CHAPTER SIX

Chase

When Madison had shown up at my door Saturday, I’d predicted she was going to be a pain in the ass. She was feisty, and I could tell she was used to getting what she wanted. I had been immediately irritated and a little intrigued. When she had stormed off, I figured that would be the last I ever saw of her.

I’d been very wrong. It had been a long time since I’d had to make small talk with a stranger, and I knew my conversational skills were somewhat lacking. But with the power going out, and nothing else to do but talk, Madison had started to pull me out of my shell a bit. I was both annoyed, and a little glad for it.

I reminded myself, however, that it was because she didn’t know anything about me. If she did, she’d have locked herself in the bedroom until the snow melted and she could get out.

I popped my head into the room to check on her. She was still sleeping, and I took a minute to look at her face. She was a beautiful woman. Her hair fanned out on the pillow, giving her an ethereal appearance. Her long, dark eyelashes created half-moons against her pale skin.

I had to leave before I did something stupid. I was insanely attracted to her. What the hell was I supposed to do with that? Right now, she was in no shape for any of what my brain had me doing to her.

I walked outside and sucked in some of the cold air to help cool my fervor. I needed to get my head out of my ass and work on the damn snowmobile. Squatting down in the snow to tinker with it helped cool my balls off a bit.

After another hour, I turned the key and was very pleased hear the engine of the snowmobile start up.

“Ha!”

I was feeling elated and headed back inside to check on my patient.

“Oh,” I said when I walked through the door to find her standing in the kitchen wearing nothing but my flannel.

“Oh, sorry, I was starving and thought I would see what I could find.”

My eyes drifted to her bare thighs, knees, and then her pretty little feet with the toenails painted blue.

“It's fine. I, uh, I got the snowmobile running.”

“That's good, right?”

I nodded. “Yes. I need to go to town to get some supplies.”

“Oh, um, do you think you could maybe get my suitcases from the car, assuming the car is still there?”

“I doubt I’ll be able to get to it in these drifts, but I’ll try,” I said, desperate to get out of the house and away from the half-dressed beauty in my kitchen. I had to try hard not to tug at the ever-tightening crotch of my jeans.

Before she could say anything else, I walked out and jumped on the snowmobile. The car was still there, and surprisingly, not completely buried. She would need to call the rental company and get it towed. The snow had melted a bit and the plows would be making their way up here the following day at the latest.

I grabbed the suitcases, put them on the sled, and headed back to the house.

“Here you go,” I said, dropping her belongings at the door before stomping the snow off my boots.

“Thank you. I really need a shower.”

I stifled a groan at the thought of her standing naked under the warm spray. “Are you feeling up to it?”

“Yes. I think I can manage.”

“Okay, I'll wait for you before I leave in case you need any help.”

She looked down at her feet.

Crap.

“I didn't mean that like it sounded,” I quickly clarified.

“It's okay. I know what you meant, and I would appreciate that. I’m feeling much stronger, but I definitely don't want to fall in the shower and crack my head open.”

She moved to grab one of her suitcases.

“I'll take these to the room for you.”

I carried the suitcases and deposited them on the bed for her to go through. I left her alone and went to the kitchen to take a quick inventory while making a thermos of coffee. It was still cold out, and the ride down the mountain into town would be very chilly.

After thirty minutes, she emerged from the bedroom dressed in a pair of jeans, a warm sweater, and a pair of wool socks. Damnit, she looked even better.

“Can I go with you?” she asked.

“What?”

“Can I go with you to town?”

I thought for a moment. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” I said. “The way down can be pretty bumpy.”

Madison frowned. “I’m not feeling nearly as sore as I was, and I’m not a fragile little flower. I feel like I’m going to go crazy cooped up in here much longer. Plus, I need to call my friend and let her know I’m okay.”

I looked at the woman standing in front of me and realized that, once again, there was no talking her out of what she’d already made up her mind to do. “Fine, but it’s freezing out there. You’ll need a warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and boots. And not those ridiculous things you tottered up here on.”

Madison narrowed her eyes at me. “There he is,” she muttered before turning around and heading back to the bedroom.

“There who is?” I asked, confused.

A few moments later she came out dressed like the abominable snowman and I had to stifle a laugh. At least she’d be warm.

“Okay, let’s go,” I said, ushering her out the door.

Once she was safely on the sled, with a helmet secured to her head, I started my descent down the mountain. I was acutely aware of her arms wrapped around my waist, and her body pressed against my back. I intentionally went slower than I normally would have so as not to jar her too much on the ride.

When we got into town, I headed past the main strip where the stores sat and turned into a small neighborhood just on the outskirts.

