Snowy Encounters

by Clarissa Yip

  He strode through the snow piling on the driveway. What the hell did she mean he loved the lodge more than her? He’d practically done everything for her back then, lived for her, breathed for her, and it hadn’t been enough. Nothing he’d done made her want to try at their marriage after they lost the baby.

  Cole reached the door and jerked it open. Mary and Maddy stood in the foyer talking, and they both whirled around to stare at him. He noticed the overnight bags on the floor. “What’s going on?”

  Mary threw Cole a small smile, tears brimming. “Kate got in a little accident and I’m going to fly up to Denver to take care of the kids.”

  He closed the distance between them and hugged her. “I’m sorry. Is she okay?”

  Mary nodded then drew away. “My sister is fine, but the doctor wants to keep her at the hospital for a few days and there’s no one to take care of her kids. They’re still so little.”

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  “You’re a sweet boy, but I should be able to manage. Hank and I are going to spend Christmas with them.” Mary turned to Maddy. “I’m so sorry. I know I made you come home for the holidays and now we’re ditching you.”

  She kissed her mother’s cheek. “It’s okay, mom. I can come with you if you’d like.”

  “No, no. It’s too much trouble. We’ll be back before you leave and we’ll celebrate New Year’s together.”

  “Mom...” Maddy’s gaze flickered to Cole before she quickly looked away. “I might not be here—”

  “I’ll call you kids when I get to Denver.” Mary headed to the door.

  Cole bent and picked up the bags. His irritation rose. Maddy wasn’t planning on staying that long. “I’ll help bring this to the car.”

  “Thanks, Cole,” said Mary.

  After they waved Mary and Hank off, Cole followed Maddy into the house. She ignored him when he’d called after her. Annoyed, he’d slammed the door with a little too much force, rattling the windows as he stalked into the kitchen.

  “We need to talk,” he announced. He wanted answers and he refused to leave without them.

  She sighed, took off her jacket and placed it over a chair then moved to the kitchen counter and grabbed the kettle. Filling it with water, she set it on the stove before turning around to lean against the counter. “About what?”

  Cole crossed his arms over his chest. “That last comment you made before you got out of the truck.”

  “What about it?”

  He shoved a hand through his hair. “How can you say that?”

  “Why does it matter?” She moved to the cabinet and pulled down a mug.

  He closed the distance and whirled her around. “I loved you.”

  “Cole, it’s been so long.”

  “How could you think that I had loved the lodge more than you?”

  “It’s obvious. We stopped talking after the miscarriage and all you did was work. What am I supposed to think?”

  His mouth dropped. “Is that why you wanted a divorce? Because you thought I didn’t love you?”

  She stiffened as he gripped her biceps and drew her up against him. “Cole…”

  “Is it?” he demanded.

  Tears welled in her eyes. Her palms flattened against his chest. “You started working more after we found out I was pregnant. If you hadn’t wanted a family, then you should have told me.”

  His hands dropped to his side, and he took a step back as if she’s slapped him. His chest lifted rapidly, sucking in air. Pain exploded around his heart. He couldn’t believe her. After all he’d tried to do for her, for them, it hadn’t meant anything. She thought he didn’t want the baby, when he’d done nothing but throw himself in work so he could secure their future together. She’d been the one who pushed him away after the miscarriage and then everything he did wasn’t good enough, because she wanted bigger, better things. So, she left him. How could she turn the blame around?

  He had to get out. It hurt just to look at her.

  Pivoting around, he strode to the kitchen doorway then stopped. Maddy stood gripping the edge of counter, tears streaming down her face. He didn’t care. “You know, you say I loved the lodge more than I loved you, but you can’t blame me since you’re the one who left. Five Oaks was never good enough for you. Neither was I.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Maddy attached the last bow to the tree then sat on her haunches to admire her work. She was done. She’d spent most of the day in the upstairs lobby/living room finishing up the decorations.

  And still no sign of Cole.

