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  * * * *

  Tilting her head so she could see him through her hair, Aspen froze at the sentiment in his gaze. His eyes never wavered from hers and she could see him waiting for her response. The white of his shirt contrasted beautifully with the tan of his skin.

  “I was thinking over there.” She pointed to a space that she had picked.

  “By the window—I think that would be a great choice.” He held out his hand for the stand and allowed his fingers to graze over hers as he took it from her. Then he rose to his full height and walked over and set it down.

  Within fifteen minutes, Colt had put up her tree for her and Aspen was placing the crushed velvet skirt around the base. She had pulled out her decoration boxes and was ready to decorate.

  “Well, what do you think?” Colt asked

  Stepping back to stand beside him, Aspen grinned. “Perfect. Thank you.”

  Tipping his head down to look at the woman beside him, Colton smiled. “You’re welcome,” he said softly. Caught up in the moment, Aspen looked up at him and the second their gazes met, passion flared in both of them. For a moment they stood like that, staring at each other. The second Colt made a move toward her Aspen backed away with an embarrassed flush covering her face.

  Colt licked his lips before drinking some more coffee. “Do you want some help decorating?”

  “I’m not going to do that until later. I have a date to keep and then go get some groceries in town. I want to stock up on a few more things before this weather gets even worse.”

  “A date?” he inquired as he watched Aspen’s reaction like a hawk.

  A sad smile filled her face. “Yes. And I really need to get going.”

  “Okay, I have some things to do as well.” Aspen walked him to the door and as she began to open it, he placed the palm of his hand on it, preventing her from doing so. “Aspen, this discussion isn’t over. We are going to get through this.”

  “I don’t see what is so important about rehashing the past. If it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer not to,” she admitted.

  “Because we can’t move on until you hear and accept the truth of that night.” He blinked those sinful lashes at her and slipped out the door, leaving her even more confused and conflicted.

  * * * *

  Standing in the grocery store, Aspen picked out some more items that she felt like having. Her cart was already full, but she kept adding more to it. She couldn’t focus on anything other than Colt’s final words to her this morning.

  “Hey, Aspen,” a male voice broke in.

  Glancing up, a smile crossed her face as she looked upon the cheerful face of Nick, one of the men who did odd jobs around town. “Hey, Nick. How are you doing?”

  “Good. You?” He grinned at her, showing stained teeth through his beard.

  “Fine, just fine.” Gesturing to her cart she added, “Stocking up.”

  “Smart woman. We are in for a nasty storm.” Nick nodded sagely.

  “You take care of yourself, okay?” She patted him on the arm.

  “Always do darlin’, I always do. You, too.” He winked at her and was gone in the next second.

  Going around the corner, Aspen found herself facing a group of folks that she hadn’t liked even when they were in school. Apparently twenty years didn’t change her opinion. Still, she smiled as she passed them.

  Laughter at her back made her stiffen. Determined to ignore them, Aspen turned to walk the other direction. A low voice sneered nastily, “I still think it’s funny the only way she could get a kiss was as a result of a damn dare.” Her feet wouldn’t take her any further. Brown fire raged in her eyes as she turned toward them. The five people shut their mouths and before Aspen could say a word, the male voice from her dreams became reality beside her.

  Colt Larkin. His presence swamped her, making her shiver.

  “Hey, guys,” he said to the group. Then he focused his attention on the woman next to him. With one index finger, he brought her face around. Her eyes lost their fire and filled with uncertainty. “What time do you want me to come over and help trim your tree?”

  Aspen couldn’t speak. If she didn’t know better, she would say he was trying to help her. “I don’t know,” she mumbled.

  Leaning in close, he looked over her head and into the cart. Whispering in her ear, “Eight.”

  “Eight?” she barely managed to get out.

  “Sounds great.” He moved away from her body, his hand lingering along her back. “By the way, thanks for a wonderful breakfast this morning.” He winked at her and glared at the dumbfounded people watching them before walking off.

  Aspen was mortified. Not that the first rumor wasn’t bad enough, now this one would be circling around town. Livid, she stormed off after him, “Colt!” she yelled at his retreating back.

  With effortless movement, he turned back around. “Yes, Aspen?”

  She stomped over to him, leaving her cart behind along with the knowledge that they had an audience. “What the hell were you thinking, telling me ‘thank you’ for breakfast this morning?”

  A gleam grew in his eyes that made her think of the devil-may-care attitude he had in high school, when he did what he wanted to get what he wanted. “So, I shouldn’t have thanked you for breakfast, then? And, afterward, in the living room?”

  “That is not what I meant. I don’t see the need to tell people.” She didn’t see the astonished looks from the town’s members.

  “But it was six-thirty this morning. I didn’t want you to think I forgot.”

