Snowy Encounters

by Clarissa Yip

  “No.”

  “Yes.”

  He glared at Maddy, who ignored him.

  “I’m just leaving.” Maddy stalked past Brie, and Cole watched her trudge through the snow to her car. The door slammed and a second later, Maddy drove down the street, but instead of stopping at her parent’s house, he watched her take a right turn onto the main road. Where the hell was she going?

  “You okay? Did I come at a bad time?”

  Cole turned to Brie. Annoyed and angry, he shoved his hands into his pockets and pasted on a smile. “What are you doing here?”

  She lifted the bag. “I heard you stayed home from work. I figured I could make you something.”

  Cole sighed. “Brie, I—”

  “Don’t worry, I know where the kitchen is.” She brushed past him, and headed down the hall. He stared after her in disbelief. Why did Brie have to show up at the worst time? And what was she doing here?

  He closed the door, drew in a deep breath and released it. Tempted to run after Maddy, he stood in the hall by himself. Brie’s chatter reached his ears from the kitchen, but he couldn’t make out anything, nor did he care. What was he supposed to do?

  His body tightened as he recalled the taste and feel of his wife in his arms, her response, her passion. And it was all just for him. Dammit. Now she was probably going to go back to her big city and live her life without him again. Could he allow that?

  He needed to find her.

  But where could she have gone?

  A thought struck.

  Maddy would only go to one place when she was upset.

  Grabbing his coat off the hook, he slipped his arms through and pulled his keys out of his pocket.

  “Where you going?”

  He whipped around. “I’m going after my wife.” His own words rang in his ear. No matter that they were divorced, he’d always considered Maddy his wife. He couldn’t see anyone else taking her position next to him.

  She gave him a quivering smile. “I guess I did come at a bad time, huh?”

  Remorse lit through him at the hurt in Brie’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “Well go. I’ll let myself out.” Brie wiped at her cheeks with the back of her hands.

  He hesitated as he latched onto the door handle, but stopped. “I’m really—”

  “It’s okay, Cole. I know. I didn’t recognize your ex-wife, but I had hoped it wasn’t her when I saw her the other day. I understand. Some things weren’t meant to be.”

  With a sigh, he crossed the room and hugged her. “Thank you. You’re a good friend and whoever catches you will be very lucky.”

  She scoffed. “My dreams for the town’s hottest bachelor just got crushed. I doubt there’d be another one that would show up in this town.”

  Cole chuckled.

  “Go get her. Don’t let her go.” Brie shooed him off.

  Doubt swirled in his gut. “Hopefully.” He turned to leave.

  “Hey, Cole.”

  He paused and threw her another questioning glance.

  “You might want to button up your jeans and go put a shirt on under that coat. I don’t know how well the town is going to take you running around partly naked in this weather.”

  He looked down at his bare chest and unbuttoned jeans, and cursed.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Her teeth clattered against the brisk cold. Idiot that she was, she’d left her coat by the side of Cole’s house. She should have gone home, but she hadn’t wanted to.

  She needed to think. If only jealousy wasn’t eating her alive and making her sick.

  Wrapping her arms around herself, she trudged through the woods. Her thick sweater did nothing to protect her from the chill. She found her favorite spot near Death’s Peak and leaned against the tree. Her eyes took in the magnificent view. The steep slope was a big draw for skiers. From here, she could see the town, the Main Street shopping, the residential areas nestled in with the trees, and more snow. The early evening sun cast an orange-yellow glow over the landscape, providing some warmth.

  This was the one place she’d always run to whenever troubled or angry. And normally, Cole would show up to tease her and make her feel better. But not this time.

  He was too busy with the waitress.

