by J. H. Croix
The quiet hum of the refrigerator was distant to her ears. His hand slowly pulled out of her, coming to rest in the dip of her waist. She took a shaky breath and tried to marshal her composure. Her body hummed, tiny ripples of pleasure reverberating through her.
***
Garrett couldn’t look away from Delia. Her soft blue eyes looked as dazed as he felt. Kissing her completely shut off his brain and turned him into a foolish boy. He tried to remember the last time he’d been so overcome with need that he’d torn a woman’s clothes off, desperate to touch her. He’d ripped her jeans open just to find out if she was as wet as he was hard. He approached seduction in a planned, organized manner—precisely as he approached everything in his life. With Delia, nothing made sense. He’d wandered down to the kitchen to see if there was any hot cider left, only to find her here by herself. One look at her, and it was as if she’d cast a spell on him. Not one single second of what happened had been planned. He’d been driven solely by the grip she had on him. Lust coiled tight inside every time she was near. She also reached through the walls around his heart, slipping through his defenses and eliciting tenderness and vulnerability.
In the usual course of events, he’d be expecting a woman to make sure his needs were taken care of right about now. Oh, he wasn’t a selfish man and prided himself on making sure any woman he was with went away from the encounter satisfied. With Delia, her pleasure was indistinguishable from his. He wasn’t kidding himself, he was so hard, he was on the verge of pain. Yet, all he’d wanted was to bring her release. Feeling her channel clench around his fingers and her body shudder against him had been the most intense and satisfying experience he could recall. He felt strangely exposed. He could feel her heartbeat against his chest, the rise and fall of her breath, her dewy skin against his.
He forced himself to take a breath, marshaling his composure. The man he was accustomed to being would say something sleek and gracious, offering an easy way to disengage. With Delia, his thoughts were fuzzy and all he could think was that he didn’t want to move away. What he wanted was to lift her in his arms and carry her somewhere and simply be close to her. He scrambled for purchase in his mind. Her pulse fluttered in her neck, her hair fell in a loose tousle around her heart-shaped face, and her lips were kiss-swollen.
He cleared his throat. For the life of him, he didn’t know what to say. As disoriented as he was, he also felt oddly comfortable with her. When he met her eyes again, uncertainty flickered there. He stroked a hand through her hair. As he was casting about to find something to say, she spoke.
“I, uh, got a little carried away there. I didn’t mean…”
Garrett put his finger on her lips. He wasn’t sure what else she meant to say, but he couldn’t bear to let her feel embarrassed over any of this. He may have been lost and walking on ground foreign, but he knew what happened between them was special. “If you got carried away, then so did I. I might not have planned this, but I meant every second of it.”
She sucked her breath in sharply, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink. She nodded quickly. “So…?”
He thought quickly, considering where they could go. He glanced around, his eyes catching on the light spilling from the office. He started to slide his arm under her hip. She must have read his mind because she shook her head. “I have to get home. My dad’s with Nick, but they’re expecting me. It’s not like…”
Of course. Get a clue, Garrett. She’s got a son. She can’t just do whatever the hell you want. And you should be seriously wondering what you’re thinking getting involved with her. On the heels of that thought, he realized it didn’t rattle him at all that she was a single mother. He’d grown up in a houseful of siblings and knew family was what mattered most. What rattled him was the depth of his attraction to her and the intimacy that wove between them so easily.
“Oh, right.” He couldn’t quite release her, but he eased his grip and took a breath. “Look, could we maybe, I don’t know, have dinner? Or something?”
As soon as the words fumbled out of his mouth, he wondered if he’d completely lost his mind.
Delia bit her lip, instantly tightening the coil of lust inside of him. “Um, okay.”
He went with it. He’d find time to get a hold of himself. An actual date might get this insane lust out of his system. He’d be able to think, be able to be the man he usually was. “Just say when.”
Her eyes widened. “Me?”
