Harbour of Refuge (26 page)

“Is it soon?” His brow furrowed so she elaborated, “Their anniversary.”

“No, it’s in January,” he said, laughing. “She just wants to go now.”

She chuckled. Antonina Cassano was a woman all unto her own. If any person could be considered a whirlwind, it was her.

“And so your father, smart man that he is…”

“Is taking her now.” Enzo grinned, which made her think the wine had gone to her head much faster than she’d anticipated.

She lifted her glass and sipped. Wine wasn’t her thing normally but she did enjoy lying there, with him, before the fire and having some. He cupped her cheek and leaned in to kiss her.

His taste swamped her. Man, wine and mint. Where the mint came from, she wasn’t sure, but there it was. A low purr rumbled up from her throat and she scooted closer to him, her glass dangling from one hand.

He teased, flicked and licked her mouth. Her hand holding the glass trembled and she fought not to drop it. All she truly wanted to do was…

She broke the kiss, drained the remainder of her wine and pushed him so he lay back on the floor, then climbed on top of him. She shook her head, tossing her hair out of the way.

“I was going to sit there and think about what I wanted to do to you. But I finished my wine and decided to not think anymore, but do.”

He grinned in a way that really couldn’t be counted as anything other than lewd. Honestly, she liked it.

Enzo laced his fingers behind his head, his smile growing wider. “Do away, sweetheart. I’m all yours.”

“I hope so,” she uttered without thinking.

Embarrassed it had slipped out, she focused on his torso. Staring at his button-down black shirt, she reached out and began with the top one. One at a time, she undid them, exposing his hard chest. She licked her lips and pressed her mouth to one pectoral. He stiffened beneath her.

She laved her way along his upper body. Teased his flat nipples with her tongue, kissed along his sternum, making her way down to the thin patch of hair that disappeared beneath the waistband of his jeans.

She pressed a feathery touch to the patch of skin immediately above the top button on his denim. His stomach tightened and she smiled against him before doing it again. Tilting her head, she gazed up at him. His face was no longer lazily sexy, instead it was tense, with harsh lines of need.

Nuzzling his crotch, she grazed her teeth along his shaft. Enzo jerked beneath her. She got to work on the rest of his buttons.

“Halyn.” His voice deep, guttural and rough.

She didn’t answer, just focused on what was before her. Unbuttoned, she tugged his jeans down to about his knees and rose back over him to brush a quick kiss on his lips.

“Yes, Enzo?”

“Stop torturing me, woman.”

“Hmm, my time. You said you were all mine.”

His eyes burned with possession and promise. “I didn’t lie.”

Halyn tried hard to ignore the warm shivers his words sent shooting through her. Slipping back down his body, she freed him from his boxers and with a final look up at his handsome face, took him into her mouth.

Chapter Eighteen

Enzo leaned against a tree trunk and watched Halyn snap pictures of the amazing scenery that encompassed them. He was glad she’d invited him, and pleased he’d come with her. The Cascade Mountains surrounded them with brilliant hues of golds, oranges, reds and yellows. He’d never really paid attention to the changing of the seasons before. This however, he thoroughly enjoyed.

They stood overlooking a smooth-as-glass lake, which reflected the trees lining its shores. Everywhere around them he admired all these colours.

“You’re silent. Are you bored?”

He pulled his gaze from the view to focus on the woman below him on the hill. Even from this distance he could see worry in her expression. Sending her a smile, he shook his head.

“Not bored at all. I guess I never gave any thought to actually travelling to look at fall foliage.”

“It’s a big thing, even on The Weather Channel they have a guide to show you what areas are in the peak time for it.”

“You really enjoy this, don’t you?”

Her smile threatened to take him out at the knees, it hit him so powerfully. “Autumn is my favourite season. This is my one splurge. My time to get away and just allow the stress of everything to melt away.”

“You are absolutely glowing.”

She smiled and turned away. He didn’t understand how she could be so confident about some things, but compliments from him had her blushing and hiding her face.

After moving down until he stood behind her, Enzo wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. “Do I embarrass you when I say things like that?”

