Retribution

by Ruth Langan

  The thought was so overwhelming, he drove her back against the wall and dug his hands into her hair, kissing her with a thoroughness that had them both struggling for breath. When at last he lifted his head, he was forced to drag air into his starving lungs.

  Sidney struggled not to moan aloud when his mouth left hers. She saw him watching her and lowered her head to hide the look of disappointment she was certain he could see in her eyes. It shamed her to know that he’d been the one to step back from this.

  Adam stood, cursing himself for his lapse. So much for his intention to keep his distance. All he did was get close to this woman and he turned into some clumsy, lovesick high-school jock hoping to impress her with his macho moves.

  After several silent moments he managed to say, “I believe I promised you a tour.” Without waiting for her he started up the stairs, still calling himself every kind of fool.

  His hand on the balcony rail, he noted, was none too steady. And his heart was still racing like a runaway train.

  Dangerous, he thought with a frown. Sidney Brennan deserved better than this. And if he had any honor at all, he had to see that this thing ended now. Before she found herself caught up in something beyond anything she could imagine.

  He’d never before had a problem stepping back from a woman when he’d put his mind to it. So why was he having such trouble this time?

  Maybe she really was a witch, he thought, living in an enchanted cabin, and she’d cast some sort of spell on him.

  If so, he’d better find a potion to get free of it, before he dragged her into something that was way over her head.

  Chapter 5

  Sidney stood perfectly still, waiting for her blurred vision to focus and the light-headed feeling to pass. She couldn’t remember when a man’s kiss had affected her like this. She must be more out of practice than she’d thought to allow something as simple as a kiss, a touch, to have her reacting in this manner.

  When she saw Adam pause and look back, she resolutely put one foot in front of the other and began to climb. She was painfully aware of the fact that he was hurrying ahead. Did that mean that he was already regretting that kiss?

  There had been a fierceness in his gaze that had shaken her to the core. But was it hunger? Or merely self-loathing for giving in to a weakness?

  Talk about a weakness. She took a deep calming breath. The thought of allowing old emotions to surface after all this time had her breath hitching. She’d been so careful all these years to keep her feelings, her yearnings under wraps. She’d thought them dead. Embalmed, along with her heart. But here she was, feeling more alive than ever. And all because of the taste of this man. His touch had awakened in her a hunger unlike anything she’d ever known. The thought that he might not share her passion left her feeling confused and completely out of her element.

  “Here you are.” Adam paused in a doorway on the second floor and bent to ruffle Picasso’s fur. “Have you two had a chance to see everything yet?”

  As if in answer, Toulouse popped his head out of an open duffel, looking like a cartoon cat before leaping free. Not to be outdone by the dog, the cat hurried over to get his share of petting.

  By the time Sidney caught up with them, Adam had stepped across the room, as though needing to keep his distance. “This is my bedroom.”

  She managed a shaky laugh. “If you say so.”

  He stared at the litter of bags and suitcases, still unpacked, and rolls of film spilling out of an open duffel, seeing it for the first time through her eyes. “Having seen your neat little cabin, I realize this is more mess than you’re used to. That comes from living on the road for so many years. But I promise you, there’s a bed somewhere under all that.”

  “I see it. At least I think that’s a bed. Do you think it’s been here since they first built the lighthouse?”

  He ran a hand over the ancient metal frame and studied the faded patchwork quilt that had seen better days. “It looks that way. Probably to preserve the authenticity of the place. But I think the historical society added a new mattress. Either that, or my body is so accustomed to the rusty springs that pass for beds in fleabag hotels that any mattress less than fifty years old feels soft.”

  She shot him a mock-serious look. “You really need to stop sugarcoating that glamorous life you’ve been leading.”

  “Yeah. To be perfectly honest, there aren’t too many people lining up for my old job. Come on.” He turned away. “I’ll take you up to the to

  With Picasso and Toulouse following, they made their way up the staircase to the lookout.

  Adam paused at the doorway that led to the outdoor walkway that ringed the tower, just below the dome. “I’m afraid the wind is too strong to go out there now, but take my word for it, the view is breathtaking.” He pointed. “Let’s head on up to the top.”

  The circular dome was made almost entirely of glass. From any angle in the room, they could see for miles. Three sides overlooked the water. The fourth side looked out over a forest aflame with brilliant color.

  “Oh, look at this.” Sidney couldn’t seem to get enough of the magnificent scenery. “I don’t know about those run-down hotels you’ve enjoyed on your world travels, but this place has the most amazing view.”

  “Isn’t it great?” He walked up beside her and watched as, far below, the wind whipped the waves into a frenzied dance, crashing onto the shore and sending foaming spray hundreds of feet into the air.

  Far out on the horizon, puffs of smoke signaled an ore carrier struggling against wind and waves on its way to port.

  Sidney was entranced by the slap of light rain against the panes, and the whitecaps churning the lake into an angry brew. “How I’d love to capture that on canvas.”

  Adam arched an eyebrow. “If you’d like, I’ll get your gear and set it up right here.”

  “Don’t be silly. I wouldn’t impose on you like that.”

