“Ask me.”
“What?”
“Since I pretty much controlled the conversation at dinner, you never got the chance to tell me what that something was you needed me to do.”
Bellamy looked like a hot little snow bunny sitting in my truck. Black leather seats surrounded her, a black coat wrapped around her body, and those damn boots with the fur sticking out of the top felt like a tease to something I really, really wanted. Eight years ago, her hair was long. The kind of length I could tangle my hands in and pull her close. The kind that spilled over my chest when she lay on me.
It was even longer now. The same honey strands that sometimes turned gold under certain light. I loved it. I wanted to take two handfuls and wrap it around my fingers over and over again.
Her skin was still soft and smooth, and her blue eyes could still haunt a man’s dreams.
“I don’t really think this is the place to talk about that,” she replied.
Oh, that was right. We were having a conversation. Sometimes words failed me when I looked at her.
I reached into the cab, palmed her waist, and lifted her out. The second her feet hit the pavement, I caught her hand, pushing my fingers through hers. The valet appeared instantly, grinning from ear to ear.
“I won,” he announced, holding up his hand to show he’d thrown a rock in their most recent rock, paper, scissors match.
I laughed and held out the keys. “Be careful with her, okay?”
“Of course, Liam,” he replied. “As always. She will be parked in your designated spot.”
“Thanks.”
Bellamy looked up at me from beneath her blond lashes. “Not many people around here call you Mr. Mattison.”
I made a sound. “That’s my dad. Not me.”
“They all love you.”
I made another sound.
“Are you really taking over the resort?”
I paused and slid a glance to her. “Supposed to.”
“But that’s not what you want?”
I groaned. “We’re talking about something you want right now.” I reminded her.
The lodge was pretty quiet, something that was kind of surprising because it was one of the most popular gathering places at the resort. But then I remembered there was some kind of show in one of the other buildings. I was kinda glad for the peace.
Tugging Bells’s hand, I walked to the table with hot cocoa and cookies to pour us each a cup. Once I was done, I handed hers over, and she smiled.
I watched her lift it toward her lips, then frowned, quickly snatching it back out of her hands.
“Hey!” she said, surprised.
I took a sip of it and grimaced. Then I handed it back. “Hold this.”
“Of course. Let me hold this drink you made for me for you,” she muttered.
I chuckled. “I like your sass, woman.” Popping the top off a can of whipped cream, I filled the top of her cup with it and then stuck in one of those super-skinny red straws. They were meant for stirring, but everyone I knew used them to drink out of.
“Wait ‘til that melts in there a few. Then it shouldn’t burn you.” I went back to my own cup and added some of the whipped cream to it.
I felt her eyes, so I turned and lifted a brow. “Yes?”
“You tested my drink to see if it was too hot?”
“You burned yourself last time.” My eyes went to the front desk, then back. “That guy’s lucky I didn’t fire his ass.”
She gave me a stern look. “You can’t fire someone for giving them a cup of hot hot chocolate.”
“Are you trying to seduce me?”
“What?” she wondered, her eyes going confused.
“Because it’s working.”
“You’re utterly ridiculous.”
“Utterly,” I mocked. I put on my best pout. “I burned my tongue for you.”
Gasping, she set down the cup and grabbed my face. I liked the way her hands felt rubbing against my stubble. “You did? Let me see.”
I stuck my tongue out. “Ight tere,” I said, pointing.
She made a sound and leaned up on tiptoes to study the minor burn. I was getting quite the kick out of the undivided attention.
Until she kissed me.
Bellamy leaned right up and kissed the spot on my tongue that I told her was burned.
My heart collapsed.
All fun and flirting went out the window. My eyes dropped to hers, and she must have felt the change over me because her hands fell away from my face.
“You kissed me.”
“It’s not the first time.” She pointed out.
“It is in eight years.”
She kissed me. And I don’t mean kissed me back when I kissed her. I mean She. Kissed. Me.
She swallowed. “Does it hurt very bad?”
She meant my tongue. “Not anymore,” I rasped, not talking about my tongue at all.
“Liam, breathe,” she instructed.
I inhaled.
I wanted to grab her and run. To lock us in her suite—no, my cabin—and not come out until I made up for every single year she was gone.
I knew I couldn’t. I had to almost relearn her. The thought was absurd because my heart insisted it knew her better than anyone. But I wasn’t seventeen anymore. I was a grown man, and as much as I wanted to listen to my heart, I had to also consult with my head.
