He watches me for a moment, like he’s on the fence as to whether or not to confide in me. His eyes shift to the window as he begins to explain. “My wife’s name was Hannah. She was a swimmer—a high diver. We got married young. I was twenty-one, she was a year older. We were married a little over two years when she fucked her back up learning a new dive. Went through a long, complex surgery, and luckily they were able to repair the damage. Bad news is, she got hooked on the OxyContin prescribed for the pain. I was traveling a lot in the semi-pro league back then. Knew there was a problem but didn’t think it was nearly as bad as it really was. Anyhow, shit … this is so fuckin’ hard to get out …. Got a call from a friend of hers late one night. They were at a house party with a bunch of sketchy people and she was found unconscious in a bathroom. She wasn’t breathing and was rushed to the hospital. They tried everything but the alcohol mixed with the painkillers made her breathing so shallow and sporadic that she suffered irreparable brain damage. She was on life support for over a month before her family and I agreed that it was best to …” his voice trails off.

  He’s shaking and turns his head away. I wonder if he’s crying. I wrap my arms around him and hold him close, whispering, “Oh, Roark, oh my God. I’m so sorry that happened to you, and your wife, that’s so terrible ….”

  His voice is strangled as he says, “Blamed myself. Part of me still does. Got really crazy in games, think now that aggressive streak I adopted is what propelled me straight into the pros. Took a really long time and some fucking gut-wrenching therapy sessions to realize that it was just fate being cruel. Everyone has a number and there’s nothing you can do about it when yours is called up, you know?”

  “Please, look at me.”

  He shifts his hips and reaches one long arm up and around to caress my shoulder as our eyes lock. We’re propped against his pillows when I tell him, “I can’t imagine the agony you’re going through, but know this: if you ever need a friend, I’m always here for you, Roark, whether it’s in person like right now or over the phone. I mean it. Promise me you’ll remember that.”

  He kisses my forehead and murmurs, “You’re a good person, Sabine.”

  “So are you, complex man who happened to save my life.”

  “Glad you’re a fighter, sweetheart. Don’t think I could’ve handled it if ….”

  He turns away and blows out a lengthy sigh before eventually looking back at me. “Yeah, anyhow, just happy we’re here discussing it. It’s been on my mind. While we’re on the topic, I want you to know that if you need to get what happened on the top of that mountain off your chest, well … I’m all ears.”

  “I appreciate it, but I don’t feel like reliving it just yet. Maybe in time. Please know that I owe you for all that you’ve done for me, Roark.”

  He shifts toward me and leans close, breathing against my lips, “That so?”

  Uncertain of the meaning behind his odd words, I answer tentatively, “Yes, of course I—”

  He cuts me off with a lone finger pressed against the center of my lips. His sexy tone is direct and demanding. “Hush. I’ll take this as my payment, Sabine.”

  Oh my God yes …. Do it, Roark. Take me. Wreck me beneath your powerful body. Annihilate any thought except your dominance.

  In a blink of an eye his warm finger is gone, replaced by those luscious lips that are swiftly becoming my undoing.

  Perfection. I want to melt into him and never let go.

  I’m pushed down onto my back as his muscular body moves confidently over mine. His lips meander down lower, covering my neck in lazy, deliberate kisses that make my entire body tingle in heightened expectation.

  The room is filled with our heavy breathing. His exploration turns wilder, making us both nearly frantic with lust.

  This is it, Sabine, this is the intense passion you always fantasized about but never thought possible ….

  He shifts his weight forward, and his hot breath brushes my ear as he whispers, “I’ve gotta have you, Sabine. Never wanted anyone as desperately as I want you right now, baby.”

  Clutching his broad back, I tremble as I pull him closer. “Don’t hold back. Give it to me exactly how you need it. I can handle you.”

  His involuntary growl sends a blast of heat right though my sex. He immediately turns aggressive, his legs forcing mine wide apart, his long arms shoving away the sheets and duvet in male annoyance. He settles over me, his bare chest heaving hard against the cotton tee he loaned me to sleep in. His hand dips low, stopping abruptly when he feels that I’m completely nude.

