Stranded but not Alone (Midnight Moanings Collection) by Cora Blu Read Free Book Online Page B

back from the bathroom, he wanted to jump under the covers and stay there for the rest of the day. She looked so damn soft, skin flushed from sleep. He was screwed. He had to step away from her.
    He quickly pulled on his boots and jacket. “I think I’ll check around outside while it’s still early… see what tracks, if any, are out there,” he stuttered, fumbling with the zipper on his jacket. “You stay in here keep warm.” Hands slipping on the doorknob, he caught the soft smile at the corner of Simone’s lips as she watched him fight with the door. Stepping outside, the cold air was just what he needed. He’d breathed her scent in all night while listening to her soft moans as she slept curled under his chin. What would he do with a woman like her? He knew what he couldn’t do and that was give her a child. He didn’t miss the longing in her eyes for a baby. Stepping over downed branches, he realized the best thing for him was to enjoy her company but get her back to America. 
    The ground appeared mushy in some places and half-frozen in others. It was time to leave.
    “Well,” Simone said, holding a cup of coffee when he came through the front door. “I left it black for you. There’s sugar on the counter,” she said before sipping from her own cup.
    “Thanks.” Accepting the cup, he drank it black. “It’s pretty bad out there as far as hiking goes. The snow is turning into rain now. One of us is bound to slip if we try going down the mountain in this muck. Our only shot is to go up. We’ll hit hiking trails. They’ll be easier to manage.”
    “Let me brush my teeth and change my clothes. Then I’ll be ready to go.”
    “You’re being a good sport about all this, Simone. I appreciate it.”
    “Come on. I have some almonds and granola to go with that coffee.”
     
    ~~~
     
    The rain in the mountain fell in torrents that day and held the two of them hostage to its effects. There was no way to get up or down the mountain without some sort of hiking equipment. Simone found the more she let her guard down with Seth, the more she liked him. However, finding out he lived in London was disappointing. She knew she would never see him again after she got on the plane. Which she should’ve been fine with, but something was happening between them. 
    “You know, Seth, finding your brother could turn out nice. You might have a sister in-law and some nieces or nephews.”
    “He’s not married and works in finance down in the city. I also found out that he helps out up here at his family’s hiking cabin.”
    A scratching noise outside stopped the conversation.
    “Close the stove door. I’m going out.” He tucked his knife in the sheath at his hip. If I whistle, sneak outside and hide in the woods behind the house. I’ll meet you there when it is safe.”
    “Alone?” she barked, grabbing his arm and turning in to face him. “You’re going out there by yourself? What if there is more than one guy?”
    “I’m certain there is,” he said as if that explained everything.
    She angled her body along his, her hand on his abs, and held his stare. “Are you crazy? You don’t know what or who is out there.”
    “Only one way to find out,” he said.
    Simone wanted to pull his face to hers and kiss that arrogant smug off his mouth. She was starting to really like him and now he wanted to play tough guy. No fighting a military man she knew from listening to her mother give in on things her father refused to budge on.
    “Don’t be a hero out there,” she warned him, letting her fingers trail off his sweater, tugging as she went. “I’ll pack our things.”
    “Grab a few knives out the drawer in case we need them,” he told her and left her standing there as he crept out the door.
    Going through the one drawer under the counter, Simone grabbed three butter knives, a dull steak knife, and four forks. She thought about it for a minute then snagged the spoons too—never know what you might need.