She wasn’t someone who needed or wanted protection. She was an independent free spirit. Her parents may not have recognized how capable she was, but Eddie saw it. If she was here with him, it was because she wanted to be—not because she needed to be.
Which was both amazing and terrifying, because what happened if she decided she no longer wanted to be?
For now, he’d take every day, every minute he had with her and hope that the worst thing that could happen to him had already happened that year and there were only good things, unexpectedly amazing things, waiting for him if he continued to be brave enough to go after what he wanted.
* * *
MONTANA WOKE TO the sound of running water. She yawned and stretched out on Eddie’s sofa and cuddled into the cushion under her head, breathing in the scent of him on the fabric. When was the last midafternoon nap she’d had? Probably when she was a toddler. Her body didn’t know how to completely shut down and relax. Eddie definitely brought out a different side of her, one that could slow down a little and relax. One that didn’t need constant stimulation. One that didn’t need to always be on.
One she was starting to like.
She was starting to really like him. There had always been a fiery tension between them, and obviously their physical connection was strong. But it was so much deeper than that. He made her feel comfortable being uncomfortable. She’d been driving herself crazy with her difficulty adjusting to life in Wild River since she arrived. She expected to feel good about being here all the time, just because it was the right thing to do. But Eddie taught her that it was okay to not always feel like she was making the right decision, to question her choices, but to acknowledge that the difficult ones were often the most important. Change had never scared her, uncertainty had been intriguing. She liked knowing her life or her day could be altered at any moment. And the normalcy and routine in Wild River had been unsettling at first. But it was okay to feel uncomfortable and to embrace the fact that discomfort often meant growth.
Eddie was good for her. He balanced her. He kept her grounded, and for the first time in her life, she was okay with her feet being firmly planted on the ground. Which was also unsettling and uncomfortable, but in the best way.
The water shut off, and Montana stood, stretched, pulled Eddie’s discarded T-shirt on and went into the bathroom.
Eddie was in the bathtub, bubbles all around him, up to his neck, his head the only thing visible. She laughed. “You look comfy,” she said.
“There’s room in here for two,” he said.
So tempting... Hot water, slippery bubbles, wet skin against skin. She checked her watch and forced her body to settle down. “I would, but I have to get to the station. I’m on shift tonight.” She’d applied to be a support member of the search and rescue team two days after arriving in Wild River. At the time, she’d been desperate for anything and everything to fill up her days, knowing she’d need the distraction and to keep busy if she was going to be happy in the small town. But now, she’d rather laze around here all day with Eddie. She walked toward him and squatted next to the tub. She dipped an arm into the bubbles and under the water, touching his wet chest and abs and moving lower to gently massage his penis. Already semihard, it sprung to life immediately. “Trust me, I’d rather be in there,” she said. She felt her own body reacting to her teasing touch as well. She’d never known pleasure like she had, being intimate with Eddie.
Eddie leaned forward and kissed her, gently, then with more intensity—a deep, burning passion sizzling between their mouths.
He quickly reached for her, grabbing her with one arm around her waist, and the next thing she knew, she was falling into the bathtub. She gasped in surprise at the lukewarm water. “The water’s freezing,” she said, sputtering and wiping the bubbles from her face.
Eddie wrapped an arm around her, pulling her back into him. He kissed her neck as his other hand cupped her breast through the wet, thin fabric of the shirt. “Let’s warm it up,” he said, pinching the nipple.
Montana leaned back against him, splashing water and bubbles over the side of the bathtub. She pressed her bare ass against his lower stomach and spread her legs over his. Her hand found his cock, standing erect between her spread legs, and she started to stroke it again. The lubrication from the water and bubbles made the motion flow, and within seconds, she could feel the skin tighten and the veins straining.
Eddie continued massaging both of her breasts, his mouth leaving kisses on her neck and ear and collarbone. Her nipples were rock hard beneath his touch, and she was so wet and ready and craving to be pleasured. “Eddie, touch me, please,” she said, opening her legs even wider.
Keeping one hand on her breast, Eddie dipped the other hand between her legs. The simplest, gentlest touch had her body spasming already. He ran a finger over her clit, downward slowly toward her folds. He massaged them softly, and her mouth went dry as the sensation grew stronger. The ache for him was almost too much. She thought she might come just from his soft, grazing touch. “Inside, Eddie.” She needed something to clench, to relieve some of the ache overwhelming her.
He dipped a finger inside, but it wasn’t enough. She reached down with her other hand and guided two more inside her body. “How bad do you want me inside of you right now?” he murmured against her ear.
“So fucking badly.” She pumped him harder, up and down, circling the tip of his cock with her thumb. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you,” she said.
“Good. ’Cause I’m not planning on letting you go,” he said.
Her body trembled and a deep warmness radiated through her core at his words. She knew his feelings for her were getting stronger. She could feel their connection deepening. And the idea that they could both be so equally into one another had her excited.
She tightened her grip around him and pumped even faster, desperate for him to quicken his pace as well. “Faster, Eddie,” she said.
