Page 7

Chapter Seven

HUDSON

D arkness shrouds the trail as we approach the hunting cabin, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Despite the leather coat and wool socks, Hadleigh’s not properly dressed for dipping temperatures and drizzling rain. Hopefully, the cabin will have some extra clothes she can bum.

I can’t find a key, scouring the property. No welcome mat. No fake hollowed-out rock. No place to hide anything. I try to pry up a window to no avail

“Dammit! Looks like we’re breaking and entering.”

I scan the area for a rock when shattering glass captures my attention. Looking towards the side of the cabin, Hadleigh smiles nervously. “I decided to get proactive.”

I nod, stroking my beard. Whereas I wanted to break a top window right next to the lock to unlatch it, she destroyed a bottom portion, vastly increasing the odds of unwanted guests visiting. Too late to do anything about it now, though. So, I save my breath.

Grabbing the rock she still grips in her hand, our fingers brush and electricity shoots up my arm, hot as the lightning storm we just rode out. My breath catches in my throat, my gaze meeting her tender, warm, brown-sugar eyes.

I warn, “Stand back so you don’t get cut.”

Using the rock to clear hanging portions of the glass, I lean through, unlatching the window and pushing the frame up. “That’s going to be a tight fucking fit for me.” I laugh, eyeing the space.

“Let me go,” Hadleigh volunteers.

I shake my head. “Your feet have already been through enough. Don’t need to add glass to the mix.”

“I’ll use your jacket,” she replies, determination written on her face. “Please let me help.” I can tell she won’t take “no” for an answer, and I don’t want to argue with her.

Instead, I grab the jacket, leaning through and throwing it onto the ground so she won’t cut her feet. Then, grabbing her around the waist, I start to lift her …

Until our eyes lock. My heart stops, and I can’t take it anymore.

Leaning forward, my lips find hers, sinking into a slow, sensual kiss. To my surprise, her lips move over mine, reciprocating my moves before turning ravenous. My heart throbs behind my ribcage as she clings to my neck, her fingers threading into my hair.

My hands grip her waist more tightly, drawing her hips towards me, grinding her over me, though she’s so much shorter that the juncture between her legs misses my cock by a good six inches. Nothing we can’t fix with some horizontal repositioning.

Pushing up onto her tiptoes, she whimpers as my tongue slides between her lips, circling her for a first taste. She’s warm and inviting, and I need her more than I’ve ever needed any woman, though it makes no sense. And it’s highly inconvenient.

The last loser I want to have any unnecessary ties with is her asshole brother. But all those cares melt away in the heat of her soft, velvety tongue sliding over mine, creating a rhythm I long to echo across every juncture of her body.

Pulling my head back reluctantly, I stare at her gorgeous face, her mahogany eyes, dark and dilated. Her nostrils flare, and her slightly swollen pink lips part, begging me to take her again. “Seems like we ought to go inside after all the work we’ve put into getting here.”

Her eyes survey the darkening landscape, apprehension gripping her face. “No telling what’s out here.”

I chuckle, fully aware of what’s out here. “Grizzlies, black bears, mountain lions, moose, wolves, elk. I think you’ll like it better inside.”

She nods, and I boost her through the window, watching her ample ass shake behind her and stealing a glance at the silky black panties beneath her dress. Does it make me a creep? I don’t fucking know.

But one thing’s for certain, with survival on the backburner again, it’s impossible to think with anything but my cock. I adjust myself through the pocket of my soaked jeans, striding towards the door where she stands waiting for me.

We need a fire, lighting sorted out, food, and water.

But all I can think about is the sexy sway of her hips and how her dress grips her tits.

I’m certain the nipples are pebbled from the cold, and I hunger for them, desperate to lick and suck her breathless before nibbling on those wet, black, silky panties of hers.

I meet her in the doorway, heart pounding as she grabs the collar of my shirt, pulling me into her for another kiss. “You like playing with fire, don’t you, Hadleigh?” I ask grumpily, my final warning for this sexy minx.

“And if I do?” she asks. “What happens next?”

My head spins, a thousand basic survival things still needing to be done before we think about anything so pleasurable. But I’m also old enough to know precious questions like this rarely get asked twice. I can’t hesitate simply because I’m multitasking.

“I’m gonna end up even more smitten than I already am, and you’re going to end up a permanent resident of Northern Idaho.”

She chuckles, palming my chest. “Oh yeah? And why is that?”

“Because,” I feather her mouth. “When I want something. Really want it, I take it, and I don’t share. Period.”

“And do I fall into the really want category?” she asks breathlessly.

“I’m ninety-nine percent decided that you do,” I confess, teasing her mouth with the tip of my tongue.

She exhales slowly, savoring every moment of this dangerous game. “And the one percent?”

I frown. “Your relation to Drew. Probably shouldn’t hold that against you, but?—”

“But you’re withholding judgment just in case I’m as batshit as my brother?”

“More or less.”

“I can’t blame you. It’s the same for me with you being his boss. No offense, but who hires a guy like him in the first place?”

“I always give second and sometimes even third chances. It’s a part of who I am. Period.”

“Fair enough.”

“Fair but not smart.” I frown. “I better work on the generator before it gets any darker so we have lighting and maybe heat,” I excuse, heading back through the door.

Outside, I find the ratty-ass generator house, using another rock to break the rusty lock and turn it on.

I keep a mental list of all the property damage to reimburse the cabin owner later.

This property remains a godsend, though, as the icy rain continues to dribble around me.

Without it, Hadleigh and I would face a night from hell rather than the prospect of modern amenities.

