Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
T racy drove back to Laughing Creek once it was dark. Even though the truck’s heater was blasting warm air, she shivered like an aspen in a cool fall breeze.
Despite what she’d told Adam, even spending one night with him was risky. He was likely a better lover than she’d ever had before. His kisses had told her that.
One night was all she dared allow herself. If she’d had condoms on New Year’s Eve she wouldn’t be in this fix, but she had a chance for a do-over and she was by God taking it.
Of course Adam wanted to negotiate for more. He was a man and a leader, and like many guys who fit that description, he had an overblown concept of his ability to control the situation. She had no such illusions.
One week was asking for trouble. Two weeks would guarantee disaster. She didn’t want to cause him — or her — pain or embarrassment. Keeping it to one night minimized the possibility.
Yet she could still satisfy a longing that had apparently taken root when she was sixteen. She’d tell her story and ask him to share his. It would be a night to remember. Even if the sex wasn’t spectacular, it would be wonderful because she’d be making love to Adam.
When she pulled up on the left side of Mila’s Spanish-style home, frost sparkled on the tiered fountain in the front patio. Several wrought iron lanterns gave a welcoming glow to the area surrounded by a low rock wall.
Mila came out the carved front door with a coat over her pjs. She hurried toward the truck, her moccasins whispering across the smooth flagstones.
Tracy climbed down and met her by the waist-high wall. “Were you listening for me?”
“I was. Mom asked if the three of us wanted to go into town tonight. Clem’s hired a new band and tonight’s their first gig. I told her we’d decided to get out our old yearbooks and wallow in nostalgia.”
“We should do that sometime.”
“We will. Just remember you’re supposed to be reminiscing tonight.”
“Okay. I’m sorry you had to cook up a story.”
“It’s actually the truth. Our yearbooks are piled on the coffee table ready to go. We’ll take some videos to show you later. You’ll feel like you were there.”
Should she be? Doubts began to crop up. “Mila, is this the dumbest thing I’ve ever done?”
“Not dumb. You’ve talked it out with us and with him. You’ve thought it through and made a decision. I’m amazed I never noticed you have a crush on him. You’ve hidden it well.”
“Hid it from myself, too. Like Claudette said, I wasn’t supposed to have a crush on him, let alone let it take over my life. The last six weeks have been hell. Time to burst the fantasy bubble.”
“Guess so. But if you expect a rude awakening, I’m not sure that’s what?—”
“Oh, it won’t be awful. But it can’t possibly live up to the wild expectations I’ve created in the past few weeks. And that will be for the best.”
Mila smiled. “Good thing you didn’t say that to my brother.”
“I did sort of say that to him this afternoon. Just so he knows I won’t be upset if—why are you laughing?”
“Let me get this straight. You told him you’ve managed your expectations and you’ll be fine with an average experience?”
“More or less. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing’s wrong with it, except you’ve just invited him to turn on the afterburners.”
“Really? Wouldn’t he be relieved that the pressure’s off? I mean, the guys I’ve dated would have been. Except for Sean. He?—”
“You know what, we need to talk about him later. I’m getting the picture, but we can go into it another time. Like lunch on Monday.”
“Sure, we can do that.”
“You’d better head on up there. Adam has a fire going. I can smell the cedar smoke. “
“Me, too. Don’t have too much fun without me.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t. As for you, have as much fun as you want. It’s only one night.”
“Yep. Oh, and… um, tomorrow morning I’ll just head on home, okay? I?—”
“Understood. You’ll need time to process. I’ll meet you Monday at the Raccoon at… twelve or twelve-thirty?”
“Twelve-thirty’s good.”
“See you then.” Mila turned and scurried back toward the door. “Brr. Cold out here!”
Was it? If so, she was oblivious. Mila’s comment keep looping through her mind as she took a bag of food from the passenger side of the truck, closed the door and started back around the tailgate. You’ve just invited him to turn on the afterburners.
Mila seemed to think he’d take what she’d said as a challenge, not reassurance. Perhaps her previous experience with men hadn’t prepared her for Adam. That thought made her pause and catch her breath.
Boots crunching on the frozen ground alerted her to his approach. “Hey, Trace! Do you need help with something?”
She glanced up the path to his cabin. A light bobbed as he came toward her. She could use some oxygen but she doubted he had any on hand. “I was just talking with Mila for a bit.” She sounded breathless as she started toward him. And nervous. Oh, well.
“I saw that. Didn’t want to interrupt.”
She could see his face now and the outline of his body. The shivers started all over again. “She had to tell your mom a fib. I hate that.”
“I had to do the same. She asked me if I wanted to go, too. Here, let me take that.” He reached for the bag.
“What did you say?” She handed it over and walked beside him as he lit their way back to the cabin.
“I told her I was looking forward to a warm fire and rereading the latest M.R. Morrison book.”
“Sounds nice.”
“It is.”
“I miss reading by the fire on winter nights. I did that all the time before I moved into town.”
“You’re welcome to sit by mine whenever you want.”
“Thanks, but it’s probably a bad idea. I should buy a little electric one.”
“Not the same.”
“I know, but let’s be realistic. Do you see us being able to do that?” Between the climb and his body inches from hers, she was puffing.
“Maybe. It’s something to shoot for. Want to stop for a minute?”
“I’m fine. Just out of shape.”
His soft chuckle slid over her like a caress. “I’m not touching that comment.”
“I’m also nervous as hell.”
“Me, too.”
“It doesn’t show.”
“That’s because my clothes are hiding the sweat trickling down my back.”
“Why are you nervous? You were the one who wanted two weeks.”
“I sure did. With that much time I had room to mess up. “
“Like I said, if you do, that’s better in the long run, so messing up isn’t even an option.”
“Right.”
“Although Mila said telling you that would invite you to switch on the afterburners.”
That surprised a laugh out of him. “She said that?”
“Yep.”
“That’s funny. She knows me better than I thought she did.”
She gulped. “Look, I didn’t mean?—”
“To make that invitation?”
“Yes! I mean no!” She started up the steps, still breathing hard. “I was just saying that you don’t have to worry about… well, pleasing me.”
“Because you don’t like to be pleased?” He moved around her and opened the door.
“I do, but that’s not the point of this experiment.” She walked in and her breath hitched.
She knew this room well — the high-backed sofa and easy chairs upholstered in soft denim, the rugged coffee table — all facing the stone fireplace. The sofa blocked her view of the fire, but dancing shadows and the pop of sparks told her it was going strong. Votives flickered on every surface, making the honey-colored log walls glow.
She glanced over her shoulder. “This is beautiful.” And clearly they’d be staying in this room for a while or he wouldn’t have built up the fire and lit the candles.
“Thank you.” He put down the bag and hung his hat on a peg by the door. Taking her gently by the shoulders, he turned her to face him. “I disagree that pleasing you is not the point.” Desire gleamed in the depths of his dark eyes. “As far as I’m concerned…” He paused, his gaze intent. “It’s the whole point.”
Heat sluiced through her, leaving her wobbly.
His voice softened as he tightened his grip on her shoulders. “And if that means turning on the afterburners, you can bet I’m gonna do it.” Drawing her closer, he dipped his head and brushed his lips over hers. “That’s a promise.” His breath tickled her damp mouth. “But first we have a contract to sign.”
She shuddered as another wave of lust swept through her, taking with it all her brain cells. She’d have to trust he’d revised that contract the way she’d asked.
He was in seductive mode, taking charge as no lover of hers ever had. In her current state, she’d be lucky if she could remember her name long enough to sign it.