Backroads Read online

  “Oh come on, Princess. I was coming to see if you wanted any help. Then you went and backed into me.” The blush spreads, and I know she’s getting upset with me.

  She opens her mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. We stand almost nose to nose, and I notice her dark brown eyes have a lighter auburn on the outside.

  Reaching a hand out to my chest, she pushes me to take a step back and shakes her head slightly. “What the hell?” She really does seem angry now.

  I back up a step. I really don’t know what that was. What am I doing here—with her? I don’t play games. I don’t act like this.

  With her though, I’m having difficulties being my usual self.

  Trying to get a grip on how she makes me feel, I look at her vehicle and the box in her arms. “Bringing your stuff in?”

  She answers me with a glare.

  I grab the box out of her hands. “Here, let me help you.” I smile, hoping to get one in return.

  I don’t.

  She turns and grabs another box without a glance at me and stalks off.

  I follow her inside, watching the way her hips rock back and forth with every step. I’m so transfixed by her, I don’t notice the room she is headed to until she opens the door.

  “Oooftah! She put you in the Pink Room.” I can almost taste the sweetness in here. I set the box down on the bed and glance around. I’ve been in here before, but it’s been a while.

  She sighs, finally regaining her composure. “I guess so. I haven’t had a chance to check out all the rooms, but I hope they don’t all look like this. As beautiful as this place is on the outside, this room alone would have me searching for the nearest hotel room for the night.”

  I laugh, knowing I would do the same. “No, Linda’s decorating days stopped when she hired Beth. There are several rooms decorated just as bad, but once Beth started, she took over decorating. They’re now just as homey as the rest of the cabin.”

  I cross the room and look in the bathroom. All pink. “Some have themes like the Lighthouse Room on the third floor. Though it’s more of a reading nook. It overlooks the river and has a working light that acts as a lighthouse light when turned on.” I like the way her eyes light up when I mention it. “That part was my idea. There’s a few others, but I don’t make it down these hallways unless I need to fix or move something. Beth assures me none are as gruesome as this one though.”

  She sets her box down, and I watch her dab at her damp skin. “I didn’t know there was a third floor.”

  “Oh, there isn’t really. Just the attic and the one room. I think Linda wanted the Lighthouse Room for herself. She says she reads up there. It’s also pretty at night. That’s the only time I’ve gone up there. You look up and see nothing but stars for as far as the eye can see, and the view over the water is calming.”

  I realize the minute I stop talking how romantic I painted the whole scene. The look on her face says she likes it. I can see us together under the stars looking out over the water.

  The more I think about it, the more I like the idea.

  The silence between us grows heavy. I can’t tear my eyes from hers. Does she feel it too?

  She suddenly turns back to the door. “I have a few more boxes to grab. If you want to help.”

  “I’m right behind you, Princess.”

  She turns to face me. “What’s up with the nickname?”

  I smile. “You showed up here in a skirt and heels. Princess seemed fitting. Don’t you like it?”

  “No,” she responds, turning again to head outside.

  There’s no denying I like her. She’s gorgeous. Guarded. And I like getting a rise out of her.

  My mind is made up. Now all I have to do is convince her.

  What the fuck was that?

  One conversation about sitting under the stars and I can’t stop picturing us there together. The temperature of the room felt like it changed when he talked about it, looking at me like he was thinking the same thing.

  I glance behind me to see if he is following. His beautiful face is still staring at me with that smug smirk on it, scruffy beard and all.

  Why am I reacting this way? Attractive or not the way he looks at me, like he already has me, should be enough to turn me off.

  “Get a grip on yourself, Holly,” I scold myself internally.

  I grab another box from the car, then try to give him my best scowl of disapproval, needing him to stop looking at me the way he is.

  It’s obvious from his cocky attitude that he thought I would just bend over and let him have his way with me. He’s nothing but an arrogant manwhore. I don’t need another fucked-up man in my life. I’m still coming to grips with what the last man in my life left me with. Nothing good has come from me trusting a man. As hot as Chase is, nothing good could possibly come from him.

  Two weeks ago, I thought I was on a path that would lead to a promotion at work and a marriage in my future. Today I’m moving into my aunt’s for who knows how long. All because I trusted a man in my life.

  Was all that really two weeks ago? My gut churns at the memories.

  This will be my fresh start. Time for me to figure out what Holly wants to do with her life. I’ve let my mother and my relationships dictate how I’m going to live my life for too long. Now I want to figure out things on my own.

  Glancing over my shoulder, I catch him looking at my ass as we walk through the great-room area. That’s right, you can look all you want, but that’s all you’re getting, I think to myself.

  The smirk under his beard and the look in his blue eyes has me gripping the box in my arms tighter. Why does he have to be so damn good-looking? And tall—god, he is tall. His beard has me wondering if he leaves beard burn not only while kissing, but if he kisses other parts of my body...

  Damn those traitorous thoughts. Focus, Holly.

  I peel my eyes away from him and try to control my facial features so I don’t give anything away.

  “Um, thanks for helping. I only have a few more boxes, if you have other things to do.”