  His fingers are trembling lightly as he tells me gently, “You’re so gorgeous, baby, you make my fucking brain seize up when I touch you. You wet for me?”

  I’m half in a daze, lusting after the bliss I know he can deliver as I slip my hand down between us, pressing my palm firmly against the back of his hand, “Find out if you want, but you already know the answer, Roark.”

  He crushes his mouth to mine, one hand slinking up to knead my breast at the same time a wicked finger begins to tease me, playing against my throbbing clit until I begin writhing against him, silently imploring him for more pleasure.

  “Jesus, you’re on fire, baby. Relax, you’re gonna’ get all of it, but my way.”

  I whimper out my frustration at his tactics that are a perfectly agonizing blend of supremely hot and deliciously torturous. The cold is long forgotten. My body now feels like it’s splayed out on a Caribbean beach in the middle of summer. The effect he has on me is unrivaled. His hips are grinding against me and I can’t resist tugging at the waistband of his sweats. I’m nearly crazed to remove the last barrier separating us. His warm weight is suddenly gone and I watch, transfixed by his brutal beauty, as he hastily tugs them down his hips, working them impatiently off his legs.

  Breathe, girl ….

  His stunning cock is definitely eager for play, jerking and pulsing between his toned legs. My body shifts restlessly at the mouthwatering sight. I couldn’t turn back now if this cabin caught on fire ….

  He reaches out, brushing his fingers against my ribs, pulling the cotton up and over my head. The white tee goes sailing off into a far corner as he leans back onto his calves, watching me watching him.

  “Never seen anything as beautiful as you in my whole life. God, I love how you stare at me.”

  I can feel the hot blush work its way up my neck onto my cheeks from his compliment.

  “Roark ….” My impatience is unmistakable.

  “Give me this, Sabine. Let me look at you, never gonna forget this, not ever. You’re branded into my fucking memory, angel.”

  Beautiful, tortured man …. Give yourself over to him, even if it’s just this one time. It’s what we both desperately need. Something wonderful to make us forget the nightmares.

  He seems to read my mind and begins a slow, sexy crawl back up to hover over me. I can’t resist and reach up, threading my fingers through his hair, tugging him down until our lips meet. His tongue is greedy, tasting and exploring with devouring precision. I whimper as my inner thigh is nudged wider with his knee. One of his hands is caressing my neck softly as the other trails lazily back and across my stomach then lower until his finger brushes against my drenched sex.

  I buck my hips as I purr, “Yes ….”

  “So fuckin’ hungry for it … love that about you, baby. You’re turning me on beyond belief, but you know that, don’t you?”

  “Mmm ….”

  Two fingers swipe back and forth through my parted sex, testing the limits of my sanity. I feel his body moving lower until those wide shoulders come to rest directly between the juncture of my parted legs.

  Hell, yes!

  His warm breath tickles my skin before his wicked tongue begins lapping at me, the warm, shocking sensation making my mind explode in euphoria.

  His voice is a husky rumble between my thighs, “Knew you’d taste like this, so damn perfect. Could lick you forever and still need more, baby.”

  A moan of lust is all I can manage as he continues licking me furiously, until I’m shaking beneath him from the intense pleasure.

  I’m gasping for air, on the verge of a powerful orgasm when he pulls back. I utter a loud whine of protest but he’s already shifted, his thick cock gripped tightly in his right fist. Those dark, predatory eyes gleam down at me. He’s like a savage as he tells me darkly, “No, angel. My way, remember? This sweet little pussy is going to come all over my cock until you can’t think straight. And Sabine? I’m gonna get it. Now grab hold of my shoulders and don’t dare let go. Fair warning—I ride rough, always have.”

  Oh. My. God. I’ve never in my life had a man speak to me with such sensual aggression. I was more than apprehensive about his size but at this point I’m dripping for him and will positively lose my mind if he doesn’t fuck me into oblivion. Immediately.

  My trembling hands reach up to clamp down tightly on his hot shoulders. I’m so ready for him to make good on his promise.

