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32
She Liked It 'Verra Much'
W ith breakfast done and leftovers put away, they washed the dishes together. As Quinn dried the last pan, she asked, “Did you want to finish up A Christmas Carol ?”
Alex looked at her from under his dark brows with a sly expression on his handsome face. Quinn’s pulse quickened, and she wondered why he was looking at her that way.
“What?” she asked not meaning for it to come out breathily.
“I huv a wee surprise fer ye,” he said with a low tempting tone in his voice.
Fireworks shot off low in her belly. Did he mean a gift? No. Was he teasing her? Or… An image of him kissing her under the mistletoe skittered through her mind, and she chided herself. He didn’t even have mistletoe, and even if he did, he’d made himself very clear upon where they stood with each other. No sex, which she was sure also meant no kissing.
“What kind of surprise?” she asked, her curiosity already killing her.
The expression on Alex’s face told her that he was enjoying her piqued interest. “I think it’s one ye’ll like verra much,” he said.
His burr was like a trigger on all her feminine parts. Jeez Louise.
“Ye huv to do as I say though, lass. No questions asked.”
She eyed him dubiously.
“Do ye trust me?” he asked from under an arched brow.
“Of course,” she answered easily and she noted he looked pleased with her answer.
“So will ye do as I say?” he asked apparently wanting her to commit fully to whatever he had planned.
She looked at him, uncertainly biting her lower lip, but she was way too curious to say no. “Fine,” she conceded.
Alex grinned, clearly he had her figured out. She was as curious as a cat and he knew it. “Good. There is a robe hanging on the back of the door in the bathroom.”
Quinn had seen the thick navy robe there. But what on earth… She waited to hear more.
“I want ye to go get it and put it on.”
Shaking her head confused, she clarified, “You want me to put on your robe?”
“Aye, take off everything else and just put on the robe.” Quinn threw him a wide-eyed look wondering if she'd heard him right.
“Dinnae worry, lass. I promise it’s nothing nefarious.” He said with a wink.
Quinn stared at him, as if she might be able to figure out what in the heck was happening. When he said nothing more. She nodded apprehensively, “Okay, then.”
“Good, little lass.” He grinned and her eyes shot to his in warning. She heard his deep rumble of a chuckle, as she turned and made her way to the bathroom.
Quinn took off Alex’s hoody and sweatpants and folded them up, laying them on the counter. She wasn’t wearing her bra and panties. She’d barely worn them at all as they were the only ones she had, and she was always in big bulky clothes there didn’t seem to be a need for underclothes. Taking Alex’s robe off the hook, she slid her arms in and wrapped it around her. She couldn’t help the reaction that went through her at the feel and smell of his robe wrapped around her naked body. Nothing nefarious , he’d promised. Despite the wink, she was sure he meant it. Too bad , she thought.
Well obviously, he wasn’t planning on sex, but what the heck was he planning? She felt confused. Hmm, maybe a massage. The very thought of his strong hands touching her made her knees weak. If it was a massage, would she even be able to relax for it? With nervous excitement coursing through her, she opened the door and stepped out walking back to the kitchen.
Alex stood at the back door, still in sweats and a T, but now he was wearing his winter boots and a toque too. What the heck? Not a massage then , Quinn felt a little stab of disappointment. As she stepped towards Alex, he gave her a half smile and gestured for her to put on her boots.
“You want me to go outside in a bathrobe in the dead of winter?” she complained.
“Do we huv a problem here, Ms. West?” He gave her a menacing look from under his dark brow.
Quinn’s eyes flew to his, remembering those words the day he pulled her over, but this time, electricity danced across her skin as she looked up at his stormy blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
Growling, she stuffed her bare feet into her hiking boots. Alex handed her the toque, and without a word, she unceremoniously yanked it on over her hair.
“Good, little lass.” There was a twinkle in his roguish eyes.
There were those three little words again. If she didn’t feel so aroused, she’d kick him. “Alex, why am I in a bathrobe and a toque?”
