An hour later, I was driving down the winding roads towards Bethel. Legend had his tongue hanging out the window, enjoying the feel of the light snow that hit his tongue. Every once in a while, he’d turn to me and wag his tail. As my truck rumbled down the road I noticed bright lights twinkling in the distance. It was a quaint picturesque town, set against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains. I was a city girl, but I could see why people were attracted to it. Even though the sun had set, and the cold was settling in, the streets in town were lively. Families were out and about on the main boulevard, laughing and eating popcorn from a street vendor. Families were just getting in from skiing up in the mountains and the restaurants were filled with the laughter of people. The soft lights cast a warm glow onto the snow covered street. White Christmas lights hung from the lamp posts and bright decorations lit up the store windows. While driving down the mountain I was able to make out the lighthouse that stood in the distance, its lantern was shining a bright light for safe passage to ships miles away. I thought about coming back in the spring and staying a few weeks to hike the paths that led to the waterfalls hidden in the woods. Bethel was truly beautiful and I was slowly falling in love with the place.

I found Old Henry’s hardware store along Main Street. Next door to it was a small warm and inviting café. It was the perfect place to eat a hot meal after doing my shopping. The wind picked up and I struggled with Legend’s leash as we were literally swept up into the store. Stumbling in, I suddenly bumped into a broad, solid form. The leash dropped from my hand and in bounded Legend, running around like the crazy dog he was.

“Whoa! Are you okay?” A man’s deep voice rumbled in amusement.

I grabbed on to two very strong forearms, steadying myself. As I got my footing back, I slowly looked up into the deepest set of brown eyes I’d ever seen. They were like pools of dark chocolate shimmering in the warm light.

“Are you alright?” The husky rasp in his voice resonated down to my core. I managed to nod my head, unable to find any words.

The man looked like a tall dark bottle of warm whiskey. I wanted to crawl up his powerful body and let him heat my insides with his tongue. My pussy fluttered as it gushed at the thought of his mouth on mine. I let my eyes wander down his impressive frame, not realizing how unseemly I was being. He had wide shoulders and a broad chest. I could literally see his muscles rippling under the black t-shirt he was wearing. His jeans hung loose on his waist, but molded tightly to his thick thighs that flexed when he shifted. I looked back up at his face and drank in his hard, chiseled features covered with a thick black beard that had me wondering how good the coarseness of it would feel between my thighs.

Soft crinkles appeared around his eyes when he smiled. They made him look rough yet charming. He looked like one of those perfect sexy lumberjack alphas you find on the front covers of romance novels. I slowly swallowed realizing I probably looked like some kind of ditz, standing there, ogling him. The man had literally made me speechless.

“Well aren’t you a breath of fresh air.” He whispered huskily and my insides shuddered. “Where did you come from, baby girl?”

I blinked a couple of times as his pet name for me resounded in my mind. It was sweet yet dirty, just like he looked. It sent a hot thrill through my body and I wished I could be his baby girl, so I could call him daddy as I bounced around on his lap. I took a deep breath and fought to regain some of my composure.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

“Beautiful, I’d let you bump into me whenever and as much as you wanted.”

I felt the blush heat up my cheeks. “A blush and the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard. I must have gotten lucky today.”

His eyes assessed my warmly, a familiar look in his gaze. His deep voice alone had me melting in desire. I looked down shyly and then realized I was still gripping onto his arms. I quickly released him and as I took a small step away I glanced around, spotting Legend behind the counter.

“Oh God, I’m so sorry!” I ran towards my crazy pet, practically dragging him to my side.

He chuckled and crouched down to pet him. I swear, he even had a way with animals as my traitorous dog let the stranger stroke the back of his ears. Damn dog was supposed to protect me, instead, he was standing there with a big dopey grin on his face as he let himself be petted by the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen.

“That’s alright. He’s a pup, wants adventure.”

I rolled my eyes. “No kidding.”

“So tell me, what can I do for the prettiest woman who’s ever walked in through those doors?”

I looked up at him and gave him a small smile. “I was actually looking for Henry Garland. He’s a friend of my father’s.”

The man’s handsome face dropped, and his big brown eyes glimmered with sadness. “My grandfather passed away a few months ago. I’m his grandson, Logan Garland.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. We didn’t know,” I reached out and squeezed his forearm. He took my hand in his and squeezed it back, causing an unexpected tingle to course through my body, hardening my nipples. I nearly moaned from the heat of his touch.

His sad eyes met mine, but he gave me a small smile. “May I ask what you needed him for, maybe I can help?”

I nodded. “I do need some help.”

“You just ask and I’ll make it happen. I’ll help you with anything you need.”

The look he gave me was deep and seductive. His voice gave me chills, yet it was oddly comforting and oddly…comforting. As if we’d met before. His chocolate brown eyes roamed over my face and body, and I could feel the heat from his gaze even through the thick layers of clothes.

“I…um…I need some supplies.” I dug into my coat pocket and brought out the list.

He reached out for it and his long fingers lingered on mine. His smile was irresistible as he gently took the sheet of paper from my hands. I watched him fixedly as he studied the list. He rubbed his beard a few times and bit down on his lip. I wanted to suck that lip right into my mouth and ravage him with kisses. Looking away, I shook my head and tried to keep my imagination from getting the best of me.

“Where are you staying, beautiful?”

“Up in Holly Cabin.”

“That’s the old Snow’s place near the lakefront,” he frowned at me. “I thought that place was abandoned.”

“Really? I guess we don’t come up here as often anymore. To be honest, I don’t know why. It’s so beautiful up here.”

“It sure is. Very beautiful.” His eyes flickered to mine and I quickly looked away, finding interest in a few LED lanterns that stood on a shelf next to me.”