Besides, making up for lost years wasn’t something that could just be done in a bedroom.
After handing her the cup, I held out my hand. “Come with me.”
I led us to the other side of the massive crackling fireplace. There was a small loveseat right by it, and I pulled her down on the cushion beside me.
“What do you need?”
After glancing around and realizing we had the privacy she wanted, she answered, “I need you to call my mother.”
“You can’t call her yourself?”
“No.”
I don’t know how that one-syllable word could sound broken. But it did.
My hand covered her knee. “You want me to get a message to her?”
She nodded and bit into her lower lip.
Gently, I reached up and tugged the flesh from between her teeth. “What kind of message?”
Blue eyes lifted to mine, wide, soft, almost pleading. “I just want to know if she’s okay.”
I nodded. The center of my chest felt tight. “Of course I’ll call her, sweetheart.”
Bellamy surged forward and grasped my hand with both of hers. The way she gripped them and stared at me cause my pulse to quicken. “I need to tell her to be careful. I need to warn her.”
I puzzled. “Warn her?”
She nodded. “If the men can’t find me… they might go for her.”
“What the hell is this about?” I demanded. “You need to tell me. I can help you.”
“I’ve already told you way too much.”
“Like hell! You haven’t told me shit.”
“Don’t you cuss at me!” she demanded.
“Now, sweetheart, you know it’s nothing personal. I’m just worried about you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Placating is just as bad as cussing.”
I grinned swiftly. The moment passed, though, and the gravity of this situation washed back over us. “I just wish you trusted me enough to tell me.”
“It’s not that.” She glanced down at where her hands still held mine. “I just…” Her lips pressed together. Then finally she said, “Can you just call her? Please?”
I couldn’t—wouldn’t—deny her anything. “What’s her number?”
Releasing my hands, she reached into her jeans and pulled out a ripped piece of paper with BearPaw’s logo on it. The phone number was written across it in pen. Instead of taking the paper, I cupped her hand and the paper between both of mine. She was shaking.
I didn’t like it.
“I’m scared for you to call her. Scared for you not to.”
“Why?” I asked, rubbing my hands against hers, trying to give some warmth to her icy fingers.
“I shouldn’t get you involved. What if they’re watching? What if they come for you?” I started to shake my head, but she cut me off. “But I need to know. What I did… I put her in danger.”
The way she slumped, as if she were exhausted and defeated at the same time, was too much for me to watch. I lifted Bellamy into my lap and settled back into the cushions. Her body relaxed into mine immediately, her cheek falling against my chest.
Possessiveness rumbled through me. The need to shield and protect had never been so fierce inside me.
“It’s okay now,” I murmured, gathering her closer and stroking her hair.
“I’m not sure it ever will be again.”
A moment later, she lifted her head and gazed at me. “Sometimes I think I should just go back home. Let them find me. Then this will be over once and for all, and she’ll be safe… and I won’t have to run.”
The mere suggestion that Bellamy surrender to whatever the fuck was going on was a hard no inside me. An I will bring down this fucking town no.
I couldn’t stop the sudden heaving of my chest, but I tried not to go ape shit. I mean, she was sitting on me for comfort.
“You’re not going anywhere. You’re staying here, with me.”
“I don’t understand why you’re still single.” Her palm rested on my chest. “Why, after eight years, has no one claimed you?”
Emotion rumbled inside me. “Because you claimed me the day I saw you standing beneath the lift, looking green with fear.” I palmed the side of her face. “You claimed me, Bells, and never let go.”
She kissed the side of my jaw. My eyes drooped, my heart rate slowing to a thud. When she lifted, I lowered, and her lips brushed over mine.
It wasn’t a long kiss. The second it was over, she tucked herself back into my chest and sighed. I sat there for a long moment, just staring over her head into the fire. I felt raw. Ripped open and bleeding. But I didn’t want a bandage. I didn’t want this intensity to ever dull. I always wondered what it would be like to see her again.
Sometimes I thought about it. Hoped for it even.
I never imagined it would be like this. As if the bond we formed eight years ago had strengthened, not weakened.
If it was this strong now, without us even trying, what would it be like when I gave her my all?
After I quieted the raging storm inside me, I pulled the phone out of my jeans.
“Let me see the paper, Bells.”
“I don’t think you should use your cell.”
