Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
CAITLYN
Luna had been bugging me to go exploring through the woods since we arrived but I’d distracted her with movies and a shopping trip into town to get some new cooler weather clothes for the both of us until I got my bearings with the layout of the mountain.
So it wasn’t a big surprise when she used the first opportunity to sneak out the back door.
Actually, Chassie had noticed as well, and we shared a look as I stood watching my daughter through the door’s glass window. Luna had made a beeline for the closest cabin behind the lodge, which belonged to Lars and Dylan.
Standing in front of the structure were four men. I recognized two of them. Debate warred within me. Do I follow her or let her think she had a bit of independence?
In Texas, there’d been no question that Luna could never go off on her own. But here? I liked the idea of her gaining confidence and independence, even at this young age. Hoping, unlike me, that she wouldn’t spend her childhood looking over her shoulder for the boogeyman everywhere she went.
I knew it would be a fine line as she grew up, but I was determined that she’d never see herself as incapable of handling adversity, unlike I had. Until recently, when I’d finally found a backbone and ended things with her father.
Whoa, where had all that come from? Guess I hadn’t worked through all my relationship issues like I’d thought had this past year.
Now as I watched my little girl march right up to four grown men without a care in the world, a lump formed in my throat.
Oh, to have that sense of self again. She’d already met Lars and Vic, so letting her continue on her little adventure felt safe.
And since I did, I relaxed and allowed my gaze to skip to Vic, then back again to Luna.
What was it about him that had me on edge whenever I saw him? He made me feel…oh, I don’t know, giddy seemed to fit.
Then he did something unexpected, and just when I thought I could fight off the attraction I was feeling. He swung Luna onto his back. She wrapped her little arms around his neck, and he trotted like a pony toward the door.
Her squeals and giggles reached me, and damn it all. Why’d he have to be super hot and a nice guy?
“Hey there. Looks like you have something on your back?” How I managed not to sound all tongue-tied was a miracle.
“Hey. Yup, found it just a hundred yards back that way. Figured I’d make sure the giants back there didn’t recruit her.” Vic kept his features even, but I saw the merriment in his eyes as he gently helped Luna down.
More giggles followed, then I swear my daughter snorted out a laugh as she jumped down.
“Mommy, it’s me. Did you know that Vic isn’t a giant like his brother Lars, but he is super strong!
” Luna tried to flex her muscles, but couldn’t pull it off, and frowned.
Then she shrugged her shoulders and tipped her head back as she looked at Vic.
Like he was her new hero. Over a piggyback ride of all things.
“Thank you. That was fun. See yah. Mom, are my aunties still inside? They said I could have a cookie when they’re ready.” With her hands interlaced under her chin, my daughter chanted, “Please, please, please?”
Looks like I’ll need to have a discussion with Chassie and Sami about spoiling Luna.
But since they’d already said she could, telling her no now would only spark a debate with my headstrong daughter.
I’d leave it for later, and when we didn't have an audience.
“Only if you promise that next time you want to go off on your own, you will need to ask first. And there will be more rules, okay?” I tugged on each of her pigtails, which was hard to do since she was also doing the ants in your pants dance.
Grinning, I said, “Go potty first, then wash up. I’m sure the cookies are done by now.
” She was off and running before I finished, and suddenly I was left alone with the impossibly good-looking Vic, who’d been quietly observing our interaction.
And now that Luna was gone, all his attention was on me.
Had it gotten hotter out here? Ignoring the need to pull my blouse away from my overheated skin, I crossed my arms, wishing I’d worn something that wasn’t so form-fitting. I’d put on some weight this past year, and most of my clothes were too tight.
“Hi. I’m Luna’s mom. We haven’t officially met.
I’m Caitlyn. Um, thank you for making sure she got back okay.
Um, I was watching her through the window, but it’s nice to know she has you and the others looking out for her.
” I couldn’t avoid making eye contact any longer, and when I did, all the spit in my mouth dried up and my abdomen spasmed from the raw desire emanating from his blue eyes.
He seemed unfazed that I’d caught him staring at my boobs. Self-conscious, I looked down and realized that with my arms wrapped around my stomach, the pose had pushed the girls up. Straining the thin fabric of my top while showcasing a wide swath of my cleavage.
Dropping my arms, I tugged the hem down and prayed I hadn’t turned the shade of a ripe tomato.
I waited until he looked back up, but when he didn’t, I loudly cleared my throat.
“I need to get back in there and make sure her aunties haven’t let her eat all the cookies.
They’ve been spoiling her since we arrived. ”
Before I could make a swift getaway, he said my name. Low and raspy, I swear the vibration created within his chest arced from him to me, setting off thousands of goosebumps all over my flesh.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you. But you have to know how beautiful you are, Caitlyn.”
Smooth, but I wouldn’t let his compliment sway me.
No matter how much my body was thrumming from his attention.
“Thank you. But I’m not looking for compliments or…
anything else.” Putting as much emphasis on my words without sounding too bitchy, I waited a beat before I turned to hightail it back to the lodge.
“Fair enough. But it’s just that when I see beauty, I can’t help but admire it. I’m Victor, by the way.” I should have kept going, but politeness won out as I paused and looked over my shoulder.
Lord help me. I expected another thousand-watt smile, but there was no smile on his face. He wore a smoldering, heated stare zeroed on my lips that I swear telegraphed he wanted to do more than just look.
Like he wanted to kiss me.
Even though we barely knew each other.
Even though he was too young for me. Victor radiated passion and promises kept, and if we didn’t have an audience, Lord help me, I’m pretty sure I’d let him.
But then a niggle of doubt and self-consciousness pulled me from the edge.
I was so out of my league with him. This kind of flirting wasn’t like me at all.
I’d just sworn off men. Indefinitely. Yet he made me feel and think things I thought long dormant.
Damn it, why couldn’t I loosen up and just go with the flow like my sister?
I’m sure she had no issues with Kane when their attraction had sparked off each other like this.
Pointing his thumb over his right shoulder, he smiled once more. I almost sighed. Damn, damn, damn. Why’d he have to be even hotter when he smiled?
“Those giants back there, as Luna has tagged them, are my brothers. The largest is Lars, and one reason I live here now. The other two are just visiting briefly; no need to know their names. But if I don’t give them a tour of my new place, they’re going to interrupt us any minute, and I don’t want them to.
And I look forward to seeing you later at dinner.
And tell Luna to save me a cookie or two, please?
” Another devastating smile. And I swear there is a twinkle in Vic’s left eye as he raked his gaze over me, then smoothly turned and sauntered off toward his brothers.
I couldn’t help myself. I watched him walk away, admiring the muscle play under his form-fitting shirt.
The globes of his firm ass had me wishing for a fan to wave over my heated face.
And his thighs were just as toned, and oh, I’ve never ogled a man like this in my life.
Dragging my gaze off Vic, I saw his brothers smiling at me.
Oh, crap. So much for wanting him, and now his brothers, to believe I was immune to his charms.