“Ye said ye trusted me,” he said simply.
Suddenly, it dawned on her. “Oh God, tell me we’re not going for a polar dip!” The very thought made her shiver involuntarily.
Alex threw back his head and laughed. “No’ exactly.”
What kind of answer was that? Quinn eyed him incredulously. Then without another word, he looked at her with a sexy grin that made her heart beat a little faster, took her hand in his, and opened the back door leading her out. The cold winter air hit with a blast.
Quinn felt fairly certain that she was crazy to follow Alex out into twenty-below weather in nothing but a bathrobe, but as they walked around the side of the cabin, she was distracted by the music playing.
“Beach Boys?” she asked completely dumbfounded.
He chuckled. “Aye.” The snow crunched beneath their boots as he continued to lead her around the back of the log cabin and then she saw her surprise.
She squealed. “You have a hot tub?” The ice-cold air snaked up her bathrobe as she stood, staring at steaming hot blue water.
“Aye. Surprise!”
She laughed, wrapping her arms tighter around herself to ward off the cold that was already biting into her.
“Go on, lass.” He nodded towards the bubbling hot water. “I’ll turn around. Let me know once you’re in.”
Quinn didn’t need to be told twice. Noticing a hook on the wall by the hot tub, she whipped off the robe and practically threw it at the hook. She scrambled to get her boots off before she carefully stepped up the two freezing wood steps to get in. As she sank into the hot glorious water, it almost hurt, but, at the same time, the heat felt like heaven. The water seeped up over her shoulders, and she sighed blissfully as it enveloped her.
“Ye in, lass?” Alex called over his shoulder. When he’d been out clearing snow the day before, he had the idea to surprise the lass with a wee dip in the hot tub. Thinking it through though, he realized that she didn’t have a swimsuit, and neither did he. Living out here alone, he never needed one.
Realizing they would be naked together in his hot tub, he questioned whether or not it would be a wise move. But they’d managed to cuddle at night in his bed without it going further, so he was sure they could handle the hot tub. Besides, it was a four-person tub. It was not like he couldn’t keep a bit of space between them.
That was what he thought yesterday, but now standing with his back turned and waiting on Quinn, he began to question his sanity. It was too late to turn back. God, just knowing she was taking off that robe behind him sent a wave of desire through him. Every nerve ending in his body begged him to turn around and watch her, but he stayed perfectly still willing his cock to behave.
“Your turn,” she called back. He turned and walked a couple of steps towards the tub and Quinn watched him without even thinking that she shouldn’t. He took off his boots and pulled down his t-shirt and sweatpants in what seemed like one quick move. She caught the briefest glimpse of him in all his naked glory before he too was in the tub. Wow , how could she have forgotten that manhood? Holy heck.
“Ah, Christ, that’s good.” He breathed letting the hot water warm him through.
“It’s sooo good. I had no idea you had this greatness in your yard.”
He looked up at her with a satisfied grin. “I knew ye’d like it. I thought about it yesterday, but then the day got away from us. I thought I’d surprise ye with it this morning.”
“Way better than a polar dip,” she quipped.
His chuckle was deep. “Ah, ye cannae say that ’til ye try it.”
“I think I’m happy to stick with a hot tub.” Quinn felt giddy. The hot tub was up against the back of the cabin, but the view in front of them was breathtaking. Thick snow decorated the layers of tall fir trees. The cabin was cozy and lovely, but Quinn hadn’t been outside since the other evening and the fresh mountain air made her feel alive.
“This is incredible, Alex.” She breathed still in awe. Then she smiled hearing the Beach Boys “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” start to play. “The music is beyond perfect.”
“I knew ye’d like that too,” he said dryly.
She laughed. “Christmas tradition?”
“Nope. Just seemed the right kinda mood.” Alex leaned back, stacking his muscular arms along the sides of the tub and giving Quinn a sexy view.
