Chapter 12 #3
He sat back, the can of soda balanced on his knee. “I’ve been with the Guardian Agency for years. I’ve worked full investigations like this one, personal security, and done plenty of consulting. My brothers claim I have a suspicious nature. My baby sister calls me paranoid.”
Was he trying to lighten the mood? “Which is it?” she asked, though she was more curious about his family life.
“Experience makes me wary,” he said. Thunder rumbled in the distance, underscoring his admission. “Based on what you’ve said, it sounds like Corey means well, even if he is caught in Royer’s web.”
“Does that change anything?”
“Depends on how he handles himself.” He pulled out his phone. “I need to send this up the line and let the research team dig in.”
That was probably more than she had a right to expect. She sniffed the savory aroma in the air. “I think those biscuits are about done.”
He nabbed a chunk of cheese from the plate before grabbing the towel he’d brought to use as a pot holder. Lifting the lid, he nodded in agreement. “Hand me a bowl.” She did, and he served up chicken pot pie for each of them, somehow managing to keep the biscuits on top. “Dig in.”
Lightning streaked across the sky, and thunder followed a few seconds later.
“Should we worry about that?” he asked.
She shook her head. “The storm is a long way off.” Holding her spoon, she admired his culinary skills. “This looks delicious and smells even better.”
“How does it taste?”
“Give me a second. I refuse to scorch my taste buds.” She spooned up the creamy filling and blew lightly over the top. Cautiously, she took the first bite. “Oh my goodness. Trent, this is amazing. Thank you.”
He’d called it simple, but the pot pie was perfectly seasoned, the tender chicken and veggies, combined with the flaky biscuit, were the best comforting flavors. For several minutes, she savored, letting the meal warm her up, body and soul. “A girl could get used to this,” she teased.
“Glad you approve,” he said, the tips of his ears colored with her praise.
Trent was finishing his second helping when the wind changed direction, bringing more cold air into shore. The fire in the pit reacted, jumping and dancing.
“Can you smell the rain?” She looked up into the layers of heavy clouds in the dark sky. “It won’t be long now.”
“Then we’d better get moving.”
She tucked the cheese plate back in the cooler and managed to get the lid closed before the first fat drops of rain started to fall. The leading edge of rain made it easier for Trent to douse the fire and with arms loaded, they raced back to the house laughing like a couple of little kids.
Breathless and chilled, she went to the cabinet and pulled down a couple of bowls. “Can I interest you in dry chicken pot pie?”
He turned from the fridge where he’d unloaded the cooler. “That’s one option.”
That tone, paired with the obvious heat in his gaze, shot a thrill straight through her. The hunger in his eyes had nothing to do with food. Perfect. They were on the same page, but she played along. “Let’s hear your suggestion.”
He took a step closer and she fought the wild urge to scamper around to the other side of the kitchen island. But she wanted him too much to tease. The games could wait for another time. She thought it best to assume the positive.
“Fair warning, I think it’s the best idea I’ve had in a long time.”
“Do tell.” She could smell the rain on him, drawing her closer, tempting her that much more.
His arms came around her as the clouds burst and the storm hit full force. Rain streamed down the windows pelting the roof. Lightning flashed and the lights flickered, went out.
The outside world fell away. His mouth found hers and she reveled in the power of his kiss.
Here, it was only the two of them. Kissing him, surrounded by his strength, Nat’s happiness bubbled up to the surface.
First a trickle, then a tidal wave. More joy than she’d allowed herself in ages.
Definitely more than she expected to ever feel again.
There had been relationships—all of them temporary—in the years since her divorce. And she had no reason to think Trent would be different. He was passing through town as a consultant, working an assignment that would eventually be resolved.
Then he would move on to the next job.
Although her responses to him felt different, she knew better than to look for promises or guarantees. She wasn’t even sure she wanted any of that anymore.
More familiar with the house, she led him unerringly out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the room he’d originally chosen.
They wouldn’t need two beds tonight. There, she gave herself permission to enjoy every minute of whatever joy they could create together tonight, knowing she’d carry the memories forever.
* * *
Several incredible hours later, lying boneless in Trent’s arms, Natalie heard the power come back on. The soft hum of appliances downstairs, the flow of cool air from the vent overhead. Light filtered up the stairwell from the fixtures that had been on before the storm hit.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
Beside her, Trent shifted, his fingertips trailing across the sensitive skin of her arm. “I’m not too proud to confess any movement might be beyond me.”
“You’re welcome.” She curled tightly around him, their legs tangled, pressing kisses to the hard line of his stubbled jaw. “What about dessert? We have to get up anyway to turn off lights and lock up.”
“I locked up.”
“Oh.” One more tally in the keeper column for the man who would surely move on before she was ready to let him go. “My sweet tooth has jumped into high gear.”
He rolled, pinning her under him and claiming her mouth with another blazing-hot kiss. “This isn’t sweet enough for you?”
Her hands coasted over his warm skin, the solid muscle as much a thrill as the scent of him. Someday she’d manage to capture all this strength in a sculpture. “Almost.” She smoothed her palms down his back. “You cooked for me. It’s my turn. Let’s go have s’mores.”
“The power’s back, but it’s still raining. You really need a naked campfire in the rain?”
“There’s an image.” She paused, savoring the idea. “Not tonight. But your idea intrigues me.”
“Not sure if that’s a good thing.”
“It is.” She slipped out of bed and turned on the light so she could find her clothes. Finding her panties, she pulled them on and helped herself to one of his t-shirts while dodging his attempts to distract her.
Dashing downstairs to the kitchen, she turned on the oven, found a baking dish, and started layering the ingredients for s’mores.
“You weren’t kidding.”
“About dessert? Never? It’s the one food course where I do pretty well.”
Behind her his hands caressed her hips as she worked. Gathering her hair up and away from the back of her neck, he feathered kisses across the exposed skin. “You excel at many things.”
She grinned, did a little wiggle, and popped the treats into the oven so the chocolate and marshmallows could melt into gooey goodness. Once she set the timer, she surrendered to his sultry kisses and gasp-worthy touches.
All too soon the buzzer went off, forcing her attention away from him. And she dragged herself away long enough to pull the pan out of the oven. “Quick!” she directed. “Start squishing.”
They laughed again, trying not to burn fingers on the pan or the sweet sticky blend of chocolate and marshmallow. With a small spatula, she lifted up a bite of the treats. He popped it into his mouth and closed his eyes, the epitome of satisfaction.
Her knees wobbled and she stuffed her face to distract herself from the wide expanse of his torso. “Veronica reworked the concept and has a healthier version of s’mores.”
“I assumed that was fake news or a mistake on the Hideaway website.”
She cackled. “Not fake. Subbing fruit for the chocolate or marshmallow layer is really smart. Cuts down on the processed sugar.”
He snorted, his skepticism clear. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just dip fruit slices in melted chocolate?” He popped another s’more into his mouth.
“Maybe if you were inside. Around a campfire it’s more fun to be rustic.”
“I’ll take your word. Voice of experience and all.”
“Smart man.” She didn’t see any sense in trying to convince him. Now that her sweet tooth was satisfied, she was craving him again.