Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Cole switched off the engine and fought the urge to leap out and dash toward the stairs, Mila in tow.
Instead he made sure everyone was headed in the right direction — Rio climbing the snowy hill to his A-frame, Monty ambling across the yard to his cottage near the main house and Claudie walking through the gate of the mini-hacienda she shared with Mila.
“They’re all fine.” Mila pulled on her gloves. “We can go.”
He tugged on his gloves and took her hand. “How about I throw you over my shoulder and we go up the stairs that way?” Dumb idea, but he desperately wanted to save her the climb.
She laughed. “How about we skip that so you don’t dislocate something in the process? Come on.” She started off at a brisk pace. “The sooner we conquer those stairs the sooner we can—”
“Point taken. I used to think they were cool. Tonight they’re a pain in the ass.”
“Want to do it in the barn?”
“I’d be tempted if I had a condom in my pocket.” He released her hand as she reached the base of the stairs. “Don’t go too fast. I don’t want you to slip.”
“Backatcha. I don’t want you to run me over.”
“If I’m not careful, I might. Those last two miles were tough duty.”
“But we made it.” Gripping the railing, she continued upward, her boots slipping on the icy surface.
“Better slow down.”
“Don’t want to.”
Much as he loved hearing that, if she fell and hurt herself, he’d never—
“Is your door unlocked?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Bueno.”
“For future reference, it always is.”
“Is that an invitation?”
“Absolutely.” The air was so cold it made his eyelids hurt, but inside he was a furnace of desperation.
Gasping from effort and excitement, sending out puffs of condensed air like the little train in the storybook, he stayed right behind her. Almost there.
Two steps left. One step — and she stumbled, slamming into him.
“Ayiyi! Sorry!”
“I’ve gotcha.” He’d almost gone down, but somehow he’d defied the law of physics, caught her and held on. His body served as a temporary barricade against what would be a devastating fall.
Unfortunately his boots had slid on impact and his heels hung out over thin air. He couldn’t balance on the balls of his feet for long. If they tumbled the length of these metal stairs….
Good thing he’d ended up with his mouth conveniently next to her ear. “Get your feet under you.”
“Dios, that feels sexy.”
“Hurry up before we both head for the bottom.”
“Si, si.” Grabbing the railing with both hands, she righted herself and planted her feet on the last step. “Gracias, mi amor.”
He dragged in a breath. “Hearing you say that was almost worth the terror of the moment.”
“You were terrified?” She made it onto the landing and reached for the door. “You didn’t sound terrified.”
“My boots slipped when I caught you. We almost—”
“But you saved us.” She clutched the front of his jacket and pulled him through the open door.
“Thank God.” Shoving the door closed, he wrapped her in his arms, coat and all. “Thank God.” He captured her mouth with no thought as to what was supposed to come next. He only knew he needed this kiss more than he needed air.
Clothes started coming off as they shuffled their way into the bedroom, but every time he momentarily lost contact with her mouth, he immediately reconnected. He kept kissing her even as he rolled on the condom he’d left lying within reach on the bedside table.
Finally, just before he sank his demanding cock into her sweet warmth, he lifted his head and gazed down at this woman he was privileged to have lying beneath him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
The glow in her brown eyes softened and she cupped his face in both hands. “So am I, mi amor. So am I.”
Leaning down, he kissed her again, gently this time as he lowered his hips and accepted the gift she offered. His heart stuttered as he pushed deeper.
The earthy scent of her arousal filled his nostrils. The sound of her rapid breathing was the only one that mattered.
His chest tingled as he surged forward and brushed over her taut nipples. Her arms tightened around him and her fingers pressed into his back.
As the tip of his cock touched her womb, he paused to absorb, the moment, the miracle of loving Mila. He shook with eagerness, yet homage must be paid to this blessing.
Then it began, his heart creating a drumbeat of celebration, of recognition, of certainty… this is it, this is it, this is it. He began to stroke in time with that rhythm. He slowly ended the kiss so he could look at her.
The truth was there, shining in her eyes, glowing on her cheeks. She felt it, too. They’d been given a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It was theirs to enjoy. Or destroy.
He didn’t know which way it would go, but right now, making love to her, his world was sprinkled with stardust. Wrapped in her arms, joined with her in this intimate dance, he’d never been so sure that he was exactly where he was supposed to be.
As her body quickened beneath him, as her eyes and her breathing told him all he needed to know, he loved her instinctively, following her unspoken cues. She rose to meet him, slid her hands to his hips to urge him on.
Her gasps of pleasure and delight filled him with joy. When her cries became more urgent, he moved faster. They rode the whirlwind, spinning out of control together, laughing and shouting like kids on a rollercoaster.
Bliss.
Breathing hard and filled with gratitude, he gazed down at Mila. “I want to do this all night long.”
“Me, too.”
“You’re not sleepy?”
“Not right now.”
“Alrighty, then. See you in a few minutes.” He left for the bathroom.
He was probably gone for all of five minutes, but when he came back, her eyes were closed and her breathing was shallow. When he murmured her name, she didn’t stir.
As he started toward the bed, his bare foot came in contact with something on the floor and he glanced down. Her dress. Picking it up, he shook it out and laid it carefully over the chair in the corner. Then he located her undies and put them there, too.
Leaving his clothes on the floor, he climbed carefully into bed and pulled up the covers before snuggling in next to her. He’d had visions of turning on the fireplace and cuddling while they gazed at the dancing flames before they made love again.
Didn’t matter. He had a hunch she’d spend tomorrow night here, maybe Monday and Tuesday night, too. As for Christmas Eve….
Could he manage Christmas Eve, too? Could the promise of another night in her arms block out his nightmare once and for all?
He wanted to believe that. Lying to her about his reason for skipping the festivities would be a betrayal. It could destroy the mutual trust they were building.
But finding the strength to celebrate Christmas Eve with Mila wouldn’t be easy. It could be a turning point, though, a golden chance to bury his poisonous memories. Was he up to it? If he wanted a life with Mila, he’d damn well better be.