by Jill Sanders
She walked into the next room and glared at the clothes hanging up neatly in the closet. Mulberry silk scarfs, charmeuse silk shirts, cashmere sweaters that wouldn’t warm her for more than a second in the frigid wind.
Her red-soled heels sat on the top rack in the closet, all lined up and looking so very pretty. Why had she brought six pairs of worthless shoes to this snowy hellhole? None of which she would even think about wearing on one of the sunniest days in Haven.
She knew she had a dozen more of them in her massive closet back in the city. And not just shoes. Clothes, bags, and furniture. She’d spent thousands and thousands of dollars to fill a void.
Slamming the closet door, she walked over and pulled out a pair of yoga pants she’d paid almost a hundred dollars for. Throwing on the matching top, she pulled on a thick pair of socks she’d bought at Granger’s and sighed with the warmth.
She moved to the small kitchen area and made herself a cup of the hot cocoa the hotel supplied for all its guests.
Blowing the steam from it, she walked over to the large window and watched the fresh snow fall. Even here, in the smallest and oldest hotel she’d ever seen, watching the snow swirl and drift over the tiny parking lot was so peaceful, she felt herself settle.
She stood there, looking out at the fluffy white flakes dance until the sky darkened. Every choice she’d made to get to this moment ran through her mind, from grade school fights to the negotiations of the present day.
By the time darkness flooded the room, she’d made a decision. Pulling on her new sturdy boots, she grabbed her jacket and walked out the hotel door.
Tyler climbed the stairs. The thumping bass notes from the Spot were something he’d learned to ignore, but even after almost four months, he still found himself cringing when someone let out a barking laugh or a shout in advance of a fight breaking out. He’d wasted so much of his youth in places like this. At this point in his life, he was having a hard time just sitting in there, eating a steak. His taste for women had changed drastically since Kristen had stepped off that plane.
He stopped at the top of the first landing and froze as he calculated. If she was only here for two weeks, that meant in just a few days, she’d be climbing back on the small plane and heading out of his life forever.
He couldn’t stop the sudden wave of sadness that washed over him. Just one more shitty thought to add to the pile that had been his shit-filled day.
A thought flashed through his mind like lightning. If he agreed to the offer from JB Holding, would she have to extend her stay? Spend a few extra days to negotiate the details? As quick as it appeared, the thought was gone.
He started climbing up the stairs again. The floor was sticky and the stairwell was too dark. Making him realize he didn’t want to be in this hellhole for much longer.
He added finding a new place to live to his long mental to-do list before his mind drifted again to the shitty day he’d had.
The protesters’ numbers were growing and so was their voice. They had gained the attention of several local networks and were on every channel talking about the horrors of the industry. They talked as if everything that could go wrong was already happening in Haven. When the truth was, since his father had started McGowan Enterprises, they had never experienced any leaks, spills, or explosions.
The safety and security of the land surrounding Haven had been his father’s number-one priority, and Tyler would see to it that it remained the company’s number-one priority to uphold his legacy. So Tyler had put his brother Trent in charge of communicating with the leaders of the protesting group, getting them the company’s statistics.
Trent had argued about being put in the position, but Tyler had gently pointed out that he was already in charge of land development and protection. A job Trent was well suited for, since he knew all about the upcoming jobs and the effects on the environment.
Trey had taken more of an HR role and oversaw most of the work in the field. All three of them had finally settled into positions they were best suited for.
He paused at the top of the landing and his mind went completely blank when he saw the dark figure just outside his door.
“What are you doing here?” He marched toward Kristen, then stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed how she was dressed.
Tight black yoga pants stretched over those long beautiful legs and the sexy bend of her hips. His mouth went dry as his eyes traveled over the perfect curves. Her light jacket was just as tight as the pants and, even in the dark light, he could tell there wasn’t much of anything underneath it. Her hair fell around her face, still dripping wet from either the snow or a shower.
When his eyes met hers, he realized she had washed her face clean of any products. His heart stopped at her beauty.
“I . . .” She crossed her arms over her chest in a nervous move. He watched as the motion pushed her perfect breasts closer together. He forced his eyes upward until they met hers. “I . . . can we talk inside?” She nodded toward the last door in the hallway.
Suddenly, a loud laugh from downstairs reached his ears. Moving quickly, he walked to his door, next to the one she’d been standing outside of, and opened it. Holding it wide, he waited until she walked past him before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He meant for it to clear his head, but instead, he got a whiff of her shampoo and felt his groin instantly respond.
Damn, he thought. What he needed was to march her back downstairs . . . that thought stopped him. No, what he needed to do was take her back to her hotel. Hell, what needed to be done was to get her as far away from Haven as possible. Even like she was now, barefaced and in workout clothes, she was too good for this place.
Shutting the door behind him, he tossed his heavy coat on a chair. She’d walked over to the window and was looking out at the dark street.
“You’re right, you can’t really hear much from up here.” She turned to him and smiled.