  I watch him set the box in his arms down, trying not to notice how his muscles flex and move.

  “Helping you is what I have to do right now.” His voice does things to me, especially when he looks at me like that while talking.

  I can only nod at him before I head back outside.

  We both take several trips till the car is empty.

  “Need any more help?” he asks, pulling on the bottom of his shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

  Dear sweet baby Jesus.

  My eyes linger on his abs, following the happy trail of hair that disappears into his waistband. Tearing my eyes from him, I call out behind me. “I’m going to go find a box cutter.”

  I quickly walk back to the kitchen and throw the door open to find something to drink. Water will do. I have to be dehydrated the way my pulse is racing, and I can’t seem to get a handle on my breathing.

  That man needs to come with a warning label: Too hot to handle.

  I finish the water and grab a knife to open the boxes.

  I take a deep breath before I enter my room again, hoping he is gone.

  He’s not. He’s standing over one of my boxes, sifting through whatever’s inside. Before I can tell him how rude it is to dig through my stuff, I hear a noise deep in his chest that sounds like a growl. I take another step into the room to see what he is doing.

  “Oh my god! Put that down!” I yell at him.

  Chase’s eyes widen in panic from being caught. He’s standing with my vibrator under his nose like he’s sniffing it.

  “It’s not what it looks like,” he stammers, dropping the vibrator back in the box.

  Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

  Great. Dropping it turned it on.

  His eyes dart to the box again, and his hand dives inside. He retrieves the vibrator and starts pressing buttons, which only turns up the vibrations. “Shit, how do you turn it off?” he mumbles, fumbling it around in his h
ands.

  Snatching it from him, I quickly hit the Off button and hide it behind my back.

  We stare each other down, breathing heavily.

  “It wasn’t what it looked like... I mean, I didn’t mean to...”

  Taking a breath, I say, “It looked like you were sniffing my vibrator.”

  He just blinks at me, arms frozen in front of him.

  “Nothing to say?” I ask.

  He looks down, and my eyes follow to where his are now glued. Somehow he’s ended up with one of my thongs caught on his finger.

  Delicately unfolding it between his hands, he looks back and forth to me and my underwear. “Please tell me you wear these every day,” he whispers, his eyes darkening.

  Heat overtakes my body as a blush creeps up from my chest. I fold my arms, forgetting what is still in my hand.

  A smug smile plays at the corner of his lips. “We have some good news, Princess,” he says, glancing at my vibrator. “It’s big, but I’m bigger.”

  He did not just say that to me.

  Recovering from the situation, I throw the vibrator back in the box and swiftly nab my panties from his hands. “Are you always this forward with women? How many times have women slapped or kicked you in the balls?” The question I really want to ask is how many times does it work, but I don’t want to hear the real answer.

  His smile disappears, but he doesn’t pull his eyes from mine. “I won’t lie to you. I’m normally not this forward. Ever. It’s you. You’re bringing this side of me out.”

  Letting out a breath of frustration, I clench my fingers at my side. I need to be here right now, and from what Linda’s already told me, she needs Chase to work here also. Maybe he’s just trying to get me riled up. It’s working, but he can’t talk to me this way. Are all men assholes? Or just the ones that seem to be interested in me? The moment you get to know them, the more selfish and self-centered you realize they really are. Flashes of my ex, Daniel, come to mind.

  There. I’ll just think of Daniel and my hatred for him. I just have to remember men aren’t worth it. I can do this.

  I attempt to put my game face on and say, “I’m here to help Linda. I need you to get that straight. I don’t want things to be difficult between us. I also don’t want to have to go and tell her that the guy she thinks so highly of is just a sexist pig that probably gets in the pants of every one of her guests. Let’s work here together, okay?” I even nod at the end of my statement and cross my arms as though that will get my point across further.

  He stalks closer to me, and his face is a mix of emotions. “I’d like to make one thing very clear. I have never, and I mean never, said one inappropriate thing to a guest of hers let alone sleep with any of them. The only person I have ever been this inappropriate with is you. Crap, that didn’t come out right. Well, it did, but dammit.” He stops talking and runs a hand through his hair, smiling and shaking his head. “Okay, I agree I’ve been slightly inappropriate around you. God, I can’t seem to think straight around you.”

  “Slightly inappropriate?” I mock.

  “Okay, a lot. You’re right. I’m sorry. I think you’re sexy as hell, and I don’t know what’s wrong with me. That’s not a lie or line I’m using on you.” He steps back, tying his hair in a pony. I hate myself for watching the muscles on his arm move during the simple act.

  With his hair pulled back from his face, his blue eyes pop even more. He looks even hotter.

  But wait— “You’re gay though.”

  “What?”

  “I was told you were gay.” Linda’s words replay in my mind.

  He starts laughing. “I can assure you I’m not gay.”

  “No,” I say quietly. “No. No. No!” The louder I say it, the more I try to convince myself he is.

  He takes a step forward. “Let me take you out and prove to you I’m not,” he says confidently.

  My body heats thinking about what he would prove. Is he really bigger... wait... “No!” I must remain strong. “Nothing is going to happen between you and me.”

