A Catamount Christmas

Chapter 4-1

4

Chloe sat down on her hotel bed and looked around the room. The inn where Dane had brought her was cozy and luxurious. He’d refused to let her pay. After almost six months of hiking and camping, the quick hot shower she’d taken earlier had been sheer heaven. She decided a bath was in order. Dane had shown her how to remove the air brace, so she carefully removed it while waiting for the tub to fill. The scrapes on her leg were sore, but she was tired, worn out and wanted the comfort of a long bath.

Dane’s questions about her plans had made her wonder what she was going to do. She’d been truthful when she’d told him she didn’t have any plans, but now that she was face to face with what it meant, part of her was terrified. She’d hoped the sense of accomplishment she felt from finishing the Appalachian Trail would buoy her onto whatever would happen next in her life. Somehow, ending her hike with a sprained ankle fizzled those dreams. Strangely though, she felt a sense of fate when Dane had found her in the cave last night.

When he’d told her he wanted to kiss her, Chloe’s heart beat to the resonance he evoked. And then there was the kiss, which pretty much blew her mind. She couldn’t even think about it without blushing, and all they’d done was kiss. With a shake of her head, she stood and limped to the bathroom.

Moments later, she carefully climbed into the tub, keeping her ankle propped up on the side. The hot water relaxed her. Resting her head against the edge of the tub, Dane filled her thoughts. When she was near him, there was a constant current between them. It went beyond mere attraction. After her engagement was in shambles, Chloe had wondered if she’d ever trust again. Though her mind resisted, her heart completely trusted Dane. And if her body had any say in the matter, well, she’d never have hesitated at his offer to stay with him. Her mind had to raise its voice to be heard in that little internal disagreement. Just thinking about his smoky blue-gray eyes and the feel of his lips on hers and heat unfurled in her body. Her hand unconsciously toyed with her n*****s, imagining Dane’s hands there.

The aftermath of her engagement falling apart and months of hiking had taken her to a chaste place, which she’d needed for a while. But now, Dane’s touch had flicked a switch. She was hot and bothered—all by herself in the bathtub. She slid a hand down her abdomen and into her moist folds. She was swollen with desire. Teasing herself, all she could think about was Dane. She abruptly sat up. She was so close to the edge, but she didn’t want to tumble over by herself.

Swearing at how slowly she had to move, she got out of the tub and dried off. Tugging her phone out of her purse, she opened her contacts. She’d added Dane’s number earlier today after he dropped her off.

Swatting her rational thoughts away, she called him. He picked up on the second ring.

“Hey Chloe, is everything okay?”

The sound of his low voice amped up the desire humming through her. “I want to see you,” she said, her voice raspy.

“Give me ten minutes and I’ll be there,” Dane said swiftly. Before she could reply, he hung up.

She sat on the bed wondering what the hell she was thinking. She’d met him in the dark in a cave in the middle of the woods. She knew almost nothing about him, other than that he was a doctor, he had a sister, and he lived in Catamount. Everything she felt didn’t make sense. She felt as if she’d known him for years. Her heart hammered against her ribs, anticipation fluttering in her veins.