“What do you want?” It came out as a grunt and he saw her smile falter. Good, push her away. That’s what he needed. To get her out of here quickly. Resist temptation and deny distractions.
Suddenly the one-room apartment seemed the size of a shoe box.
He walked over and tossed his keys in the bowl he kept on the bar that separated the small kitchen from the rest of the room that served as his bedroom and living room. The bathroom was the size of his old closet he’d had growing up. The one that was currently stuffed with his parents’ Christmas decorations. Why the hell hadn’t he looked for a better place sooner?
“I was thinking . . .” she started as he walked into the kitchen and pulled out two beers from the fridge.
“And?” He twisted the tops off and tossed them on the counter, then walked over and handed her a beer, before taking a swig himself.
She took it and instead of taking a drink, just looked down at the label.
“We’re different,” she followed up. Her green eyes slowly moved up to meet his own.
“Yeah,” he almost laughed.
“I mean . . .” She walked over and set the beer down on his end table, untouched. Again, she crossed her arms over her chest and he watched those beautiful breasts of hers being pushed together.
Taking another deep drink of the cold beer, he gritted his back teeth and tried to get his libido in check.
“You’re meant for the country.”
He nodded, waiting as she took her time talking.
“I’ve always lived in the city. I mean—” Her shoulders moved up and down as she uncrossed her arms and walked back toward the window again. “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself in a place like Haven.”
“You’re too good for this place.” He hadn’t realized he’d talked until she turned around. The anger he saw behind her eyes was a bonus. He moved over and set his beer next to her untouched one. He stopped a foot in front of her. His eyes narrowed as he once more looked at her completely. “What? Does that make you angry? Someone telling you the truth? You are
too good for a place like this. You belong in the city, in a million-dollar palace. With people waiting on your beck and call. Dressed in the finest silks.” His finger brushed down the shoulder of her jacket. He watched as her breath hitched. Enjoying the soft material, he continued to run his fingertip over it until he brushed the zipper holding the material over her breasts. “You deserve to be pampered. Worshipped.” The last came out as a whisper.
“I don’t want to be pampered.” She pushed his hand away. “I’m not some princess to be . . .”
“You are.” He took a step closer, blocking her from any escape. “You deserve to be worshipped,” he repeated and moved his hand to her chin, holding her face there until her eyes met his. “The last place you should be is two floors above a strip club, in a run-down one-bedroom apartment with a man that’s just as bad as the carpet on the floor.”
“Don’t talk about yourself like that.” Her hand moved to cover his.
He laughed and dropped his hand, then turned away, grabbed her beer and swallowed half of it. The drink did nothing to the fire building inside him. Still, his body and mind burned for her.
“Tyler.” Her hand rested on his shoulder until he moved closer to her. “I came here tonight to be with you. Because I want you.” Her hand cupped his face as those green eyes turned the shade of clear emeralds. “I want you, and I know that you want me in return.”
“This is a terrible idea,” he said, shaking his head.
She smiled. “Still.” He watched as she licked her bottom lip slowly. “It’s an idea.”
CHAPTER NINE
Kristen held her breath as she watched Tyler’s brown eyes register her words. Her entire body was on fire for him. Could he feel the heat that was coming from her?
She moved closer, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pushed to the toes of her boots and placed her lips softly over his. She felt the moment he allowed himself to relax into the kiss. Into her.
His hands circled around to her hips, pulling her closer until she felt him pressed against her stomach. Her desires tripled instantly and she felt her knees turn to jelly as his hands fisted in her clothes. In one swift move, she was pinned against the wall.
“You’re playing with fire,” he warned, holding her still as his eyes ran over her. When they settled on the spot of skin, just above where the zipper of her jacket stopped, she knew he’d decided like she had.
“Maybe, but I think I can handle it,” she said, pushing her hands into his hair and pulling him back to her lips.
His hand moved her leg up, until she felt him, hard, against her core. The moan that escaped her lips ended on a gasp as his mouth roamed lower, down her neck, to the spot he’d been focused on.
His free hand slowly tugged the zipper, then edged it off her shoulders until her jacket fell to the floor.
His fingertips ran over the soft material of her shirt.
“Did you know that it’s see-through?” he asked, his voice low.
“Hmm?” She’d closed her eyes and had rolled her head back in pleasure.
“This shirt. The material is so light.” She felt his fingers run over the soft fabric. Tracing her underneath. “I can see everything.”
“Tyler.” It came out as a plea.
“Makes me wonder . . . what will happen if I . . .”
Her eyes opened when his hot mouth covered one of her erect nipples through the cotton, soaking it with his mouth. Her fingers tangled in his hair and pulled him closer as her back arched, so she could get closer to him.
He repeated the process again with her other nipple, then he raised her arms up over her head and she held them there while he skimmed her thin shirt up and over her head. She stood, somehow both frozen and on fire, fully exposed to his view. He held still, his eyes roaming over her and she could see and feel his desire growing.
When he touched her bare skin, she lost control. Her body moved on its own. Suddenly, her hands were pulling and tugging his shirt over his head.
