“Oh, my.” A hot tub sat on one end of a huge deck that overlooked the forest. It was a stunning view, unmarred by the smog and buildings of the big cities she was used to hiding in. She’d prefer a place like this any day over a crowded town, but disappearing was much easier within a throng of people.
She’d have been a sitting duck in a wide-open place like this.
“Hey.”
She nearly jumped when Brent put his hands on her shoulders. She hadn’t heard him come up behind her. She could see his reflection in the glass. He was so much bigger than her. She felt a little intimidated, but, peculiarly, his size also made her feel feminine.
“Hi.” How could she be guarded and drawn to him at the same time? It didn’t seem normal to her.
“I have dinner ready if you’re hungry.”
She turned around to face him, was startled when he didn’t move, and she came up against his chest. His muscles were hard, and his warmth immediately soaked into her. She had an unexplainable urge to run her fingers over his chest and shoulders and up to his jaw, which was covered with dark stubble. “Yes, I’m hungry.”
His eyes glowed for a moment before he answered. “I’m hungry, too.”
His whispered words slid over her like warm honey. She wanted to kiss him again, to stand on her toes and put her mouth against his soft, firm lips, but she resisted. Barely. After a moment, he turned, and she followed him to the dining room, which was an extension of the kitchen.
“Wow, I know I keep saying it, but this whole place is amazing.” She was impressed with the up-to-date appliances and hand-carved cabinets.
He pulled a chair out from the dining table. It, too, looked hand-made.
“Did you make this as well?”
He nodded.
“Your talent is endless.” She ran her hand over the smooth surface of the table.
“You might want to hold back on the compliments until you taste the food.” He sat beside her.
He’d made grilled salmon, baby potatoes, and green beans. She forked a fluffy piece of the fish into her mouth. “Mmm.”
“I take it you like it?”
“Yes. It is scrumptious.” After she’d cleaned her plate, he picked up the dishes and carried them to the sink.
“Let me do the dishes. It’s the least I can do after the wonderful meal you cooked.”
“No. You sit and relax. I have dessert.”
He brought two bowls back with him and sat one in front of her before sitting with his own. It appeared to be homemade apple cobbler. She spooned a bite into her mouth. It was delicious.
“Where did you learn to cook like this?” She took another bite of the sweet, fruity pie.
“I’ve had a lot of spare time to learn many things.” He watched her eat.
“Maybe after you’re done, we can take a dip in the hot tub.”
“Oh, um, I don’t know. I don’t have a bathing suit.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “You don’t need one. It’s just us out here.”
Warmth shot through her and straight between her legs. “I don’t think so.”
“You can wear shorts or a bra and panties. That’s just as good as a swimsuit. Trust me. Sitting in the tub outside while the snow is falling in the freezing cold, and the steamy water laps over your skin, keeping you toasty warm, is an experience everyone should have. ”
She really did want to try the hot tub out, but she knew it was a bad idea if Brent was involved. She was losing confidence in her ability to keep him at a distance. Every time he touched her, her resolve melted a bit more.
“I’m kind of getting tired. I think I’m going to go to bed. But, first, I insist on helping you clean up.”
He washed, and she dried. Within fifteen minutes the whole place was spick-and-span, and she headed to her room. “Good night.”
“Sweet dreams, Rindy,” Brent called.
Chapter Seven
He was in her dream. He’d tried to stay away but hadn’t been able to help himself. Lycans were able to visit their destined mates in their dreams once they’d found them, and that fact had proved too much of a temptation to resist. Brent chased Rindy through the trees as she laughed. She moved graceful as a doe. He caught her and tumbled them both to the soft leaves under the shade; he rolled her under him, and her eyes shined up at him full of trust. Oh, if she could only look at him that way while she was awake.
“Rindy, let me kiss you, love.”
She wound her arms around his neck and drew him to her. Their lips met in a kiss born of passion and desperation that had been denied for far too long. He tangled his tongue with hers, and she moaned his name. It was like music to his ears and heart. He cupped her breast in his palm and kneaded it.
All the while his cock grew hard, straining to be freed, begging to be buried deep inside her hot sheath. He skimmed his hand over her hip, across her flat belly, and under the waist of her jeans.
He growled when his fingers nestled in the soft curls that protected the prize he sought. She rotated her hips, nudging him lower, and he slid inside her. She cried out as a storm built inside him, demanding to be freed to unleash its fury, demanding he claim her. His canines grew, and he nipped at the delicate skin between her shoulder and neck while she rode his hand. His need beat at him, heated his skin so hot he thought he’d go up in flames. He reached down and freed his cock from his jeans, but just as he yanked hers to her knees and settled between her thighs, she disappeared.
Brent jerked upright in bed. He was covered in sweat. He’d been so close to having her, and his cock throbbed and ached in protest. He took a deep, calming breath. She had awakened thus ending the dream. His acute hearing—ten times better than a human’s—picked up the rustling sounds of her moving about the house. He should let her be, but he yearned to see her, just to look at her to make sure she hadn’t been just a dream and was really here. The cold water he splashed on his face and chest before he went to find her did little to cool his need for her.
His breath caught in his throat when he saw Rindy sitting in the hot tub.
She appeared to be naked. The back of her head rested on the lip of the tub, and her eyes were closed. Her creamy skin was pink from the heat, and he licked his lips as he watched random snowflakes fall onto her and melt. He slid the glass door open without making a sound, and hooked his thumbs in his boxers. They slid down his legs to the deck seconds before he stepped into the water, the sound of the rumbling jets masking his arrival.
Brent sat across from her. His fingers itched to trail over the slim line of her throat, and down to cup the small breast that had fit so perfectly in his hand. It wasn’t long before she opened her eyes, and let out a startled squeal.
“Brent!” She dipped lower into the water and glared at him.
“I couldn’t sleep. I was having a dream, and it ended before I wanted it to.”
She gulped. “I couldn’t sleep either.”
He scooted closer to her. “Were you dreaming, too, Rindy?”
“Stop it.” Her face turned from a light pink to deep scarlet.
He trailed a finger down her cheek. “Why? I know you can feel this pull between us. I’m not the only one.”
“It doesn’t matter.
He tipped her chin up. “It matters very much to me.”
“I can’t do this.” She started to get out of the tub, but quickly sank back under the water when she no doubt remembered she was naked.
“Turn around.” She demanded.
He shook his head. “No.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. “I can’t do this. I get so confused around you. You make me crazy.”
He inched closer to her. “Why does that have to be a bad thing? You make me crazy, too. The difference is, I like it when you make me crazy.”