Chapter 8 Henrik
HENRIK
That sweet, shy smile over her shoulder is the clincher. She’s not getting away from me now.
Kudos to anyone who takes care of their pets before their own needs. She insists on taking care of her dog herself—but that doesn’t mean I can’t go with her and make sure she’s safe.
I don’t want to let her out of my sight for fear she’ll disappear. Just a figment of my imagination, gone like a wisp of smoke on the brutal wind slicing across the slopes.
She has a puffy down coat and basic snow boots, but her gloves aren’t waterproof.
All she covers her head with is the hood of her coat.
If she stays on the mountain for long, she’ll need better gear.
I’m already making a mental list of things I want to get for her.
A Helly-Hansen ski jacket and insulated pants.
Some Hestra gloves. Merino wool socks and underwear. Baby blue like her eyes.
Because I wasn’t lying when I said I don’t do one-night stands.
One taste of her—and she’s staying. I’ll find a way to make it happen.
Even if I have to engage the rest of the guys to help me convince her to stay.
Whatever she needs to make it happen. If she takes as much personal ownership in her current job as she does for the dog, we may need to create a job for her here.
Money isn’t an issue for the four of us—but some people need a job to fuel their self-worth and identity.
It sure wasn’t easy when I left the team. I struggled—even though I had plenty of money. It took time for me to come into my own here.
I’ll wait as long as it takes. I can be patient when needed.
Though my dick aches in protest as I watch her lead the dog through snow above her knees. She’s struggling valiantly—while the dog frolics and teases her like Ren teases me. The dog grabs one of her gloves and easily tugs it off her hand.
Her peals of laughter shake something loose in me. Something that’s been dead and locked in ice for a very long time.
“Skadi, bring that back,” she scolds, laughing, struggling to get to the dog through the snow. Her leash is way too long, and the dog easily keeps out of reach. “My fingers are on fire.”
I’m striding down the porch steps before I’m even aware of it. “Here, take mine.”
“Don’t be silly. Yours are way too big for me. I’m just teasing anyway. She loves to steal my hat or gloves when we come outside.”
Her eyes are watering from the wind. Her hood hangs mostly off her head, baring her ears to another cold blast. “You’re going to catch pneumonia.”
“Viruses cause illness, not the cold. Though I may lose a finger or two.”
Scowling, I grab her bare hand and pull her fingers up beneath my coat. Evidently my shirt too because I feel ice on the bare skin of my stomach. “Forty-below windchill is nothing to fuck around with. You can get frostbite in five minutes.”
She gapes up at me, her lips soft and full, inviting me to sample at my leisure. “It’s not that cold, is it?”
“Very nearly.” I exaggerated a little, but I still don’t like her being outside without full protection.
I’m adding more items to the mental list. A spacious, enclosed dog run where she can trust Skadi will be safe and enjoy all the snow she wants.
A covered garage for her car. Though if it’s in the ditch, she needs a better vehicle.
Or better yet, she can just stay inside, warm and toasty with me. On me. Wrapped around me.
Maybe another snowmobile?
Though Ren said she hates snow. I have no idea what she likes to do in Colorado through the winter if it doesn’t involve the outdoors, but I’ll figure it out and adapt. Games, movies, reading, fucking basket weaving. Whatever. I’ll do it. Even if we never step foot outside. Leland or Doyle can—
Her icy fingers slide around toward my back, and she steps closer. “I can’t believe you live out here in the middle of nowhere. Where do you get gas or groceries?”
“We stockpile supplies when the weather’s good. It’s basic homesteading 101.”
“Is that what you do here? Homestead?”
The dog is running circles around us, basically tying us up in her leash. I like Skadi more by the minute. “Sort of. It’s hard to explain.”
She looks up at me with a wistful look on her face, her brow wrinkled with confusion. “I don’t know anything about you.”
“You know the most important thing.”
Her eyebrows rise. I scoop her up in my arms, making her squeal as I carefully step out of the tangled leash and carry her back to the house.
Hopefully she doesn’t let go of the leash.
I set her on the top step so we’re almost the same height.
Eye to eye, nose to nose, my mouth hovering close enough I can feel her sharp exhale. “You know this.”
And I seal my lips over hers.
DARBY
Kissing him is like rolling beneath an avalanche, swept away in a crushing landslide before I even know I’m in danger. Only this isn’t icy cold—but smoking hot.
And then he gets his hands involved.
One hand at the back of my head, turning me slightly so he can slant his mouth deeper. His tongue is on mine, and I don’t even remember opening my lips. His other hand flattens against my back, his fingers splayed wide. Palming me like a basketball so he can press me against him.
I try to slide my bare hand deeper beneath his coat but it’s too tight. I moan with frustration, and the barest hint of a smile curves his lips against mine.
“Is she done?”
“No,” I say against his lips, not willing to lose contact with him. “She’ll stay out forever if we let her.”
“We’ll see about that.” He hefts me up against him effortlessly, one forearm locked beneath my buttocks. “Let’s go, Skadi. I saved some rabbit organs just for you.”
I’m only half surprised when she trots up, proudly wagging her tail with my glove in her mouth. “Traitor.”
He laughs. “Me or her?”
“Both of you.” He carries me easily up the porch steps and back into the warmth of his house. Damn. I’ve never been hauled around like this. It makes me feel small and delicate and treasured. A priceless artifact handled with care. He even helps me strip off my coat and boots without complaint.
“If you really don’t want me to give her organs, I won’t. They’re loaded with nutrients, though.”
I heave out a sigh and nod. “Plus she loves them. I just can’t let her lick me in the face for a while.”
He makes a low rumbling sound as he heads to the kitchen. A laugh or grumble, I’m not sure which.
Maybe he can lick me in the face…
And other places.
I’m going to have to stop blushing like a teenager, or I’m going to pass out from all the blood rushing to my face.
“Having second thoughts?”
I jerk my head up, embarrassed all over again. I hadn’t heard him come back from the kitchen. “No. Just thinking.”
“About?”
He comes closer, this giant of a man. Paul Bunyan with his wild beard and ruddy cheeks from the cold. Bear paws for hands. Thighs like massive tree trunks.
I bite my lip, trying to decide what to say.
His eyes narrow and he cups my face in both hands, leaning down with a fierce glare on his face. A mean look I’m coming to understand is all for show. “Truth only, Darby.”
Oh boy. This will be interesting. “I was thinking about climbing you like a tree.”
Straightening, he throws his head back to bellow out a laugh that rattles the windows. “Be my guest, babe.”