Damon ignored his wolf. He’d shift tonight so his wolf could run free in the mountains and release the tension brewing inside.
He stepped closer to Sophie and placed his hand on her cheek. It was cool from the February mountain air, but with a fire underneath that warmed him. She leaned into his hand.
His gaze lowered to her lips. “Don’t leave tomorrow, Sophie.”
She sighed. “I have to. I have a job back home.”
“Can you take more time off?”
“No, but…”
He perked up. “But what?”
“I have my MacBook with me. So technically, I could work remotely if I wanted to stay longer.” She shook her head and touched her temple. “Still, I didn’t bring enough clothes for the week.”
That sliver of a possibility filled him with hope. “That’s not a problem. I’ll take you shopping.”
She glanced at the brick building. “I only booked our place for the weekend. I don’t even know if I can extend it longer.”
He raised his other hand to cup her other cheek and his gaze dropped to her lips. “Don’t worry about that.” Instinct overrode reason, driving him to lean forward. Her mouth was there. Right there. Just inches away. He had to taste her again.
She sucked in an audible breath and stilled as if waiting. His body seemed to move in slow motion as he moved closer.
And then his lips brushed hers.
She exhaled, and it was like feathery warmth on his mouth. Electric currents singed beneath his skin. Her lips were as soft as petals. His heart pounded in his ears.
Yes, his wolf yipped and wagged his tail.
Hunger for more urged Damon to kiss her again, deeper this time. He yearned to pull her against him and claim her mouth, but had to refrain from coming on aggressive as he had in the club. After all, she’d run away from him. That was the last thing he wanted, not when he wanted to convince her to stay.
He forced himself to pull away, leaving them both with just a small taste to hint at what could come.
He caressed Sophie’s cheek. “You don’t have to book anywhere. You can stay with me.”
Chapter 7
Sophie
Still dazed by Damon’s lips, Sophie blinked at him. “Stay with you?” she repeated.
“Yes, with me,” Damon replied as if it were the most logical suggestion in the world.
It was nothing of the sort—although it had a delicious appeal. Her body urged her to scream yes, her mind, however, insisted she be more logical about this. “But I barely know you.”
“It’s the perfect way we can learn more about each other, don’t you think?” His voice was pure velvet seduction. He lowered his hand and traced her bottom lip before moving it down to brush her collarbone.
It was almost impossible to think when he affected her like that, not just with his hands, but with his luscious voice and hungry eyes. No one had ever looked at her with such desire.
Sophie blinked a few more times. Sure, what he said made sense, but still—she didn’t go off shacking up with guys she barely knew. She’d only had two boyfriends and didn’t know how to be carefree. “It seems super rushed, like we’re jumping into something too quickly.”
“I’m not saying you have to sleep with me. You can have the guest room, which you’re already familiar with. I’ll be a perfect gentleman.” He raised his brows and followed with a decadent smirk. “Unless you don’t want me to be.”
Her mind jumped to visions of Damon being as naughty with her as his words suggested, and a swirl of heat funneled in her core. The reaction was far too prevalent, happening when he was nearby. Her mouth fell open. “Damon, I uh—” Where was she headed with that sentence?
When she didn’t complete it, he asked, “What’s holding you back, Sophie?”
“So many things.” She took a step backwards and ran one hand through her bangs. She searched behind him to the vast mountain peak covered with snow, seeking clarity. “I don’t just run off with a guy I barely know for a spontaneous getaway in the mountains.”
“You’re here already. And I’m greatly enjoying getting to know you better.”
She sure as heck enjoyed the time they’d spent together so far.
“Do you ever run with what your gut is telling you?” he added.
“Yes,” she admitted. A sensitive type, she was guided by her emotions. But where had it gotten her thus far? Cheated on by two boyfriends, that’s where. That’s why she should be more logical.
Damon searched her eyes. “What’s it telling you now?”
Caught in his amber gaze, her breath hitched. Would a fling in the mountains be so awful? It wasn’t as if her love life was a whirlwind of activity back home.
She swallowed and admitted, “To give this a go.”
His chiseled lips spread into a grin. “There you go. Decision made.”
“Not exactly,” she countered with a pointed index finger. “I didn’t agree to anything.”
Damon took her hand. “I’m guessing you came here to the mountains for a getaway. Get some skiing in and have a break from your normal world. That incident in the woods cut that experience short, so why not take advantage of what I’m suggesting? You get to spend more time here. If and when you feel up for it, we can go skiing again. Or, we can take it easy and enjoy each other’s company. What do you have to lose?”
Her heart? That might be jumping the gun. Sure, she was attracted to him, but she wasn’t foolish enough to fall for someone who had an expiration date in her life, whether it was tonight or a short time from now.
Still, Damon was right. What did she have back home preventing her from staying in the mountains a bit longer? “Well, when you put it that way…”
Damon’s beautiful eyes sparkled with expectation. “Does that mean you’re considering it?”
Everything back in the city would be waiting for her. Her boss might not be happy about it, but she could easily work on her projects here.
