by Tena Stetler
In a husky voice, he murmured, “What’s wrong?” and reluctantly withdrew his hand. “Not ready?” He blew out a breath and sat up, pulling her along with him.
Her traitorous body screamed for his touch and release she wanted so badly, but she bit her bottom lip and shook her head. “I need more time. I’m sorry. There’s something I need to tell you, before we…”
“Don’t be sorry, and whatever secret you are harboring won’t make a damn bit of difference to me. I’m…I’m in…” He pushed up from the couch, picked up the tray and strode into the kitchen. “Want me to warm up your hot chocolate? Or would you rather have some tea, I have several varieties.” He called from the other room.
“No, I think I better be going.” She nudged a sleepy Piper with her foot, who yawned wide, got up and stretched, then followed her to the door. Summer reached for her coat as Devlin returned to the room.
“Don’t you have something to tell me?”
“Not now. I need to get my thoughts in order. Maybe tomorrow.”
“Ok. But you’re not…I mean I’d rather drive you home, its late. We can leave your car here and you can pick it up when we return from the cabin. Do you have to open on Monday?”
She hesitated chewing on her bottom lip. “I’ll have to check the schedule, but I think it’s my turn to close. So I don’t need to be in until around noon.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning—” He glanced at his watch. “This morning around 7:00, you can sleep on the way up to the cabin. Pack for a couple of days, and don’t worry, you don’t have to share my bed. The cabin has four bedrooms, my sister and her husband will be there to chaperon.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Maybe I’ll want to share your bed, if you still…I mean after…They won’t mind, me joining your family ski trip?”
“Oh, no. My sister is dying to learn more about you. Having you there will be a dream come true for her. If Koda goes over the top, let me know, I’ll call her off.” Devlin chuckled, his eyes sparkled with mischief. “As for my bed, I look forward to it.”
“I can hold my own with your sister. There’s a lot I’d like to know about your family. If…”
Devlin opened the door to a beautiful moonlit night. Their boots crunched on the snow crossing the parking lot to his truck. He held the truck door open, Piper jumped in the back seat and Summer settled in the passenger seat as he closed the door.
The truck rolled to a stop in front of Earthbound Yoga. He walked her to her apartment and touched his lips to hers in a tender kiss. “See ya soon.”
“Thanks for everything, I had a wonderful time.”
He nodded, waited for her to close the door, and heard the lock click before he walked away.
Inside, Summer collapsed in a chair. Could she tell him everything? Would he feel differently about her? She pushed up from the chair, padded into the kitchen, bagged a few days’ worth of dog food, set the bag by the door along with a couple of spare bowls. Exhausted, she trudged into the bedroom and packed an overnight bag so she’d be ready to go in a few hours.
After a warm, steamy shower, she crawled into bed and drifted off to sleep. A woodsy scent, with just a hint of citrus floated through the air. She smiled and cuddled closer to the warm male body in her bed. A muscular arm cradled her head in his shoulder. Her breasts tingled against his naked chest.
Instinctively her body arched and he tucked her curves neatly into his contours. Her hand caressed the sinewy muscles across his back to the curve of his well-rounded ass while his fingers stroked her intimate areas until she was hot and wet.
When she reached for him, he slipped between her legs, pressed himself at her opening and suddenly she was falling through the night air shimmering with ice crystals. Back in the meadow outside her childhood home, the wind swirled bits of ash from the pile at her feet, until the scene faded and she was cradled in Devlin’s strong arms again.
She awoke in her own bedroom, panicked. She sat up in bed, flipped the bedside light on, and sucked in a breath. There it was again, the woodsy-citrus scent of him, but he wasn’t there. Nerves jangled, she crept out of bed, and pushed the curtain aside, shadows danced outside her window in the reflection of the full moon.
Chapter Eight
Cross Country Skiing at the Cabin
The silvery glow from the full moon gave way to the spectacular orange spreading across the horizon. Her apple blossom and vanilla scent lingered in the air after the dream, and intrigued him. It wasn’t there when he returned from taking her home. But after the dream, her faint scent wafted through his tiny apartment. After that erotic dream, and a cold shower, sleep was elusive.