“I don’t need compliments, Enzo.”

“I know you don’t. I like giving them to you.” He nuzzled her behind her ear. “Give me your camera.”

She turned it over with a suspicious gleam in her eyes. “What for?”

He winked. “I want some pictures of you.”

It took some convincing, but he got her to pose for him. Then she took some of him and they used the timer to take some together. The sun had begun to set in the sky when they trudged back up the long trail to his Forester.

“Thank you,” she said, then gave him a quick kiss after they put their things in the back.

He grabbed her around the waist, holding her close. “I had a really great time. So, thank you.”

He didn’t know how to explain the difference in her. She was upbeat anyway, but out here she seemed to shine from deep within. Halyn rested her head upon his chest and looped her arms around his waist.

“I’m beginning to see why you come out here every year.”

“It’s something magical, for sure.”

He couldn’t agree more. “Is this why you have a house on the edge of town?”

“Yes. If I could live up here and support myself I’d do it in a heartbeat. I’m really jealous of Jaydee’s house. It’s gorgeous, and she has the lake as well as the mountains.” She sighed. “One day. I mean I love the town and area but, I’m just…absolutely captivated by it here. It’s my refuge.”

“Let me get some food into you, then we can figure out what to do tonight.”

She tipped her head up and waggled her eyebrows at him. “I know what I want to do.”

“Oh, baby, so do I. Food first. We’ve only had a light lunch.”

“Fine.” She stuck out her lower lip in a pout and he didn’t hesitate. He swooped in and sucked it into his mouth, grazing it with his teeth.

“I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”

When she cupped him through his jeans he groaned and set her from him. It wasn’t easy, not when every inch of his body screamed for him to strip her naked and sink deep inside her wet heat. Pound her until she came hard all over his cock, then flip her over and do it again. And again until neither of them could move.

He wanted to prove it was more than just sex between them. To both him and her. So he ignored his raging desire and helped her into the passenger side. They held hands on the way back to the cabin and once there she showered while he began supper.

The meal again went smoothly and they spent the evening cuddled before another fire. She fell asleep in his arms and he closed his eyes before brushing his lips over her forehead. This qualified as damn near perfect for him. Three more days of this, then it would be back to the real world.

He carried her to the bed prior to tending the fire. A rumble of thunder echoed through the mountains as he crawled into bed beside Halyn.
I’m glad it didn’t rain today so she could have her day taking pictures.
He fell asleep with the first pitter-patter of rain hitting the large window in the bedroom.

* * * *

It was the movement on the bed that woke him. Turning his head, he opened his eyes to see Halyn crawling back in. She immediately snuggled up to him and he curled his arms around her.

“Morning.”

“Morning to you. It’s raining.”

He peered out of the window. “I see that. So what does that mean for the day?”

She glided her fingers along his waist. “I say we stay in bed and see what happens.”

He rolled her over to her back, wedging himself between her legs. “I do like the way you think.”

It wasn’t until a few hours later they made it out of bed. They sat at the dining room table enjoying waffles, fruit and bacon. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her. She was wearing one of his shirts, panties and nothing else. Her hair hung freely around her face and she had an adorably satisfied look on her face.

She tucked some hair behind her ear and swirled her coffee in her mug. “What?”

“Nothing.” He gestured with his chin. “Are you sure you don’t want to eat anymore?”

“This on my plate is good for me.” She stabbed a strawberry then ate it, a cock-hardening moan slipping from her throat.

He clenched his fingers around his fork, forcing himself to stay in his seat.

“What’s on for the rest of the day?”

She stretched, his shirt pressing enticingly against her firm breasts. “Not sure. Another nap?”

He grinned. “Sweetie, you never need to ask me if I’m good with keeping you in bed. We could stay there the rest of this trip, I would have no problem with it.”

With a wink, she dug into the remainder of her waffle. “I think I want to bake cookies. It would be nice to have the smell in the house while the rain is falling.”

After the dishes were done, he built the fire back up so the crackling filled the air. A mug of coffee in hand, he stood by the living room window and stared out at the beauty around them. Even the grey haze of the day couldn’t detract from what Mother Nature offered.