  After he’d walked out on her yesterday, she’d had time to reminisce over his dramatic exit, and became angrier the more she thought about it. But doubts started to cloud her mind. How could he imply she was too good for the town? Or him? She’d grown up there, lived there most of her life, and missed the damn place when she was away. She’d had to leave. She couldn’t have stayed with a man who chose his work over her.

  Standing up, she collected the box of decorations she hadn’t used then went downstairs to the guest counter. Stacy, the front desk girl, greeted her with a smile. “Cole in yet?” Maddy asked.

  Stacy shook her head. “I don’t think he’s coming in to work since Matt is staying an extra shift, but he should be here to check up on the Christmas Eve party tonight.”

  Maddy frowned. Cole never missed work. His staff was efficient and trustworthy, but he was always around even when he didn’t have to be. “Is he home?”

  The girl shrugged. “I have no idea. I don't think he's at the new lodge either since Matt said that everything was done there and you already ordered up everything we needed.”

  Maddy nodded. “Thanks. I’m going to head home now.”

  “All right.” Stacy took the box of decorations. “Be careful driving. The snow looks like it’s falling faster.”

  “Thanks.” Maddy gave her a smile.

  Once she was in her rental car and driving down the mountain, she couldn’t help feeling irritated. Her mother called to confirm their landing in Denver and told her to spend Christmas with Cole. Kind of hard when he was avoiding her, but then why would she in the first place? Who was he to be mad at her?

  She stepped on the gas a little too hard. The car swerved. Her heart raced, and she quickly righted the car. Calm down. You don’t need to make the headlines for driving off the mountain.

  At least, not until she talked to Cole.

  Instead of stopping at her parent’s house, she drove further down the street. To Cole’s. She didn’t understand why he even bothered to keep their house when he could stay up at the lodge. He worked more than anyone she knew and now that he had a new place opening, there was no point for him to keep a separate home.

  She spotted his truck in the driveway and pulled up behind it. Once she got out of the car, she strode to the door. The wind bit her face as snow blew at her like a whirlwind. She swallowed hard, lifted her hand, and pressed the doorbell.

  No sound.

  She rung the doorbell again and heard angry footsteps before the door jerked open. She took in his disheveled appearance. Cole’s jet black hair stood on end like he’d run his fingers through the thick mass a million times. Anger blazed from his deep bloodshot eyes, his jaw taut and lips thinned.

  Her mouth went dry.

  He was topless. His bronze skin gleamed under the hall light, jeans unbuttoned, and she couldn’t help but stare at the dark patch of hair that disappeared into his pants. His trim waist and muscled abs sent her pulse racing. Her gaze shot back to his face.

  “What the hell are you doing here?”

  She frowned. “We need to talk.”

  He scoffed. The next thing she knew, the door slammed shut.

  Maddy stood paralyzed for a second before she started to pound on the wooden panel with her fist. “Open the door, Cole.”

  “Go away.”

  “I want to talk to you!”

  “I don’t. Just go back to your damn city and glamorou
s job.”

  She stopped. Disbelief coursed through her. No way was she leaving until she had her say. She rounded the porch to the back of the house and tried to look for an open window. They were all locked.

  Maddy paused at the basement windows and squatted. It was small and narrow, but she hoped she could slip through since Cole had broken in this way the one time they’d been locked out. Sliding her fingers under the frame of the metal rim, she pried it open. Victory surged through her. Sitting down in the snow, she used her boot and kicked the screen netting. Carefully, she maneuvered her body through the small opening. Her thick jacket caught against the frame, stopping her from moving any further. She unzipped it and pulled her arms out, then continued. Once her bottom slipped past the edge, she fell onto the concrete floor. Standing up, she rubbed the dust off her legs and groaned when she straightened. Her ankle throbbed.

  With a determined breath, she made her way up the stairs and threw the basement door open. Her eyes circled the kitchen and an ache formed in her chest. The place was how she remembered. Fear that Cole would allow another woman to change her décor had annoyed her more than once. She shoved the kitchen door open and strode through the dining room to the family room.

