  She nodded. “Who doesn’t?”

  “But what kind?” Deacon continued. “Not every woman likes the same kind of flowers. And sometimes, if you get them, it’s a sign you did something wrong.”

  “Not true,” Nora argued. “Sometimes it’s just a man trying to be romantic.”

  Deacon snorted. “Yeah, right. You see a guy getting flowers, ten to one he’s apologizing for something he’s been told he’s done wrong.”

  Nora glared. “Maybe if he would get her flowers for no reason, then it wouldn’t have to be an apology. Men are so dense, sometimes.”

  “And women aren’t a pain in the ass to please?” He looked as if he meant to say something more, saw the rest of them hanging on his every word, and turned red. “Um, I mean, that’s how some men might react. Not me.”

  Nora rolled her eyes. “Sure, love-buns. We all get that.” Then she latched onto his arm again and dragged him outside. “Now let’s eat. I’m starved.”

  Simon glanced from Becca to Mitch but said nothing. “Me too. What’s for dinner?”

  Mitch slapped him on the back, and they walked out behind Becca. “The question should be, what’s not for dinner? Rumor has it you eat a lot. And we have two more football players at the table. We have foo
d out the ass.” He paused. “Er, it’s a lot.”

  Simon laughed. “Cool. I’d race you to the table, but I forgot how to get back to the kitchen.”

  “Don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I get lost here too.”

  Becca smiled.

  They sat down to eat, and she did her best to ignore the subtle glances Mitch shot her. They spent time at the table eating, the brothers telling stories about each other that she found hilarious. Then they all played a board game that showed the competitive streak in everyone but Becca. Talk about bloodthirsty.

  She’d been doing well keeping her attraction for Mitch to herself. Until they went swimming, and she found herself unable to look past his incredible physique. The man had muscles…everywhere.

  Chapter Eight

  Mitch hadn’t had so much fun in a long time. Dinner had been spectacular. He’d definitely use that caterer again. Deacon had managed to behave himself, mostly. It helped that Nora was as big a competitor as the rest of them, Simon included. Becca, the poor woman, had lost the game without question or care. Simon must have gotten his need to win from his dad.

  But that smile and his sincere kindness was all Becca. Hell, the kid was fun to be around. Mitch didn’t have to pretend or force himself to like the boy. Simon had a wry sense of humor he appreciated. The boy really did remind him of himself at that age.

  Simon had already jumped in the pool, spraying his aunt, who shrieked. Deacon hadn’t blinked in minutes, too busy greedily staring at Nora’s fine figure.

  And Becca…

  “Where’s your mom?” Mitch asked Simon once the boy had come back up for air.

  “Behind you, looking at your butt.” Simon thought himself hilarious and laughed until Nora splashed him with a cannonball, not to be outdone by Deacon, who joined them in the pool.

  When Mitch turned, he saw Becca staring at him. And he stared right back.

  She wore a one-piece swimsuit. Nothing risqué about it, yet he’d never seen anything sexier. That she stared right back at him didn’t help matters. His body, predictably, responded. And his swim trunks didn’t hide much.

  Fuck.

  With his back to the others, at least Becca would be the only one aware of his condition.

  He could either jump into the pool before the others noticed, or—

  “Mitch, can you show me where the bathroom is again?” She wouldn’t look below his chest, which seemed to have fascinated her.

  Mitch liked to think he was remarkable, but beyond some muscles and height, he had an average enough body honed from working out. Some chest hair, not too much, but he was a guy and didn’t believe in shaving to look model-buff.

  He nodded to the area back from which she’d come. “I’ll show you.”

  Behind them, he heard Simon shriek, Deacon laugh, and Nora say something mean. They’d keep while he helped Becca.

  Consigning his dick to hell and wishing he had more control over himself, he geared up to apologize when Becca grabbed him by the hand and started hurrying.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Where’s your bedroom?” They hadn’t seen that on the tour; he’d just pointed to it.

  “Down there.”

  “Do you have condoms?”

  He stumbled after her, but recognizing where this might be going—praying, hoping, promising his soul to whomever might overhear—he hurried with her.

  They entered his bedroom, and he moved to his nightstand. Grabbing a condom, he showed her. “This what you wanted?”

  “Put it on.”

  He could only gape as she closed and locked the door behind her, then stripped down to nothing.

  His voice cracked. “Becca?”

  “We don’t have a lot of time.”

  She had the most beautiful breasts he’d ever seen. Full, with rosy-colored areolas, the nipples like ripe berries. Her belly was trim and softly rounded, her legs long and toned. He wanted to kiss her all over. To drape her legs over his shoulders and feast for days.

  “Mitch, are we doing to do this or not?” She didn’t look at all embarrassed as she stood nude, waiting for him.

  “Sorry.” He cleared his throat and dropped his trunks, displaying a huge hard-on. “I wasn’t expecting this.”

  “I wasn’t either.” She stared wide-eyed at his cock. “You’re…big.”

  They didn’t talk anymore. He rolled the rubber on, and she moved to lie on the bed. There was no finessing, no seducing. He’d never been more aroused, and she opened for him without having to be asked.