  Do it, Roark, ride me, give me all that ferocity you have stored up in you ….

  I gasp as he pushes steadily into me; the stretching is instantaneous and slightly uncomfortable. My fingers grip his shoulders hard and he stills. I take a few deep breaths before lifting my hips, silently urging him onward. He continues on a smooth, slow glide and the guttural sound of ecstasy that tears from my throat is unrecognizable to my own ears. He’s filling me to the hilt, then thankfully stills, giving me time to adjust to him.

  His sexy whisper floats down to me, “You’re absolutely perfect. You were made for me, Sabine.”

  My hands slide up to clasp his thick neck. “Yes. Only for you. Don’t hold back. Unleash on me, Roark.”

  His eyes flare and an all-male sexual purr forms deep within his broad chest a second before he moves, swinging those powerful hips back before slamming straight into me. I scream out from the intensity but it goes unheard because he’s on a mission, pummeling into me repeatedly with such raw force that all I can do is hang tight to him and go along for the hard ride. He’s making primal, nearly animalistic noises that cause me to shiver beneath him, my hyper-stimulated body bracing for the next punishing thrust. Each swing of his hips crashes into me, leaving me reeling and silently begging for more. His pounding movements are coming closer together, his intensity ramping up to an extreme level when out of nowhere my orgasm detonates with unimaginable force. The extreme bliss is rocking my body beneath his, and I’m clenching him tightly as he slams repeatedly into me. His heat and scent permanently brand me as his alone. I reach down and grab his tight ass, urging him to drive harder, wanting to give back to him the addictive rush of pleasure he’s giving me.

  I whisper breathlessly, “That’s right, Roark, fuck me, take me, own me, just don’t ever stop. I can’t wait to feel you come inside of me.”

  He shoves in deep one final time, roaring out his release, his damp body quivering hard on top of mine. My back arches up as my hands slide up to caress his slick back.

  I sigh contentedly, thinking, Heaven. This man has shown me heaven.

  Chapter Six

  Dig In

  “Should’ve pegged you for a pancake girl. Tell me, how many of these can you pack away, sugar?” I tug playfully on one of her cute braids while pressing my chest against her from behind.

  She flips a round cake before answering coyly, “Oh, after what you did to me this morning, it’s safe to say a lot, big guy.”

  “Jesus, you’re such a turn on. Damn, those are making my mouth water, angel. Gonna be ready soon? You’ve already made ten.”

  “Patience, sexy warrior. My famous lemon ricotta pancakes with bourbon pecan butter and warm maple syrup take time.”

  I mock growl my annoyance as she continues, “Here, can you put the rest of this bacon away and start the water for the tea?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “So polite.”

  “Only when the situation calls for it.”

  “You know, you’re a very perplexing man.”

  “Nah, angel. I’m a very simple man who lives by his own code. Nothing complicated about that.”

  She slides a delicious-looking oversized pancake onto the plate, carefully pours more batter into the skillet, and says softly, “You’re unique. I like that about you, Roark. I can honestly say you are a galaxy away from any other man I’ve met. There is one thing I’m curious about, though.”

  She looks up into my eyes. I place my hands on my hips and reply, “Shoot.”

  “What were you doing out in the woods when you found me yesterday? In that kind of weather, I mean.”

  “Hunting caribou.”

  “Caribou? Wow.”

  “Maybe one day I’ll take one down. Fantastic steaks.”

  She smiles sweetly, the pale color of her shirt making her eyes more intense. “Set out for a caribou, wind up with a feisty woman.”

  “Sure did. Damn thankful for that unexpected outcome too, sweetheart.”

  She giggles and throws her arms around my neck, planting a kiss on my lips. She gazes deep into my eyes and tells me, “Need you to take me to a tourist shop soon.”

  I cock my head. “Oh yeah? Why’s that, angel?”

  “Because I need to buy you the largest stuffed-animal caribou they have, something super cuddly with big brown eyes and long lashes.”

  I burst out laughing, my shoulders shaking, causing her to lose her balance since she’s on tiptoe.