“It’s a private number,” I told her. “If I use one from the lodge, it will come back directly to BearPaw.”
She seemed unsure, but I was. I took the paper and dialed the number. Just before I hit CALL, Bellamy’s hand settled over mine. “Ask her about her roses.”
“Her roses?”
She nodded. “It’s sort of a code between us.”
“It’s winter.”
“Just ask,” she implored.
I lifted the hand covering mine and kissed it. Then I sent the number through. Bellamy’s body was rigid as she listened to the rings. After the third one went unanswered, her hand fisted in the front of my shirt.
“Hello?” a woman answered on the fourth ring.
Bellamy nearly collapsed against me.
“Hi, Mrs.—”
Bellamy jolted up and shook her head adamantly.
I cleared my throat. “Hey, it’s Liam. I was just calling to see how you’re doing.”
Relief flooded Bellamy’s eyes, and she nodded.
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, and I honestly expected the woman to just hang up. She didn’t.
“Oh, how nice of you to call. I’m doing just fine. And yourself?”
Big fat tears rolled over Bellamy’s cheeks, and I wiped one away as I spoke. “I’m doing good, too. Just, you know, catching up with old friends lately.”
The woman paused again.
“I was wondering how your roses are doing? I know how much you love to garden.” God, I hoped she actually did like to garden.
There was a small catch in the woman’s voice when she replied, “M-my roses are doing beautifully. I’m so looking forward to spring when they all bloom.”
Bellamy sniffled and fell into my chest. Her shoulders were shaking, and really, I had no idea a phone call could be so fucking difficult.
“I’m sure they are the prettiest on the block,” I said. I had no idea what else to say.
“You said you’re doing well?” she asked, but I knew instantly it wasn’t me she was asking about.
Bellamy pulled back and nodded. Tears stained her face. “Yes, been busy, but everything is fine.”
“That’s good to hear,” she murmured. “I’ve missed talking to you.”
Bellamy touched the phone, pulling it closer as if hearing her voice was the most precious thing ever.
“So have I. I should call more often,” I said.
“Yes, please do. Call anytime.”
Bellamy sniffled and signaled for me to wrap it up.
“I’ve got to get going, but please take care of yourself. The winter months can be very long.”
“I will. You take care, too. It was so good to speak with you, Liam.”
After the call ended, Bells took my phone and hugged it to her chest, lay against me, and cried quietly.
I rubbed her back because I didn’t know what else to do.
After a while, I asked, “How long has it been since you’ve seen your mom?”
“A year and a half.”
“And your dad?”
Her breath caught, and her trembling increased. “Almost two years.”
Did that mean she’d been alone all that time? With no one?
I wanted to demand answers, but she was already upset enough. “C’mon,” I said, standing and taking her with me. “Time for bed.”
I carried her up to her room, let us in, and fended off an overly excited Charlie, who had hung out here while we ate dinner.
After putting her down, she’s grabbed my shirt off the end of her bed and hugged it to her chest. “You can’t have this back,” she mumbled and started toward the bathroom.
I chuckled. “I wouldn’t dream of taking it.”
I put on the Cooking Channel (she seemed to like it) and turned off all the lights except for a small lamp. When she came out of the bathroom, she looked vulnerable and sexy with my shirt falling around her legs.
Without saying anything, I pulled the covers back and gestured for her to get in. She trudged over and slipped beneath. I moved to cover her, but she glanced over her shoulder. “Will you lie here with me?”
I kicked off my shoes and slid in behind her, drawing her against my body. Charlie jumped up on the mattress, and I started to tell him down, but she squeezed my hand not to. The dog settled on the other side of her with a great huff.
Her giggle filled the corners of my heart, and she scratched behind his ears.
After a few minutes, she settled more firmly into my embrace. “Thank you for calling her. I feel so much better knowing she’s okay.”
I kissed the back of her head and snuggled her tighter.
She fell asleep in my arms, and I lay there and wondered how I could fix whatever was going on. It was hard to find a solution for a problem you didn’t know.
I drifted off at some point and awakened when the sky was just beginning to lighten. It was hard to slip out of the bed. I almost didn’t, but I knew if I stayed, I wouldn’t be able to keep myself from her body.
I knew I could have her, that if I started touching her, she probably wouldn’t stop me.
I held off, though. Having her body wouldn’t mean as much if I couldn’t have the rest of her, too.