Christmas on the Last Frontier (Last Frontier Lodge #1) (11 page)

“Yeah. I’m going to have to get used to the fact that sometimes people will knock on the door unexpectedly and learn how to deal with it.”

The embers of heat that Gage elicited sparked to life when she looked back at him. The couch was tiny, so even though he was in the opposite corner he was right beside her. He moved swiftly, wrapping his arm around her and tugging her onto his lap. His body was all hard muscles and heat. The desire buzzing between them snapped and crackled. He met her eyes, his smoky gaze mesmerizing her.

“I don’t like seeing you scared like that. No matter what, we’re going to make sure they find whoever hurt you.” His words fell fiercely into the quiet, his voice rough and raw.

Unable to speak over the thundering of her pulse, she simply nodded. In a flash, his lips were on hers, his kiss hot, wet, and devouring. The twisting heat inside of her tightened and unfurled, spinning through her veins. She couldn’t get close enough. His touch was everywhere. She tumbled into the moment, losing all sense of time. Clothes were torn off. His hard muscles rippled under her hands as she explored him. His lips and hands traced her body. The roughened skin of his palms was flint to her desire. Hot, achy, and burning for him, she scrambled up and pushed him back on the couch. Straddling his legs, she pushed her tangled hair away from her face.

Gage reached up and stroked a hand through her hair, his palm cupping her cheek and sliding down the side of her neck, coming to rest between her breasts. She couldn’t recall how it had come to be, but they were both bare. Hot, liquid need pulsed through her. He suddenly lifted her, turning her until she rested before him on the couch. His smoky eyes locked with hers. Her breath was shallow, her pulse racing. He slowly slid his palms up her calves, pushing her knees apart as he did. His hands traveled up her thighs, pausing at the juncture where she pulsed with need. He leaned forward and brought his mouth to her.

Her vision blurred as she fell into the rush of sensation. He took his time, his fingers plunging in and out of her while he dragged his tongue through her folds and over her clit—over and over until she was incoherent with need. Her hips were restless, but he held her firm with one strong hand gripping her in place. He wound her tighter and tighter until he finally drew her clit in his mouth, the sharp spike of sensation pushing her over the edge. Her climax wracked her and left her shaking as he slowly pulled away.

“Marley…”

His rough voice elicited a shiver, need arcing again in the aftermath. That’s what he did to her…with nothing more than the sound of his voice. She dragged her eyes open to find his waiting. He was on his knees in front of her, his body taut. He lifted a hand and stroked it up her abdomen, the backs of his fingers barely dusting her skin, his touch unbearably arousing. Longing clenched her in its grip.

He shifted and snagged his jeans off the floor, pulling a condom out of the pocket. He tore it open with his teeth and swiftly rolled it on, eyes on hers the whole time. Vibrating with need, she waited as he shifted his weight forward, his cock, hard and hot, coming to rest between her folds. She began to chase ecstasy again, following him into the storm.

Her breath came in ragged gasps when he proceeded to drive her wild by slowly dragging the head of his cock back and forth in her slick folds. When his name fell from her lips in a gasp, he finally gave her what she needed and lifted her hips as he slowly surged into her channel. The relief was so acute, she almost came instantly, but he held himself still. Closing her eyes, she savored the sensation of fullness, arching her back and pushing her hips against him until he was fully seated within her. Her channel throbbed around him.

“Look at me,” he whispered.

By force of will, she managed to open her eyes and meet his. Only then did he begin to move, rolling his hips against her while she began to move in rhythm with him. The moment between them lengthened into a blur, hot and electric. Sensation teemed within her. She lost herself in the push and pull of him inside of her, each surge driving her higher. Slow, long, hot, and deep strokes pushed her closer and closer. Pleasure built in waves until she thundered to the edge and toppled over with a cry, flying apart in his arms. With a muffled shout, he arched into her, shuddering against her. He held still over her before slowly shifting down, immediately locking his arms around her and rolling them, so he was under her. Her head tucked into the crook of his neck, she slowly settled, her orgasm echoing through her body.

