Chapter 3

Carter

8.56pm

I lie on my side, eyes on Brooke’s exposed shoulders and wonder whether what we just did was either the best idea in the world or the worst.

Brooke is still breathing hard as I run my fingers over her curves. She releases a sigh as she looks me in the eye. “This was…uh…unexpected.”

I can’t help but chuckle as she snuggles closer. She’s shivering a little, so I grab the covers from where they’re bunched behind me and cover us up. “Do you regret it?” I ask her.

Her brow knots and her lip catches in her teeth. “It’s a small town. People will find out you stayed here, and you know—”

I squeeze her tighter and finish her sentence. “And you’re worried about the gossip?”

She nods, eyes narrowing. “Aren’t you?”

I wish I could answer no. But I’ve spent months cultivating the mask of a burnt-out man just looking to escape the rat race in the city.

The lie has given me access into places I wouldn’t be able to go. It got me a job, and even though most of it is bullshit, the façade of respectability is what helps me stay in the background.

I run a hand through her hair and kiss her softly. “We don’t need to think about any of that shit now. Let’s just enjoy the time we have.”

I emphasize my point by kissing her neck and wrapping my arms around her. Her skin rises as I kiss her earlobe until she’s giggling. “Do I get that piece of pie now?”

Her lips twitch into a teasing smile. “It depends.”

I run my hand over her ass, tracing circles over her smooth skin. “On what?”

Brooke reaches over and runs her fingernails over my stubble. “On whether you take a look at the boiler like you promised.”

I kiss her again, this time I roll on top of her, liking the way she moans a little. “Yeah, alright. A promise is a promise.”

She kisses me back hard enough to make me consider staying in bed with her a little longer.

But as hot as she is, I’m not superman, and a little trip downstairs to go check out the boiler, might give me enough recovery time.

I roll off her, smothering a satisfied smile at the tangle her hair is in and the way her eyes are roaming over my body.

I never cared much about my physique or the effect it had on women before. But seeing the lust growing on Brooke’s face as she licks her lip, makes the hours in my make-shift garage gym worth it.

As if she’s reading my thoughts, she pulls herself to sitting and hugs the blankets to her while I find my jeans. “How much work does it take to look like that?”

I chuckle and shake my head. “Way too much.”

I keep my answer vague for a couple of reasons. One I don’t want her to think I’m vain, two I can’t be honest about why I need so much muscle.

I find the rest of my clothes and start to shrug them on. Brooke pulls herself out of bed, stretching and giving me an excellent view of why I need to repeat this little mistake again.

She’s shivering as she grabs a robe and wraps it around herself, hiding the curves, and tits I’m looking forward to enjoying again.

I pull on my boots and grab her for one last kiss before I descend to the depths of the house. She moans into my mouth, making my cock tingle as I grab her ass.

She pulls away, breathless looking incredibly sexy in the fire and candlelight, but she’s all business when she jerks her shoulders back. “You’ll need some light.”

I keep my eyes on her as she opens her top drawer and pulls out an old flashlight.

Brooke places it in my hand, and my fingers close over hers as I narrow my eyes. “I may be a while.”

Her lips flick upwards; then she dips her chin so she’s looking at me through her lashes. “I’ll go wait in the kitchen. You want anything else with the pie?”

I think about the table in the kitchen and wonder how much weight it can hold. “Yeah. Maybe put some coffee on. I might be at it all night.”

Her chest starts to rise and fall way too quickly as she purses her lips. “Good, I want to utilize your handyman skills thoroughly while I have you here,” she says.

With a smirk, I switch on the flashlight and take her hand in mine as we navigate the staircase.

When we get to the kitchen again, I kiss her thoroughly, leaving me a little hard and her a little out of breath.

She stumbles back, her eyes locked on me as I head back out the door. I whistle as I find the basement door, feeling stupidly happy for the first time since arriving here.

I run my hand down the dusty handrail as I clomp down the stairs towards where the mammoth and ancient boiler sits idle.

The basement is filled with junk. But there’s a newish looking generator complete with fuel, tools, and ample extra firewood plus a few sacks of coal.

Andy said Brooke’s aunt was the town nut job when she was alive but also tough as boots, and from what I’ve seen, she was smart enough to prepare for the worst winter can offer.

I check the gas bottles are still okay, check the valves, and the pipework. When everything looks as fine as the shitty light shows me, I take a look at the thermostat and know that’s likely her problem.

I can’t do anything about it right now. But even the idea that I can fix something for her, even something as small as this, makes unfamiliar warmth spread in my chest.

I stop at the bottom of the stairs, staring upward as I try to swallow a monumental truth I’m not sure I want to admit.

This was what I always wanted. This is why I moved out here. The opportunity to be an everyday guy in a normal, safe and ordinary town.

Without intending to, I’ve found a woman I’d happily settle down with in a house I’d be happy to fix up.

I blow out a breath and curse as I take a seat on the stairs and switch out the light.

I stare into the darkness and try to think my way out of this. But there’s no way out. After the town gossips get wind of this, things are going to get messy.

I’m wracked with shivers when my feet find their way upstairs again. I don’t switch on the flashlight as I head back to the kitchen.

I work my jaw as I walk towards the smell of coffee. I have to end this. I have to tell her I’m not looking for a relationship with her or anyone else.

No matter how much I want to sleep with her again. I need to accept it was a one-time thing.

I push the door open and expect to find her sitting, drinking coffee, but the kitchen is empty, save a note on the table.

I frown as I grab it and read her scrawling handwriting.

Got tired of waiting. Taking a bath. Come join me?

I stare at the note for a couple seconds. Blink twice then exhale way too loudly as I start conjuring up mental images.

Whatever resolve my brain had about making this a one-time occurrence, my cock seems to have other ideas.