His hand squeezed her breast, and he held her tight and firm against his body as he moved his fingers in and out while his thumb rubbed against her clit. They were both breathing hard. Fast and shallow breaths in sync as they came together in a frenzy of passion.
Montana’s orgasm erupted through her, making her body shake. She could feel Eddie coming, and it made her own pleasure that much more intense. His head fell into the hollow of her neck as he shuddered his own release beneath her. “Damn. That was the best bubble bath I’ve ever had,” he said.
She sighed in relief as she lay back into him and took his hands in hers. “Next time the water needs to be warmer,” she said, kissing his hands.
Arriving late at the station, she snuck in sheepishly, avoiding Erika’s perceptive gaze. “Sorry I’m late,” she said, not feeling the least bit remorseful for lingering a little longer with Eddie.
“No problem. I just have to perform surgery on a seventy-eight-year-old woman in an hour, but I’ll just explain to her that you were having sex with your boyfriend, and I’m sure she’ll totally understand,” Erika said, but her tone was teasing.
“Eddie’s not...”
Erika raised an eyebrow. “He’s not what?”
Montana joined her behind the desk. She sat and propped one foot up on the desk, lacing up her hiking boots. In her rush, she’d just run out of her apartment with them untied. “We haven’t defined things, yet.” But maybe they should. Normally the idea of vocalizing a commitment would terrify her, but this time, it didn’t.
“But things are going well?” Erika asked, standing and reaching for her coat behind the door.
Montana couldn’t keep the smile off of her face. “Really well,” she said. Fantastic even. It almost made her worry. Whenever things were going well, there was always that dreaded fear that her happiness could be shattered or taken away.
“I won’t say I told you so, but...” Erika said.
“Don
’t you have an old lady waiting for you?”
“All I’m saying is, it’s nice to see you so in love. Welcome to the club,” she said as she dipped out of the cabin.
Montana stared at the door as Erika closed it. In love. Was she? She’d never had feelings like this before. Not even for Tank... She swallowed hard as the realization hit her.
Damn. She was completely head over heels in love with Eddie Sanders.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE DRUNK TANK was quieter than usual when Eddie entered the next day, but then it was only four o’clock in the afternoon. A few guys played pool at the tables in the back, and a dart league had just finished up, so several team members lingered, having a beer in a booth along the wall. Classic rock played from the speakers as usual, and the faint scent of floor cleaner lingered in the air.
It was the perfect opportunity to speak to Tank, but Eddie almost lost his nerve, seeing the guy behind the bar. He’d known Tank for years. They were friends. Sort of. Definitely closer since he’d assisted with Montana’s rescue months before, and he knew Tank knew about him and Montana hooking up and dating, but would he be okay with them being in a real relationship?
Normally, Eddie wouldn’t care what an ex-boyfriend had to say on the matter, but this was different. Montana and Tank had a kid together, and they were still really close. Being with Montana would mean spending a lot of time with Kaia and Tank and Cassie, so Eddie hoped the other man was cool with it.
“Hey, man, how are you?” Tank asked, leaning against the bar as he approached in his chair. The crutches were great, but he was developing more sores under his arms from using them too often, so he needed to balance out his usage with the chair. He had to reluctantly admit that the chair was more convenient. He didn’t tire as easily, and everyone in town had gotten used to seeing him in it, so he didn’t feel as weird about it anymore.
Montana had definitely played a part in him learning to accept his new normal.
“Great. Definitely feeling a lot better,” he said.
“I bet.” Tank’s knowing grin had Eddie clearing his throat. “What can I get you?”
“Um, just a soda, please.”
Tank poured the fountain drink and slid it toward him. “We’re not allowed to give out straws anymore, except these paper ones that dissolve in your drink. Would you care for some recycled paper in your soda?”
Eddie shook his head. “I’ll pass,” he said.
“Good call. Have you heard any updates about the case, yet? Any new leads or suspects?” Tank asked.
It wasn’t what he’d come to talk about, but he appreciated the delay. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any news. The lead investigator on the case had questioned some of Lance’s training partners and a few other snowboarders in the community, but no one was able to provide any clues into the case. They’d even spoken to the North Mountain Sports Company executives working with Lance on his new brand of snowboards, but that business relationship seemed to be thriving. With Lance out of town, there hadn’t been any other incidents involving his safety, so they weren’t getting much traction on finding the perpetrator. “Not yet. It’s like the guy just vanished after firing the shot. Storefront cameras didn’t catch a good view of him, and there’s been no other shootings or related incidents.” Wild River had gone back to being the safe, quiet community they all loved.
“You think it was a man, though?” Tank asked.
Eddie shrugged. “We think so, but it’s not confirmed or anything. Why?”
Tank stacked beer glasses on the shelf behind the bar. “Just don’t think the department should rule out any disgruntled ex-girlfriends of that Lance guy. He’s certainly got that player vibe to him.”
Obviously Tank wasn’t impressed with Lance either, which made Eddie feel better. “Yeah, good point.” He paused. Since they were loosely on the topic of his ex’s dating life... “Hey, I was actually hoping to talk to you about something.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Well, you know that Montana and I are...together.” He wasn’t going to go into more detail that that.
