Chapter Eleven
LISETTE
Dawn breaks on the ruins of Grandmama’s house. The old Victorian is half of what it once was. The turret and the wrap-around porch were destroyed, along with Florine’s bedroom and a couple guest rooms. The kitchen—and unbelievably—the office survived with just water damage.
But all her antiques, the original wallpaper and photos of her youth… destroyed.
Dorian couldn’t get me to leave last night until he promised to take me to The Ridgeview Lodge so we could stay close by. In case of what, I don’t know. Only that I couldn’t truly leave until I knew how bad the damage was.
He took me to the lodge, put me in the shower, and slowly washed me, massaging my tense muscles, until I melted into him half asleep. Then he carried me to bed and held me.
At some point, he must have gone back to the cabin, because he had fresh clothes for both of us when I woke. And after both the hot springs and the fire, I was grateful.
To thank him, I dragged him here before the sun was up.
There are still several firemen around, making sure the fire is fully suppressed.
I stare at the ruined house, my fingers wrapped around the pendant Dorian gave me. The loss is devastating.
A man emerges from inside the house. He stops to talk to the fire chief, who points him toward us.
Dorian steps closer and lays a hand on my hip in silent support.
The man clocks the move, glances between us, and clears his throat. “Beast. Uh, ma’am. Are you the owner of the house?”
I nod.
“Florine’s granddaughter. You look like her.”
“Thanks.”
He shows me his fire inspector badge. “I’ll finish typing up the official report, but need to ask a few questions. Were you doing any electrical work to the house in the turret?”
“No. Nothing had been done in months.”
He presses his lips into a flat line and makes a notation on his report. “Didn’t leave any gasoline lying around?”
“In the turret?” I ask.
He nods.
“Nope. Wasn’t gassing up my car or lawn mower in there.” I glance at Dorian to see if he’s as confused as I am, but can’t read his expression. “Are these standard questions?”
“Only when we suspect arson. Take out any big insurance policies lately?”
Arson? Insurance? Why—oh god.
The truth feels like a kick to the stomach. This wasn’t faulty wiring in an old home. Someone did this deliberately. They burned down Florine’s home just to make me sell.
A tear slips from my eye, and I hiccup more than laugh. “No. I can’t believe someone would try to force me out like this.”
The inspector pauses in his notes. “Force you out?”
“Investors,” Dorian says. “Lisette had decided not to sell.”
“When was this?”
I swallow and swipe the tears from my face. “Yesterday.”
The man slowly lowers his pen and nods thoughtfully. “Thanks for your time.”
“What does that mean?” I whisper when he’s gone.
“He’ll have the authorities look into his findings, now that we’ve given him a possible motive.”
“Who are these investors? Who would do this?”
Dorian is silent. Almost suspiciously silent. I turn to him. “Tell me.”
“You told your mom last night about not selling, and within hours, the house is in flames. Who would she contact next?”
“The realtor, Philip Weeks.”
He nods.
I march toward the truck. “I’m going to go make his week!”
Dorian chokes, trying to hold back a laugh. “Let’s get you fed first.”
He drives me to The Switchback Café for breakfast, including a decadent cinnamon roll. I’m feeling better after eating, and a little less bloodthirsty.
Until my mom calls.
I swipe the call button and don’t wait for an answer. “Mom, if you told that wretch of a realtor that I wasn’t selling and he did this…”
“Sweetheart, I just heard the news.”
I don’t believe her. She sounds too sympathetic. “Admit that you called him.”
“Well of course I did. What did you think I would do when you made such a dramatic decision?”
“And all those jabs about the old electrical? And the unsafe house?”
She sighs like she’s already over this conversation. “I tried to warn you.”
“That it was unsafe! Not that you’d have it burned down!”
“I did no such thing. How dare you—"
“How could you?” I ask over her. “You grew up there. Your own mother loved that home. I loved that home.”
“But it’s just a house. People buy and sell them all the time. The memories are with the people you care about.”
She truly doesn’t understand. But Grandmama Florine did. She knew mom so well, she decided to leave everything to me.
And it still wasn’t enough.
“Darling, I’m sorry. Truly. But can’t you see this is for the best? Now you can—"
Just as I tune her out, I spot Philip coming down the street in his fancy car. He parks in front of his office and gets out.
I thrust my phone at Dorian and stalk after him.
The man has the gall to look happy to see me. “Lisette! I just heard about your grandmother’s house. Tragic. It was a nice place. I know this isn’t the right time… but if you still want to sell?”
“Was the property worth that much that you’d resort to arson?” I yell.
