Chapter Seven
After a fitful night’s sleep, Yukon reached the bottom of the stairs and found Parker in the kitchen. The power was still out. His brother dumped a stock pot full of water into the kitchen sink.
“What’s going on?”
“Go see for yourself,” he said after another curse. “Basement’s flooded and the rain’s not letting up.”
He looked to the window. Even though it was eight in the morning, it looked more like dusk. The thick cloud cover blocked out the sun, and rain fell in torrents. Strong winds shook the house, howling as it breached the cracks in the old structure. He couldn’t believe their little town was a dust bowl only a day earlier.
“What’s the plan?” Yukon asked.
Parker snorted as he left the kitchen with the empty pot. “Get bailing!”
Shit. Their roof was a patch job he doubted would hold up for long and their basement wasn’t properly weatherproofed. Even during small rain storms, they’d get flooded. This weather system would put their old house to the test. He began to catalog all the tasks they’d put off over the past year, now wishing he hadn’t procrastinated.
Yukon grabbed a glass of orange juice before joining his brother. It would have been pitch black in the basement if not for the lantern precariously hanging from the ceiling. Water reached past his ankles, plastic containers floating by. He squeezed by his brother and reached for an empty bucket. The sound of sloshing water reminded him of summers by the lake when he was a kid. Now it was just him, Parker, and memories. And a flooded basement.
It was punishing work hauling the heavy loads up and down the flight of rickety wooden stairs. Each time he tossed a bucket out the front door, the rain soaked the foyer. He was so lost in his task, passing Parker on the stairs time and time again, that he’d forgotten about their houseguest.
“What’s happening?” Robyn asked after he shut the front door for what felt like the thousandth time.
He set his bucket down for a minute and decided it was a good time to take a breather.
“Sump pump isn’t working because of the power outage, and we can’t fire up the gas generator until we get some of the water bailed out.”
“A flood? The power’s still out? Is that normal?”
He chuckled, the panic in her voice endearing. “Darlin’, nothing about the past day is normal, but we’ll get by. Not a thing to worry about.”
She frowned, running one hand over the other arm as if to comfort herself. “But I was supposed to leave this morning. I have to get to work. I need a working phone. I—”
Parker reached the main floor with another bucket. Yukon opened the door for him, closing it a few seconds later. “Good morning to you, little miss. Although there ain’t too much good about it, is there?”
“How long is this storm going to last? I have to get back to the city.”
“You’re free to leave.” Parker waved his arm to the entrance.
Robyn scowled, but a sudden burst of explosive thunder made her gasp and brace a hand against the wall.
Yukon felt the need to comfort her, to make everything right in her world. He wasn’t sure what it was about Robyn, but the attraction he felt for her was strong and undeniable. “It’s not safe to be out in that storm. With the power out, there could easily be more road closures.”
“I can’t believe this is happening.”
Was it that bad to be stuck in his house? What would it take to please an educated woman like Robyn? Did he even possess what she needed?
“Sorry to disappoint,” said Parker. “But this is real life in the country. You work with what you’re dealt or you die complaining.”
Their bailing wasn’t getting them anywhere. The storm was abusing the old house. They needed to do something different if they wanted to make it through another day or longer. “How about we use the plastic from the hay baler and wrap the basement?”
Parker stopped in his tracks, not saying a word. Before he even spoke, Yukon knew he liked the idea. They were too much in sync, living together day in day out their entire lives.
“That won’t be an easy task—if it even works. It’s crazy, actually.”
“What do we have to lose? Even if it takes the edge off, it’ll be a help so we can get the generator and sump pump going.”
Parker nodded and reached for his overcoat hanging beside the door. “Hang tight, baby girl.” He winked at their houseguest before heading into the fury of the rain storm.
“Should I do something?” Robyn asked, looking bewildered.
He felt guilty because, despite her desperation to leave, he was glad they were holed up together. As he tugged on his flannel jacket, he nodded to the staircase. “While we have a bit of light, can you check the closets upstairs? I know we have some extra lanterns and oil around here somewhere. I’m sure we’ll need them tonight.”
****
Tonight? That meant these cowboys had no hope in getting her home any time soon, certainly not today. She wasn’t sure how she should feel. Part of her felt like having a toddler-style meltdown. Another part revelled in the escape from reality. It didn’t hurt that Yukon and Parker were two of the hardest, sexiest men she’d ever seen in the flesh. If she were honest with herself, she’d admit the two brothers made her feel things Peter and other refined men at the office never could. She’d always promised herself never to fall for a working-class stiff. But it was wishful thinking if she believed the sight of these cowboys was a turn-off. In fact, just the way they looked at her made her uncomfortably achy. How long had it been since a man could do that to her?