  Cole sat in an armchair in front of the blazing fireplace. She rounded his chair and slapped her hands on her hips. “We need to talk.”

  He jerked in his seat, surprise encompassing his brooding features. “How the hell did you get in?”

  “Through the basement, no thanks to you.”

  “Get out.”

  “No, not until we clear up some things.” She sniffed the air and stilled, catching the hint of alcohol then spotted the empty scotch bottle on the table next to him. “Are you drunk?” Exasperated, she moved a step forward. Cole never drank hard liquor. He may have a beer once in a while, but she’d never known him to touch alcohol since his father had become an alcoholic after their mother left.

  He blinked and leaned back, hands clasped in front of him. “Not enough.”

  “You don’t drink normally.”

  “I don’t, but things change. My wife left me for the big city because I didn’t love her enough, even though I worked my ass off to secure a future for the kids I never wanted.”

  Maddy frowned. Her hands dropped to her side. “What? Are you telling me I’m wrong?”

  His eyes narrowed then he shrugged. “Does it matter now? You went off believing whatever you wanted.”

  Her anger rose. “You never did anything to stop me either!”

  Cole smirked. “Was I supposed to when all you’d done was push me away after the miscarriage? There wasn’t one night that we didn’t fight over the stupidest things and even when I had tried to do something nice, you flipped out.”

  “Yeah, because you knew I was complaining about how much you were working when I needed you the most.”

  He surged out of the chair, a glare set on his face. “Oh, bull, Maddy. You wanted out because you wanted to go chase your dreams in the city. Everything I did was never right. You told me often enough what you would have done if you weren’t married. And all I did was try to provide for you and the baby so we wouldn’t have to worry about our finances. But you wanted to work yourself. Maybe you were the one who didn’t want to start a family.”

  She staggered back a step. Her throat tightened. “That’s not true. You left me home alone all the time and I sat waiting for you every night. You changed. You became obsessed with helping rebuild the town with the lodge, with becoming the town hero. I wasn’t going to stick around and compete for your affections with the lodge!”

  Maddy collapsed to the floor. She couldn’t breathe. Sobs threatened to break free. Her head dropped into her hands, her chest tried to pull in air. Strong arms wrapped around her and she met with a warm wall.

  “Dammit, Maddy. You were my everything and then you went and broke my heart.”

  Her gaze lifted. The vulnerability and hurt in his eyes ripped a cry past her lips as she buried her face into his neck.

  “How could you think that I didn’t love you?” Cole murmured, rubbing her back.

  “We stopped making love after the miscarriage. You didn’t want me anymore,” she said, softly.

  Cole drew away, his hand held her chin so she’d be forced to look at him. “You turned me away. That one time I walked in on you in the bathroom, you pushed me out. So, I worked more because I thought you needed time alone.” He hugged her tighter, his voice cracked. “I wanted the baby more than anything.”

  She remembered. After two months of wallowing in pity, she’d stopped caring for herself and had realized how pitiful she’d looked. Insecurity had taken over the more Cole left her alone. Her heart squeezed. Maybe she’d been selfish, thinking only of herself. Maybe she’d overreacted at his abandonment. But was it really abandonment? She tilted her head back. “You didn’t think I was ugly?”

  He glared. “Why the hell would I think that?”

  She shrugged in shame. “I thought you didn’t desire me anymore because you started working more to avoid me.”

  His jaw hardened then his gaze softened as he reached up and cupped her face. “Honey, I always desire you. I still do. And you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever loved.”

  Maddy sniffled. “I’m sorry. Deep down I knew you wanted the baby as much as I did.”

  He brushed his lips over hers. “I wanted the baby, but I had always wanted you the most. The lodge was my only sanity when you left. I almost died when I saw the divorce papers.”

  Her heart melted. She leaned in to him, overwhelmed. His words raced through her, mending her doubts, her uncertainties of the past. She paused. “Just how many women have you loved?”

