by Lynn LaFleur
“Let’s get you a little drier, okay?” The dog answered his question with a lick to Dax’s cheek. Dax chuckled as he rubbed the towel over Walker’s back. “Yeah, I thought you’d like this. You probably want to be brushed too.”
Walker barked, which made Dax laugh. “I know you well, don’t I, boy?”
Movement to his left caught Dax’s attention. He saw his socks encasing a pair of small feet and curvy calves. The socks stopped just below Kelcey’s knees…her bare knees. His gaze slid up smooth thighs to the hem of his sweatshirt, which hit her a couple of inches below her crotch.
“The pants wouldn’t stay up,” she said softly.
Dax had no complaints about that. If he leaned forward a few inches, he could nuzzle Kelcey in that warm place between her thighs.
His gaze lifted, pausing long enough to notice her hard nipples pressing against the fleece before he continued on to her face. Pink bloomed in her cheeks. She was obviously embarrassed to stand before him in next to nothing. Ordering his randy hormones to behave, he stood. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s okay. You’re a lot more…” She stopped and her gaze passed over his chest and stomach. “Husky than I am.”
He wanted to touch her. He wanted to touch her more than he wanted to draw his next breath. Worried about scaring her away, he pushed aside his desire and reached for her wet clothes. “I’ll put these in the dryer for you.”
“Thank you. Could I maybe borrow a blanket or something to wrap around my legs?”
He thought it a shame to cover up those pretty legs, but he didn’t want her to be cold. “There’s an afghan on the back of the couch. Why don’t you grab it and I’ll meet you in the kitchen?”
She gave him a small smile. “Sounds good.”
Concentrating on taking care of her clothes gave him the chance to get his body back under control. He added his wet clothes to hers and started the dryer. After tossing the wet towel he’d used on Walker on top of the dryer, he headed for the kitchen.
She came into the kitchen as he removed the milk from the refrigerator. She’d wrapped the afghan his grandmother made ten years ago around her and tucked in one end at her waist to make it look like a sarong. A sheepish expression brought the pink back to her cheeks.
“Not exactly a fashion statement, am I?”
“Considering you plowed your car into a tree a short time ago, I think you look damned good.” Dax took cocoa, sugar and salt from the cabinet. “I wasn’t sure if your accident should be reported or not, but I called our sheriff to make sure. Brad will check out your car tomorrow morning.”
Kelcey bit her bottom lip. “I need to call my insurance agent too.”
“Use my phone.”
“Her number is in my cell phone, which is in my purse in my car. I really don’t want to get wet again to get my cell.”
“So you’ll call her in the morning. There’s nothing she can do tonight anyway.”
“That’s probably true.” She stepped closer and peered into the saucepan. “You make hot chocolate from scratch?”
“Sure. It’s better that way.” He gave the concoction a quick stir. “Doesn’t Emma make hers from scratch?”
“Yes, but you’re a guy.”
“Yep, I’m definitely a guy.” One who could smell the rain in her hair, see the way the light over the stove illuminated her eyes…those incredible, sexy, blue eyes.
Dax had to look away from her to get his hormones back under control again. “What happened? Why did you hit the tree?”
“The lightning scared me and I jerked the wheel. Then I hit a huge puddle on the side of the road. I lost control of my car.”
“You’re lucky you aren’t seriously hurt.”
She held up one hand, palm toward him. “I can swear that airbags do work and seat belts hold you in place.”
“Think you’ll be bruised tomorrow?”
Kelcey shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
He took two thick mugs from the cabinet. “Will you do something for me?”
“What?”
“If you’re sore tomorrow, see a doctor. It won’t hurt you to get checked out.”
She smiled, accepted the mug of cocoa from him. “Okay.”
Dax picked up his mug from the countertop. “Let’s go in the living room.”
Walker lifted his head and thumped his tail when they walked into the room. After Kelcey sat on one end of the couch, he shifted so he lay at her feet.
“I swear you hypnotized my dog.”
