But first he had to come up with the tree. And get into the damned outbuilding when snow had piled up against a door that was probably frozen shut by now. He kicked most of the snow away and pried open the latch.
This had sounded so easy when he’d described it to Lacey. Putting his whole weight behind the effort, he finally wrenched open the door with a loud crack. Instantly he positioned himself in the opening in case Houdini stood right there, ready to make a run for it. When no Houdini nose shoved against his chest, he slipped inside quickly and reached for the light switch as he pulled the door closed.
Houdini dozed peacefully in his allotted space next to the Jeep. Apparently the horse had worn himself out running through the snow earlier. Bonus. The Jeep looked okay, but some fresh chew marks on a two-by-four stud were probably Houdini’s handiwork. Tucker decided not to worry about that now. He’d assess the damage after the storm ended.
Relieved that Houdini seemed to be settled into his temporary quarters just fine, Tucker rummaged in the back of the Jeep and located both a shovel and the hefty coil of rope. He also needed something for the tree’s root ball, but the only bucket turned out to be the one he’d used for Houdini’s oats. He’d need that again.
On a shelf near the door, he found an empty burlap sack and took that, instead. The outbuilding felt cozy, but Tucker didn’t linger. He had a tree to dig up.
Once he was back outside in the bone-chilling cold, he secured the outbuilding’s double doors and tied one end of the rope to the latch. He wrapped the other end around his waist and knotted it, although his dexterity was hampered by the freezing temperature and the shovel and sack he held.
Finally he was armed and ready to bag himself a tree. Failure was not an option.
He took a moment to orient himself and walked around to the back side of the cabin, which faced south and was the most likely to have unfrozen ground. He trailed Lacey’s rope behind him. Although he’d initially imagined hauling in a man-size blue spruce, he’d scaled back his expectations to a child-size pine. In some things, size mattered. In this case, it was the thought that counted.
But he didn’t have a lot of choices. Exactly one tree grew next to the cabin in what might be unfrozen ground. The tree had a nice shape, but it stood at least seven feet tall. Tucker surveyed the situation, took note of the condition of his fingers, toes and nose, and decided digging up this very tree was the best he could hope for.
Some time later—could have been thirty minutes, could have been an hour, could have been two hours—he enclosed the tree’s roots in the burlap sack and half carried, half dragged the tree around to the front of the cabin and up the steps to the small porch. She’d better love it, that was all he could say. He would have thought all that effort would warm him up, but instead he was one gigantic icicle.
As if she’d been listening for his approach, she threw open the door. “At last! I was ready to send out the St. Bernard with a keg of whiskey!”
“Took longer than I thought.”
Her attention strayed to the tree lying on the porch. “Oh, Tucker. It’s perfect.” She stepped back so he could wrestle the tree inside. “Plus it smells wonderful.”
He’d have to take her word for it. His nostrils were frozen shut. He’d been mouth-breathing for what seemed like hours.
“I cleared a place for it in the corner.”
Branches scraped along the hardwood floor and he hoped the tree wasn’t leaking sap. Then he realized that nothing would be leaking sap, including him, when the outside temperature was this cold. All gelatinous substances would be solids by now.
He’d dug up as much of the root system as he had the energy for. Consequently, the tree had a solid base of roots and soil inside the burlap. Once he tipped the tree upright, it stood straight and looked magnificent, exactly as he’d pictured it would.
“Tucker, that’s amazing.”
He glanced over and discovered her gratitude and awe was directed at him, not the tree. He’d impressed her, and suddenly the ordeal was worth every finger-numbing, toe-numbing second he’d endured.
Feeling like Paul Bunyan, he stood back and admired his work. “Now that’s a Christmas tree.”
“Yes, it most definitely is.”
Next he tried to unbutton his coat, which was a chore because he couldn’t feel his fingers and had forgotten he was still wearing gloves.
“Here, let me help you with that.” Moving in front of him, she gently pulled off his gloves and dropped them to the floor.
His fingers began to tingle as the numbness disappeared. He flexed them and decided he’d been through worse.
Then she began unfastening the buttons on his coat, which were covered with snow.
He let his arms drop to his sides and watched her intently pursuing her goal. If he wasn’t so damned cold, this would be erotic. Good thing he was frozen, because now that he’d brought home the trophy tree, he had the unwise urge to claim his reward.
Fortunately his penis wouldn’t be up to claiming anything until he’d thawed out some. Even then, he had another sizable issue that would keep his bad boy in check. Thank God he was totally condomless. The heady feeling of being admired and fussed over for his tree-bagging abilities was making mincemeat of his vow not to get physical with her.
“You’re really shaking, Tucker. I’m worried that you’re suffering from mild hypothermia.” She peeled off his coat and dropped it on the floor.
He doubted that. He’d been dealing with this kind of weather all his life, and he’d never had a problem with it. But he was human, and having her fret over his well-being felt nice, so he kept his mouth shut.
“Sit down on the couch. I’ll take off your boots.”
He complied.
She pulled off his boots with brisk efficiency and then removed his wool socks. “God, your feet are like ice.”
He didn’t know if they were or not. He couldn’t feel them yet.