  She rubbed her hands and wondered what they were doing. Did it matter? It wasn’t as if he’d declared he couldn’t live without her. If he had, she may have kicked the other woman out herself, but then what right did she have? She wasn’t his wife anymore. And the more she thought about the past, she was probably a coward for running, childish for believing she needed to be his first priority before the lodge, and she’d seen everyone’s pride in how Cole had helped rebuild the town, infusing the area with tourists and drawing in more visitors than Five Oaks had ever had. She wanted to be proud, but she couldn’t. If he hadn’t had the lodge, then he may have loved her more. She reached up and touched her lips. A groan escaped as she recalled the intensity of his mouth on her before Brie had rang the doorbell. Her already hard nipples ached. Not only from the cold, but the thought of Cole.

  Was he kissing the other woman now? Were they in bed together?

  A scream surged up her throat and she let it out. It didn’t make her feel any better. Tears welled in her eyes and she shivered. Emotionally conflicted along with sexually frustrated, she cursed Cole Harmon and hoped he was happy for uprooting her life again. She shouldn’t have returned.

  “Hey, short stuff.”

  She whipped around, lost her balance, and fell, landing on her already bruised bottom.

  A smile teased Cole’s lips as he stood over her. He held out his hand. “You done?”

  She glared. Relief rolled in her stomach. He wasn’t with Brie. “What are you doing here?”

  “This is where you always go when you’re upset.”

  Pulling her up, he turned her around and dusted her butt. And she allowed him to before facing him again. She shivered, unsure whether from the cold or his touch. “I haven’t been up here in a while.”

  “I know.”

  “Why aren’t you at the house with that woman?”

  He looked her over from head to toe as if checking for injuries. She warmed under his inspection. “Well, I did tell you I’d let you push me down the slope. Now seemed like a good time.”

  Once she would have laughed at his teasing, but she didn’t feel it. “Just go away.” Her teeth clattered as she became aware of the chill again.

  Cole sighed and opened his jacket. “Come here.”

  She sneezed, reluctant to move, even though all she wanted was to rush into his arms and soak up his heat. “Buzz off.”

  He laughed. “Fine.” His hands dropped and he started to walk away.

  Panic rushed to her throat. “Wait. Where are you going?”

  He paused, glancing at her over his shoulder. “You told me to leave.”

  She frowned. Tears pricked her eyes. “I’m cold.”

  “Well, that’s what you get for running around without your coat.”

  “It’s at the house. I had to take it off so I could fit through the window.” Her lips quivered.

  “You can wear this.” He started to take off his jacket. Maddy launched herself at him, landing against his broad chest with a grunt and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her face buried into his wool sweater, the threads tickled her numb nose.

  Cole adjusted his coat and hugged her against him. “You’re like a frozen brick.”

  Maddy scoffed. He smelled so good, like pine needles and the spicy soap he’d always used. She should have been angry with him, but at least he wasn’t in bed with the other woman as she’d feared. She tilted her head back. A primal need coursed through her. Lifting her hand, she gripped his chin, forcing him to look at her. “Have you slept with her?”

  Confusion swarmed his face. “Brie? No, she’s a friend. If you had stayed, you would have seen that.”

  Her eyes searched his. A slow heat trembled down her spine. He’d c
ome after her. That was all that mattered. “Do you want me?”

  Startled, his features softened. “Do you want me?”

  She bit her lip. Pride and need warred inside her chest. She wanted him more than anything. Her insides tightened. She wanted him to fill her, make the aching emptiness go away, but what if they fell back into the same routine? Could they pick up where they had left off? Was she willing to give up her life in the city?

  “It doesn’t matter.” He lifted her up against him and kissed her. All doubts fled her mind as she kissed him back. She needed him at the moment. They could solve their problems later. His hands settled around her butt, lifting her up against him as her legs wrapped around his waist.

  He drew away, and she cried out. “Let’s go to the truck.”

  She tugged at his hair, bringing her lips down on his. “No.”

  “I can’t see, babe.”

  She paused. Her skin still chilled, but she knew what she wanted, what she’d fantasized for so many years. “Take me here.”

  Cole froze. “Are you crazy?”

  She shook her head then nuzzled his jaw to the pulse behind his ear. With a light nip to his earlobe, she blew at the spot. Cole shivered. “Right here.”