He was more impressive than she’d imagined. His arms and chest were lean, toned, and covered with rippling muscles her fingers itched to feel. When her hands grazed over him, he moaned.
She watched his eyes close as his head tipped back. She continued her exploration until she came to the top of his worn jeans. Then his eyes opened and his hand covered hers to stop her movement.
“Soon,” he said.
For a moment, she believed it was more of a warning than a promise. When she smiled, he circled both of her wrists and tugged until they were again above her head, held against the wall by one of his strong hands.
Then it was his turn to explore, his fingertips light, trailing goosebumps in their wake.
When he raised his mouth to hers and held her against his chest, she felt her knees give out as their skin touched.
In one quick move, he swept her up and laid her gently on the soft bed. When his body covered hers, his mouth returned to hers in a passionate kiss that had her entire body vibrating.
“You shouldn’t be here,” he said between kisses. “You deserve . . .”
“You,” she broke in. Her fingers tangled in his thick hair.
He pulled back, his dark eyes searching hers.
“I deserve you. I want you.” She tried to tug him back down, but he stopped and just looked down at her for an intense moment.
When he moved to kiss her again, she heard the theme from Star Wars and watched Tyler’s eyes roll in frustration.
“My brother’s ring.” He shook his head, ignoring the phone. This next kiss was lighter, more controlled. Less than a minute later, his phone started to ring all over again. His mouth stilled and he growled, then pushed up and away from her. “They never call twice unless . . .” He found his phone in the pocket of his jacket and she watched him answer with frustration. “What?”
She saw his body stiffen. “How bad?” he asked, his eyes going to hers. “I’ll be there.” He ended the call. “Someone broke into the trailer. I have to—”
“Go,” she finished for him. “Of course. I’ll come with you,” she said.
He shook his head and frowned at her as she hunted the floor for her shirt.
“No, you’re not dressed warm enough. I’ll drop you off at the hotel. Besides, Trent says it’s not too bad. We can handle it. You should get some sleep.”
She pulled on her shirt and the coldness of the night finally hit her. Suddenly she felt too weary and too cold.
“I can drive myself—”
“I’ll take you back,” he broke in, then tugged on his shirt and coat. He walked over, picked up her jacket and held it up for her. “You shouldn’t leave the house in a place like this dressed like that. You’d freeze if your car ever broke down somewhere.”
She kept silent as they walked back down the stairs together. When they reached the door to the outside and stepped out into the frigid air, she shivered and realized how stupid it had been to leave the hotel dressed in such thin layers.
“Well, well, no wonder you aren’t interested.” Darla’s voice came from behind them. Kristen turned around to see the woman leaning against the brick wall, cigarette dangling from her mouth. “Why pay for the local stock when you’re given an exotic porcelain doll for free?” The woman stood up straight. “And to think, all just to convince you to sell out.” The woman laughed as she flipped her cigarette toward them. Then turned and walked into the Wet Spot without another word.
They drove back to her hotel in silence, and when he parked the truck in front of her hotel door, she felt all the nerves returning to her stomach.
“Tyler, I hope you don’t think . . .” she started.
“I don’t.” He turned slightly to her. “Go inside, you’re cold.”
The fact that he didn’t help her down from the truck gave her a moment’s pause.
She rushed inside and shut the door without a backward glance, then leaned against the closed door until her heart returned to normal.
Darla’s w
ords wouldn’t get out of his head the entire drive out to the site. He knew better than to let the woman’s scorn affect him, but for some reason, what she’d said made sense.
He saw the flashing lights and sighed as he pulled into the wet parking lot.
“Hey, Tony.” He got out of the truck and walked over to the group of officers, standing around in a small circle.
“Hey, Tyler. Hate to call you back here,” Tony said. “We noticed the door was kicked in during a drive-by.”
“It’s okay. What’s missing?”
“Trent and Trey are inside checking.” Tony nodded toward the trailer. The front door hung open on one hinge.
“I’ll go help them.”
“Let us know if you find anything. We’ll have the paperwork ready for you.”
“Will do.” He started to head toward the trailer but stopped. “Any movement at the camp?”
All four of the officers shook their heads. “Not that we know of. We were just talking about who’s going to go check with the protesters and see what’s what.”
“I drew the short straw,” Tom rolled his eyes.
“Keep me up-to-date,” Tyler said.
“Will do.”
He turned back to the trailer. When he walked by the door, he realized how paper-thin the front door was. It appeared to be made from plywood. It probably only took one good kick to break in.
“Hey.” He found both of his brothers hard at work looking through the files and drawers. “Found anything?”
“It appears the alarm spooked them before they could get anything important,” Trey chimed in. He was sitting at Rea’s desk, testing her drawers. “They’re still locked.” He watched as his brother’s eyes flew to his closed office door.
“What about in there?” He nodded to his door.
“You don’t want to go in there,” his brothers said in unison as he swung open the door.
He could tell instantly that someone had been in there. Even with the lights off.
“What the hell?” Tyler said as he flipped on the lights.
“We tried to warn you,” Trey added.