“Come with me.” She grasped his hand, which was still prickling, and urged him to his feet. “What you need is to get out of these clothes and into a warm bed.”
He couldn’t recall ever refusing a beautiful woman’s invitation to get into her bed, but he had to refuse this time. “That’s okay. I’ll be fine here by the fire.”
“Look, this isn’t up for debate. I’m not about to have you put your health at risk because of this daring tree project. It was a wonderful gesture, and I want you to be well enough to enjoy it.” She tugged harder. “Now, come on. Don’t make me get nasty.”
He had to admit that crawling into a warm bed sounded terrific, at least until he warmed up. She hadn’t said she’d get in there with him, so maybe it would be okay. Once he wasn’t shivering so much, he’d get dressed again and they’d decorate the tree together.
“Okay. Just for a few minutes.” He allowed himself to be led into the bedroom. Nothing would happen there. Without condoms, nothing could happen there. End of story.
4
LACEY WASN’T ABOUT TO let Tucker’s heroic Christmas tree project put him at risk. The fact that he was shaking was a good sign and meant his body was still trying to warm itself. But he’d been out there nearly an hour, and she wasn’t taking any chances considering how isolated they were.
She’d put him to bed and brew him some tea. Anyone who’d dealt with hypothermia would do the same. The fact that he was six-foot-plus of dark-haired, green-eyed yumminess wasn’t the dominant factor, here.
But it was a factor. She threw back the covers on the cabin’s queen-size bed before turning to him. Her gaze traveled from his broad shoulders to his narrow hips, and she swallowed. Taking off his gloves and coat were one thing. Removing the rest of his clothes was quite another.
She glanced into his eyes, which seemed somewhat unfocused. “Do you think you can undress yourself?”
His teeth chattered as he continued to shiver. “Sure. Go on back by the f-fire. I’ll b-be fine.” He fumbled with the snaps on his shirt.
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p; “Never mind.” She nudged his hands away. “It’ll go faster if I do it.” Taking a deep breath, she tackled the snaps. The material was cold, but she was encouraged by the warmth of his body underneath. He was still quivering, but at least his skin wasn’t clammy. “I think you’re going to be okay. This is just a precaution.”
He nodded as he stood meekly letting her unfasten the snaps at his wrists and pull the shirt from his waistband. Once she’d tossed the shirt on the floor, she worked his T-shirt off. He leaned down slightly so she could pull it over his head.
At that point her objectivity began to slip. She forced herself to ignore the breadth of his chest, the dark hair sprinkled over it, and the intoxicating scent of his skin. She reminded herself that hypothermia was serious, a condition not to be messed with.
Keeping that thought foremost in her mind, she reached for his belt buckle. But as she did, his hand closed over hers.
“That’s good enough,” he said. “You can stop, now.”
She glanced up and met a gaze so hot she nearly went up in flames.
“I don’t need to crawl into that bed, after all.” His voice was husky. “If you’ll just go on out to the living room and wait for me, I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
Her heart raced and moisture gathered between her thighs. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she’d aroused him with the undressing routine. Standing here by the bed presented the ideal opportunity to do something about that. She admitted the possibility of sex with him had been in the back of her mind, assuming he really didn’t have hypothermia.
And yet Tucker acted as if he didn’t intend to take advantage of the situation she’d created for them. Given his reputation and his obvious attraction to her, she had to believe he wanted to. Lack of birth control had to be the thing stopping him.
So now what? Should she announce that she had a box of condoms? That seemed sort of…tacky. But if she didn’t let him know about them, he would continue to avoid any possibility of having sex with her tonight. That would be a waste for both of them.
“I mean it, Lacey. You need to leave.”
She kept looking into his eyes because they were begging her to stay even though his words told her to go. She swallowed. “What—what if I don’t want to leave?”
He groaned. “It’s best if you do.”
“What would you say if I told you I have…condoms?”
His eyes widened.
“I was always in charge of bringing them, and I forgot to take them out of my travel case for this trip.”
“You were always in charge of condoms? What kind of man expects that of a woman?”
“The same kind who dumps her right before Christmas, I guess. Anyway, I have them.”
He blew out a breath. “Right.”
Oh, God. The issue wasn’t condoms. Or if it was, he was put off by the idea of using some bought for another man. What she’d thought was a happy accident might be a colossal insult.
How awkward was this? Her face hot with embarrassment, she looked away. “Never mind,” she murmured. “Forget I said anything. I’ll see you in the living room.” She started to leave.
“Wait.” He caught her arm.
“Listen, Tucker, I’m sure your instincts are on target.” She still didn’t look at him.
“Or maybe yours are.” He pulled her gently back until she was facing him. “Just so you know, I want you desperately.”
“Yes, but you have misgivings.”
His smile was soft. “Not anymore.” And then he kissed her with such thoroughness that she believed him.
He continued to kiss her until her resistance disappeared and her body grew molten with desire. Soon nothing was more important than making love with Tucker. And even though he had a reputation for making any woman he touched feel that way, she knew that for this moment, she was the only one who mattered to him. That was enough.
