Vivian Arend - Rocky Mountain Haven

It was a lot to consider, so all Beth did was nod, then come around the table to give her mom the biggest hug possible.

A soft pat landed on her cheek. “Now, about another matter. We were wondering if you wanted to have Christmas at your place. Then you won’t have to drive the winter roads with your bad leg and the three boys. I worry about you on the highway.”

In one swoop, she was back to being the child and her mom taking care of her. “Mom, it’s only a couple of hours.”

“We’d love to see where you’ve landed. You didn’t want any help getting settled and I can respect that, but for Christmas, we want to come to you.”

They ironed out the details and another small section of the ice in her heart thawed. It would be their first Christmas without Samuel. Having a house full of family and being in a new location would be a good thing.

The light tapping on the door made her heart start pounding. Every time she swore she wasn’t going to let it happen and it still did.

Beth opened the door then frowned in confusion.

“Hey, Ms. Danube.”

Instead of Daniel, whom she’d expected, the tenth-grade student who usually babysat for her stood there, backpack slung over one shoulder. The girl slipped into the house and peeled off her bag and jacket, looking around the house in anticipation. “Where’re the boys?”

“They’re upstairs getting their pyjamas on. Sandy, why…?”

“Beth.” The door opened again, and Daniel stepped in, his eyes flashing as he swept a glance over her body that heated her up in an instant. “Sandy’s going to babysit for the evening, if that’s okay. I have something I want to show you.”

Sandy called out from the kitchen. “You want them in bed at the usual time, Ms. D?”

Beth answered without thinking, watching Daniel stalk her across the room. That was the only way to describe what he was doing. He took slow, deliberate steps toward her, his heated gaze melting her defences. Then he was standing right there, inches away from her body.

She yearned to touch him.

“I want to kiss you,” he whispered. “I need to kiss you.”

She glanced at the stairs. The boys would be down in only seconds, but if this relationship had any chance of moving on, like her mom had suggested, maybe it was time to see how the boys reacted.

She tilted her head back and leaned in, letting him close the final distance between them so their lips could touch. Light. Gentle, a simple press together that still made her body sing.

They drew apart before anyone arrived. Except the fact she’d initiated the kiss, here where they could get caught—he’d noticed. He beamed at her and stepped back. “Hey, no brace. Doctor say things are fine?”

There were two questions in his voice. “My leg is doing much better. He wants me to use the brace as little as possible. And everything else is good too.” No condoms needed anymore, if that was the other part of what he was asking.

The smile on his face grew. “That’s great about your leg. I bet it will make it easier to get around, but you be sure to let me know if I ever need to help you, okay? Oh, and me too.” He pulled a folded paper from his pocket, displaying the edge.

They stared at each other for a minute. Beth tried to decide if the X-rated thoughts racing through her mind made her evil or if it was a good sign.

“You got a coat?”

She nodded, curious what he was up to. The boys poured down the stairs and surrounded him, shrieks of joy ringing out at his presence.

“Daniel. You going to read to us?”

“Did you see my bruise? It’s huge.”

Beth held on to the back of a chair as Daniel gave complete attention to the trio of wet-headed boys. He knelt down and talked to each in turn, and Beth shook her head to fight off the urge to picture this more permanently. That was too soon and not what she’d asked for.

Her heart didn’t care.

Daniel stood. “Well, guys, that’s all very fascinating, but you know what? I’m not here tonight to see you. I’m stealing your mama away for a bit, so Sandy is going to take care of you.”

Lance narrowed his eyes, and Beth held her breath as she wondered how he’d react. “You going on a date?”

Daniel looked at her, waiting for her to respond. Letting her make the decision of what was said. Three more pairs of eyes stared her direction and she hesitated for a second. Damn it, it wasn’t fair to anyone to hold off on moving forward. She smiled brightly. “Yeah, it’s a date.”

Her littlest one wrinkled up his face. “Mommies don’t date.”

Beth laughed. “It’s a way of saying we’re friends and we want to spend some grown-up time together. Sandy is here to take care of you.”

Nathan tugged on Daniel’s sleeve. “You still going to be our friend and play with us?”

“Of course.”

That was enough for him. Nathan bounced off, dragging Robbie out of Beth’s arms where he’d crawled for a kiss.

Lance exited the room slower, staring over his shoulder, and Beth hesitated. Looked like her oldest son was having the most trouble with the idea, but any conversation with him would have to wait until the morning.

He led her through the trees, rubbing her hand with his fingers where it lay on his arm. The leaves underfoot crackled as they stepped through them, tall grasses lying flat on the ground and the smell of winter coming closer. They walked in silence for the longest time, and Daniel wondered how best to continue their discussion.

Beth tugged lightly on his arm, and he slowed, turning her to face him. The warmth of her body spread, flowing over his limbs and driving into his heart.

“You okay with what I told the boys?” she asked.

He lifted her chin and took her lips under his. She tasted sweet and needy, pressing closer to him like she wanted to weld them into one skin. He’d already decided he had to know where they were headed in the future. Maybe not asking her now, this instant, but soon.

“I told you from the start I wanted to see you for more than just sex. Although there’s some wicked memories running through my brain—”

“Me too.” She grabbed his face in her hands and grinned up at him. “I have no idea how you came up with that shower scheme, but holy smokes. You don’t know how hot the whole situation was for me. How freeing and so much what I needed right then.”