Besides, she wasn’t ready to leave Damon. That magical spark they’d discussed wasn’t something she could dismiss. Maybe it would fizzle out quickly and it was simply a fleeting attraction. But wasn’t it better to stay and find out rather than returning home with wonder and regret?
Sophie’s mouth spread into a grin. “Sure, I can stay. How about until the end of the week?”
Damon’s expression brightened. He took her hands in his and then planted another kiss on her lips. “You won’t regret it, Sophie. I’ll make sure of it.”
The next morning, Sophie caught up with Tara over breakfast. They sat across from each other at the kitchen island with plates of pancakes, sausages, banana slices, and steaming mugs of coffee.
Tara got in late last night, so Sophie didn’t have a chance to share her changed plans for the week until breakfast.
“It’s good for you,” Tara declared. “It will help you finally move on after that lying, cheating, jerkface Bobby. Nothing wrong with a hot fling with a hot guy while on vacation.” She speared a sausage from her plate drenched in syrup and took a bite.
“I don’t know if it will be a fling,” Sophie clarified. “I’m not ready to jump into anything with anyone. We’ll just—” She shrugged. “See where it goes.” She sipped her coffee.
“I’m hoping it goes with you having a mind-blowing orgasm or two!”
Sophie almost choked as she laughed with surprise. After she swallowed, she quipped, “Even when I was with Bobby, that happened more often with my vibrator than with him.”
Tara made a sound that came out as yeech. “Good riddance to him.”
After they checked out of the condo, Sophie walked Tara to her car.
“If you change your mind and need me to come back for you, just call,” Tara said.
“I’ll be fine,” Sophie replied with a wave. “Besides, I’m not going to make you drive back here. There are buses.”
Tara loaded her bags into the trunk. “I’ve got to admit, I’m a bit jealous. If I had a jo
b like yours, I’d stay here for the week, too. Heck, the month. Maybe even the season.”
“I’ll just take this one step at a time before my boss gets pissed and fires me.” Sophie hugged Tara. “Drive safe. And let me know when you arrive back home.”
“Okay, Mom,” Tara teased. She climbed into her car and turned on the ignition. “Have a great week. I can’t wait to hear all about it.” She waved and drove out of the parking lot, calling out the window, “There better be multiple orgasms!”
Sophie glanced around sheepishly. Fortunately, no one was near enough to have overheard Tara.
After picking up her bags, she walked over to the ski rack where she’d stashed her skis and poles.
Damon pulled up in a red Jeep a minute later and smiled in a way that made her heart jolt with excitement. While he loaded her skis and bags into his Jeep, she climbed into the passenger seat.
Once he climbed in beside her, he turned to her and grinned. “Hungry?”
“I just had breakfast with Tara before we checked out.”
“Okay, I have plenty of food at my place if you get hungry. Help yourself to anything.”
He drove up the narrow road on the side of the mountain to where his house was set, passing a number of small houses en route. She spotted a couple of log cabins, an A-frame, and a chalet-style home, all perfect little hideaways surrounding by the forests of the mountain.
“Who lives in these? Coworkers?”
“Right.”
She nodded. “It must be great.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you’ve made a life for yourself in the mountains doing what you love. I think that’s admirable.”
“What’s stopping you from doing the same?”
“I like the city. I have a life there, friends, family. I like the convenience of being able to walk to get whatever I need within a fairly short distance.”
He motioned behind them to the base of the mountain. “We have all that here. Pretty much anything I need, I can find in the village.”
She tilted her head. “True. I’ll give you that. It just seems so—remote. Away from everything. And everyone.”
He grinned as he pulled into the parking space in front of his house. “That’s the appeal.”
She laughed. “You’re right.”
“I never understood why anyone would want to live in a city.” He grunted. “It’s so congested and polluted and loud.”
“And lively,” she pointed out.
After he parked the Jeep, he stashed her skis and gear bag in a mudroom right inside the entrance. He had a rack and boot tray set up to store them, convenient for living slope side on a mountain resort.
She’d looked around the space quickly before she’d left last time. This time it would be her home for a short period. She glanced around the open space in the log cabin with picture windows that revealed a view of the mountains and forests. A brown suede sofa and worn leather recliner sat across from a fireplace. In one corner was a TV and some electronics. An end table had a few books on wilderness adventures and This Old House magazines stacked upon them.
She stole a quick glance at his bedroom door that was ajar and noticed the dark wooden headboard of his bed covered with a burgundy bedspread before she carried her bag into the guest room.
“Make yourself at home,” Damon said when he returned to the living room. “I need to work this morning, but will be back at lunch. If you’re up for it, maybe we could go cross-country skiing.” He furrowed his brows. “Unless you need more rest. Wait, how’s your head? Have you noticed any signs of a concussion like Sebastian noted?”
“I feel fine,” she replied, warmed by Damon’s concern. “Food and rest has made a huge difference. It will be great to go outside and get some fresh air.” She slanted a smile. “Besides, I’ll have you with me in case I run into any unfortunate situations.” Jeez, was she flirting?
“You bet. If you slip, I’ll be there to catch you.” He gave her a resolute nod as if it was a promise.
“I’ll walk down to the shops in a bit and pick up some things for the week.”