He enjoyed the contented expression on Kelcey’s face while she rubbed Walker behind his ears. “He’s so beautiful. Aren’t you, Walker?”
He licked her hand and whined softly.
“That’s it. He officially loves you.”
Still petting the dog, Kelcey turned her head toward Dax. “How do you know?”
“He kissed your hand. I told you Walker is very stingy with his kisses.”
“Then I’m honored.”
Holding her mug with both hands, she curled her legs beneath her in the corner of the couch. She should’ve looked silly in his too-big sweatshirt with the afghan wrapped around her legs. Instead, she looked soft. Comfortable. Lovely.
Desirable.
Dax stretched his arm along the back of the couch. Another few inches and he could touch her hair. He wondered what she’d do if he moved closer to her.
Before he did that and sent her running away, he drained his cup of cocoa. “That was good, but I need food. Are you hungry?”
“I could eat.”
“Mom keeps my freezer stocked with casseroles and stuff I just have to stick in the microwave. And I’m pretty sure I still have some steaks in there. Be right back.”
Kelcey turned and watched Dax walk out of the living room. She’d never thought sweatpants were sexy. On Dax, they were definitely sexy. They molded to his butt and hips, letting her see every curve, every dip, every bulge. Especially that enticing bulge at his groin.
She’d never thought underarm hair sexy either, but she’d been fascinated by the tuft of dark hair when he stretched his arm along the back of the couch. She’d wanted so badly to touch it and see if it was as soft as it looked.
He’d taken the band out of his hair. The long tresses fell around his shoulders and down to his chest. She didn’t know how any woman could resist burying her hands in it while she devoured his mouth.
She couldn’t think about that glorious wide, hair-dusted chest or flat stomach without her heart beating funny.
Her cheeks flooded with warmth. Being around Dax still rattled her. She shouldn’t be here, but she didn’t have a choice. She either had to wait for him to take her home or call Alaina or Emma to come get her. She didn’t want either of her friends to have to drive in this horrible storm.
As if to emphasize Mother Nature’s wrath, a crack of thunder shook the windows. Kelcey gripped her mug tighter. She had no idea how long the storm would last, but she couldn’t leave until it stopped. That meant more time with Dax. Perhaps the rest of the evening.
Perhaps the rest of the night.
Chapter Seven
“You have several choices,” Dax said, stopping next to her on the couch. “From Mom I have lasagna, chicken casserole or stew. I also have sirloin steaks and chicken tenders. I can do baked potatoes or French fries or a salad, whatever you want.”
Kelcey didn’t want him going to a lot of trouble for her. “The stew sounds good.”
He smiled. “Excellent choice. Mom’s stew is the best. Biscuits or cornbread?”
“Surprise me.”
“A woman of adventure. I like that.”
He winked at her before heading back to the kitchen. How silly for a wink to quicken her breathing and make her imagine all kinds of naughty things…things that she had no idea how to do, or anyone to do them with. After the disastrous event with Dax Saturday night, he would never want to be with her. Besides, he dated half the single women in Lanville. A man with so many
choices wouldn’t want a woman so scarred that she couldn’t even kiss him without freaking.
The aroma of stew and baking biscuits made her stomach gurgle. Pushing aside her self-pity, Kelcey rose from the couch and walked to the kitchen. Dax stood at the counter, pouring red wine into two glasses. Disappointment curled in her stomach to see he’d pulled on a navy T-shirt. She would’ve enjoyed looking at his chest while they ate.
“How about a little wine with the stew?”
“That sounds nice.”
“Would you like to eat in here or in the living room?”
“In here is fine.” She accepted one wineglass from him. “Can I help with anything?”
“You can be the official biscuit butterer as soon as they’re done.”
Taking a sip of wine, Kelcey leaned against the cabinet and watched Dax open the microwave to stir the dish of stew. He seemed so confident in every move he made, even something as simple as opening the oven to check the biscuits.