  Cole drew back and grinned. “Just you.”

  She let out a relieved sigh. Then she gulped. The intensity in his eyes took her breath away. He lowered his head, her lips parted. She should leave now that she’d had her answers, but somehow she couldn’t bring herself to move. She wanted, needed his touch more than anything.

  Lifting up on her toes, she met him halfway.

  She hesitated, but Cole closed the distance, his mouth settling over hers. All thoughts fled her mind as she kissed him back. Warmth surged through her and she wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight in her clasp. She missed this—this closeness, his taste, the way he made her feel. She wanted to belong here, again.

  His hands worked its way up her sweater. Her stomach tightened at the contact as her breasts filled his palms. “Let me love you,” he said softly.

  She whimpered, and allowed him to draw her sweater off. His eyes trailed over her, her skin tingled under his inspection. Cole drew her close, his mouth brushing over hers before trailing down her neck, to her collarbone. He worked at the hook of her bra and the flimsy lace fell off her shoulders. Closing his lips over her nipple, he sucked hard. Maddy gasped. Heat singed her core and she rubbed against his jean-clad erection. Her insides melted, moisture pooling between her legs. An ache formed. Only Cole could remedy that. No one else.

  He laid her down on the floor in front of the fireplace. Her breath caught at the burning desire in his gaze as he moved lower. Dragging in deep breaths, she threw herself into the moment. Cole slid her jeans off. He trailed his fingers of her calves, her knees, and stopped at her hips, toying with the elastic of her panties. Lifting her bottom up, she allowed him to slide the lace down her legs. His eyes darkened as he lowered his head. Her nails dug into the carpet at the first swipe of his tongue. Delicious tension whirled through her. It’d been so long.

  She cried out at the feel of his finger penetrating her folds. Then another. Her inner muscles clutched at him, needing him. He drilled his tongue over her clit. Squirming under his ministrations, she pulled his head to where she needed him and he continued his sweet torture. The coiled strain in her stomach gripped her. Release rushed at her, and Cole sucked harder. She fell apart. Her hips arched, body tightened as intense pleasure pulsed through her.
With the last tremor, Cole shoved his jeans down, baring himself. Her eyes widened at his thick girth. Arousal strummed through her again. She’d missed him so much and if he didn’t fill her soon, she knew she’d go crazy. Pulling him down, she rubbed her hot sex against the broad head of his cock. He groaned. She tasted herself on his lips as he teased her, brushing up and down over her folds.

  The doorbell rang. Her head fought to clear as she started to draw away. Impatient pounding sounded at the door.

  “Just ignore it,” he murmured.

  Her fingers dug into the hair at his nape, pulling him closer.

  “Oh, Cole, sweetie!”

  Maddy froze.

  “I know you’re in there!”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Cole pulled his briefs and jeans up, not bothering to button them, and stifled an uncomfortable groan over his aroused state. His insides hurt. So close, he could have felt her heat gloving him. He ran a shaky hand through his hair as Maddy quickly jerked on her clothes. Her accusing glare pierced his insides with frustration. “Just let me check what Brie wants.”

  Maddy scoffed, wrapping her arms around herself. “I need to go.” She whirled around, but he caught her elbow before she could move any farther.

  “Don’t.”

  She jerked away. The doorbell rang again. “Your waitress knows you’re home. You shouldn’t keep her waiting.”

  “She’s a friend.” He cursed Brie for showing up at the worst times.

  “Sure.”

  Cole growled as he followed her to the front door. Irritation coursed through him at her stony glance. Back to indifference. He’d been drowning in his grief and anger, never expecting she’d show up. And now, it was all ruined again. “We still need to talk.”

  “No problem, when you get a chance,” she said with fake courtesy. She whipped the door open and there as he’d feared, stood Brie, holding a brown paper bag.

  The waitress eyed the both of them, surprise drawing her mouth open. “Am I interrupting something?”