“For whatever you buy, just give them my name and tell them to bill me. They know me here.”
She tilted her head. “You don’t have to do that, Damon.”
“I said I’d take care of you and I will. I want to.” The possessive look he gave her was fiery enough to melt the snow outside—and sizzle her insides as well. Her mind took it a step further, fantasizing just how good it would feel to be in his arms.
Maybe she was in over her head with this guy. A simple look from him was powerful enough to leave her unsteady. If that’s how he could affect her with a mere glance, how would she manage sleeping under the same roof as him all week?
Damon
At lunchtime, Damon met up with Sophie at his cabin. Once he entered, the scent of a cooked meal reached his nostrils and he moaned. “It smells delicious in here.”
“I made panini for us,” she declared with a jubilant smile and opened the panini maker that he’d used maybe twice the entire time he’d owned it.
She wore a soft off-white cashmere sweater that set off her auburn hair and clung to the lush curves of her breasts. Her black jeans hugged her rounded hips and thighs. He salivated, and it had nothing to do with the food.
His wolf wagged his tail. She’s perfect for us.
She made sandwiches. Settle down, Damon told his wolf. It’s just lunch.
“You didn’t have to cook.” He strode over to Sophie and kissed her on the cheek. “But I’m glad you did.”
She scooped the panini, each dripping with cheese, onto plates. “I wanted to. After all, you’ve been taking care of me. It’s the least I could do.” She picked up an apple and sliced it. “I also picked up some fruits and veggies.”
He laughed. “I tend to forget to buy those.”
“I noticed.” She grinned and added the pieces to their plates. “Hope you don’t mind that I fiddled around in your kitchen. I figured I’d make us some lunch before we head out.” She opened a jar of pickles and added a spear besides the panini.
“Fiddle at will.” He picked up the pickle. “Consider this your house while you’re here.”
They carried their plates and glasses of water to the small rectangular table near one of the picture windows. He’d designed this cabin with mountain views in mind and this window revealed a view of the forests where he liked to hunt.
It was odd eating with someone there. He usually ate alone, scarfing down his food. With Sophie, he slowed down, enjoying just being near her. “Did you buy anything else in the village this morning?”
“I did.” She arched her brows. “I bought some clothes, like this sweater, and some toiletries. Since I noticed you have a hot tub outside, I even bought a swimsuit, just in case. What a great way to relax your muscles after skiing.”
Damon’s throat went dry. Picturing Sophie in a swimsuit in his hot tub left him statue still. He took a deep breath through his nostrils and exhaled slowly. “It does indeed,” he managed to utter.
He took a bite of the panini and moaned as the flavors of smoked ham, melted cheese, and tomato mingled on his tongue. “This tastes even better than it smells.”
“One of my dad’s specialties,” she declared with a proud grin and took a bite. Cheese stretched from her lip before she stuck out her tongue and captured it.
He tried not to stare at her mouth, but it was a struggle to break his gaze. Finally, he succeeded and said, “Tell me about your family.”
Her gaze drifted as she appeared to pull together her story. “I grew up northwest of Boston. Not near the coast where I live now, but farther inland. I have two older brothers, both of whom have moved away. One to New York and one to Vermont, but we still try to get together for the holidays. My parents split their time between the family home and Florida with the rest of the snowbirds.”
“They’re not skiers like you?”
“They were.�
�� She sipped some water. “We all used to come up here to the White Mountains. But once my brothers moved away and I went to college, that stopped. They preferred getting away from the snow rather than seeking it out.” She shrugged. “Guess that means I’m on my own coming here.”
You have me now. He bit the words in and stuffed the panini in his mouth before he said something stupid.
“This was my first trip with my roommate, Tara. She’s more of a beginner, though, so you know what that’s like.”
“I do.” That typically meant skiing the easiest trails all day, which could get boring.
“What about you? Does your family live around here?” she asked.
“My parents are dead.” His voice came out without emotion in his practiced response.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Her gentle eyes caressed him with concern.
He swallowed the rock-sized lump. “It’s been a long time.” After a measured exhale, he said, “We’re like a family here on the mountain. Our CFO, Grayson Marks, has looked out for me since I lost my parents.”
“That’s great. You must be close.”
“Like brothers.”
“And did you grow up around here?”
How much should he tell her? He rubbed one hand along his thigh. “Yes.” She peered at him as if waiting for more. “The area has undergone much development since the CEO, Rafe Castillo, took charge.”
Rafe purchased the resort a decade ago after making a fortune in real estate. Before then, their pack lived in small cabins in the area. Although the Sacco pack was originally happy to have the humans who’d owned the land gone, they hated the additional development under Rafe’s direction.
“Rafe is the visionary, and Grayson is the brains to bring the ideas to fruition,” Damon added. “I’ve played my small role in helping to build some of the structures, including this cabin.”
Her eyes widened as she scanned their surroundings. “You built this?”
“With help from my pack.” Shit, he shouldn’t have said that. He cleared his throat. “We call our family here a pack.” It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t exactly truthful either. He squirmed in his chair.
The Reluctant Wolf and His Fated Mate: A Howls Romance (White Mountain Shifters Book 1) Page 6