He also possessed so much talent. Kelcey knew he’d painted the beautiful grapes and vines in the B-and-B’s dining room, but assumed he’d used some kind of stencil or pattern. Alaina told her this morning that he’d done everything freehand. Then Emma showed her the sketches Dax had made of the artwork he planned to do on the restaurant walls of different fruits and vegetables. It would be absolutely incredible.
A pinging noise drew her attention to the window over the sink. “Is that hail?”
“Sounds like it.”
The pinging turned into a deafening roar as hail pounded the house. Dax motioned with his finger for Kelcey to follow him. He led her to the patio door in the dining room that opened to the backyard. Light flooded the area when he flipped a switch.
“Wow.” Kelcey couldn’t believe how quickly the ground turned white with pea-sized hail. “It’s really coming down.”
She couldn’t ask Dax to take her home now. Even though Alaina and Rye lived only a mile away, the hail would cause all kinds of damage to Dax’s pickup. The same with Alaina’s and Emma’s vehicles. She didn’t want anything to happen to her friends’ cars. She had no choice but to stay here with Dax.
The buzzer on the stove went off at the same time the phone rang. “I’ll get the biscuits,” Kelcey said, “while you answer the phone.”
“Good plan.”
She removed the pan from the oven as Dax picked up the receiver from the wall phone. “Hello?” He looked at Kelcey. “Yeah, she’s right here.” He held out the receiver to her. “Change of jobs. It’s Alaina.”
Kelcey traded places with Dax so he could butter the biscuits. “Hi.”
“Are you okay? I was so worried when Rye and I got home and you weren’t here.”
“Yes, I’m okay. I had a little accident in my car and—”
“You had an accident?” Alaina’s voice rose in pitch with each word. “Where? When?”
“Luckily right in front of Dax’s house. I hit a puddle and ran into a tree.”
Alaina gasped. “Ohmigod, are you okay? I’ll be right there.”
“I told you I’m okay and no, you won’t be right here. It’s horrible outside. There’s no reason for you to get out in this weather.”
“Didn’t Dax take you to the hospital?”
“He tried to, but I wouldn’t let him. Lainy, I’m fine, I promise. Dax has taken excellent care of me. In fact, we’re about to eat supper.”
“Are you sure? Are you really sure you’re okay?”
“I’m really sure I’m okay.”
“Let me talk to Dax.”
Shaking her head, Kelcey held the phone out to Dax. “She wants to talk to you. She doesn’t believe I’m not hurt.”
She couldn’t help hearing his end of the conversation while she searched through cabinets and drawers for bowls, plates and utensils so she could set the table.
“Hey, Alaina… She refused to let me call an ambulance or take her to the ER… She seems to be fine. She says she is.” Kelcey glanced at Dax to find him watching her. “I think that would be best. There’s no reason for anyone to get out in this weather… Sounds good. See y’all in the morning.”
He replaced the receiver in its cradle. “Rye said he’d let Griff and Emma know what happened. They’ll all be here in the morning.”
In the morning. That meant Dax intended for her to spend the night. “I’m sorry. I know you didn’t expect to have a houseguest tonight.”
“It isn’t a problem. You know I have plenty of room.”
Including a bedroom where she’d slept alone Saturday night after she’d almost made love with Dax.
He gestured toward the table. “Sit down. Your clothes will probably be dry by the time we finish supper.”
Conversation with Dax had been easy so far. But now, realizing she would spend the night in his house, she didn’t know what to say. She took a bite of stew and washed it down with wine while trying to think of something that didn’t sound lame or boring.
“You got quiet,” Dax said.
“I’m eating.”
“If you’re uncomfortable spending the night here, I’ll take you back to Rye’s house.”
“The hail will destroy your pickup.”
“The hail won’t last much longer. Besides, that pickup is a work truck. It already has lots of pings and dings in it. A few more won’t hurt it.” The corners of his lips lifted in a grin. “Just don’t ask me to take you in my car. My baby doesn’t go out in bad weather.”
Kelcey chuckled. She liked this humorous side of Dax. “Is that what’s under the tarp in the garage? One of those bachelormobiles?”