At last he released her and brushed his thumb slowly over her well-kissed mouth. “The condoms are where?”
“Finish getting out of your clothes.” She moved reluctantly from the warmth of his arms and headed for the door. “I’ll get the box.”
Once she was in the bathroom, she told herself not to look in the mirror, but of course she did, and groaned in dismay. Hair going every which way, no makeup, and worst of all, her pink cheeks and sparkling eyes made her look wholesome. Tucker had never dated wholesome girls in high school, and she’d bet good money he didn’t date wholesome girls now, either.
But then she remembered the way he’d kissed her just now, and there was nothing wholesome about the way she’d kissed him back. She wasn’t the shy virgin he’d met outside the school gym that night. She shouldn’t be worrying about whether she’d measure up to the other women he’d had.
“Lacey?” he called out from the bedroom. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” she called back. Grabbing the box of condoms, she walked across the hall and into the bedroom.
Tucker sat up in bed, the covers pulled to his waist. He was leaning casually against a pillow he’d placed between his back and the headboard, but there was nothing casual about the way he looked at her. His gaze was intense, and the hint of a frown creased the spot between his dark eyebrows.
He took a deep breath, and his magnificent chest heaved. “I wondered if you’d changed your mind.”
“I haven’t changed my mind, but…I’ll admit to being a little intimidated by you.”
His frown deepened. “Intimidated?”
“You had quite a reputation in high school.”
He grimaced. “Don’t believe everything you hear.”
“Even if I didn’t believe all of it, I’m pretty sure that you’re more skilled and experienced at this than I am. So…” She paused, her pulse racing out of control. “What if I’m a big disappointment?”
He met her gaze. “I guess it’s always possible.”
“You think so?” She really hadn’t expected him to agree with her. Most men she knew, when presented with a willing woman holding a box of condoms, would brush aside any concerns and get to the action.
“But then, I could be a big disappointment to you, too.”
“I seriously doubt that, Tucker.”
“After listening to all the gossip, you’re probably expecting me to be the best you’ve ever had.”
She couldn’t deny it so she said nothing.
“That’s a lot of pressure.”
She felt ashamed of herself. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Tucker. I didn’t really think about—”
“On the other hand, it’s possible I will be the best you’ve ever had.” His wicked grin flashed. “Why don’t you take off those clothes so you can find out?”
She nearly passed out from excitement. She couldn’t breathe from the force of it. Now that was the kind of comment she would have expected from him. Heart pounding wildly, she tossed him the box of condoms.
He caught them in one hand without taking his gaze from hers. “For all you know,” he said quietly, “I’m expecting you to be the best I’ve ever had.”
Her reply was breathless. “Please don’t get your hopes up.” With trembling hands, she started removing her clothes.
“Sex is like dancing.” Still looking into her eyes, he opened the box of condoms, reached over and upended it on the nightstand. “You’re only as good as your partner.”
She’d never seen a man empty a box of condoms like that, as if he might need the entire contents eventually and wanted them all available. “That could work both ways,” she said. “I could cramp your style.” She’d peeled off everything but her bra and panties. If only they were black silk instead of white cotton.
“No, you won’t.”
She reached behind her back, unfastened her bra and let it slide down her arms to the floor.
He groaned softly. “You seriously won’t. Look at you.”
Her body grew several degrees hotter. “I’m nothing special.”
�
��That’s where you’re wrong. You’re perfect.”
No man had ever called her perfect before, and it must have gone to her head, because as she slipped off her panties, she added a little shimmy to the move.
“You’re killing me, Lacey. I need you over here ASAP.”
“You do?” She wasn’t sure where the temptress voice had come from, either. “Why is that?”
He threw back the covers to reveal his gloriously erect penis. “Does that answer your question?”
She thought she could be forgiven for staring. A girl wasn’t treated to something that beautiful every day. In fact, this particular girl had never seen equipment quite so gorgeous.
It summoned an ache from deep inside her, an ache demanding to be assuaged. For the first time in her life she understood the concept of penis envy. If she could have that particular penis available to her on a regular basis, she would be the envy of every woman in the state of Wyoming.
She sashayed slowly over to the bed. She’d never sashayed before, but she was inspired to do it now. “You need to put on its party outfit.”
In one smooth movement, he picked up a condom packet from the nightstand and handed it to her. “You can do the honors.”
“I’d be delighted.” She quivered with eagerness, and even though she’d never been called upon to do this before, she vowed to be cool about it. She ripped open the package. “I’ve heard moistening it helps.”
“You might not like the taste.”
“Oh, I bet I will.” Heart hammering, she sat on the edge of the bed, wrapped her fingers around his penis and lowered her mouth to the glistening tip.
“I meant the taste of the con—ahhhh…never mind.”
She raised her head. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Nope.” His eyes had glazed over. “That’s great. More of that.”
“Okay.” Sucking gently, she took him in all the way to the back of her throat and heard him mutter a soft curse. She lifted her head again. “Problem?”
“Uh-huh.” His voice sounded strained. “You’re very good.”
“And that’s bad?” He was so velvety soft, yet so deliciously firm that she couldn’t resist stroking him.
Merry Christmas, Baby Page 4