  Fuming, Aspen actually stomped her foot in frustration. “Ohh, it isn’t anyone’s business that you were there. So kindly keep that to yourself from now on.”

  “Like you are doing, right now?”

  Realization crashed in. “You…you can rot in hell for all I care!” Aspen shouted, as she grabbed her cart and shoved it up to the line.

  Her temper was still intense as she slogged through the snow to her car. Pressing the automatic start, she loaded everything in the trunk and put the cart in the appropriate place. Every person who looked at her, she stared down.

  This was going to get back to her parents. With a groan, Aspen slid onto the warmed leather seat. “I can’t believe I stomped my foot like a child.” She pounded her hands on the steering wheel. “God, he still makes me act like a kid.”

  Closing her eyes, she inhaled and exhaled deeply. Once again in control of her emotions, Aspen began the drive home. Nick had been right, the weather was getting worse. She didn’t think she would have made it if not for the all-wheel drive on her Subaru Outback.

  Safely in her house and the groceries put away, Aspen made herself some soup and grilled cheese. Redressed in flannel pajama bottoms and an old sweatshirt, she put her sandwich and soup on the end table and turned on some music to decorate the tree to.

  The house shook under the force of the winds that howled outside. Aspen was glad her brother had upgraded a lot of things in this house so it was sound and very warm.

  Looking out the window, Aspen shook her head. She wouldn’t be going anywhere for a while. At the rate the snow was falling, the plows wouldn’t be able to keep up. Oh well, at least the heavy snowfall represented a day’s reprieve from her parents asking questions about her behavior in the supermarket.

  Taking a bite of her grilled cheese, she almost fell over when the doorbell chimed. Swallowing her food, Aspen cautiously made her way to the door. For the second time in one day, she found herself facing Colt Larkin in her doorway.

  “You!” she hissed.

  “I did say I would be back.” He reached out and wiped a bit of tomato soup from her lip. “Let me in, it’s cold out here.”

  “Why would I care if it’s cold out there? Go home.”

  “We both know you care. Besides, I can’t go home. The roads are too bad.” He didn’t offer a flashy smile; he just stared at her solemnly.

  Groaning, Aspen stepped back. “Well, get in here then, I don’t want to
heat the outdoors.”

  “Thank you. It’s not just me.”

  Her eyes grew wide, “Are you telling me I kept your sister and nephew out in this?” she demanded, freaked out.

  “No. Not them. But still family, to me.”

  Black eyebrows met as she frowned. “And they would be?”

  “Valor and Duchess.”

  “Again, and they would be?”

  Two snow-covered streaks flew past her into the warmth of the house. Dogs. They shook, sending snow flying merrily all over. Then they headed for her sandwich and proceeded to eat it and the soup in its entirety.

  Grabbing Colt by his jacket, Aspen yanked him inside, slamming the door behind him. “What the hell are they doing inside my house?”

  He dropped his bag and whistled. Immediately the dogs came and sat beside him. “I couldn’t leave them at home, not with the threat of the weather turning. And since I promised you I would be back, I brought them with me.” As he looked at her, he seemed almost boyish, like a Norman Rockwell painting.

  “So you think I am going to let them stay in here?” she ground out. All she could see was dog hair in her home.

  The big black dog walked up to her and nudged her with his nose. He turned his body and leaned against her. Sitting beside her, he looked up at her with those dark chestnut eyes and wagged his tail.

  Colt was witness to the human melting in acceptance of a canine. Aspen literally softened her whole demeanor. “Okay, they can stay.” She pinned her gaze on him. “But you keep them away from my food. And you pick up after them.”

  “It’s a deal,” Colt said immediately.

  Aspen walked off to the kitchen, muttering about how now she needed to make herself more food, with the black dog right beside her. Colt took off his jacket then followed with Duchess.

  “If I didn’t know better,” Aspen said as he entered the kitchen, “I would think you had this whole thing planned.”

  “That is Valor, with you. And this little beauty is Duchess,” Colt said, petting the orange-and-white head. When Aspen looked at him he added, “I had to get you alone where there was nowhere for you to go.” His eyes began to heat up. “So I guess you could say I did. I did plan it.”

  Chapter Four

  Aspen’s body trembled. This was the only man with the power to turn her into a raving lunatic or a quivering mass of willing woman. Right now, she was the willing woman.

  Slapping the bread and cheese down on the countertop, she stomped through her house to pick up dirty dishes, courtesy of his two dogs. Colt blocked her way back into the kitchen.

  Arms crossed, he stood looking at her. “It bothers you that I’m here?” His words were quiet, but no less intense than any time he opened his mouth.

