S
Flipping the single serving container atop the blender, Carrie Ann noted three ripe pineapples lined up along the counter next to a canister of vanilla protein powder. Heat flushed her cheeks. Her pulse picked up pace as her mind flew straight to the gutter.
“Pineapple? Arrogant little prick.” Her head bobbled back and forth sassily, recalling the look on his face when she’d told him of an article she’d read that identified the delicious golden fruit as the number one way to make a man’s cum taste sweeter. Peering down at Aspen, she scoffed through gritted teeth, “He’s out of his mind if he thinks I’m giving him a blowjob.”
A loud ruckus coming from the patio caught their attention. Aspen barked twice, making a beeline for the door. Slipping into her shiny black rain boots beside the door, she grabbed a jacket hanging on an antler rack and stepped outside. The smell of smoky cedar rising from the chimney mixed with earthy rain reminded her of a beach bonfire. Thick ominous clouds hung low over the valley, shrouding the mountains beyond the tall evergreen trees.
Carrie Ann paused, listening for direction. Following the whack, thud, thud she moseyed beneath the wraparound porch. Aspen’s lanky body still held onto its puppy plumpness, trotting alongside in a smooth well-coordinated gait.
Rounding the far side of the cabin, she spotted a t-shirt draped over the branch of a tree. Summer stood, shirtless and glistening, chopping wood beneath the bows of a huge evergreen. Dark denim molded perfectly to his hips and thighs, hanging low around his waist, exposing a sun-kissed tan line and obvious lack of boxers.
She turned away from the gorgeous sight. It hurt too much to look at him, but she found it impossible not to turn back. Elongated muscles flanking his spine, flexed and corded, as he swung the axe over his head in one smooth move, slicing through a log perched on a tree stump. The log split in the center, flying off the stump into two piles. The compelling scene of rugged masculinity made her toes curl.
Aspen grabbed hold of a deflated football lying on the wooden porch and darted toward him. Her bark filled with gusto, behind a mouthful of brown leather. A lazy smile slumbered across his face, reaching down giving her a head rub before tossing the ball.
Catching a glimpse of Carrie Ann, he stuck the blade of the axe into the stump with a loud whack. Summer wiped the remnants of loose bark and splinters of wood from his forearms and stomach, leaving a trail of smeared grime along his wet glistening skin.
The vision of his well-exercised body, wet and dirty, weakened her tenacity one cut ab at a time. Bending to gather an armful of firewood, his stomach contracted, showing off yet another row of defined muscle. She couldn’t stop the goofy grin from gathering at the edge of her lips as he approached.
“Morning,” she said breathily.
He ambled by her, adding the freshly split lumber to a large stack of firewood lined up against the cabin. “Morning, beautiful.”
The direct compliment caused a brief internal struggle between her conscience and temptation. The little guy with horns and a tail sitting on her left shoulder, encouraged her to say Thank you, tell me more. While the winged guardian on the right insisted Set him straight. However, the disgruntled hooha riding dead center between her thighs seemed to be honing in on the lead waving frantically saying, Hello, my old friend.
Feeling a bit timid, she tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ear. Tipping her head to the left, she slyly inspected his strong thighs and firm ass as he stacked the last log.
Fuck, he looked tantalizing.
And he damn well knew it.
Summer sauntered straight toward her. His low rise jeans accentuated his V, framing his package, as if artfully presenting an exquisite meal at a fine dining establishment.
His gaze fell upon her face, slowly taking her in. “Sleep good?”
“Yes,” she gulped a swig of the pale yellow drink. “Did you?”
“Nah. I was lonely.” His eyes smiled from his cheeks. “You’ve stolen my best buddy. She usually sleeps right beside my bed, but she hasn’t left your side since we got here. How’s your smoothie? I added powdered protein, hope that’s okay?”
Protein? Ha ha very funny. Jerk! There was a time in her life when nothing would’ve given her more pleasure than to go down on him, take him in, taste every inch of him. Carrie Ann had always been a fan of oral, but it bordered on an obsession when it came to Summer. She’d never quite understood why she loved it so much more with him, but something about him was insanely divine. They shared a deep sensual connection that penetrated her soul with contentment.
Until he screwed up.
Playing chess with Summer could prove to be far too risky, but the need to put him in check escalated. She countered boldly, mustering a snide, but wispy voice, “Umm, delicious.”
It was a dangerous maneuver, but it was worth a try. Or at least that’s what she told herself. Judging by the satisfaction darkening his eyes, it only encouraged him. His focus locked on her lips sending a pleasant shudder through her.
“Pineapple’s your favorite.” A hungriness flickered in his eyes. “You reminded me several times on the way here. You even grabbed an extra from your place when we stopped to get your things. Insisted we’d be needing it.”
Checkmate.
Fuck! Fuckity-fuck!
Testing the man was like playing with fire. It would only get her in trouble. Trouble she didn’t need. Trouble she didn’t want. Trouble she’d have a hard time turning down.
Backing off a bit, she waved aimlessly at the log cabin and surrounding property. “How long have you had this place?”
Understanding shone in his eyes. Damn him. Damn him for knowing me so well.
“Okay, then. We’ll table the discussion of the flight here. For now.” Aspen drug the football, which was nearly as big as her, to his feet. He gave it another toss. “I bought it last year. Do you remember Redford from college?”
She could scarcely breathe. “This was Redford’s place?”
“It was his grandfather’s place. His health isn’t good, so he had to give up flying a few years ago. Luckily for me, he finally decided to let go of this place.”
“Why do you want a place in the middle of nowhere? I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful. But being so far removed kinda limits the time you spend here, doesn’t it? How far is…”
Her words trailed off watching as he held his hands under the rain cascading off the roof, using it to remove the dirt from his arms.
“I love being in the middle of nowhere. The cabin is kinda small, but I think that’s part of its charm. Everything is top of the line. The barn’s more like a guesthouse. It’s got plenty of rooms for friends or family to stay.” A proud catch in his smile bared a thread of satisfaction. “Plus there’s a natural mineral pool. This place gets me away from all of the bullshit. I feel like I can breathe here. I need the balance in my life, everyday situations where people aren’t fucking catering to my every whim. Believe it or not, it’s nice to wash my own dishes, do my own laundry. Being normal is kind of a victory.”
Carrie Ann couldn’t manage one word. The vision of him cupping two hands beneath the waterfall, and splashing it on his face made her feel as if she were in the middle of a very vivid dream. He raked his fingers through his thick short hair, leaving it in glossy chunks. Chill bumps raised across his skin. Water streamed down his glistening torso in silky ribbons.
“When Tommy and I first started collaborating on the film he told me about this shack he’s got in Bora Bora. Let’s be honest…it’s Tommy, so I’m sure it’s no shack. It’s probably the most badass beach bungalow in French Polynesia. But, it’s a private island, totally off the grid. He swears it’s like stepping away from the world and leaving your worries with it.”