Replaying the naked images of Summer entwined around him didn’t help his aroused state. The delicate fairy tattoo on the left side of the small of her back baffled him. Where’d he conjure that up from? He shrugged, put his feet on the floor, and reached for a clean pair of jeans.
Starved, he toasted a couple of bagels, and grabbed a glass of milk, anxious to pick up Summer. There was no denying he was in love with her. His only hope was that she felt the same. Whatever secrets she harbored, they’d work them out together.
The truck roared to life and hugged the tight curves as Devlin guided it down Ute Pass. When he turned onto Summer’s street, the knot in his stomach tightened. Was he moving too fast? How the hell was a man supposed to know these things? Maybe that’s why he had two failed relationships but a lot of successful covert missions under his belt.
The job and his men always came first. He just couldn’t get the hang of intimate one on one interactions with long-term success. Not for one minute did he consider taking advice from his baby sister. She’d never let him live it down. Maybe Dave would have some words of wisdom. His marriage was rock solid. Still early, Devlin parked down the block from Summer’s place and dialed Dave’s number, he should still be on leave.
Dave answered on the first ring. After a few minutes of serious conversation, Devlin had what he needed and pulled up in front of Earthbound Yoga. After the truck rolled to a stop, he jumped out and sprinted up to her door. Her apartment windows were dark when he knocked. No one answered. He listened for a couple of beats and knocked again. This time he heard Piper barking and a light in the back of the apartment flicked on.
Summer peeked out the window before opening the door. “Good morning. Sorry, I must have fallen back to sleep after I was up earlier. It’ll only take me a couple of minutes to get ready.”
Devlin stepped inside and caught her by the waist before she scurried toward the bedroom. She turned and a smile lit up her face, while he tugged her toward him and kissed her with loving affection, then released her.
She drew in a breath. “What a way to start the morning.”
“Oh, I can think of a better way, but we’ll try it out tomorrow.” He grinned outrageously. “Are the bags by the door yours and Pipers?”
“Yes. I packed last night.”
“Great. I’ll run these out to the truck while you finish up.” He pulled a purple hedgehog squeaky toy from his coat pocket and tossed it across the floor. Piper pounced on the toy squeaking it continually as she pranced toward the bedroom.
****
Once they were all settled and belted in the truck, Devlin punched the gas and headed up the pass. The roads were clear, but the snow piled on the side of the road reached nearly a foot.
“Talked to Koda this morning. Divide got a few more inches of snow last night, perfect conditions for cross-country skiing,” he said.
“Good to know.” Summer gnawed on her bottom lip watching out the window, then blew out a breath and blurted, “I’m not who you think I am.”
“Oh. So who are you?”
“That’s a—tough—there was a situation—” She sighed. “I used magic to obliterate my brother’s vampire girlfriend.” Summer stared out the window for a couple of beats then turned her gaze to him. “Being a white witch—means you do no harm. My actions definitely fell in the
category of harm.”
There it was, hanging between them. Handling this right would make all the difference. He kept an easy grip on the steering wheel and gave her a quick sideways glance. “True. But there were extenuating circumstances?”
“She was draining him. Or trying to turn him. I don’t know which and neither did he.” She raised her arms up and let them fall back to her lap.
“He survived?”
“Yes. He was thankful for my intervention. My parents were shocked—but understanding. Our coven ruled my behavior warranted. It didn’t matter. After that, everyone treated me differently. My family walked on eggshells when I was around. So, I left town and took up yoga to understand and center myself.”
“Makes it hard,” Devlin said nodding his head. That’s the reason she rarely used her magic.
“You bet ya. Everyone knew I was an elemental witch. But what they didn’t know, I could control more than one element. An earth witch is pretty common, so is a water witch, but a fire witch is less common and more dangerous, especially during adolescence.