  “It’s not an imposition. It’ll only take minutes. Besides, I understand the need to capture something that affects you so strongly. I’ve had the urge a few times myself.” And was fighting an urge of his own, just being this close to her. He welcomed the chance to give them both a distraction.

  She glanced at the darkening sky. “I’ll need to head home soon or it’ll be too dark to find my way.”

  “I’ll drive you when you’re ready to go.”

  She was chewing on her lip, torn between being sensible and giving in to the need to paint this scene. “You wouldn’t mind?”

  He was already heading out the door, calling over his shoulder, “Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

  Sidney worked quickly, afraid that the last of the light would soon be gone and this magnificent view lost forever. Even if she should return on another day, the lake would never look the way it did now, all rough, tumbling waves beneath an angry, brooding sky.

  She mixed paint on her palette before layering it on the canvas in strong, bold strokes.

  Though the room was cold, she took no notice as she added yet another color to the waves, giving them just a hint of the darkness that lay beneath.

  Picasso and Toulouse had long ago tired of investigating their new surroundings and had settled down at her feet. The dog snored softly while the cat carefully groomed himself had no idea how much time had passed since she’d first started. She knew only that she didn’t want this to end. Having a room made of glass, with the sea, the sky and the forest around her, was an artist’s idea of heaven.

  She added more paint, then sat back to view her work. Though she would need to add more darkness to those leaden clouds, and a few more touches of white and silver to the foam that capped the waves, she had caught the essence of the power and majesty of this great lake. It could look deceptively gentle in summer, with water as smooth as glass, shimmering beneath a canopy of puffy clouds. But in autumn, when the north wind began its chill dance, Lake Michigan showed another facet of its ever-changing personality. Here was the monster that had becom
e a legend in these parts. In days of old it had tossed ships about like toys, forcing crews to abandon their treasure in the caves that dotted the shore. Even now, with all their modern technology, ships and sailors found themselves at the mercy of Great Lakes storms. Seasoned sailors swapped stories about the vicious storms that could blow up in the Great Lakes without warning, surpassing anything they might encounter anywhere else in the world.

  Adam poked his head in the door, causing the dog to roll over and open its eyes and the cat to pause in the act of licking one paw. “How’s it going?”

  Sidney’s smile was radiant. “Want to take a look?”

  He crossed the room to stand directly behind her. When the silence stretched out too long, Sidney turned to glance at him.

  He was staring intently at the canvas. “It’s wonderful.”

  The pleasure in his voice warmed her as nothing else could have.

  “Thank you. And thank you for allowing me to intrude on your space, Adam.”

  “You didn’t intrude.” He watched as she stood, pressing a hand to the small of her back. “But I think I should have suggested that you take a break earlier. In fact, I thought about it and came up here, only to find you enjoying yourself so much, I was reluctant to interrupt the flow.”

  “If you had tried, you’d have had a tiger on your hands.”

  “Yeah.” He was grinning. “That’s what I thought. Never disturb an artist in the act of creating a masterpiece. Since you have a habit of forgetting the time, I decided to feed you.”

  “Really?” She turned to him with a smile. “More chili?”

  “Come on. I’ll show you.” He led her toward the door, with the dog and cat trailing in their wake.

  Downstairs, the logs blazing on the hearth made the room warm and inviting. The wooden bench that served as a coffee table had been set with two plates and a variety of covered dishes. To one side stood a bottle of pale wine and two stem glasses.

  Adam filled the glasses and handed one to her.

  “Thank you.” She sipped and realized, as she glanced at the window, that darkness had fallen and the rain had picked up to a steady, pounding drone. “How many hours was I up there?”

  Adam shrugged. “I didn’t bother to keep track. All I know is that I looked in on you a couple of tis and you never even heard me, you were so deep into that zone.”

  He held up two bowls of pet food. “I’m taking a page from your book.” The minute he set the dishes by the fire, they were quickly attacked by the hungry dog and cat.

  “You seem to have thought of everything.” She glanced at the covered dishes. “How could you have possibly found the time to do all this?”

  “Easy.” He led her over to the sofa and waited until she’d taken a seat before lifting the lid on the first dish to reveal perfectly breaded and browned lake perch and steaming baked potatoes. “I drove into town and picked it all up at The Pier.”

  “Oh, Adam.” She was shaking her head as he sat beside her and began serving their plates. “I can’t imagine a more wonderful surprise.”

  “I’m happy to oblige, ma’am.” He tasted his wine and watched as she dug into her meal before joining her. After one bite he sighed. “The owner, Claire Huntington, assured me I couldn’t go wrong with the perch. And she was right.”

  “It’s one of my favorites.”

  “So she told me.”

  Sidney’s head came up sharply. “You told her you were buying this for me?”

  “For us.” He paused a beat. “Does that bother you?”

  “Of course not.” But her protest sounded feeble even to her own ears. “It’s just that Devil’s Cove is such a small town. I’d hate to have Claire thinking we’re…” Her voice trailed off.

  “We’re enjoying one another’s company? Would that be so wrong?”