Marley only wanted to stay there forever, locked in the protective cradle of his embrace, his heartbeat thudding against hers, his hand softly stroking her hair. After an indeterminate amount of time, it could have been as little as a few minutes or as long as an hour, Gage spoke. “You’re getting cold. Let’s get upstairs.”

When his hand stoked down her back, she felt the goose bumps under his palm.

“Oh.” She slowly lifted her head and sat up. When she glanced down at him, her heart clenched. His smoky gray eyes were there, waiting for hers. The corner of his mouth hooked up. The firelight flickered over his skin and want arced through her again. That’s what he did to her. She met his gaze and smiled ruefully. “I suppose I should get up.”

He shrugged. “Fine with me if you stay right there, but we might be more comfortable in your bed.”

***

Gage carried Marley upstairs, thinking he could hold her all day and it would never get old. Her body was soft and lush. He glanced down and caught sight of the freckles scattered across her cheeks. He’d discovered she had smatters of freckles all over her body, which he loved. They were her constellations, and he’d suddenly become enamored with astronomy. She giggled when he set her on the bed.

“I can walk, you know.”

“I know, but I like to carry you.”

He quickly stepped into the bathroom adjacent to her bedroom and disposed of his condom. When he returned to the bedroom, he lifted the quilt and wrapped it around them tightly. She shivered, her skin pebbling against his. He’d never understood the desire to snuggle, but with Marley, it was sheer heaven. She draped herself against him, her foot stroking down his calf as she tucked her leg over his. He tugged her close and breathed deep, listening to her breathing slow and become even.

He was half out of his mind over her and didn’t know what the hell he was going to do about it. But he couldn’t conceive of stopping whatever was happening between them. His mind flicked back to the fear he saw in her eyes when she answered the door. Cold anger flashed through him. He would find whoever put that fear in his eyes.

Chapter 11

“Any update from the police?” Gage asked, the phone tucked against his shoulder as he tossed papers into the shredder. He was ruthlessly going through the old business files. After noting any pertinent information, he was shredding almost everything. He’d decided to call Aidan and try to get some movement on the police investigation of Marley’s robbery.

“Not much. All they have is what they have. As far as robberies and assaults go, it’s not much. The guy wore a mask and gloves, so we have no fingerprints and no easy way to ID the guy from the surveillance cameras at the building. Marley gave them a good list of what was stolen, but even if something turns up, usually it will have been pawned and resold,” Aidan replied.

“Fuck. That’s not good enough. I’m going to talk with her friend here and see if she has anything to add. She called her friend the night of the robbery. Maybe she missed a detail with the police. I also want you to follow up on an email she got…” He quickly filled Aidan in on his concerns about the email.

There was a long silence after he spoke. “Aidan? You still there?”

Aidan chuckled. “I’m here. Just wondering exactly who this Marley is. She seems, uh, pretty important to you.”

Gage experienced a flash of anger. His need to protect Marley was fierce. “So what?”

“So, I don’t know if you ever got involved with any women for more than a few dates, if that. I don’t mean you’re a player, more that you don’t play. At all. If you like Marley, it’s a good thing if you ask me.”

“I didn’t ask you.” His anger flared again. He didn’t particularly care to field questions about Marley. He was struggling enough to adjust to how she made him feel.

Aidan’s laugh was full this time. “No, you didn’t. But you’re a good guy, and I think it might do you good to care about someone.”

Aidan’s comment hit home, piercing right to the heart of why Gage kept women at a distance. Aidan had been on his Navy SEAL team with Matt. He knew how close they were. Matt had been one of Aidan’s best friends too. But Aidan hadn’t watched from a distance when the helicopter carrying Matt exploded in the air, knowing that his body would fall in pieces along with the helicopter and its other occupants and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do but watch helplessly. Gage preferred to feel in control and as if he had the possibility to do something. Matt’s death had been a bleak reminder of the fact that life always threw curve balls. The only thing he had control of in that situation was how he managed his feelings. The possibility of doing something to change the outcome didn’t exist. Gage breathed deeply, forcing the painful memory out of his mind. Aidan was a good friend and meant the best.

“Maybe so,” Gage finally replied. He took another breath, his next comment startling him as much as it likely did Aidan. “Marley’s something else. I think you’d like her.”