“I’m going to stop and check in with my aunt first,” I told Madison, and she nodded.

I pulled up in front of her small house and helped Madison off the machine. “If I don’t let her know I’m alright, she’ll try to get up to check on me before they plow the roads. I don’t need to be worrying about her.”

“Chase!” Aunt Liza said through her screen door. “I wasn't expecting you. And you have a friend,” she said, looking behind me, raising an eyebrow in evident surprise.

“Aunt Liza, this is Madison Carr. Madison, my aunt.”

“Nice to meet you,” they both said at the same time.

“Come in. Get out of the cold,” my aunt said, pushing open the door. “Where's your truck?”

“Up the mountain. Roads still aren't plowed, and I didn't want to risk an accident. Madison here has already wrapped one car around a tree.”

Madison glared at me, and I shrugged.

“Oh, you poor thing,” she said, fawning over Madison. “Sit, sit, tell me everything,” Aunt Liza ordered.

We took off our coats and sat down at the table. She made fresh coffee and called out for my cousin to come downstairs.

“Hey, what are you doing out in the light?” Jayden said, hugging me.

“I come out now and again.”

“Who's this?” He sauntered to the table where Madison was watching us, and flashed her one of his patented charming smiles. I was immediately annoyed.

“This is Madison. Madison, this is my cousin, Jayden,” I said introducing them.

She smiled. “Ah, good to meet you. I've heard all about you.”

Jayden turned to me, an eyebrow raised. “Really?”

“Sit down,” I growled.

Aunt Liza delivered the coffee and ordered everyone to sit. Madison and I filled them in on how we met and the accident.

Aunt Liza was shaking her head when we finished. “I have heard of those scams. I didn't know we had to worry about them out here though.”

Jayden gestured for me to go into the other room. I quickly excused myself and followed him.

“What's wrong?” I asked with concern.

“Dude, tell me you've hit that?” he said the moment we were out of earshot.

I glared at him.

“Did you not hear us explain she'd been in an accident?” I asked with incredulity.

He shrugged. “She looks fine to me. Like really fine.”

“Shut up. Don't talk about her like that.”

“Ohh, you like her! Ha! You haven't fucked her yet, but you want to.”

“Jayden, I'm warning you,” I growled.

He grinned. “It's been a long time for you, right? You have a gorgeous woman living under your roof, needing you to take care of her. You must be a walking hard-on.”

I stepped closer to him. “That's enough.”

He rolled his eyes. “When did you become a priest, man? All I’m saying is, she is hot, and it’s clear by the way she’s been looking at you, she thinks you’re hot too.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I said, trying to keep any excitement at the possibility out of my voice.

“Damn, it really has been a long time for you, hasn’t it?” he asked, shaking his head.

I lunged forward. We both knew I wouldn't hurt him, but I had no problem scaring him.

“All right, all right,” he said, throwing his hands in the air.

I walked back into the kitchen and felt a strange stirring in my stomach as I watched Madison and my aunt chatting like they had known each other for years.

“You ready?” I asked Madison.

“You have to leave so soon?” Aunt Liza asked.

“Yeah, we need to get some groceries, and I want to get up the mountain before the sun sets.”

Madison stood. “It was good to meet you both.”

“It was nice to meet you, Madison, and I'm glad my nephew is getting to put all those paramedic skills to good use. Take care of yourself.”

I said my goodbyes and was given a look by my aunt that said she knew more than she was saying.

By the time we picked up some food and Madison called the rental company and checked in with her friend, it was close to dusk. She insisted on stopping at the local hotel to see if they had any rooms available.

I waited outside and only realized that I’d been holding my breath when she came out and shook her head “no” in my direction.

Did I not want her to leave the cabin? No, of course I didn’t. She was beautiful, she was smart, and she was the only person in twenty miles that didn’t know a damn thing about what had driven me up that mountain to begin with. I wanted it to stay that way.

“I guess you’re stuck with me for a few more days,” she said, walking up to the sled.

I tried to look like my insides weren’t twisting at the thought, and just nodded.

“No big deal,” I managed to croak.

I fought the urge to kiss her. She was resigned to staying until she could get a new car and a room in town, but I found myself secretly hoping she’d stay the whole two weeks. She climbed on the snowmobile and secured her helmet as I climbed in front. She wrapped her arms around my waist as I started the machine up. I took a moment to appreciate the feel of her pressed against my back with her hands on my stomach.

As I drove through town and up the mountain to my house, I let myself imagine what it would be like to have this woman in my life. These little trips to town could be a regular thing. I enjoyed my solitary life, but it did tend to get lonely at times. I could definitely get used to life with Madison beside me.