Avery was standing next to the living room window. She’d changed into black yoga pants and a white t-shirt, and damn, she looked good in my cabin.

She was tall and lithe, at least 5’8” and very fit. She had strong thighs, a runner maybe, and a narrow waist with curves in all the right places. Even her oversized t-shirt couldn’t hide the swell of her breasts, especially with her arms hugging her stomach.

Truth be told, I wanted to take her into my bedroom and do a very thorough exam—in part to make sure she was okay—and in part to explore every inch of her gorgeous body.

She needed to relax, to release some of the stress she was holding, and I had the perfect plan to help her do just that.

“It’s beautiful, Caden. Is this your cabin or are you renting it?” Her voice was soft, mixed with awe, as she looked out the living room window toward the lake, and the mountains beyond.

I felt a stirring down below. Not quite yet.

“It’s mine. It’s been in my family for a few generations. My grandfather willed it to me when he passed, and I’ve spent the last several months updating it.”

I grabbed two glasses from the bar and moved toward her, “Here, drink this.”

Her eyebrow rose, and her eyes challenged mine, but she acquiesced.

Good girl, I thought.

“What is it?”

“Just what the doctor ordered,” I told her.

Our fingertips brushed when she took it. I was rewarded with wide eyes and a smile. She had little flecks of gold in her hazel-colored eyes, and they danced when she smiled. Fucking adorable.

“You said you’re a doctor. What’s your specialty?” She asked.

“Ex-SEAL.” My eyes held hers.

Both of her eyebrows raised and her mouth formed an O, her green eyes widening. “Impressive. No wonder you handled the whole situation today with ease.”

I laughed. “No offense, babe, but a panic attack is mild compared to what I deal—dealt with—on a daily basis.”

“No offense taken,” she assured me. “So you’re out?”

“As of three months ago.”

“Ah, which is why the cabin is being updated.”

I smiled, watching her. She took a deep breath, pressing her hand to her stomach, just like I’d taught her. “Drink,” I told her.

She did.

Such a good girl.

“Laphroaig?” she asked.

“Now it’s my turn to be impressed,” I said, taking her arm and leading her to the couch. “A beautiful woman who knows her whiskey.”

“It’s good whiskey,” she agreed, taking another sip, ignoring my comment abut her beauty.

“Sit.” I told her.

“I’m not Cocky, you know.” She rolled her eyes but did as I asked.

Cocky raised his head at the mention of his name, but then sighed and put his nose back to the slider.

“I think he’s dreaming of taking down a few of the squirrels in your yard.” Her voice grew soft. “I think he saved me today. We’re one for one. I saved him from a kill shelter, and today, if he hadn’t licked me when he did, I don’t know if I would have made it to that turnaround.” She shuddered.

I moved behind her, my hands moving her long brown hair to the side, lightly brushing her neck. She shivered and moaned deeply when I began to knead her shoulders. I was grateful the couch was hiding my eager cock. “Breathe, babe,” I reminded her.

She sighed, letting her head fall back, moving her hand to her stomach automatically. She’d make a good little sub, I thought. She had the cutest freckles on her nose and I had to force my hands to stay on her shoulders rather than wander down the front of her chest to the nipples that were visible, even through her bra. I moved my hands up her neck instead, my thumbs gently rubbing the stress from her muscles. She groaned, and now my balls were painful.

“You missed your calling,” she whispered.

“Really?” I chuckled, “What’s that?”

“Masseuse,” she informed me. Her eyes opened and stared directly into mine before I moved my eyes back to her breasts. I wondered if her nipples were as painful as my balls, they were infinitely more pronounced now.

Her eyes widened and her breath hitched.

“You need to eat,” I informed her, squeezing both of my palms on her shoulders to ground her in the moment. “Join me in the kitchen and I’ll whip up us up some dinner.”

She chuckled. “I’m not sure I can move. You did me in.”

“Oh,” I assured her, “not yet, babe, but the night is young.”

Her eyes grew wider still.

I turned toward the kitchen. “Join me at the bar.” I pulled one of the high top bar stools away from the island on my way by, glancing up just in time to see Avery stand and sway.

“Babe, you okay?” I moved back to the couch, took the whiskey glass out of her hand, and pressed her back onto the couch.

She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“Yes, I can see that,” I told her derisively.

“Really, I am,” she insisted as I put my hand under her chin, moving her face up toward mine, my eyes studying her. “I—“ she cocked her head sideways at me, a crease deepening in her brow. “I don’t think I’ve eaten all day,” she stated as though she’d just suddenly realized it.

“Avery, why would you go for an entire day without eating?” my voice was harsher than I’d intended.

“It wasn’t purposeful. I just didn’t think about it, and then with everything that happened, I guess I thought it was the stress making me feel this way.”

“Feel what way?” I growled, holding her chin in place when she tried to move it away. “Eyes on me,” I demanded.

She narrowed her eyes but complied. “I feel, Doctor Stone, like I need to eat some food. Nothing more, nothing less.” Her green eyes narrowed, but then a hint of mischievousness flickered through them. “So feed me.”

I held her gaze for a moment longer. “No more whiskey, and I want you to rest on the couch until dinner is ready.” She looked away. I gently moved her chin back and up. “Avery, do you understand?” I held her eyes.

She sighed. “Yes, I understand.”

I pressed her back onto the couch. “I’ll get a blanket. Stay there.”

“Yes, Sir.” She rolled her eyes.

I moved to a basket next to the slider that led to the deck, grabbed a blanket from it and placed it over Avery, tucking her in. “You’re a sassy little thing, aren’t you?” I asked as I leaned forward to kiss her forehead.

She didn’t answer, but her wide eyes darkened with desire, telling me everything I needed to know. Now I just needed to get food into her and then assess if she was up for the plans I had for us this evening—or if they would have to wait until tomorrow morning.

If the throbbing pulse at the valley of her throat was any indication, she wanted me every bit as much as I wanted her.