He stared into her eyes, the sincerity and intensity of what she said clear. Still…

“It wasn’t very romantic.” If he could pick her up and carry her to the king-sized bed in her room, he would be in heaven. Cover her with his body and bury himself deep while he watched her face every second.

There were some positive things about sex with a lady flat on her back.

She snickered. “It was totally hot, and I told you before I’ve done romantic and I’ve done slow. What I’m looking for is more. You delivered, totally and completely.”

“Really?”

She slapped his shoulder. “Yes, really. I want to know what you’ve got planned for an encore.”

“Your wish is my desire.” Daniel tilted his head to indicate their direction.

She glanced down the trail in confusion. “Sex outdoors? Okay…” Her enthusiasm faded, and he laughed.

“It’s a little chilly for that, don’t you think?”

“I’m game.”

“I think I can figure out something else that’s not vanilla but still warm. Come on.” He tucked her under his arm and kissed her temple before guiding her through the trees.

They broke into the open just past the barns and outbuildings, close to where the heavy equipment was lined up neatly for the night. He sensed Beth’s confusion as they continued to walk, as he guided her over the rough sections of trail to where the small guest cabin sat behind the main house. He opened the door and led her in.

“This is where Jaxi lives, isn’t it?”

“Jaxi and Blake, but they’re on their honeymoon. They’ll be home next weekend. I cleaned it out a little and we’re good. They won’t mind at all.”

Beth raised an eye at him. “There’s a bed in here.”

“Don’t hold it against me.”

“Don’t hold me against it…”

He laughed. Damn, he loved her sense of humour. “I told you, I have a million things I want to do with you. It’s warm and cozy and private here. You ready to play?”

Her grin lit up the room.

“I need to know one thing. When you said you wanted to try it all…did that mean just me playing with you? ’Cause, darling, I have to confess I have this one dream that’s making my body ache and if you’re interested…”

Her gaze dropped to his crotch. His cock rose in response, creating a bulge in the fabric.

Her tongue darted out briefly as she wet her lips. “You want me to touch you?”

“Oh yeah.”

She shrugged out of her coat and tossed it on the chair beside the door. The top two buttons of her blouse had slipped opened, and he swallowed, shifting his hips to try to ease the pressure now flooding his groin. If he didn’t get her sweet mouth on his cock soon he was going to explode right in his fucking jeans.

“I’ve never given anyone—I mean, I’ve never done it before.” She straightened her spine. “I’m interested…if you’re willing to teach me.”

“I think I could handle that.” He undid his button, her gaze lowering to watch, her pupils growing huge. She licked her lips again as he unzipped and his cock sprang free.

“You’re not wearing any underwear.”

“It’s called commando, darling, and usually it’s fine.” He took himself in hand, slipping from tip to root as he pushed his jeans farther open. “Only when I’m around you, it increases the danger. I swear I’ve got the imprint of the zipper on my cock.”

She stepped closer and reached for him. He let her wrap her hand around him, holding in the swear words wanting to burst out, it felt so fucking good. Hesitant strokes up and down teased him. When she brought her other hand to touch his balls through the fabric of his jeans, he sucked in air.

“You’re killing me.” She flipped her head up, her breathing hard, almost as uneven as his. “You like touching me?”

“Yes. My husband…”

He leaned in and swallowed the words. With her hands on his cock, there was no way he wanted to be talking about that man. This was about her and him, and nobody else. When they drew apart, he covered her fingers, stopping the torment as she’d continued to explore. “Let me lose the jeans, and we’ll go on.” He looked her over. “You want to take off your blouse and bra too? ’Cause I love watching you.”

Her face flushed, but she loosened the extra buttons one at a time. He couldn’t look away as the fabric floated apart to reveal her soft skin, the rosy flush of desire covering her neck and the firm swell of her breasts peeking out from under the lace of her bra. The very pretty and delicate yellow bra.

“You went shopping in Calgary, didn’t you?” He pressed open her blouse, sliding his hands over the warm skin of her waist, lifting upward until his palms rested over the pale material hiding her breasts.

Beth grinned. “You’re not allowed to cut this one off me.”

“Hmm. Leave it on, I’ll enjoy looking at you like this too.”

He stripped off his T-shirt and shucked his jeans, keeping his gaze firmly on her to enjoy every minute. The minx put on a show, shrugging her shoulders and letting the fabric fall to the floor behind her. She stretched her arms in the air, and her breasts rose, the tight nipples stabbing the lace and forming tiny ridges. When she reached for her jeans, he held out a hand to stop her.

“Later. Sit.”

He helped her settle on the edge of the low bed. For some reason, Blake and Jaxi had their mattress and box spring resting on the floor. It must have made it awkward for getting in and out of bed, but there was one very obvious advantage. Beth’s eyes widened as she stared at his now-eye-level cock. “Damn.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, damn. Right now it’s all about me.” He watched her closely as he stepped between her thighs, his dick aimed at her like an arrow at a target.

Beth tilted her head up and smiled at him. “Can’t be all about you when I’m the one who wants to try. What do I do?”

Anything you want. “Hold me. That’s right. Now lick the head.” She leaned forward and slipped out the tip of her tongue, tasting him. He was going to die. Her tentative touch sent a jolt of lightning through his entire body.

“Oh, you taste…” that sweet smile flashed again, “…good.” She swirled her tongue around the crown of his cock, warm wetness coating him, and he swore softly. The urge to thrust into her mouth was powerful but he held back, wanting her to enjoy this as much as he was. She opened wide and enveloped him, and his heart skipped a beat.