His grin widened, his eyes sparkled like a kid’s with a shiny new toy. “Oh yeah. Solid black, lots of leather and chrome, zero to seventy in about half a second.”
“Which is so handy on these country roads.”
“Hey, they’re paved. With lots of curves where the tires squeal when you take ‘em.”
“What are you, ten?”
Dax ran his fingertips over his beard. “Maybe sixteen when I’m behind the wheel.”
His teasing helped her to relax. Kelcey returned his grin. “Now I have to see it.”
“If you’re really nice, I’ll take you for a ride.”
“I accept.”
The dryer buzzed, signaling that her clothes should be dry. Kelcey took one more bite of the scrumptious stew before she stood. “Do you mind if I keep wearing your sweatshirt? I hung up my cardigan in your bathroom, but I’m sure it’s still wet.”
“Are you cold? I can turn on the heat or build a fire in the fireplace.”
Although a fire would feel good, it would be much too romantic. “I’m okay as long as I can wear your sweatshirt.”
“You can keep it as long as you need it.”
“Thanks.”
Kelcey didn’t know Dax had thrown his wet clothes in the dryer with hers until she opened the door and saw them. First she slipped on her panties and jeans, sighing happily at the warmth on her legs. Next she took out her bra and T-shirt. The thought of putting her bra back on didn’t appeal to her at all. With Dax’s huge sweatshirt covering her, he’d never be able to tell whether she wore a bra or not. She folded it up inside her shirt.
Finally she removed Dax’s clothes. She folded his jeans and T-shirt, laid his socks on top of them. The only thing left in the dryer was a pair of tiny black briefs.
Warmth crept back into her cheeks and traveled down her body. Holding up the briefs, she imagined how Dax would look in them…and nothing else. She already knew dark hair spread over his chest and down his stomach. She wondered if the same dark hair covered his legs too. The hair would tickle her as he rubbed his legs against hers.
Goose bumps covered her skin when she felt a presence behind her. Slowly she turned her head to see Dax leaning against the doorjamb.
Mortified to be caught staring at his underwear, Kelcey quickly laid them on top of his socks, closed the dryer door and leaned against the warm appliance.
She knew exactly what he meant, but pretended she didn’t. “I don’t know what you mean.”
He gave her a look that said, “sure you don’t”, even though he didn’t say the words. “We’ve talked about several things tonight, but not the one thing we should talk about. We almost made love Saturday night, Kelcey. I know you wanted me. Your body told me so. Yet you stopped. Why?”
Dax hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his sweats. Kelcey couldn’t think straight with that strip of skin below his navel exposed. Unsure what to say, she lowered her head and pushed her hair behind her ears.
“Did I do something wrong? Is that why you pushed me away?”
“No,” she whispered.
Several seconds passed before he spoke again. “Were you raped?” he asked in a soft voice.
Denying it would be useless since he already suspected the truth. She nodded.
“Shit,” he muttered. “God, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
The anguish and sympathy in his voice tightened her throat. Tears flooded her eyes. She didn’t want Dax to see her cry. “Excuse me,” she whispered.
She made it no more than two steps when Dax held her arm to stop her. “Hey,” he said, his voice low, soothing. “You don’t have to hide your tears from me.”
His understanding released the floodgates. A choked sound came from her lips before she could stop it.
“C’mere.” He tugged her into his arms, gently coaxed her cheek to his shoulder. Kelcey wrapped her arms around his waist, accepting the comfort he freely offered. He rubbed soothing circles on her back, the way he had Saturday night after her nightmare.
She didn’t know how long they stood there before her tears finally stopped. The desperate need for a tissue made her leave his arms long before she wanted to. “My nose is running.”
“Kleenex in the living room by my recliner.”
Walker looked up and thumped his tail when she walked into the living room. She took long enough to rub his ears before she popped two tissues from the box and blew her nose. Those goose bumps that seemed to pop up whenever Dax came near covered her skin again. She turned to find him standing behind her, close but not close enough to touch.