“Yes Mom, don’t worry about me, I’m fine.” My mother droned on about making sure I had enough food and that I should keep Legend by my side at all times. I looked down at the playful pup as he stayed on my heels while we walked down to the lake shore. As she continued to talk, I gazed out across the frozen lake, watching the smoke linger in the sky from the chimney of the small cabin nestled in the woods. I thought back to when I was a teenager, when I used to think I was so wild skinny dipping in that lake. I shuddered, my body tingling as I thought about how he stood there, watching me.

I remembered his hands on me the other night and my panties dampened as I recalled his mouth on me. My mother suddenly pulled me out of my reverie. “Honey, are you listening to me?”

“Yes, Mom. I’m listening.”

“Are you sure you’re alright? You seem a little withdrawn tonight. How is your writing going?”

I sighed. I didn’t want to tell her that instead of focusing on finishing my book, I was too busy fantasizing about the gorgeous handy man in town who looked like sex on a stick. “It’s going well, Mom. I think a found a new spin on the story.” I gazed out at the lonely cabin and a deep longing filled my heart.

“Well, that’s good to hear honey. I’m glad the trip is helping.”

I hummed a response as I continued to stare out across the lake remembering that earth shattering kiss. I pressed my fingertips to my lips, sighing as I remembered his strong urgency. The way he seemed to devour me completely in that one kiss. I had never felt like that with anyone. Especially not with Michael.

“Well, honey. I need to go but if you need anything, anything at all, you call us.”

“Yes, Mom. No worries.” I looked down to end the call and when I looked up my heart did a little flip. Standing right across from me, at the edge of the short pier, there stood a shadow of a man. I took in a breath as I watched him. He was close enough for me to make out his sad expression. The moonlight hit his dark brown eyes and a hot thrill ran through me.

“So, this was what he saw,” I whispered to myself.

I remembered his confession at watching me. His words held me in this indescribable sexual haze, and I squeezed my thighs together as a warm gush flooded my panties. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath imagining him stroking his cock as he watched me undress before him. My young body flushed with heat and sweat from the humidity of the summer. Why the hell hadn’t I met him back then? I was sure my sixteen-year-old self would have let him do all the naughty things he wanted. My pussy contracted again. Being around this man was like swimming in a pool of pure elation. Every nerve of my body hummed from his lust-filled words, from his urgent kisses. I wanted more, I yearned for so much more of this man, this stranger.

The moonlight lit up his face and I took my time taking him in. He was a big man, tall with broad shoulders, his big frame could consume me. I imagined him naked, his muscles rippling and the moonlight highlighting the swollen part of him that was so eager to please me. He was waiting for me to come to him, waiting to take me. It started to snow as I silently watched him stare out towards my cabin. I wondered what fascinated him so much about me and a deep yearning ran through my loins. This man, this stranger, had literally forced himself into my life and taken away my every conscious thought. After last night I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I didn’t want to stop, but I had to. My life was back in New York. Not here. I’d have to keep him locked away in my fantasies where he belonged. Only for me to look back on.

You couldn’t hear a sound in the night when suddenly, sensing someone nearby, Legend started to bark. “Dammit Legend, shut up,” I whispered, but it was no use. I knew he had seen me. I stepped out of the shadows and pretended to focus on Legend. As I stooped down to pet the dog I could feel his eyes on me. “Come on Legend, let’s go home.”

I got up and turned towards him and my breath caught. He was looking right at me, his expression held the same longing I felt. Legend barked happily at my feet and I started up the hill, still looking over at the shadow on the pier. As I reached my door I turned towards him. I watched sadly as he slowly turned away and made his way back down the path, disappearing into the woods. I held a hand to my chest as a yearning so intense travelled through my body. This man was like a magnet, pulling me towards him until I had nowhere else to be, but wrapped in his warmth.

I made my way back inside and slumped down on the couch, propping my laptop onto my knees. A pair of sad, chocolate brown eyes kept hovering in my mind, interrupting me. The hurt of my rejection was blatantly apparent in their depths. I sighed, reaching down to pet Legend.

“What am I gonna do, buddy? I can’t think straight tonight.” Legend just stared up at me, wagging his tail. I stared out the window at the snow covered mountains and kept thinking back to that kiss. It was so sudden, so perfect. Even after he left I could still feel the tingling through my body, I still felt it now.

The rush of feelings he produced in me were unbelievably arousing. But it was too fast, too intense and they honestly scared the life out of me. He was consuming my every thought, and after Michael I had sworn to myself that I would never get lost in a man like that again.

The phone rang beside me, startling me from my thoughts. I reached over and picked it up.

“Hi, is this Holly?” A cheerful voice rang at the other end.

“Yes, who’s this?” I asked tentatively, not recognizing the person on the other end.

“Hi Holly, this is Maggie. We met the other night.”

“Oh yes! Hi Maggie, how are you?”

“I’m sorry to bug you so late, but I am having my annual holiday gathering here at my place and I was wondering if you’d like to come on over. Logan mentioned you were all alone up there and I thought you’d like to get out a little bit, come and try the best egg nog in Maine.”

I laughed and my stomach grumbled thinking back on the delicious apple pie she had wrapped up for me. It was a little taste of heaven. “That sounds wonderful. Yes, I’d love too.”

“Wonderful! I know its short notice, but it’s tomorrow night at eight. I’ll text you the address.”

We talked for a while longer and I forced myself to avoid from talking about Logan. I looked down at Legend as I hung up and sighed. “Looks like Mommy has a party to attend.”

Even though she hadn’t mentioned him I knew Logan was going to make an appearance. I was grateful to Maggie for including me, but I knew it was at his request. I should keep away, but butterflies made my heart leap into my throat just thinking about him.

