Chapter 8 #2
A shadow passes over Shep’s expression, but it disappears in an instant. “I’ll be in the kitchen making lunch while you call your friend.” He nods stiffly, and steps back and leaves before I can respond.
What was that all about?
Shep went from playful ribbing to awkward silence, and when I brought up leaving, he shut down completely. Maybe he’s not happy that another storm is coming. Not only am I crashing at his place, but I’m now even more of a useless guest with my sprained ankle. It’s no wonder he’s so tense.
A sharp pang shoots through my ankle. Ready for a distraction, I call Gemma.
She picks up on the second ring. “Finally! I was about to file a missing person’s report.”
“Sorry for not checking in sooner.” I switch the call to speaker so I can rest my head against the pillows. “I got stuck in a blizzard without service.”
“Whoa, are you okay?” Gemma’s voice sharpens with alarm. “Wait—I thought you were headed to Arizona for endless sunshine?”
“Apparently, if you drive a few hours north of Phoenix, you trade desert heat for icy mountain ranges,” I scoff.
Gemma gasps. “You’re kidding. I thought the whole state was palm trees and pool weather.”
“Me too,” I exclaim. “Clearly, we’re both overdue for a middle school geography refresher.”
She usually handles all my business travel, and when I manage it myself, I send her my itinerary for a quick check.
But since this trip was personal and I planned it at the last minute, I didn’t want to pull her away from her well-deserved time with family in Vermont. I won’t make that mistake again.
“I peaked when I learned the name of every state capital,” Gemma states proudly. “At least your adventure will make for some great podcast material.”
“Believe it or not, that’s just the start,” I admit, laughing nervously. “The place I rented was a total scam, and the actual owner thought I was breaking in when he caught me looking through the window. But then I accused him of being a serial killer, so I guess we’re even.”
“Wow, you’re lucky you didn’t become a true crime feature. They’d have probably called it ‘Snow Way She’s Gone,’” Gemma teases.
I pause briefly, twisting my hair into a bun with the tie on my wrist. “You have connections to several true crime podcasters, so at least I’d go out knowing you’d give them my most flattering photos for the episode.”
She clicks her tongue. “Obviously. If the world’s watching, you’re going out in style.”
I chuckle, amused by her dedication, and lower my voice slightly. “Shep is definitely a grumpy cowboy, but it turns out he’s not serial killer material. In fact, he’s actually really sweet. I sprained my ankle this morning, and he insisted on carrying me inside.”
Even now, he’s in the kitchen making lunch while I’m lounging on his bed chatting with my friend. It’s not as if he’d let me hobble around to assist him, but that doesn’t stop the pang of guilt cutting through me.
Gemma lets out a sharp gasp, followed by a delighted squeal. “You’re snowed in with a single man? Please tell me he’s packing.”
My jaw drops at her bluntness. The woman has no filter.
She’s the type who goes to a bar, buys a guy a drink, and lays out exactly what she wants in bed before they step outside.
Meanwhile, I’ve always been cautious, never daring to be that bold, secretly wishing I was brave enough to ask for help exploring my desires without judgment.
“I don’t know… not yet. I mean it’s not like that,” I rush to correct myself, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. “Yes, he’s handsome—the hottest cowboy I’ve ever seen actually—but he thinks I’m a total nuisance. Plus, he’s forty-five, so I’m far too inexperienced for him.”
A sudden thought crosses my mind that Shep would take it in strides, guiding me with the commanding dominance I’ve always craved.
“Girl, you’ve hit the daddy lottery. You can’t pass this up—opportunities like this don’t come around twice. Have you at least tried one of your new dildos yet?” Gemma asks loudly. “The reviews say they hit the G-spot just right and the vibrations match your rhythm.”
“Why don’t you yell a little louder so Shep can hear you,” I deadpan.
“Well?” Gemma whisper-shouts. “Have you tried them?”
I shake my head, laughing at her blissful ignorance of volume control.
“Not yet. I haven’t had any alone time since I’ve been here. I can’t exactly whip one out in Shep’s living room and…” I drift off, an alarm sounding in a far-off place in my mind.
The toys.
My stomach drops when it dawns on me that the pocket where I had my phone charging was on the inside of the front flap of my suitcase. That means Shep had to open it, and there was no way he would’ve missed the elaborate collection.
Oh. My. God.
I bury my face in my hands, wishing the floor would swallow me whole. No wonder he was acting so strange when he came back to the bedroom. I can only imagine what he must think of me after seeing an entire catalog of sex toys in my suitcase.
“Everything okay?” Gemma asks.
“I just realized there’s a good chance Shep found my stash of toys earlier.”
She practically screams into the phone. “Maybe he’s imagining all the ways to use them on you! Save a horse, ride a toy, and a cowboy!”
“Gemma, keep it down,” I hiss, scrambling to switch the speaker off and pressing the phone to my ear.
I’m already humiliated as it is. The last thing I need is Shep overhearing my friend trying to drag him into my sexual escapades.
I’d also rather not admit that I’ve rarely used toys in the past, let alone with a man.
My past partners weren’t exactly enthusiastic about them, treating toys as rivals rather than a way to spice things up.
“All I’m saying is that being trapped on a mountain together is the perfect excuse to have a little fun,” Gemma says, and I picture her waggling her eyebrows.
“And I’m telling you, it’s not going to happen.”
“Why?” she presses. “Because you don’t want it to or you’re afraid you actually do?”
I only wish she had it wrong.
The reality? I’m battling a fierce attraction unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
My mind drifts to the barn earlier when Shep was pressed against me as he showed me how to brush Maple.
He appeared unfazed. Meanwhile, I was fighting to concentrate with his breath hot against my ear and his hand wrapped around mine.
I clear my throat. “I plead the Fifth.”
“Uh-huh. I expect every juicy detail when you give in and let that man fuck you six ways till Sunday.”
Oh my god.
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I’m glad she’s not here to call me out on it.
“Can we please talk about something else?”
Seriously, I’d rather discuss literally anything other than Shep’s cock and having to pretend I haven’t thought about sleeping with him.
She lets out an exasperated sigh. “Fine, I’ll stop grilling you about your cowboy—for now.” Shep’s not my cowboy, but I don’t bother correcting her. “Have you had a chance to do any of your favorite holiday traditions?” Gemma asks.
“Not yet,” I admit. “Shep doesn’t decorate for the holidays, and I’m not sure when I’ll get to visit Pine Haven. But even if there aren’t any lights, holiday movie marathons, or cookies baking in the oven, I’ll find a way to celebrate.”
“Of course you will. You have a gift for bringing holiday magic wherever you go.” Through the phone, I hear a door creak, followed by a hushed voice. “Sorry, I gotta go. My mom and I are meeting my sister and the kids at the mall,” Gemma tells me.
“Have so much fun and tell Santa I said hi.”
“Duh. You’re my only hope for staying on the nice list. And remember, don’t do anything I wouldn’t when it comes to that hunky cowboy of yours,” she teases.
“Glad to know I have plenty of wriggle room.” I chuckle. “Talk soon.”
I put my phone on the nightstand before sinking into the pillows.
With my ankle still throbbing, there’s not much I can do but wait for Shep to come back.
Hopefully, a few hours of rest and some painkillers and ice will ease the swelling, and I’ll be walking again in a day or two.
Until then, it looks like I’ll have to depend on him to get by, which means more time spent together.
Here’s hoping I can keep my fantasies of him giving me a full-body exam in check.