“So what made you come up here?”

“I needed a place to hide away for a while and my mother mentioned the cabin.”

“So, you’re a family member?”

I spread my arms wide and he smiled as he looked me up and down. “The name’s Holly Snow.”

Recognition shown in his eyes and his intense stare made me blush. What was it out about this man that had me so on edge? His look alone stole my breath away and I felt myself grow warm all over. Who needed a fireplace when he was around? He was so much older than me, but I couldn’t help my attraction to him. He fascinated me in every way possible.

“Holly Snow, huh?” His eyes shown with magnetism, and I felt myself getting drawn in by them. “I thought you looked familiar. How could anyone forget those eyes,” he murmured. “You don’t remember me, do you?”

I frowned. “Should I remember you?”

He shook his head and looked down at the palm of his hand, seeming reticent. “We’ve never met officially. You came in here with your father a couple times. I even helped you find a portable fan for your room.”

“Oh?” I vaguely remembered the store, and I wished I could tell him I remembered him, but in truth I couldn’t. Then again, it was a long time ago. But I had to admit there was something familiar about him, something I liked very much. If I’d have been a little older I may have noticed how handsome he was, and I probably would have let him do anything he wanted to me.

His voice cut me out of my reverie and I focused on what he was saying. “I’ll gather up all the supplies on the list and I’ll take them up to you tomorrow.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

He shook his head. “I want to. I’m a gentleman, after all. I can’t let you carry half that stuff on your own. Besides, you’ll need me to help you in setting up the generator and the electricity. Take these candles for now and I’ll bring up the rest of the supplies first think tomorrow morning. I’ll add in a few extra items you might need that aren’t on this list. How long are you planning to stay?”

“Just a few weeks.”

He frowned. A saddened look glimmered in his features, but disappeared as quickly as it had come. “Well, you might avoid the storms yet. It’s too soon to tell. They say it’s gonna be a hell of a winter.”

He guided me to the front entrance and tucked the list into his front pocket. “As much as I’d love to offer you a hot cocoa Miss Snow, I think its best you head on up to that cabin of yours. Those roads aren’t the safest in the dark.”

“Oh, I was planning to eat dinner next door.”

“Maggie’s food is amazing. I suggest the fried chicken, and make sure you try the apple pie. It’s my favorite,” he winked at me and it made me smile. “You know what, I’ll call her and tell her to put it on my tab.”

“Oh no, you don’t have to…”

“Baby girl, I told you I’d give you anything you needed. And right now, what you both need is food.” I stared down at Legend who was wagging his tail happily. “I’ll have Maggie prepare something for you both, but you have to promise me you’ll head straight home.”

I stared at him in awe and he raised his eyebrow waiting on my answer. I nodded. “I promise.”

“Good girl.” The comment made me bite my lips as I imagined him whispering that in my ear as he buried himself deep inside of me. I watched as Logan grabbed a card from his back pocket and handed it to me. “Here’s my card, my private number’s on the back. You can dial it at any time and I‘ll come running.”

We stood there, holding each other’s gaze for a long lingering moment. “Thank you. You’ve been so kind,” I whispered almost breathless.

“Don’t thank me yet, baby girl. You have no idea the naughty thoughts that have been running through my head since you walked in here.”

“Oh?” I asked quietly.

He took a step closer, filling up my space with his presence. He reached out and stroked my cheek with the pad of his thumb. I leaned into him and shivered from the contact. He seemed mesmerized by me as he spoke, saying the sweetest things I’d ever heard a man say.

“It’s been ten years and to be honest, I don’t want to let you go. I know it’s forward of me but…if I could only tell you how long I’ve thought of you. How long I’ve waited for you to walk through those doors again. I know it sounds crazy, but if I could, I’d take you back to my place and show you just how badly I’ve needed you.”

I bit down on my lip and this time a soft moan did come out of my throat. He chuckled and tilted my chin up, our lips only centimeters apart. “But I know this is too fast. So, I’ll wait until you’re ready. Now go rest, baby girl. I’ll come by and see you tomorrow.” He turned me around and patted me lightly on my jean covered ass. I yelped and stumbled out into the cold mountain air. Shuddering I held tightly to Legend’s leash and made my way to the café next door. I looked back at him through the glass door and I couldn’t believe what he had just said to me. The man was an absolute temptation, a delicious one at that.

I quickly made my way over to the café and as soon as I walked in a bright older woman waved at me. Her eyes shown kindly as she ushered me into a stool at the counter. She quickly handed me a hot cocoa and winked at me. “You must be Holly?”

I stared back at her in surprise and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

She smiled back at me, her rosy cheeks glowing from the heat of the furnace. “I’m Maggie. Maggie Laney. I’m the owner of Maggie’s Café.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“Logan has told me to take good care of his friends.” She bent down and patted Legend on the head. “Give me a few minutes sweetie and I’ll get your orders put through. I’ll make sure to get a nice warm pie out of the oven so you could take it with you.”

After a little while, I was scrambling into my truck, rushing to get out of the cold. Maggie had given me a full pie and even added some coffee and water bottles to take with me. The smell of the chicken filled the truck and my stomach rumbled at the thought of it. I still needed to go food shopping but this would hold me until the morning.

Thoughts of Logan filled my mind as I drove back up to the cabin. Even as I built the fire and sat down to eat, his eyes danced in my mind. There was definitely an undeniable attraction there, one I yearned to explore. Michael had never made me feel this way. He’d never made me feel…wanted, and my body had never reacted to a man’s like it did now. Not until Logan Garland. What did he mean about waiting so long for me? His words were like fire, licking along my skin. He’d lit my body up in ways I never thought imaginable, and I wanted to find out more. So much more.