“The ability to command all four elements was unheard of until I came into my powers. Somehow, my parents knew before.” Red patches bloomed on her cheeks. “When I was a child, my parents called me their little thunderstorm, for obvious reasons. As I grew older, they insisted I learn control and cautioned against demonstrating my abilities.”
“Witches have different powers?” He asked smirking. “And show and tell, too?”
She huffed out a breath. “More like adolescents showing off.” The corner of her mouth turned up in a half smile. “Witches talents are varied, spell casters, potions experts, seers, you get the picture.”
Bits and pieces of the dream fluttered through his mind. “What about dream weaving?” He asked, voice calm as he stole another sideways glance and shot her an encouraging smile.
She narrowed her eyes. “Why do you ask?”
“Just curious.” He shrugged and turned his attention to the road. Clouds obscured the sun and large fluffy snowflakes touched the windshield and melted.
“It’s an ability I’ve only heard about,” she replied, eyes narrowed.
One brow raised, he asked, “You don’t happen to have a fairy tat on your lower back?”
“How do you know that?” she demanded.
“I believe we shared a dream early this morning.” I would have loved to spend more time in that dream.
“That’s impossible.”
He glanced over at her again and her entire face and neck were red. “Really? The dream was sensual, but the fleeting scenes—I didn’t understand at the time, but tried to comfort you. They make sense now. The ash was the vampire. You lit her up?”
Summer opened and shut her mouth several times then stammered, “H—how is that possible. How can you be so…about her demise?”
“Nothing wrong with protecting your own, in my book. Magic creatures live and die by a different set of rules than regular people. During many covert missions I’ve executed, the outcome was the same, not pleasant, but necessary.”
“Does that make me a bad person? Maybe in some people’s eyes, but those same individuals enjoy the freedom my deeds provided. It’s subjective.” He shrugged. “Your brother is alive today, due to your actions. You might consider giving your family another chance.”
“Maybe.” She shook her head slowly.
“As far as the dream, some Weres or shape shifters, have the ability to walk through dreams, it’s a pack mentality. But I’ve never been in an interactive dream with another creature. It was surreal.” And very arousing. But he had the sense to keep that part to himself. A quick sideways peek and he was pleased to see the trepidation in her face seeping away.
Her lips twitched and curved into a slow smile. “I see.”
“With that out of the way, let’s concentrate on the fun weekend I have planned. My sister picked up your equipment, ski bib, matching parka and gloves this morning.” He motioned at the windshield. “With the fresh snow conditions will be excellent. There’s also several great sledding hills on the property, sleds included.”
“You make a mean mug of hot chocolate too,” she said.
“I have a couple of questions. Why buy a gun? Train a guard dog? Magic provides protection.”
“After…” She blew out a breath. “A gun is a non-magical way to deal with undesirables. I spend a lot of time alone at Earthbound, especially since I bought it. Piper alerts me to interlopers, she is a deterrent and my companion. I sleep better with her by my side. A gun discourages bad intentions.”
“With legal complications and not very effective on vampires.” Devlin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning. “I agree. Piper is a great dog.”
At the mention of her name, Piper flicked her ears, raised her head from the backseat. She got up and moved next to the window.
“I relocated here to avoid magical creatures and situations. But…” She looked over at Devlin as her lips twitched. “I seem to attract them.”
The truck slowed and Devlin turned down a snow-covered dirt road. About three-quarters down the road, Summer sucked in a breath. Straight ahead, a large two-story A-frame log cabin with wrap around porch, sat in the middle of an expansive meadow. A grove of Aspen trees lined the back and mountains surrounded three sides of the acreage.
Sliding glass doors opened onto a balcony across the front of the second story surrounded by large windows. A deep three-car garage sat off to the side with two regular size doors and one tall wide one. A huge Blue Spruce stood several yards in front of the house and a wide circular driveway wound its way between the house and tree.
“That’s your cabin?” Summer asked.
“Yep that’s home. If you look toward the Aspens, you can see the start of several trails. Those are where we’ll start skiing.” He pulled the truck in front of one of the normal garage doors, pushed a button on the dash and the door groaned and ratted as it went up.