Robyn felt odd being alone in the big old home. The rain beat against the house, the echo from the tin roof creating a static sound that was almost soothing. She made her way up the old staircase, holding the handrail because it was difficult to see in the darkened corridor. Where should she start? She’d been given free rein to snoop, so she was going to take advantage of it.
She started in Yukon’s bedroom since it was next to the room she’d slept in. Well, she’d tried to sleep. Most of the night Robyn had tossed and turned, old memories and insecurities driving her crazy. It had been years since she’d slept in a strange bed and it shocked her how much it still affected her. She felt like a vulnerable child, not a grown woman traveling on business.
As soon as she pushed open the door, the first thing she noticed was the faint and delicious scent of his cologne. She took a deep breath as she entered, Yukon’s essence invading her senses. She wanted to drown in it. The curtains were drawn, so she tugged them open to let in the meager amount of light. Everything was simplistic, the furniture all made from solid wood. There wasn’t a modern piece to be found. She slowly walked around, taking everything in. There were some pictures on a tall wardrobe. She stretched up on her tiptoes to get a look. They were family photos with Yukon and Parker as boys. They were handsome even as children—little cowboys. She wondered what their story was and if their parents were still living.
Why hadn’t they married? Or had they? She had so many questions that really weren’t any of her business.
Before moving on, she ran a finger along the thick dust. The place could use a thorough cleaning, or more like a complete home makeover. She opened the closet and did a quick scan for the lanterns, even though she couldn’t care less about her task. The clothes hanging were different versions of the same long-sleeved plaid shirt and a few t-shirts. There was a large cardboard box on the floor so she crouched down and peeked inside.
Robyn wanted to find something significant that would give her a snapshot into these men’s lives. She shouldn’t care, but still needed to learn more. The box was full of sweaters, a big disappointment. Robyn sighed, wondering where to look next. Parker’s room felt like it was off limits, even though nothing had been said one way or the other. If his bedroom had a closet, then she was obligated to investigate, or so she told herself.
She listened to ensure they hadn’t come back inside yet, then she opened the door to Parker’s room across the hall. It felt like entering forbidden territory. Her senses were heightened and her heart began to pound. Being in Parker’s private domain did strange things to her libido. When she saw his queen-sized bed with rumpled navy sheets, her pussy tingled. How many women had warmed his bed? She wondered if cowboys even settled down. Businessmen sure seemed to be playboys for life. And why the hell did she care one way or the other?
Robyn tiptoed around the room, looking for anything off limits. She didn’t know what she expected to find, but when she saw a shoe box in the top shelf of his closet, she immediately reached for it. It was heavy, so she knew it contained more than an extra pair of shoes. She sat on the edge of his bed and carefully opened the lid. There was an assortment of old fringed photos and small trinkets inside. It was difficult to see with the minimal light. She picked up a silver belt buckle, holding it in the direction of the window to get a better look. Many of the pictures featured a beautiful, dark-haired woman. Her heart sank a bit, knowing his heart probably belonged to her, but she was being ridiculous, of course. Maybe she really did have fairy tale sickness.
She continued to rummage through the contents. There was a small jewelry box. Inside was an intricately designed ring, either silver or white gold encrusted with tiny diamonds. She studied it absently, wondering who it belonged to or who it was intended for. A bang from downstairs gave her system a jolt. Robyn panicked as she tried to get everything back into the box in record time. She jumped to her feet and reached up to get the forbidden treasure back on the top shelf.
“Looking for something?”
Fuck! The voice was impossibly deep, the essence of a man. She wasn’t sure if she should be terrified or turned on.
She whirled around after barely getting the shoebox back into place. Parker was leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t look angry, but not amused either. How had he gotten upstairs so fast?
“I–I was looking for a lantern. Yukon told me to check every room…” She was still breathless and not concealing the fact very well.
He still hadn’t moved. “Did you have any luck?”
She shook her head slowly, feeling like a naughty child caught in the act. He was dripping wet, his hair pushed casually off his face. He was striking, a man with intensity and presence. When she didn’t speak, he proceeded to unfold his arms and enter the dim room.