The kitchen is so dimly lit, I can make out the snow still blowing a gale outside.

There’s no way this is going to clear by morning. No way I’m getting out of here anytime soon.

My lips curl into a shallow smile as I grab the pie still sitting on the table.

I’m stuck here with a beautiful woman who wants me as much as I want her.

To hell with the consequences. I may as well make the most of this while I can.

***

Brooke

12.14am

I sink into the warm water, swirling my hand dreamily as the bubbles float on top of the water.

Candlelight reflects off the broken tiles, making me frown as I think of how much it will cost to fix it.

I exhale, annoyed at myself for spoiling the afterglow of incredible sex and take another sip of the wine I brought up with me.

I have no idea how much time has passed since Carter went to the basement. I gave up after thirty minutes and came upstairs to keep the fire going.

I close my eyes, and think about Carter’s rough hands on my body, the way he uses his tongue in my mouth, on my nipples…

I’m starting to get turned on when I hear his footsteps. I open my eyes and find him leaning in the doorway, buck naked, eating the pie out of the dish with a fork.

I inhale sharply as he keeps eating, slowly, savoring every bite while his eyes never leave where my breasts are peeping out of the bubbles.

Carter finishes his pie and steps inside the bathroom, never looking away as he places the pie on the washstand.

He grabs the chair and drags it closer before sitting on it. “Close your eyes.”

My heart starts to thump in my chest as I squeeze my eyes shut, breathing speeding as he moves closer.

His hand reaches between my legs as I feel his tongue run over my already erect nipples.

Heat blazes through my body as the sound of water splashing increases when he starts to rub faster.

His mouth leaves my nipples, and he kisses me with enough tongue that lets me know he’s as aroused as I am.

I lace my fingers around his neck, pulling him closer until he’s half in the bath.

My back arches, legs spreader even wider as I start to climax. The water tickles as shudders of pleasure ripple through me.

He leans over me as I try to find my breath again and find him grinning at me. “Shift that sweet ass of yours. I’m getting in.”

Heart in my throat, I shift back, glad the cast iron bath is six feet and wide enough to accommodate us both.

When he stands, I groan aloud at his hard cock. He steps into the water and sits down so the water splashes over the sides. “Come here.”

Skin tingling, core throbbing, I whimper as he grabs me around the waist so I’m forced to sit astride him.

When I feel how hard he is, and see lust clouding his face, I stop caring the water is dripping down the sides, and only care that I’m so wet I just want his cock in me again.

He pulls me down by the back of my neck and kisses me with hunger until I’m shaking from lust.

His fingers shift so he’s caressing the skin of my collarbone, then his fingers are on the swell of my breasts.

I hold my breath, drunk with desire as he thumbs my nipples with one hand and grabs my ass with the other.

I lean into him, my chest crushed against his as I slide his cock inside me for the second time that night.

The water amplifies the intensity as I start to slide up and down. He grabs my hips, kissing me, and telling me how beautiful I am as steam fills the room.

Water rushes over the sides, extinguishing one of the candles, knocking my wine glass over as he moves his hips in time with mine.

I scream and lean back so my hair is trailing in the water as another orgasm ripples through me.

He kisses me rough then makes his intention clear as my body stills. “Bedroom. Now.”

I rise as quickly as I can on shaky legs and let him grab a towel for us both. He rubs my body down, with such exquisite care and attention, I start to growl for him to hurry.

His eyes narrow as he dries himself quickly. He doesn’t say anything, just grabs me and throws me naked over his shoulder.

I slap his bare ass, half screaming half laughing as he carries me out of the bathroom and down the hallway to my bedroom.

He stops to kick the door shut then bends so he can lie me down in front of the fire.

The fire spits and crackles as he lies on top of me, his weight pressing my spine into the worn sheepskin rug.

I wrap my arms around him, kissing him, feeling how strong he is, how solid his body is, and how masculine he is.

He stops kissing me only to pull back and beckon to me with his finger. I arch an eyebrow as he lies down and grins. “Spin around so I can see your ass.”

My smile is sly as I back onto him and slide over his cock. His hands are on my ass immediately as I lean over so he has a view as I ride him backward.

His moans of pleasure mingle with mine as I find my rhythm. His voice is a panting gasp when he tells me to lean back.

Carter’s hands roam over my breasts, over my bush, until my skin is tingling from his touch.

We break apart, and he pushes me up so I’m on all fours, my legs apart as he slides back inside.

With a rush of air he starts to pump. With every thrust, I can feel myself getting closer to another mind-blowing orgasm.

When I’m making animal sounds, he pulls out in a hurry and turns me over. His tongue finishes the job his cock started and I’m a writhing mess by the time he’s in me again.

He pounds me harder as I grab his ass cheeks until another orgasm resounds through me making me scream in unbridled pleasure.

“Oh shit, oh shit, fuck, Carter, Oh shit, you’re incredible. Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t—”

He kisses away the last of my pleas before he starts to pump furiously. He leans back a little; his mouth open wide, eyes closed as his face contorts in pleasure.

“I’m coming; I’m coming.”

He explodes inside me and keeps pumping as I grip him tighter. He stays on top of me, breathing fast, sweat making his back clammy as I try to breathe.

Tears sting at my eyes and I swipe them away before he can see.

I don’t want to even think about why I’m crying right now.

I can’t think it’s because I’ve never had anything even remotely close to this level of pleasure in my life.

I won’t for a minute pretend this is more than sexual chemistry.

He’s just here because he has to be. That’s all this is.

The tears are almost gone when he lies beside me again. The fire carries on dancing as the wind blows down the chimney making sparks jump around.

That’s all this is. A spark fanned by weather and circumstance. Whatever this is, whatever I wish it could be, can’t possibly live on once the fire burns out.