Slender arms curling around his waist snapped him from his musings. Her breasts against his bare back sent spikes of electricity through him. Lowering one hand to caress her skin, savouring the closeness they shared.

“You okay?” she asked.

“I’m fine. Was just looking out at this and wondering how amazing it must be in the winter months, surrounded by snow.”

“It’s gorgeous then, too.”

She moved to his side and he dropped an arm around her shoulders. “You’ve been here?”

“Once. Joe and Mila had a Christmas up here and I came for a day. Almost got stuck, I have to tell you, my Z28 is not a winter vehicle.”

He chuckled. “No, I ’spect not. Need something with all-wheel drive.”

“I would be better off with it, that’s for sure. But I so love my car.”

“Me too,” he said, kissing her temple.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

Setting his drink on the windowsill, he turned her to him. Enzo swiped his thumbs over her lips before cupping her face in his hands. “Halyn, stop worrying, please. I’m having a wonderful time here with you.”

“I just know you are usually much more in the mix of things and here…it’s—”

“Perfect.” He covered her lips with his. “Absolutely perfect.”

“If you’re sure.”

“I am.” And it wasn’t a lie. He felt more relaxed here than he’d ever felt anywhere else.

“I’ll be in the kitchen.” She gave him another light kiss before slipping off and leaving him there alone.

Not really alone, though. The cabin wasn’t that big and he could hear her gathering ingredients for cookies. Music poured through and he smiled at her choice. She loved her classic rock. Finishing his coffee, he walked back to the kitchen.

Halyn sifting flour in his shirt was apparently a huge turn-on for him, for his body reacted immediately. She’d pulled her hair away from her face and it bounced with each motion she made.

“You here to help or just ogle?”

He leaned against the counter. “I’m thinking ogling.”

“Oglers don’t get finished product.”

“I meant help. I’m here to help.” He grabbed her around the waist and buried his face into her neck. Lord, she smelt delicious. “Put me to work.”

* * * *

Halyn watched Enzo as he climbed up in the tree to get the Frisbee she’d just launched there. He wore loose-fit, well-worn jeans and a T-shirt that had seen better days but made him look so yummy.

It was their last full day and thankfully it had dried up so they could be outside. She’d fixed them a picnic lunch, which they’d eaten earlier. Now they were playing Frisbee—or would be, had she not put it in the trees—near the edge of a large meadow. The grass was a beautiful golden colour, blending in with the rest of the scenery.

“I’m beginning to think we need to move to the middle of this meadow. You’re deliberately putting this thing in the trees just to see me climb.”

She smirked, her hands clasped loosely before her. “Now why would I want to do that? Possibly to see all those muscles working together in such mouth-watering splendidness? Me? Are you sure?”

He swung down and landed without so much as a grunt. She blinked at him and held out her hand for the Frisbee. When his gaze narrowed on her, she swallowed.

“I’ve got you figured out, Ms Jennings. And yes, I think it’s all a ploy to get me up in the tree.” He stalked her and she retreated. “I don’t know if that’s legal.”

Holding up her hands, she tried stalling him. “Maybe we could just agree it won’t happen again?”

He arched an eyebrow. “I’ve gone up five trees. Now you want me to believe it won’t happen again?”

“Sounded good,” she squeaked as he reached her and lifted her over his shoulder. “Enzo! Put me down.”

One hand delivered a smack to her ass. “Oh, no. I have something else in mind for you.”

She craned her neck trying to figure out where he was taking her. The closer they got to the small pond, the more she struggled. “Enzo. Don’t. Don’t throw me in there.”

He didn’t respond, just tightened his hold on her and continued. At the edge he whipped her off his shoulder and she screamed. Only she didn’t fall—he had her safely in his embrace.

“Do you really think I’d do that?”

Heart pounding, arms wrapping around his neck, she breathed deeply. “I wasn’t sure. You didn’t say anything.”

“There are many things I would do, that, not so much. Maybe in the ocean on a warm day. Never in the mountains, especially when it’s so cool.”