  “Certainly not. We’re two adults.”

  “But…”

  She sighed. “There’s a lot of curiosity about me, living alone out in the woods. I suppose the fact that I’m an artist adds to the speculation. And now my nearest neighbor is the town’s handsome mystery man living in the lighthouse.”

  His grin was quick and dangerous. “You think I’m handsome?”

  She couldn’t help laughing aloud. “Hard to tell under all that facial hair.”

  At the quirk of his eyebrow she gave another laugh. “As if you don’t know you’re handsome. I’m sure you’ve used those looks to cast a spell on dozens of women.”

  “Hundreds. But who’s counting?” He topped off her wine and sat back. “Do you really care what the people in town say or think about you?”

  “I shouldn’t, I know. And for the most part I don’t really give it much thought. But a part of me is still that girl who grew up here.”

  He nodded in understanding. “And you don’t want to be the object of town gossip.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But since you are, why not just resign yourself to the inevitable?”

  “Is that what you’d do?”

  He sipped his wine. “It would seem to me, once resignation sets in, the rest is easy. Now why don’t we both relax and enjoy the evening.”

  “Oh, Adam, how could I not?” She buttered a roll while eyeing the two slices of cheesecake. “Especially when I see what you brought for dessert.”

  He gave her a mocking leer. “Hmm. Now that I know your weakness, my pretty, I can easily have my way with you. After all, how can you resist a handsome mystery man who offers you cheesecake?”

  They shared a laugh as they finished their dinner.

  Adam set aside his napkin. “Would you care for more wine, or would you prefer coffee with dessert?”

  “Coffee, please, especially since I can smell it brewing in the kitchen, and it’s making me weak.” She watched him walk away and sat back, sipping the last of her wine as she realized that it wasn’t the smell of coffee that was affecting her, but this man. This place. This night.

  He seemed different tonight. Some of the tension she’d sensed in him from their first meeting seemed to have dissipated. He’d actually been able to relax enough with her to share a few laughs.

  He returned with a tray holding two mugs and a carafe, as well as cream and sugar. After setting it down he handed her a steaming mug.

  “Now for dessert. But first…” He spooned fresh strawberries over the cheesecake and drizzled it with warm strawberry preserves.

  At Sidney’s arched eyebrow he explained. “I had strict orders from the owner to serve this exactly as they do at The Pier, for the best possible effect.”

  “Effect?” She set down her mug to stare at him.

  “Yeah. I am, after all, trying to appease you.”

  “Appease?”

  “For knocking you off your bike and giving you that shiner.” He met her look. “Is it working?”

  “Oh, yes.” She couldn’t help laughing. “So far, I’m very appeased. And impressed. But maybe I’d better taste that cheesecake before I give a final verdict.” She took a tiny bite, just to tempt herself, and couldn’t hold back the little sigh that escaped her lips as she took a second, bigger taste. “Oh, this is sinful.”

  “Why are all the really pleasurable things in life given that label?” He helped himself to a generous bite, then another, before turning to her.

  She sat back, listening to the rain pelting the windows, and the hiss and snap of the fire on the hearth. At the moment she felt warm and snug and content. “That’s a good question. But after this much pleasure…I mean sinful pleasure…I’m out of answers.”

  He took her hand in his, staring for long seconds at the long, tapered artist’s fingers, before looking up into her eyes with a smile. “I know what you mean.” Linking his fingers with hers he leaned back and stretched out his long legs toward the warmth of the fire. “I can’t remember when I’ve spent a more peaceful day.”

  “Does that count as sinful, too?”

  He saw the smile that curved her lips and thought about
how desperately he wanted to taste them again.

  He nodded toward the two animals, dozing in front of the fire. “I think Picasso and Toulouse like it here.”

  “What’s not to like?” She could feel the heat of his touch burning a path of fire along her arm.

  Outside, the wind and rain picked up, beating on the windows. It seemed the most natural thing in the world for Adam to turn toward her and lean close until their lips were mere inches apart.

  She waited, afraid to breathe, until his mouth brushed hers. Except for a quick hitch of breath, she sat perfectly still, absorbing the rush of feelings that shuddered through her as his arms came around her and he drew her firmly against him. All the while he continued plundering her mouth with his, drinking her in like a man starved for the taste of her.

  She thought this time she would be prepared for the heat, and she was. But nothing could prepare her for the rush of needs. Needs so fierce, she actually trembled.

  Despite the alarm bells that were sounding a warning, Adam took the kiss deeper, unwilling to end this just yet.

  “You taste like strawberries,” he whispered as he drew her even closer. “And I’ve never been able to resist strawberries.”

  She put a hand to his chest and drew back, taking in deep drafts of air. “I need a minute.”

  He caught her hand between both of his and stared into her eyes, as though trying to read her thoughts. “I need a whole lot more than a minute.” He seemed to consider his words carefully. “I know I promised to drive you home. And I will, if that’s what you want. But since we’re so cozy in here, you might want to consider the miserable weather we’ll be forced to endure out there.”

  “Are you asking me to spend the night?”