  “What if I want something between you and me?” he says completely serious.

  He stares me down, chewing on his bottom lip. It’s as though he’s trying to pick the right words to say.

  “I’m going to be honest with you, because I don’t like games.” He pauses for my acknowledgment. “I’m attracted to you—so bad I can’t seem to control the shit I say and do. I haven’t wanted anyone for a very long time. Nor have I been with anyone in a long time. I’m going to make a deal with you. I’ll wait till you finally admit you want me too.”

  My mouth has gone dry, and my breathing is erratic.

  Who is this man?

  He walks to the door before turning around. “I’ll see what Linda’s plan is for you helping out. If you need any more help with your things, let me know.”

  I still can’t talk.

  A smile slowly appears on his lips. “I’ll see you again soon, Princess.”

  He closes the door behind him with a smile that keeps my heart racing well after his departure. I’m baffled as to what just happened between us.

  My cell phone rings, breaking me from my spell. After locating it under a box, I smile when I see who’s calling. “Hello, stranger.”

  “Hello to you! I feel like we’ve been playing phone hockey for over a month. Please tell me you made it to Mom’s,” Alexis says in a rush.

  “I made it. This place is insane. I wasn’t prepared for everything.” I think of Chase while I put some of my clothes in the closet.

  “Sadly I haven’t been there in a while, not since she got the lodge completed. I was there for a weekend during its construction, when she was still in her cabin. That was... a while ago. Not since then though. My schedule hasn’t allowed it. I’m supposed to have some time off soon, and I think you should come stay with me that week in Nashville. We need some proper time to catch up.”

  “We’ll see. I have no idea what your mom is going have me doing. Do you know she has one of the hottest guys ever working for her?”

  “Charlie?”

  “I haven’t met Charlie or Lee yet. Is he hot too? No, I’m talking about Chase. Alex... I just. Wow.” I sigh and sit on the edge of my bed, thinking about him.

  Alexis laughs in my ear. “Leave it to my mom the nun to be surrounded by good-looking men. And yes... Charlie is hot too.”

  I perk up at my cousin’s admittance of being attracted to a guy. “Is there something I should know about him?” I ask, grinning into the phone and feeling like I used to when we were younger.

  “No. Well... no. I made a bit of a fool of myself, but that’s all. You know me. This stupid fame along with me not knowing how to talk to boys. Anyway—” She changes the subject quickly. “—do you think you’ll come stay with me?”

  There is definitely more to that story. I make a mental note to feel out this Charlie and to give her the third degree when I see her in Nashville.

  “I’ll talk to your mom and let her know you want me to. I can’t promise anything right now. It’s so good to hear your voice though.”

  My cousin and I talk for a while longer. I tell her about my fiasco of a drive out here, but I don’t get to tell her the rest before she has to go. With promises of talking soon, we hang up. Alexis has been the one constant person in my life. We can go forever without talking and pick up right where we left off. No matter how famous she gets, she will always be my cousin—more like a sister than a cousin.

  I can’t wait to meet this Charlie now.

  Going through my boxes, my phone chimes with a text. It’s from an unknown number. Reading the text, I know exactly who it’s from.

  You still have something of mine.

  The things that happened with Chase earlier had me all sorts of flustered. He smelled my vibrator for fuck’s sake.

  Scared it might actually smell, I sniffed it myself after he left. To my relief I didn’t notice anything but what I assumed a plastic vibrator should smell
like—plastic.

  I still can’t believe Linda thought he was gay. I wasn’t getting any Brokeback Mountain vibes from him. Damn, that has me wondering if he ever wears a cowboy hat and how good he might look in it.

  I have to keep things professional here. I messed up at my last job when I got involved with a coworker.

  I spend a couple of hours unpacking my things and getting everything I can squared away. It looks like I’ll be wearing these cowboy boots most of the time and the clothes Linda gave me until I can go shopping. It feels silly to put away my skirts and dresses knowing I won’t have any reason to wear them here, or the heels I’ve lined up on the closet floor.

  I join my aunt and several of her guests for supper. There is a long pine table that has been stained to match the walls of the log cabin as though it were a part of the house itself. I enjoy watching my aunt play the hostess. Hearing her guests ask her questions about the ranch makes me realize I missed out on a lot these last couple of years. It makes me realize how wrapped up in my own life I was.

  Two ladies from down south start asking questions about Chase, and I feel myself bristle slightly. I have to remind myself there won’t be anything between us and he can do whatever he wants with whomever he wants.

  For some reason though, I hate that they’re asking questions about him. One mention of his tight pants and I find myself throwing daggers with my eyes at them. I know exactly how tight those pants are.

  I make the excuse of being tired from my travels and say good night, then head to bed. I can’t stand listening to them giggle about him anymore.

  There is no way I’m going to keep my mind off him if I stay at the table.

  When I get to my room, I can’t help but feel nauseous from the color surrounding me. I open the blinds to see what my view is like.

  Of course, my view is of a shirtless Chase sitting on his front swing drinking a beer on his porch only a hundred feet away.

  Without his mouth getting in the way, there is so much to appreciate about his appearance.