  In the middle of his bed, he nudged her thighs wider. Becca yanked him down for a kiss that devoured his control, and he shoved himself inside her without checking if she’d been ready.

  Such a dick move…except he slid through until he was balls-deep. She locked her ankles around him and nipped his earlobe. “More.”

  And he let go. He pounded into her, fucking with an animalistic need to come. She met him thrust for thrust. Despite his desire, he had no intention of coming without her. He reached between them and rubbed her clit. In seconds she went off with a breathy cry that pulled him with her.

  He shoved one final time and exploded into the condom, unable to stop pumping as she milked him of every damn thought in his head.

  After a moment, he came back to Earth to feel her sliding soft hands over his shoulders, his chest, his neck.

  She turned his face to hers and kissed him.

  He kissed her back, wanting to fuck her all over again. Talk about addicting.

  Until she whispered, “We should get back.”

  That he’d forgotten he’d left the others in the pool, that her son and cousin and his own brother awaited them, should have shocked the hell out of him. Instead he wondered how to get her alone again and repeat the experience.

  “Um, yeah.” He slowly withdrew from her, already missing her warmth. “Becca, I…”

  He didn’t know what to say to make this less awkward.

  Except this new Becca didn’t seem to have a problem with any of it. She smiled at him. “Thanks. That was amazing.”

  “It was,” he croaked, naked, his dick semi-erect and still gloved in the rubber. He watched her disappear into his bathroom, then return a moment later, dressed in her suit.

  She reached for the door. “I’ll tell them you had to get the phone.”

  He nodded. She left, and he lay on the bed and stared down at himself, wondering if he’d dreamed the whole thing. But no, he had a spent condom and the scent of Becca Bragg to keep him warm.

  Good Christ. He’d just been fucked by a beautiful, mouthy, single mother—Becca Bragg. The implications were staggering. Things could grow awkward between him and Becca. His brother might suffer the consequences if word got out. Mitch had screwed one of the player’s moms. Hell, he might have unintentionally harmed Simon by this dumb move.

  But Mitch kept coming back to one question—when could they do it again?

  ******

  Becca spent the next two days in a kind of fog. She’d pretended nothing had happened, and she must have done a great job of it because neither Simon nor Nora had given her any grief over the evening. In fact, they’d both exclaimed what a good time they’d had and wanted to do it again sometime.

  Simon seemed half in love with Mitch. Nora actually appreciated Becca introducing her to Deacon, despite not exactly connecting with the man as anything other than a friend. She’d said something about steering clear of a man with trust issues. And Mitch, for all that he’d been buried inside her for a few glorious minutes, acted as if he’d never seen her naked.

  Which should have bothered her, except he’d acted exactly as she’d wanted, hadn’t he?

  By Wednesday evening, she’d worked herself into a knot of annoyance. She couldn’t stop obsessing over the blasted man, and he, obviously, hadn’t given her a passing thought.

  She knew she’d surprised Mitch by getting naked in his bedroom. His shock might have been funny if she hadn’t been in the g
rip of extreme desire. And holy cow, he’d rocked her world. A serious end to her sexual dry spell. Had he not looked so spectacular in nothing but a pair of swim trunks, she might not have been so brazen. But when he’d stared at her and grown aroused?

  She hadn’t thought. She’d acted. And wowza, had she been richly rewarded.

  They hadn’t seen each since Saturday night. It was going on four days, now. He hadn’t texted or called or mentioned her to Simon either. She’s subtly asked her son, and Mitch had been nothing but Simon’s enthusiastic football coach.

  Apparently one time had been all Mitch wanted.

  The bastard.

  And yet…she hadn’t exactly reached out to him either. Maybe he thought she’d just used him for sex? Which she had…kind of. That bone-deep hunger had been assuaged for a bit. Unfortunately, now Becca thought about Mitch all the time. And not just about that glorious body. She wondered if he’d been tending to his roses. If he wandered about, lonely, in his monstrosity of a house. If he had any other women over to test out that firm mattress.

  That bothered her, the thought of him and other women. It shouldn’t. She hadn’t done more than thank him for an orgasm. But still. She didn’t like the thought of him with anyone else. As if any other woman should be responsible for that cute dimple that appeared on his left cheek sometimes…

  “Hey, Becca, you busy?”

  She yelped and jumped three feet in the air.

  Her assistant, Ruth, laughed. “That’s a no, then. I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving. Oh, and two messages for you. Simon is staying over at Landon’s tonight. They’re going to study for a test, and it’s a hard one.”

  Since Landon and Simon had often studied together and achieved high marks, she had no problem with that. “Thanks. The other message?”

  “You have a visitor.” Ruth lowered her voice. “And he’s hot.”

  Becca knew without question who awaited her. She did her best to show no reaction except mild curiosity. “Okay. Send him back, would you?”

  “Sure. And I’ll lock up as I leave.” Ruth winked at her.

  Becca crossed her eyes at the young woman, who hooted with laughter as she left. But the man who entered the kitchen was not the one Becca expected.