“Well, yeah. I don’t have a schedule here. You do. You say when and I’ll figure out the rest.”
She bit her lip. Damn, she needed to stop doing that. He was barely getting a grip on his body, and every time she did that, his cock hardened. It didn’t help she was still bare from the waist up. Her breasts were full and round with dusky pink nipples. A glimpse of red silk winked at him from where her jeans fell open. He knew what she felt like under there—hot, slick, and all lush, clenching softness. He forced his eyes back to her face. She was nodding. “Okay. I have two days off starting the day after tomorrow.”
“Perfect. Tell me where to pick you up.” He fumbled in his pocket and pulled his phone out. “What’s your number?”
He punched it in when she recited it. Her eyes kept flicking to his, a mix of confusion and vulnerability. He wanted to wipe that look away, but he was too confused himself in the moment to know what to do about it. He coasted on the thread of his usual confidence he’d managed to latch onto. Though every cell in his body resisted, he took a step back and carefully slid her zipper up, savoring the soft give of her skin where one hand rested on her hip. Moments later, she’d covered her beautiful breasts underneath her shirt and was sifting her hands through her hair. He’d managed to get dressed and put himself back together. She walked into the office at the back of the kitchen and came out with her jacket on and her purse slung over her shoulder.
Haloed by the soft light from the office, she met his eyes. “I have to go.” Her words fell quietly in the room.
“I’ll walk you out.”
When her eyes widened, he ignored her, along with the sense of unease rising inside. She was perfectly capable of walking herself out, but he couldn’t think straight. He followed her out into the cold, dark night. Stars glittered above, so close it felt as if he could reach up and touch them. Her car was running already. She stopped when she reached the door and looked up at him.
“Good night.”
Her voice held that glimmer of uncertainty. He stepped closer and nudged her chin up with his knuckles. He caught her lips in a kiss and had to hang onto every ounce of restraint he had to keep the kiss brief. Her lips were so soft, so tempting.
“G’night. After tomorrow.”
He waited while she closed the car door and drove away. The red taillights of her car became smaller as she wound down the curving driveway. The sound of her tires rolling on the road faded until he stood alone in the dark. He took a deep breath, the icy air a balm to his nerves. He turned slowly, pausing when he could see the moon over the mountains across the bay, its light shining in a rippling path on the water. A sense of peace fell over him as he stood there. It was so quiet he could hear the rustle of wind in the trees. An owl called softly. He took another breath and walked slowly inside, retracing his steps back into the kitchen. He made his way over to the corner where the hot cider was. He filled a mug and flicked the lights off on his way upstairs.
***
Delia stood in the shower, the hot water easing her tired body. Though she loved the hustle of busy days and nights at the restaurant, it meant long days on her feet. Tonight, she was weary and energized at once, riding the high from those mind-blowing moments in the kitchen with Garrett. She couldn’t have thought of a less sexy place, but now she’d probably blush the next time she walked by that table, recalling how she’d all but melted into a puddle under his touch.
Her body spun with ripples of sensations long dormant while her mind was a muddle. She considered just how crazy she was to let a
nything happen. Garrett needed to stay off limits for her. He was only here temporarily, and that wouldn’t change. He had an entire life in Seattle, one far removed from Diamond Creek. She also didn’t want him to think she was silly enough to be searching out a man who could be a father to Nick. She was proud of herself for rising to the occasion and raising Nick on her own terms. She wouldn’t deny it would be nice to find love, but she was independent and liked it that way. Tonight had been an anomaly, a moment where her brain took a backseat to her body.
A tiny corner of her tried to speak up and point out that what she felt with Garrett went beyond purely physical. She ignored it. She couldn’t let herself think too much about how it felt to be close to him. It was too dangerous. For a split second, she wondered if maybe she could go to Seattle, but she quickly nixed it. She loved her job and she was happy in Diamond Creek. She couldn’t find a better place to raise Nick and would never be able to replicate the kind of support she had here from family and friends. Garrett would return to his life, and she would be nothing more than a memory. That’s the way it needed to be.