I stared down at the blank page on my screen and as I started to type I could only imagine my hero as a tall, bearded, chocolate eyed lumberjack that drove me wild with yearning.

****

I stepped out of my car and onto Main Street, the cold brisk air wafting along my bare legs. I shuddered and held my coat tightly around me. I had put on the only dress I had brought with me. It was a deep red and flowed down my body, and I loved how it molded to each one of my curves. It only reached mid-thigh, but it would have to work. The heels were black patent leather, which was a struggle in the snow, but I stuck with it and I had wrapped a wide leather belt to highlight my waist. I had curled my hair in light waves that cascaded down my back. Black smoky eyes and red lipstick were my finishing touches.

As I walked down the dim lit streets a shiver of anticipation ran through me. I made my way to the side door of Maggie’s Café and rang the doorbell. A sharp buzzard rang and I opened the door and made my way up the stairs towards the Christmas music. The door opened before I could knock, and a bright and bubbly Maggie beamed at me.

“Oh I’m so glad you made it!” She pulled me into a hug and I laughed.

“Thank you for having me.” I handed over a small tray. “Christmas cookies,” I shrugged. “They’re not as good as your apple pie, but it’s just a little thank you.”

She grabbed the tray and tsked. “Nonsense, I’m sure everyone will devour them. “

She pulled me inside and tugged off my coat. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to the gang.” She led me over to the living room where a small gathering of people laughed and drank egg nog. An egg nog was pressed into my hand and I looked up to find kind blue eyes staring down at me.

“Hi, I’m Maggie’s husband Tim. It’s good to meet you.”

I smiled. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

Maggie and Tim introduced me around. Mostly everyone owned a shop on Main Street and had some amusing memory or two to tell me about my grandparents.

Everything was going smoothly until his voice made my insides flutter. He looked so very handsome as he greeted everyone. His hair was slicked back, his beard trimmed, he wore a midnight blue buttoned-down shirt that molded to every muscle in his back and arms. He had on black trousers that did nothing to hide the outline of his considerable bulge. My mouth watered at the sight of him and I turned, gulping down my eggnog and grabbing another glass full.

I felt him at my back and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath before turning around. But his breath was at my neck before I could move.

“You look fucking edible, baby girl,” he growled in my ear, making me melt into him.

“Logan,” I whispered, feeling my whole body gravitate towards his pull.

He turned me around slowly, his chocolate brown eyes smiling down at me, the smirk on his face looking hungrily at me. My breasts grazed his shirt and he looked down, getting a full view of my plump flesh.

“Fucking incredible,” he murmured, trailing his fingertips down my collar and outlining the seam of the material that held my breasts encased.

“Logan,” I pushed his hand away and took a step back, my steps hindered by the kitchen counter pressed against my back.

He smiled at me. “Please forgive me. You just look so beautiful tonight.”

We stared at each other for a long, intense moment, only breaking contact when Maggie walked by us, laughing at something her husband was whispering in her ear. Glad for the momentary distraction, I eased my way around Logan and headed towards the living room area. Sitting down with an elderly couple that was more than happy to have me at their side, my eyes met his and I took a deep breath and turned away.

The rest of the night was spent trying to avoid him. When he tried sitting next to me at the dinner table I quickly moved to the other end. At one point he tried to enter into a conversation with me, but I moved on to the other end of the room, making it a point to tell him I wanted nothing to do with him. I watched his eyes drop, and my heart broke a little, but I wasn’t going to indulge him. I couldn’t. It wouldn’t fair to him.

My little game didn’t play out as well as I wanted, and like a true hunter, he managed to get me alone.

“Why are you avoiding me?” He’d somehow managed to come up behind me and whispered into my ear, sending heated electricity down my spine.

He wrapped his hands around me waist and I let him, feeling light and a bit tipsy from all the eggnog I’d been drinking. He moved us away from the crowd who was consumed with singing Christmas carols by the piano. Finally, he had me where he wanted me, cornered between the fireplace and the Christmas tree where we were somewhat secluded from prying eyes.

“Stop staring at me,” I pouted, angry at him.

He smirked knowingly, his fingertips trailing along my chin and cupping my cheek. I leaned in slightly, enjoying his warmth. “I can’t help myself, baby girl. You look so beautiful tonight.”

“Stop. You need to stop. I can’t Logan. I’m not who you think I am.” Frustrated, I tried moving away but he tightened his hold on my neck and I whimpered, parting my lips for him. He was getting to me and I hated that he could manipulate me so easily.

“You enjoy this, don’t you? Making me do what you want. Controlling me like this.” My lip trembled, more with need than anger.

“You have no idea how much control I lose around you. You make me feel so much Holly. So much. And you’re so damn cute when you’re mad,” he whispered and took a step closer to me, pressing his chest into mine. I could feel his warm breath on my cheek when he leaned down. “I want to kiss your lips when you pout like that.”

I involuntarily bit my bottom lip and a deep low rumble emanated from his chest making my insides heat up. My breath caught as his lips grazed mine. “Fuck. That lip bite…”

I pushed him back as he leaned forward, stopping him before things escalated, which they quickly did when around him. I could feel myself blush as I caught Maggie’s knowing smile across the room. Gratefully everyone else was too busy talking or listening to Maggie’s husband’s piano playing that they don’t notice us by the fireplace.

I looked up at him and frowned. “Go away,” I whispered, but his deep amused chuckle ran through me deliciously.

I shoved him back and made my way to the safety of the bathroom. If only I could let go and give into him. I wanted to so much. But I refused to be manipulated by another man, even if he was as gorgeous and charming as Logan Garland. As I went to close the door of the bathroom, his big frame engulfed the doorway and he slowly strode in, hunger shining in his eyes. And in that moment, I knew I was a goner.