  “You’re so handsome, Roark.”

  Fuck. You’re falling hard for this woman.

  “That so?”

  “Mmm hum … oh!”

  She twists around, screeching, “Oh no, the pancake! It’s burnt to a crisp. Oh well, one casualty isn’t a total failure. Right?”

  I grab her hips tight and whisper into her ear, “No, it’s not, baby.”

  “Oh well, I’ve made enough for our epic brunch. We can start carrying everything into the living room now.”

  “Nah.”

  She twists around, spatula in hand, her pale eyes questioning, “No? Why?”

  “Want to eat here, properly, with you.” I smack her ass playfully and add, “Do whatever else you need to do and I’ll go set the table.”

  She smiles at me, and I feel like a prisoner who has just seen the sunshine after five long years behind bars.

  You need her in your life. You’re good for each other. You both make each other so damn happy.

  I lean back and lock my fingers at the back of my neck, telling her appreciatively, “I can’t remember the last time I packed that much food away. Damn, Sabine, thinking I need to thank that grandma of yours in person. Never had pancakes that tasted anything like that before.”

  She blushes. “I never thought we’d burn through the entire stack, but well, as you can see …” her eyes track over the empty platter then out the window, “the snow’s stopped. Never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad. I need a break from it.”

  I reach over into her lap and hold her hand in mine, asking, “You ready to talk about it?”

  She continues to stare outside for a long while until her words suddenly begin flowing like a river. “It came out of nowhere. The force was unimaginable, sweeping us away like we were feathers in the wind. But more than anything else, it’s the sound, the menacing roar that haunts me. When I’m doing random things like washing my face or getting dressed, the sound will jolt though my mind, like it’s happening all over again. Minutes will have gone by, and I’m standing there like a zombie. I didn’t want to say anything to you about it earlier, thinking you’d be freaked out.”

  “Probably PTSD.”

  Her shoulders jerk back in surprise. “You think? Really?”

  “Sounds like it. You should get help if it lasts more than a couple of weeks.”

  “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

  “Sabine.”

  She turns to look me in the eyes. “Yes?”

  “I’m no doctor, but by the time I found you there, you were one, maybe two hours from death. How did you get separated from the others?”

  Her face drains of its pink hue, reminding me eerily of how she looked when she was out cold in the cab of my truck.

  She stammers, “I-I had to help them. I was on a path down the mountain when the snow started up. It wasn’t long before I became disoriented. I’ve heard that can happen when hypothermia begins to set in. Maybe that’s what it was, who knows? I just remember that I was surrounded by a sea of trees and became so … so tired and dizzy. My legs felt like concrete and my boots were making it impossible to take another step. I guess that’s when I stupidly curled up to rest.”

  Her shoulders begin to shake as tears spill down her cheeks. My heart sinks; it might as well have been plunged into a vat of bubbling tar for all the good it can do. I know I should fucking say something to soothe her, but I’ve never been good with this shit. Instead I reach over and pull her out of her chair sideways into my lap, tucking her face against the comfort of my warm chest.

  “Shh, it’s okay, I have you.”

  Her unsteady voice drifts up to me. “I should’ve fought harder. What if Aldo’s beacon had failed? They could be dead now.”

  Movement catches my eye. Both dogs have meandered in, sensing something’s wrong. They are good at picking up on human emotions. Anything that deviates from the norm causes them to snap to attention.

  Minutes pass in silence and I do my best to comfort her, rubbing both her back and her hair.

  “You know I have a strict no-tears policy inside this cabin, don’t you? Violators have to sleep out back in a tiny tent—no bathroom, no fucking picnic.”

  She huffs out a small laugh at my lame attempt at humor. Reaching for her mug of tea, she takes a sip, telling me, “Thanks for always brightening things up, Roark. I love that about you. At least Aldo’s in stable condition now. My aunt told me on the phone this morning that Ben has already been discharged and will need to use crutches until his ankle heals. I told them I’d get a flight out as soon as you can get me back into town.”

 

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