She let the hot water wash away her day, taking the lingering sensation of his touch with it. After she climbed into bed though, her mind kept replaying those heated moments and her body hummed with the visceral memory of Garret’s body against hers.
Chapter 5
“Mom!”
Delia whipped a brush through her hair and hurried down the hall, tying her hair in a loose knot as she came around the corner into the kitchen. She was getting ready to leave for work while Nick got ready for school.
“Mornin’ Nick, what’s up?” she asked as she dropped a kiss on the top of his head. He stood beside the bench by the door and was busy digging through his backpack.
Nick whipped his head up, his blue eyes wide. “I can’t find my math homework!”
She met his worried gaze. “Where were you last night when you did your homework?”
Before Nick had a chance to reply, Delia’s father came through the side door and tossed his gloves on the bench. “Started your car. Should be warm in a bit,” he offered by way of greeting.
“Thanks, Dad.”
Don nodded and kept walking, straight to the coffee pot. He poured a cup for himself and sat down at the kitchen table. Don was a loving father, but he was a man of action, not words. He wouldn’t say anything sentimental, yet he’d start her car every morning and brush the snow off all winter long for her. She loved him for that.
Nick threw his backpack on the floor and sighed, leaning against the bench. Delia knelt beside him, stroking up and down his back. His shoulder blades felt like little wings under her palm. She could feel the shudder of his breath. She wished he hadn’t inherited her tendency to worry. She knew he’d be beside himself until he found that homework, and if he didn’t find it, he’d be on the verge of tears. He loved his first grade teacher, Miss Janie Stevens, known as Miss Janie to her beloved students. She was warm, witty, and practical. She also held her students to the standards she set and didn’t coddle them, so Delia knew if Nick didn’t find that homework, he would be marked down for it.
“Dad, you didn’t happen to see Nick’s math homework this morning, did you?”
She stood and looked over at him. Her father’s weathered face, gray hair and warm blue eyes were a familiar, comforting sight.
He took a slow sip of coffee and cast his gaze on Nick. “Let’s retrace your steps. Where were you when you did your homework last night?”
The next few minutes comprised Don patiently walking Nick through his night until Nick’s eyes lit up. He went flying from the room, his feet pounding down the hallway. Moments later, he raced back into the kitchen, triumphantly waving several sheets of paper in his hand. “I left it in your study!” He threw his arms around his grandfather’s waist and hurried over to his backpack, stuffing the papers inside. He was a conscientious boy, but not a tidy one. Delia figured she’d take conscientious over tidy any day.
Moments later, the bus had come and gone. Delia washed a few dishes and dried her hands, leaning her hips on the counter and glancing over at her father.
Don took another slow sip of coffee and cleared his throat. Her father wasn’t one to hurry. “You know, it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if you wanted your own place.”
Her father’s gentle comment elicited a mixed reaction. Sometimes, she desperately wanted to be living on her own. Yet, it was more what it represented than the actual reality she craved. She’d moved in with her parents after she had Nick out of necessity. While she wanted to be able to afford to take care of Nick and herself on her own, she loved her father dearly and was beyond grateful for the support he offered Nick.
“Dad, I…”
Don waved a hand and continued. “Hon, when you moved in with me and your mom after Nick was born, we were thrilled. I can’t tell you how glad I am you were here to help when your mom got sick. The first few years after she died were hard and having you and Nick here made it easier on me. You’ve got a good job now. I don’t want you feeling like I expect you to stay here. I’m no fool. I know you being here cuts into your social life, not because I think it should, but because you don’t want to ask too much of me. Whether you’re here or living on your own, I’ll babysit whenever you need me to, so don’t let that get in your way.” Don paused for another swallow of coffee.