“I’m sure I would. I’d love to meet her sometime. Meanwhile, I’ll look into that email thing as soon as I can and let you know what I find. I’ll also keep prodding the police.”

Gage tossed his phone on the desk and walked to the window. The office window faced the slopes. Don was up there working. Gage had quickly realized that Don’s willingness to return to his old job was going to be a major reason he managed to open the lodge. Gage wouldn’t have known where to start when it came to running the lifts. He probably could have fumbled his way through, but it would have been by the seat of his pants. For Don though, it was old hat. Gage also appreciated the fact that Don clearly savored the work. He was busy from sunup until sundown every day, checking in with Gage as he went along. He’d promised his daughter would stop by today to talk about running the kitchen.

Marley meandered into Gage’s thoughts—her flashing green eyes and those tiny freckles dotting her skin. She stood in the wings of his thoughts all the time now. His feelings for her had created a situation he’d never encountered. Aidan’s point was accurate. Gage didn’t get emotionally involved with women. Distance worked just fine for him. It was clean and uncomplicated, and he could maintain control that way. But he’d never been tempted. He’d thought for years it was a choice, yet now that Marley had blown his well-honed defenses to bits without lifting a finger, he wondered if his control had been an illusion. He simply hadn’t met the woman who mattered enough to tempt him. With Marley, he had. He rolled his shoulders, uncomfortable with the depth of his feelings. He didn’t want to push her away. Frankly, he couldn’t conceive of that. He couldn’t say precisely why, but she tugged at him—down deep. Aside from the fact that his attraction to her was flat off the charts, he liked her. She was practical, smart, funny and loyal. If he’d been asked to say what mattered to him in a person, Marley was all of those things and more—the ephemeral electricity that sparked between them was undeniable.

The look in her eyes when she opened the door last night tightened his chest. If he thought much about what had happened, he wasn’t sure what he might do. For now, he’d make sure she was safe and coordinate with Aidan to look into things in Seattle. When he’d woken beside her this morning, her auburn hair bright against the pillow, her legs loosely tangled with his, it occurred to him that he assumed he’d be with her every night. He wasn’t so sure he was ready for that, nor her. But he wanted her to be safe, and he knew she’d be safe if she were with him. Besides, it just felt…right.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Glancing around the office, he noted that he was almost done with the files. He tugged the last file drawer open and plowed through it. After he was done, he texted Marley to tell her he’d be by later. When he walked out of the office, he heard voices toward the front. He made his way out there and found Don leaning against the reception desk talking with an unfamiliar woman.

As soon as the woman turned toward him, he knew she had to be Don’s daughter. She had Don’s blue eyes and smile paired with honey gold hair.

“You must be Delia,” Gage said as he approached them.

Don chuckled and winked. “That she is.” He turned to Delia.” Honey, this is Gage. His grandparents used to run this place and he’s taking over. He’s desperate for a cook.”

Delia’s smile was wide as she strode to Gage, her hand held out. Her grip was strong and firm.

“It’s like your dad said, I’m desperate for a cook. More specifically, I’m desperate for someone to manage the kitchen and perhaps help me hire some staff for the front here. Your dad said you might be willing to help out. I’ll pay you well if you’re interested.”

Delia angled her head to the side. “Don’t you want to interview me first?”

Gage shrugged. “I trust your dad. I don’t think he’d suggest you if he didn’t think it would work.”

Don chuckled again, shaking his head.

Delia glanced between them. “Well, how about we play it by ear? I was with my mom all the time here. I’m not worried about the cooking part, but I can’t say I’ve run an entire kitchen before, so we’ll have to see how it goes.” Her eyes became hesitant. “Are you going to mind if I bring my son with me sometimes?”

“Of course not. That’s how it was with your mom. She never minded kids around. I wouldn’t want it to be any different now.” Gage couldn’t help but smile. His memories here, those memories he’d clung to for so many years before he discarded them, were of a place he always felt welcome. He wouldn’t want it any other way.

Delia’s return smile was bright. “I think we have a deal. Dad tells me we have a lot to do in the next month to have this place ready to go by Christmas. When do you want me to start?”