“I’ll let Piper out to stretch her legs and take care of business. After that, we’ll go into the cabin and get you suited up. Koda and Wyatt are probably already on the trails.”
He opened the back door to the truck and on Summer’s release command, Piper bounded out, racing several yards from the truck. In a blur of movement, Devlin was at the passenger side door, pulling it open for Summer, slipped his hands around her waist and lifted her out, brushing his lips over hers before allowing her feet to touch the ground.
She stood on tiptoe reclaiming his lips. When they broke apart, Devlin saw his sister and brother-in-law skiing across the meadow toward them. Piper rushed to Summer, took up in a protective stance between her and the advancing couple.
“Stand down, Piper. Friends.” Summer commanded. Piper shifted to beside her owner and watched warily as Koda and Wyatt approached.
“This the dog you were telling us about? She’s absolutely gorgeous,” Koda said stepping out of her skis. With one eye on Piper, Koda reached for her brother and Summer. “Will she let me hug you two?”
“Sure. I’ve already told her you’re friends. She’ll be fine.” Summer said, embracing first Koda then Wyatt.
“Hey, what am I chopped liver?” Devlin said giving his sister a bear hug and slapping Wyatt on the shoulder. “How’s the trail?”
“Fantastic. We just checked back to see if you’d arrived yet.” Koda grinned and glanced at Summer. “You ready to go? Hurry, get dressed we’re going to have a blast. Tonight drinks around the fireplace and a fabulous dinner, if I do say so myself.”
****
Dressed in a maroon and white ski bib, maroon parka and matching gloves. Summer stepped out the door holding her dark blue ski boots. Devlin had changed into ski clothes and was waiting with her skis, motioning her to a chair in the open garage. She sat on a carved wooden bench pushed against the garage wall, while Devlin fitted her ski boots to the skis.
“Perfect, you’re all set.” He handed her a pair of ski poles. “Now st
ep off the skis, just like I clicked them in place. We’ll carry the skis out to where the trail begins at the edge of the forest.” Devlin pulled on his cap and hefted both sets of skis on his shoulders.
Summer released Piper to play and she ran circles around the group barking and nosing through the snow, snowplow style. Once they reached the tree line, Summer called the dog to her side. “She’s not familiar with this area or skiing, so I’ll keep her close.”
Devlin winced. “Not too close while you’re learning to maneuver your skis. Now, click into your skis and let’s see how you do. First, put your skis parallel to each other bend forward at the ankles and slightly at the knees. Keep your weight over your skis. Nice. You’re a natural.”
“Thanks…I think.” She tried to pick up her ski as she’d seen Devlin do and wobbled.
“Whoa there.” Devlin caught her by the elbow. “Shuffle your skis to start with. Scoot one ski at a time slightly forward. Stay in the tracks already made in the snow.”
“Got it.” She slid one ski in front of the other. “This takes a lot of leg strength.”
“Koda would you mind demonstrating the shuffle method while I stay close to Summer?”
“Sure.” Koda took off down the trail in front of Summer.
“Hey girl, demonstrate, not show off.” Wyatt said laughing as he caught up with her.
Koda pointed her ski tips in a V and came to a stop. “And that’s how you stop.”
“Thanks Koda. Let’s head for Sunrise Ridge.”
Koda took the lead with Wyatt directly behind her, Summer and Devlin close behind. An hour later, they reached the overlook. In the sunlight, the fresh snow sparkled like diamonds sprinkled across the pristine valley below where Mule Deer wandered leisurely among the snow laden pine trees. Summer shifted her weight too far back on her skis, lost her balance and fell into Devlin’s waiting arms. He released her skis and helped her over to a wooden bench he’d built a couple years ago, and hauled up here to enjoy the peace and watch the wildlife.
Devlin nodded to Wyatt and Koda. “Summer and I are going to enjoy the view for a while.” He eased down beside her, slipped an arm around her shoulders and she snugged against him.