“Dad, it’s not like I’ve been in a rush to move out. Being here isn’t keeping me from a social life. I’m a single mother, I’m busy!” She heard the words leave her mouth and knew she was making excuses. The truth was she had let her life narrow to a small window because it was easier that way. She had friends, dear friends, Nick and her father, but she made no effort to even think about dating, or consider the idea of a relationship. Garrett challenged that, which terrified her. He kindled hopes and dreams she’d buried years ago while eliciting a desire she’d never thought possible. Her mind blinked back to the night before, and the very reason she’d left when she sensed he wanted to take things further.
To be fair, things were moving fast with him, faster than she was comfortable. She had no idea if anything she felt with him could go any further than mind blowing physical encounters, but it didn’t change the reality she’d most likely hide inside the small room she’d created for her life. She took a breath and met her father’s eyes. He saw so much. All he did was smile ruefully. “I know you’re busy, hon. It’s hard to watch you limit yourself. That’s all.”
At that, Don stood and nodded toward the door. “Car’s probably warm by now.”
She chuckled and grabbed her coat, throwing it over her shoulders. “Bye, Dad.” She pecked him on the cheek and jogged out to her car. As promised, it was toasty warm inside.
When she got to work, she was quickly immersed in the busy pulse of the kitchen. Breakfast and dinner were the busiest times at the lodge. Lunch moved at more of a rolling pace since many guests were out skiing. When things slowed down enough for her to take a breather, she ducked into her office to go through the weekly supply order.
“Hey there.”
Her head whipped up. Garrett leaned against the doorframe, his blue eyes locked onto her. A jolt of awareness rocked her and desire slid through her veins. Delia, you are seriously a fool. All he did was show up, and your body’s gone wild. It was so bad, she couldn’t do a thing to stop it. Her body had a mind of its own when it came to Garrett.
Her eyes coasted over him. She couldn’t help but savor the sight of his muscled chest filling out his navy t-shirt. His jeans hung low on his hips. His sensual mouth hooked in a slow smile. Her breath hitched and her mouth went dry. It suddenly occurred to her she hadn’t bothered to reply to him.
“Hey, um, how’s it going?”
“Pretty good. I’m about to head out and help Gage install some heaters in the ski huts on the slopes. How are you?”
“Fine,” she replied automatically. “My dad’s glad you’re helping Gage with those hea
ters.”
Garrett nodded. “Heard the same from him.”
She grinned. “He figured it would take Gage most of the winter on his own. Sounds like you might have some experience with it.”
“So happens I used to do this for extra cash when I was in law school. My buddy’s family owned a heating business. I helped out on the weekends,” he explained with a small shrug.
“Why aren’t you a helpful guy?” she offered, unable to resist the urge to tease.
Garrett held her gaze. The air around them hummed, a current sizzling to life. Her pulse raced, liquid heat built in her core.
His eyes darkened and his shoulders rose and fell with a breath. He took a step into the room, closing the door behind him. He moved so swiftly, she didn’t have a chance to think. In a flash, he was at her side, leaning over. His lips caught hers in a searing kiss, his tongue sweeping inside. He pulled away just as swiftly. Her eyes slammed into his. He looked as stunned as she felt, which gave her a tiny degree of comfort.
He cleared his throat. “I can be pretty helpful…when I want.” The corner of his mouth hooked in a small smile before he turned away. He opened the door and glanced over his shoulder. “See you tomorrow night.”
She couldn’t speak, so she simply nodded.
***
Late that afternoon, Garrett kicked the snow off his boots before stepping into the side hallway by the kitchen. He and Gage had installed two more heaters this afternoon. After heading upstairs for a quick shower, Garrett was about to return downstairs when his phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was his office assistant, Elaine Moss. Elaine had been with him since the beginning. Not only did he appreciate her relentless work ethic, but she was also one of the most practical people he’d ever known. He hesitated for a second before answering because he wasn’t quite ready for reality to intrude. What are you afraid of? Answer the damn phone.