Of course, a cozy wilderness getaway presents its own problems. Like deciding how far I want to take things with Hadleigh. If she wants to take things further at all.

I remind myself that she’s Drew’s sister, the last asshole on earth I want to be anymore tied to— love at first sight or not. But the heart doesn’t care about that shit. Who the hell am I fooling? I want her, and I want her bad.

But what twenty-something in the prime of her youth wants to settle down with a forty-two-year-old wounded warrior?

My list of aches and pains is long at times, and I’m at the age where I don’t want drama.

Or to fuck around. I want a wife and babies, while I’m still young enough to keep up with them.

Lights shine from the cabin as I trudge back to the front door.

I walk into a cozy room with a roaring fire and pots and pans lining the countertop as Hadleigh stands in her stockinged feet in front of a small pantry, sorting through lines of canned goods.

She holds two in her hands, blowing on the tops to remove a thick layer of dust.

“Some of these are expired by several years. This place doesn’t look like it sees much action.”

“Nope,” I say, running my hand through my hair. “You know how to make a fire.” I saunter towards the golden flames in the stone hearth.

“Yes, bonfires on the beach were always my family’s thing. Nothing beats roasting marshmallows and listening to the waves. I grew up on Coronado Island, by the way. So, not too far from your neck of the woods as a Marine.”

“Had to be an idyllic childhood, I’d imagine. I’m from the Midwest, Kansas born and bred. So, the first chance I had to split, I did. Not much to do there apart from tornado chase and sip iced tea on the porch with old timers.”

“The closed-in porch because of all of the mosquitoes,” Hadleigh adds with a laugh.

I arch an eyebrow, pulling out a high stool beneath the kitchen island and taking a seat to watch her work. “Sounds like you know the Midwest?”

She nods. “My mom’s side of the family comes from South Dakota, so we spent lots of time there as kids. Lived there, too, after Dad died.” Her voice trembles, pain close to the surface.

“What happened?” I ask, sitting back on the stool.

She looks down, studying the kitchen counter for a long moment.

“He died surfing Mavericks. I was sixteen at the time. We were a surfing family. Even Mom used to go out, but none of us were anywhere near my Dad’s level.

He had some friends up from Costa Rica, and they all went together right before a big storm.

Waves were supposed to be huge, perfect for a nice long ride.

We stayed home that day because Dad surfing was a weekly, sometimes daily, occurrence.

But then, we got the call that the Coast Guard was looking for him.

” She shakes her head, crumpling in front of me as she sets the cans down, her palms flattening onto the counter to support her.

“What a nightmare,” I say, shaking my head.

“Everything more or less fell apart after that. We moved to South Dakota, which I absolutely hated. My grandparents lived in this small town called Vermillion. It was a really cool and eclectic place, but everyone knew everyone else, and they weren’t especially welcoming to outsiders.

Maybe if I’d moved there earlier, it would have been different.

But coming in halfway through my Junior year of high school sucked.

So, I made it my goal to get out of South Dakota and back to San Diego as fast as I could. ”

“And what did you do in California?”

“Worked in retail and gave surfing lessons until I got my first supervisor position. I now oversee a Coach handbag store. Maybe that’s why I’m so bossy when it comes to Andy’s life.

If something needs to be managed, I’m only too willing and capable.

But sometimes I forget that not everyone appreciates that. ”

“I guess while we’re on the subject of your older brother, I might as well ask, how did you turn out so okay if he’s the way he is?”

She chuckles, shaking her head.

“Sorry if I’m taking that too far. I know he’s your brother and all. I’m just frustrated with him.”

“Believe me, I have the same question, even though I love him dearly and know what a fun kid and cool teenager he was. But he didn’t handle our father’s death well at all.

While it pushed me to be the perfect child so that my mom never had to worry about anything, Andy went the other way.

He cultivated this rage against the world that, coupled with his naturally rebellious personality, was truly terrifying, especially when he started using drugs.

What he really needs is to hit rock bottom and go into rehab.

Mom knows it. I know it. But seeing him down on his luck and suffering so much …

God, it’s difficult to turn your back on that, which is what brought me to Northern Idaho to try to talk some sense into him before he fucks up another good thing working for you. ”

I cross my arms, looking down and shaking my head.

“I’m not exaggerating when I say I’ve given him every chance to pull it together.

Hell, I even let him live rent-free above the shop.

But instead of being grateful, using this time to pull his shit together and stand on his own two feet, he’s the victim of his circumstances.

I don’t pay him enough. I don’t cut him enough slack.

I don’t give him enough recognition, even though he’s more of a glorified receptionist than a tattoo parlor manager.

Recently, I found money missing from the till, and he’s my number one suspect, Hadleigh.

Hate to tell you that. Now, the latest thing is I’ve fucked him over by drug testing him and refusing to apprentice him as a tattoo artist. But that shit takes talent and dedication.

I would never let him operate a gun in my shop. ”

Hadleigh nods, sadness flooding her eyes. “Wow, I can’t believe all you’ve done for him. Thank you. It’s such a shame that Andy can’t be grateful for any of this.”

“No, what’s a shame is being in the same cozy cabin with the hottest girl I’ve ever met and talking about Drew. No offense, but I’m far more interested in you.”

“Well, at least, ninety-nine percent of me,” she flirts.

“Dunno. The more I learn about you, the closer you inch to one hundred percent. It’s alarming, actually.”

“After everything we’ve been through today? This is what you find alarming?”

I nod, fucking certain I’m even more in love with Hadleigh Bardot now than when I decided to launch my ass into a fast-moving river. Despite my concerns about her family and age. This is not good. What in the hell is this angel doing to me?