“Wait, Lisette. You have the wrong idea. The investors were pressured to find a suitable location. If you’d given me time…”
“It was my house. My choice to do what I wanted with it.” We’re standing on the sidewalk outside his office, drawing a crowd. Good. If he’s responsible, I want everyone to know.
He frowns. “Richard and Marie-Claire said you’d be more reasonable.”
“My mother has no say in—” Suddenly it all clicks into place.
The way she’s been calling me. Trying to tell me this was for my future.
That she knew what was best. All phrases I’ve heard from my stepdad’s mouth over the last six years every time he lectured me on my ‘poor decisions’.
“Richard’s an investor in this resort. One of the men who wanted the land. ”
All the pieces fit, and the picture it reveals is betrayal. “And the fire? Was that his idea? Or yours?”
“There was a lot of money on the line. Jobs for our community.” Philip shifts uncomfortably. “Florine was out of her mind not to see that. She shouldn’t have changed the will. If she hadn’t, you’d never have been dragged—”
I pull my arm back and punch him in his too-white teeth.
Philip sprawls on the sidewalk, swearing through his bloody lips. “Bitch. I think you knocked a tooth loose. You’re as crazy as your grandmother.”
Oh, he’s dead. I lunge for him.
Strong arms wrap around me, hauling me off the realtor.
“Come on, beautiful,” Dorian says in my ear. “No more fighting. You’re grounded.”
His teasing words break through the haze of my anger. “I am? But what about—”
“The sheriff has the inspector’s report.” Dorian motions to the realtor. “And half the town heard him just now. There’s enough evidence to charge them.”
I relax into his arms and nod.
“Now, be a good girl and come home with me.”
My stomach clenches, and suddenly Philip and his stupid white teeth no longer matter.
Dorian sweeps me into his arms and carries me to the truck, taking me home.
The cabin is a little cool when we arrive, so he lights a fire, then settles on the couch and pulls me into his lap.
I watch the fire catch and lay my head on his shoulder, finally giving voice to all the worries in my heart.
“I don’t know what to do, Dorian. Now that her house is in ruins, and you might go to Montana…”
He strokes my back in a soothing circle.
“I don’t know where I belong.”
“What about Denver?” he asks quietly.
Yesterday, I thought that old Victorian was the answer. But looking at the burnt remains in the cold light of dawn, I realized that my safe place was gone, and no matter how long I lived there, Denver would never be home. “I found you again. I don’t want to go back.”
Dorian freezes.
“The only place that feels right, is with you.”
“Lisette.” He traces my cheek with his fingers, his touch feather-light.
Gathering my courage, I meet his gaze and say the thing that terrifies me most. “I love you, Dorian. I always have. If… if you decide to go to Montana, would you take me with you?”
His eyes squeeze closed, then he gathers me against his chest. “You’re mine, Lisette. I’m not going anywhere without you.”
His kiss is hard and passionate. Full of the same fierce love I’m feeling.
“Even the bedroom?” I ask between kisses.
“Especially there.”
Then he lifts me in his arms and carries me to bed.
It’s different this time.
Dorian slides me down the length of his body until my feet touch the floor. We remove each other’s clothes, exploring every inch revealed. And when we crawl beneath the sheets, he takes his time, teasing me with his lips and beard.
Then he settles between my thighs, using his hands and mouth to set me on fire. But it’s his love that burns brightest.
At last, he crawls up my body, and I feel the weight of his hard length between my thighs.
His hair slips free of its tie and falls around us like a curtain, shutting out the rest of the world, until there’s only the two of us.
He presses just the tip to my entrance, and capturing my lips in a tender kiss, pushes inside.
I gasp against his mouth, taking every inch. It feels like he’s finally come home. To me.
Our eyes lock as he begins to thrust in long, steady strokes. He drives me to the edge of pleasure, then slows his pace, only to push me higher. Again and again until I’m clawing his back.
“More,” I plead.
“Come for me, Lisette,” he whispers in my ear as he slides a hand between our bodies. “Be my good girl.”
“Dorian!”
He pinches my nipple, and the orgasm rips through me. My walls clamp down on his length, and he roars out his release, calling my name.
When we can breathe again, he settles down beside me and tucks me to his chest, holding me like I’m precious. Like I’m his.
And later, in the dark of night, I put my mouth on him to wake him up.
He mumbles about a blowjob ambush, then flips me onto my back and makes me his good girl again and again.
Settling in his arms as the sun comes up over the mountains, I realize we’ve come full circle.
Life dragged us away but couldn’t keep us apart.
We’re meant to be together.