  “You’re insane.” He groaned as she sucked on the skin above his pulse.

  “Either you take me here, right now, or…”

  Cole leaned back. “Or what?”

  Maddy grinned. “I’ll push you down the slope.”

  He blinked. A slow smile spread over his face as he backed her against the tree. Nuzzling her throat, he trailed his mouth along her jaw to her lips. “Guess we can’t have that.”

  Maybe she was being ridiculous. It was cold out. But she didn’t care. She wanted him. Now. Gripping his shoulders, she deepened the kiss. The rough bark rubbed against her skin through her sweater. Cole’s hand slid over her breast and she moaned. She needed to feel him, taste him as he’d done her. She couldn’t stand another moment. Maddy wiggled to be let down, and he released her. She slid, refusing to break contact with him as her feet touched the ground and fingers worked his belt.

  Cole reached under her sweater, his warm hands grazing her abs then to her bra. He unclasped the front hook as she undid the button of his jeans. She cried out when he cupped her breasts in his palms. She wanted his mouth all over her again. Needing to feel skin to skin, she whipped her sweater off. His eyes widened.

  “Oh, babe…” Cole bent, taking her nipple in his mouth. Her head fell back against the tree, hair catching on the bark, but she ignored it, only conscious of the sensations he drew. Her body flushed, her fingers gripped the waist of his jeans, working her hand to wrap around his cock. She whimpered then gasped as a frigid shower washed over her. Cole jumped away.

  Any arousal died a sudden death. Covered in snow, Maddy shivered and glared up at the now clean tree branch. Her eyes narrowed as they fell on Cole, who stood brushing off his jacket. And laughing. She sneezed and shivered, readjusting her black lace bra and picked up her sweater off the ground. Killjoy.

  He shook his coat off and wrapped it around her. After buttoning her up, he pulled her against him. “Yeah, I don’t think this is going to work here.”

  She sniffled. “The snow hates me.”

  He chuckled. “Let’s get to somewhere warm.”

  Maddy nodded. She’d known the idea was insane, but her stupid eagerness had made her into a fool. Again. Why couldn’t she ever come off as graceful and smooth in front of Cole? If she wasn’t falling, then she was just tripping over herself. Cole swung her up in his arms and she snuggled close, just reveling in the feel of his strength. “You know, it did seem like a good idea at the moment.”

  She caught the amused quirk of his mouth, but he focused on the white-covered path to his truck. “Don’t worry. This isn’t over. I’ll let you show me your good ideas when I get you warmed up.”

  Her breath hitched. The cold forgotten. “I’m holding you to that.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cole thought long and hard. After bundling Maddy in the cab of his truck, they drove off. She shivered in the passenger seat, even with the hot air shooting out of the vents. He curved an arm around her and pulled her across the bench to his side.

  “Where are we going?” she asked.

  He glanced down, reaffirming his decision. Her lips quivering and eyes shining with unshed tears from the cold, she wiggled closer. As much as he wanted to pull the truck to the side, strip her of all her barriers and make love to her, he needed to do this right. It may be his one last chance for him to convince her to stay. Knowing Maddy, she’d run when she’d get the chance and he couldn’t have that. Her mother expected her to stay for the grand opening but Maddy had already repeated to him enough times she had to get back to work since she’d already helped him get the party ready.

  “I’ll send someone to bring your rental later, but I’m going to take you home first.” He spoke slowly.

  “Okay. And then what?”

  Drawing in a deep breath, he hugged her close. “We’re going to the party tonight.”

  Maddy jerked back. “Why? I thought you wanted to go…” Her voice trailed off.

  “I do.” He gave her a squeeze. “But I don’t want to rush this.”

  She sidled up to him again, pressing her lips against his check to his ear. “We’re not rushing, Cole. It’s not like we’ve never…”

  He smiled, but cleared his throat when her fingers brushed over his denim-clad erection. “Honey, let’s just wait.”

