“Amazing.”
She’s right. This place is beautiful under the decay and lack of care—the original building dates from the turn of the century, with a wraparound porch and big windows. I park and jump out, walking to open her door. The wind is fiercer now and I shelter her body with mine as she pulls up the hood on her coat and gets out.
“It has good bones, my Dad would say. A lot of potential.” We walk over to the front porch as the rain gets heavier. Margot peers inside the windows and walks around the porch. My cell beeps. It’s Dario, the realtor.
Dario: I can’t make it up there. Tree on the road. Storm’s hit Bakersville already.
I’m on alert, my body tense. I need to get Margot somewhere safe. The Lodge isn’t fit to shelter in, but there’s an inn a five-minute drive away.
“Back in the car.” I walk over to her, ready to pick her up if she resists.
“What? We just got here.”
“Storms can come over the mountains without much warning. The weather report said it would hit north, but they got it wrong. There’s already a tree down on the road back to Snowflake, we need to find shelter. There’s an inn a short drive away.”
She opens her mouth and I can’t help it any longer. I sweep her up into my arms and crush my lips down on hers. Her lips are soft and warm under mine as I explore her mouth with my tongue, inhaling her scent and pressing her against my body. My cock is rock hard, all my senses on fire. I don’t ever want to put her down.
I stop the kiss to carry her down the steps, opening the door and putting her into the car. I run around the outside and get in, looking over at her gorgeous face.
She’s frozen in shock, her cheeks red and her chest heaving.
“Are you okay?” I ask as I start the engine.
“You can’t do that, Duncan. You’re my boss now. I’m not some PA with benefits. That’s not why you hired me, is it?” Her voice is soft.
I shake my head. I want to explain to her all the reasons why I need to have her in my life.
But first I need to get her to safety.
ChapterFive
MARGOT
Mrs. Harold, the innkeeper, apologizes as she takes us to the dining area.
“We’re remodeling at the moment. It’s quiet season, now winter’s well on its way. So you two are my only guests. Warm up in front of the fire, pour yourself a drink and I’ll get you some stew.” She bustles off.
A big yellow cat stretches out and then walks over to me. I sit down and it jumps up in my lap.
“That cat can tell you’re an animal lover.” Duncan’s tone is light.
“Animalsknow.That’s why I find them so interesting. There’s no pretense, unlike people.” I scratch the kitty under his chin and he starts a rumbling purr.
Maybe my words came out sounding a little bitter, but I’m still reeling from being swept into Duncan’s arms and kissed. What the hell is he doing? And now I’m here with him in this inn, spending even more time with the big, gorgeous guy who frazzles my brain.
If I was in any doubt that the sizzling chemistry from our night together between us was a figment of my imagination, then Duncan’s kiss swept all that away. I’ve been aching for him to touch me, but at the same time I don’t know whether I can trust him or not. Did that one night together make him think I’m some kind of escort service, as well as a PA? Is that why he hired me? Is he being nice to me for that reason alone?
“Can you tell what star sign that cat is?” Duncan pours two glasses of cognac from the drinks table. I’m going to have to fake drinking it or spill it or something.
“Well, he’s a little languid and lion-like. But regal at the same time. Probably a Leo.” The cat squints his eyes tight in delight as I scratch around his ears.
“I see. Have you had any thoughts about how I can build up poor Otto’s self esteem? Does his star sign give you any clues?” He hands me a crystal glass and sits down opposite me, leaning forward.
“I tend to use the signs as more of an overview. You could have the most confident Aries-born animal in the world, but if they’re badly treated it doesn’t matter. Their sign might help me understand their route back to feeling better, though.” I swirl the liquid around the glass to avoid drinking it.
“And Otto’s sign helps you with that?” His gaze is so focused on me that I can’t look away. My heart is beating faster in my chest at how close he is.
“He needs to know you won’t abandon him. Get down on his level. Take him around with you. Talk to him all the time.”