Parker slowly tugged the soaking shirt up over his head, tossing it in a hamper near his bed. His muscles looked strained and defined, glistening from the moisture. She couldn’t stop staring, wishing she could lick those drips of water off his skin. When he turned away, she noticed his back was wide and lean-muscled, marred with scars and fresh bruises. He sat down heavily on the end of the bed and pulled off his socks, going about his business as if she weren’t even there. When he stood to unbuckle his belt, she let out an involuntary squeak.
He froze, directing a glance at her. “Problem?”
“What are you doing?”
“I’ve been working my ass off in that devil of a storm for nearly an hour. I’m cold, I’m wet, and if you haven’t noticed, this is my bedroom.”
“Oh.” She felt like an idiot. He wasn’t going to hit on her. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She should be thankful he hadn’t called her out for snooping. “I’ll leave you alone then.”
She bolted in the direction of the door, but Parker moved faster, bracing one arm across the only exit. “I didn’t tell you to leave.” Robyn now noticed the tattooed letters along his inner arm. God, he was drool-worthy.
“But—”
They were so close. She’d almost crashed into his chest in her escape attempt. She could even smell him, an all-male scent that made her salivate. “What do you think of me, baby girl?”
She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“How do I compare to men in the city?”
Did he actually just ask that? “In what way?”
He smirked, a slight dimple appearing on his cheek. “Not too bright, are you?”
She scowled. “I’m not going to stroke your ego. The county girls might drool over your muscles or think you’re God’s gift to women, but I know better.”
Parker ran his tongue over his teeth, staring down at her with a mix of amusement and intensity. “I was talking about my hospitality, but I like where you’re taking things, sugar. God’s gift, eh?”
Her face heated so hot, her cheeks had to be flushed crimson. She wanted to bite her tongue … right off.
“No smart comebacks? I’m surprised.” He lowered his arm from the doorway and began to stalk forward, effectively forcing her to walk awkwardly backward. “But, then again, everything about you surprises me.”
When her back hit the closet door, she gasped. His perfect bare chest was so close, his abs ripped even at rest. Every time he moved, his unfastened belt buckle jangled, and the band of his boxers was visible. Her control was shot because all she wanted to do was reach out and touch him. The urge became more and more undeniable. She thought about Trey from accounting, a temptation she was smart enough to avoid. Parker would require a new level of self-restraint, and she wasn’t even sure any woman possessed that much power.
“I–I didn’t mean what I said. I mean, it’s not what you think…”
She looked up to gauge his reaction. He had a gentle smile on his lips, one so irresistible she hoped he’d steal a kiss. Or a hell of a lot more.
“You have no idea the things I’d like to do to you.” He ran his hand through her hair, a little too rough. This guy was completely no holds barred, and she loved that the political correctness she was used to from men was nowhere to be found. He lowered his head close enough that she could hear him breathing. “You’re everything I should avoid, but I can’t seem to keep you off my mind.”
You and me both, she thought. She wanted to scream for him to take what he wanted. She’d worry about the repercussions tomorrow. Right now she needed this cowboy all over her. She wanted them naked and so entangled that it would be indistinguishable where one started and the other began. Robyn would never see these country boys again, so why not indulge in the fantasy of a lifetime?
“Some days I wish I wasn’t such a good brother.” He stepped back, holding his arm open to allow her to exit his room.
What the hell? “What are you saying?”
“I know you’re smarter than that. Anyone can see my brother’s crazy about you.”
She was at a complete loss, trying to piece everything together while tamping down her wild libido. She was wound up tight, ready to jump into bed with Parker, no questions asked—so unlike her. Now Robyn was forced to think about things besides sex, like the other hot guy who lived in the same house. “You’re wrong. I don’t even know him. He tried to hit on me, that’s it.”
Parker chuckled. “I know Yukon. He’s a love-sick puppy. So have a heart and keep your distance. We both know you have no interest in men like us.”
Her mouth parted but no words came out. He was actually worried she’d break his brother’s heart? She was the victim in all this—trapped and helpless in a strange little town. God, he made her feel like some perverted, heartless freak from the city. The fact she’d only thought about muscles and broad shoulders since arriving made her feel worse. How could Yukon have feelings from her beyond lust? They were strangers. Love at first sight was a theme from fairy tales, not reality. Or were country boys so hard up for women, they’d grab onto the first one to walk into their dusty town?