Tank folded enormous biceps across his chest and nodded. “Sure.”
“And spending time with her means spending time with Kaia.”
“Right.”
“So, I just wanted to...”
“Get my blessing?” Tank looked slightly surprised, but there was definitely a look of respect in the other guy’s expression as well.
“I guess that’s the best way to put it.” Not that he’d be ending things with Montana if Tank had an issue with it, but it would be a challenge they’d need to deal with.
“Things are getting serious between you two, huh?” he asked.
“I think so. For me, anyway.” It was odd to admit his feelings to Montana’s ex, but he wouldn’t lie to the guy, and he did want Tank to know he was serious about Montana. He was in love with her, and while he’d keep that little confession to himself for now, he didn’t want anyone to assume they were just having a casual fling when it was so much more.
“Hey, man, as long as you two are happy, and you promise not to hurt her, I’m totally cool.”
Eddie’s shoulders relaxed. That was an easy promise to make.
“She seems a lot more relaxed lately, and Kaia likes you, so we’re all good,” Tank said.
“Great. Thanks, Tank. Means a lot.”
Tank nodded. “Sure thing.” He glanced toward the front door as it opened and his expression changed. “But, uh, heads-up, it’s not me you’re going to need approval from. It’s them.”
Eddie turned to see an older man, dressed in a suit and tie, and a woman that looked like an older version of Montana enter. Polished and prim, they looked out of place and severely uncomfortable as they took in the bar.
No questioning who they were, though. Shit.
Talking to Tank had been tough enough. Eddie wasn’t exactly ready to meet the Bankses, especially without Montana to do proper instructions. He looked around for a quick escape. This was definitely not the impression he’d been hoping to give. Sitting in his wheelchair in a mostly empty bar, in the middle of the afternoon. Thank God he hadn’t ordered alcohol.
He took a deep breath. Montana was amazing. How bad could her parents be?
Tank straightened his We have the right to refuse service to assholes sign on the bar as they approached.
“That bad, huh?” Eddie muttered under his breath.
Tank nodded. “Let’s just say they never liked me much. I wish you better luck, man.”
Eddie had a feeling he would need it.
* * *
“HI, IS MONTANA BANKS HERE?”
Stocking the back shelves with new winter camping gear, Montana froze at the sound of her father’s voice at the front of SnowTrek Tours. What the hell was he doing here? She’d noticed a few missed FaceTime calls from her parents that day, but it wasn’t unusual for her to avoid their calls. Unfortunately, they weren’t texters, and they also disliked talking to her voice mail. Impersonal, they said. What they really meant was it was harder to keep tabs when they couldn’t see her or hear her voice.
But, shit! They’d been calling that day to let her know they were in Wild River?
Her heart raced as she turned in a circle, looking for an escape.
Damn stockroom didn’t have a back door into the alley—not even a window she could crawl out through. She took a breath, ran a hand through her hair and straightened her clothes.
“Yeah, she’s in the back,” she heard Mike say.
If only Cassie had been working, she’d know not to sell her out that quickly to her parents without checking with her first.
“I’ll get her for you,” Mike said.
He poked his head around the side of the door. “Hey, there’s a couple out here, asking for you. The lady looks a lot like you.”
“Those are my parents,” she hissed.
“Oh, wow! Yeah, I totally see the resemblance.”
Montana sighed. “Tell them I’ll be right out.” She needed a minute.
When Mike went back out front, she sat on a box of winter sleeping bags, and her mind reeled. Coming unannounced was a bad sign. They’d wanted to catch her off guard. But why were they here? To talk her into moving back to Denver? There was no doubt in her mind that was their motive. Obviously their Skype chat hadn’t put their mind at ease, and they were done trying to talk sense into her long distance.
But, they were here. There would be no more avoiding them. And why should she? She was a grown woman who could make her own decisions. Time to be honest and straightforward with them. She’d made a life here in Wild River, and she wasn’t going back to Denver. She plastered her best fake smile as she went out front. “Mom? Dad?” Faked surprise as she walked toward them. “What a surprise.”
Her mother rushed forward to hug her, then pulled back, scanning her as though checking to make sure she still had all her limbs intact. Montana was surprised she didn’t count all of her fingers and toes. “Darling, you look...”
What? She waited.
Her mother Eleanor’s face went from concerned to relieved to confused.
No doubt she’d expected to see Montana looking tired and stressed, like she usually did. But right now, Montana was neither of those things. She was happy and relaxed and feeling better than she had in a long time.
“You look good,” her mother said.
“You do, too.” Montana turned to her father. “Hi, Dad.”
He stepped forward and hugged her quickly, then he scanned the store. “So, this is where you work?”
Uh-oh. No more hiding the BASE-jumping site. There were promo photos of her at Suncrest Peak hanging on the wall behind them. “Yes. Actually, I’ve partnered with the owner to launch a new BASE-jumping site here in Wild River.” Like pulling off a Band-Aid. Only this Band-Aid was covering a deep, gaping gash that hadn’t yet healed at all, and now she was immediately open and vulnerable.
A Sweet Alaskan Fall Page 21