“Tropical summer vibes in the winter. So good,” she quipped, trying not to stare at the man’s perfectly sculpted biceps. The music made her smile inside since the Beach Boys’ music was the complete opposite of what you'd expect to listen to on a cold crisp Christmas day. Yet, it really did seem perfect. Hot Cop has a sense of humour , she thought, smiling inside.
“How is it we are only now going in this hot tub?” she asked gently swishing her fingers through the water.
“Ah, good question. I honestly just hadn’t thought of it, and then yesterday, I needed to get the pH right. Worked out well though, no? Nice little Christmas gift fer us both.”
“It’s the best.” She sighed contentedly.
He nodded. “Oh, I almost forgot. One more surprise.” Reaching over the side of the tub, he pulled up a bottle of champagne.
“What? Nooo! You’ve been holding out on me, Sergeant Mackenzie.”
He laughed. “I saved it. Gotta have champagne on Christmas Day.”
“Ahh, so that’s a Christmas tradition.”
“Aye.” He grinned, popping it open, pouring them each a glass, and then reaching across the hot tub handing her one. Taking it from him, Quinn clinked his glass before sitting back, taking a sip, and looking back out at the winter wonderland that surrounded them. Movement in the trees, caught her eye. She thought she was seeing things, but then a large deer walked into the clearing.
“Oh my God, Alex, look!” she whispered excitedly. The deer paused, listening, and then bounded off the way it came.
“There is a lot of wildlife out here. It’s pretty amazing.”
“You really do live in the most heavenly place.” She sighed happily, taking a sip of her champagne. The cool bubbles went down easily.
“I love this song,” she crooned, turning around to him. “Kokomo” had come on. Quinn felt a little jolt tickle down her skin as she noticed the way Alex was watching her. There was something in his gaze that hadn’t been there before. Desire. She’d seen it a couple times before, but it always seemed short-lived. She held eyes with him, and when he didn’t look away, she felt her breath go shallow.
Long ago, she’d decided to always live for the moment, come what may. As nervous as she felt now, she intended to stay true to herself. Decision made, she glided low through the steamy water towards Alex, and he watched her with unbidden hunger in his stormy piercing eyes, giving her the courage she needed. Her heart was racing, and she feared his rejection. But she’d regret it if she didn’t run with what she was feeling.
Still neck deep in the water she now stood right in front of him. He casually took a sip of his champagne. His glittering blue eyes never left hers. It was like time stood still. Electricity sparked between them.
“Hi,” she said coyly, looking at him from under her brow and hoping to God he would bite. She desperately needed him to meet her halfway.
Catching the brief trepidation that flashed in his eyes, disappointment stabbed at her, and she was about to move away when he spoke.
“Stay, lass.” His deep voice dripped with hunger. Then he reached up and cupped his wet hands around her face, looking into her eyes with stormy desperation and need, and when those eyes dropped to her lips, Quinn felt heat sear low in her belly. His breath turned ragged, and he paused as if grappling one last time with the decision. When his mouth finally claimed hers, she whimpered.
It was as if time stood still for Quinn. The feel of his lips on hers was electric. Her body reacted, and desire rushed through her leaving her body needy and wanting. Alex opened his mouth against hers, letting his tongue sweep her lips as he tasted her, savoured her, and then devoured her.
A moan escaped her, and Alex groaned in response slanting his mouth over hers as if taking everything he ever wanted from her. His hands moved down her back in the steamy hot water and grasped her behind. With a low growl, he hauled her up against him.
Quinn felt momentarily shocked at the contact of their bodies. Skin on skin. She felt his erection strong and thick pressed between them and desire spread through her body like wildfire. His kiss was so passionate, so raw. Quinn had wanted him to kiss her so many times, but this was beyond anything she’d imagined.
With the hunger in his kiss and the way his hard sculpted body ground against hers in the hot water, Quinn felt achy and needy—desire possessing her. She couldn’t get enough of his mouth on hers and his hands touching her—holding her like her body was his for the taking. She pressed into his every touch, wanting to be consumed by him.