  Maddy glared and sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. “I don’t understand you.”

  I don’t either. But he knew he couldn’t mess this up. He didn’t want just one night or two nights with Maddy then watch her leave again. No, he couldn’t have that. He had one more card to play and if that didn’t work, then it was pointless. The three years of waiting for her to come back to see his success and realize she’d made a mistake in leaving him drove him to work harder everyday. The town’s pride in his physical accomplishments didn’t matter as much as Maddy’s opinion and if she didn’t see that he could provide for her and offer her a secure future than compared to when they married, then he didn’t know what to do. His mother had left when she saw his father’s lack of motivation as the town sheriff, but Cole had more to show off. Maddy had to realize he did this all for her. Hell, I’ll buy her own business if she is determined to work and be a career woman.

  The truck drew pulled up to the Glover’s residence and he turned to Maddy. “I’ll come pick you up at seven.”

  Maddy frowned. “I don’t want to go to the party. It’s going to be weird if they see me there with you. The town thinks I ran out on you. Why do you want to bring me?”

  Cole sighed. Since he’d found her at Death’s Peak, memories of their past rushed at him, reminding him of all they’d been through and he wanted it all back. He wanted to seek her out and tease her every time she was mad. He wanted to pick her up and hold her every time something happened, when she was sad, angry, and even happy. But if he rushed in and made love to her, what guarantees did he have that she wouldn’t leave right after? She told him she could live anywhere, but he needed to use the time he had to show her what she would miss if she left Five Oaks again. “Because I’m expected there, and I want to spend time with you. I have to show up.”

  Maddy crossed her arms over chest. “I don’t want to go.”

  “I promise we won’t stay long.”

  She eyed him warily. Fear that she’d refuse whirled in his mind. He didn’t know how else to convince her. He could seduce her now and be done with it, but it wasn’t what he wanted. He needed to show her how much she meant to him.

  “All right, say I go with you, and then what?” Her nose wrinkled in annoyance.

  Relieved, he smiled. His hand lifted and he trailed a finger along her cheek. “Then I’ll take you some place special and make love to you until you realize that you never want to leave.”
<
br />   Her breath hitched. “Tell me it doesn’t involve snow.”

  Laughter rumbled up his chest. He leaned in and brushed his lips against her. “No, but I promise we won’t freeze this time.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Maddy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as Cole lifted her from the cab of his truck and helped her to the ground. He deliberately held her close as she slid down his front. Smiling coyly, her hands settled on his shoulders. “We won’t stay long, right?”

  Cole grinned. “Nope. I got plans for us tonight.”

  Her heart skipped. Ever since this afternoon, she’d been too giddy to stay still. After he’d dropped her off, she’s used the time to prep for the night. Hope and joy flared in her the moment she’d heard his parting words. Then I’ll take you some place special and make love to you until you realize that you never want to leave.

  As much as she wanted them to be true, she couldn’t let herself settle. She needed to know what he was going to offer her this time around. His lodge, his business had to come second to her. Now that she knew he’d wanted their baby as much as she had, some of her faith had been restored. Maybe she’d overreacted and gone the coward’s way to avoid their past problems. But if her return meant a second chance for them to be together, then she needed him to reaffirm his love and show her she was more important than his life mission to rebuild the town.

  “What kind of plans?”

  Cole pressed a kiss to her forehead as his arms loosely settled around her waist. “Some place warm and private, where I’ll be able to strip this delectable dress off you.”

  Her breath hitched, heat soared down her spine to her core. “Why are we here again?”

  He chuckled. “Just a quick appearance.”

  “Well, then you better make it a very quick appearance.”

  His lips brushed over hers. Maddy lifted on her heels and deepened the kiss, drinking in his taste, his masculinity. She couldn’t get enough nor could she stop. Her arms circled his neck and she rubbed against him. Cole groaned. He pulled her closer as her tongue slipped past his parted mouth and tangled with his. With a retched sigh, he drew away and rested his forehead against hers. “Maddy.”