  “What bothers me, Mr. Larkin, is the fact you planned this.” She waved her hand around, “Whatever this happens to be.” Shoving past him into the kitchen to toss the dishes into the sink, Aspen continued, “So apparently you have something to tell me about that night. Go ahead.” Aspen sank onto a barstool.

  Colt faced her. Everything about her posture screamed dejection. Dropping his arms, he leaned across from her at the bar. “That night, Aspen, yes, I was dared to kiss you.” He noticed her hands shaking and covered them with his warm ones.

  “Not for the reason you heard.” His hands tightened on hers, drawing her gaze to his waiting one. “The color of your skin had nothing to do with it. Nothing at all. I swear it.”

  Aspen stared deep into his eyes, searching for truth. Finding what she sought in his stare, she nodded and said, “I believe you.” And she did.

  As if that was what she had needed to hear him say and have herself say in return for the past twenty years, Aspen felt relieved of that burden on her soul. Taking a deep breath, she removed her hands from under his and closed her eyes.

  When she opened them again, Colt was staring at her lips and there was burning desire in his eyes. Ignoring the pooling heat in her belly, she spoke again, “I guess I never realized how much anger that had caused me over the years.”

  Unnerved by the barely-controlled passion in his unrelenting stare, Aspen began to make them both some food.

  “If I had known that rumor was circling, I would have stopped it right away. Whoever said it was ignorant, jealous, or both,” Colt declared, watching her move around the kitchen. Each move she made was elegant and uniquely calming to his desolate soul.

  A shy smile was all she gave him, before turning her attention to the skillet and making them both grilled cheese. The soup she reheated.

  They ate at the table this time with the dogs at their feet. Colt kept watching her intently until she finally asked, “Why do you keep looking at me?”

  “Just admiring the all-grown-up Aspen. You’re really beautiful.”

  Aspen got up from the table. This was not what she wanted to discuss with Colt Larkin. Well, she did, but he wasn’t ever going to know that.

  Setting her dishes in the sink, she turned on the faucet and began to fill the basin with warm water. “Look, I think we can cut out the cutesy crap, we’re not kids,” Aspen said dryly. “Let’s just get along until you can leave and go back to your life and me to mine.”

  Two muscled arms settled around her, entrapping her with their sinewy strength. The sleeves on his shirt had been pushed back so she could make out each rippling tendon. Sweet Jesus, how come he is so strong? Aspen could feel the electricity pouring off his body as it molded to the contours of hers.

  “Believe me,” he rumbled in her ear, his warm breath spreading along her cheek. “There is no doubt in my mind...we are way past school age.”

  Eyes fluttering against the desire his voice evoked in her, Aspen prayed for strength. “Why are you doing this to me?” Her question was little more than a whisper.

  Nuzzling her hair, Colt inhaled the smell of wild berries that surrounded her. “What is it that I am doing to you, Aspen?” he spoke against her temple.

  Her body began to quake with need. “You…I…we…I…” Aspen stuttered.

  Pressing his hard form closer to her softer one, Colt reached around her and shut off the water that had been filling the sink to full capacity. Then he added some dish soap as well. “You, I, we…what about it?” He put the soap back in its designated spot as the smooth voice of Brian McKnight flowed through the house.

  Aspen had to lock her knees to keep from falling. She could feel her body’s wetness increase as each touch from Colt made her receptors cry out for one hundred times more. “I don’t know,” she admitted.

  His hands moved to her shoulders and down her arms to tug up her sleeves so they wouldn’t get wet. Ever so gently, he placed her hands in the water. “Temperature okay?” At her nod, he reached for the dishrag.

  Together, as one, they washed the dishes. Colt kept his fingers interspersed between hers as they scrubbed each dish. Sharing heat as outside, a storm raged. His body was pressed against Aspen’s so she could feel how hard he was, all over. He kept his firm lips upon her temple, stroking her soft skin.

  Each touch was a caress as he assisted her in washing, rinsing, and stacking the dishes. When they were finished, he pulled out the stopper and made sure to clean her hands and arms off of all remaining suds. Then he dried them with just as much tenderness.

  “Aspen,” he murmured, turning her to face him.

  * * * *

  Her eyes were like rich, dark butterscotch in the light. But they were soft and accepting. “Yes?”

  Like he had done twenty years ago under the mistletoe, Colt cupped her face in his hands. Hands which were more callused and rough than they had been before. His chiseled features lowered themselves to her as his mouth settled upon hers.

  At first it was just lips on lips. He nibbled on her full lips and relearned the shape and texture of her mouth. The second Aspen’s lips parted, his tongue was there to slip inside her mouth.

  He watched as her eyes flickered shut and his own followed suit. Slowly, as thou
gh not wanting to rush anything, he swept his tongue from side to side in her mouth. Colt caught her whimper and his skin prickled with anticipation. She tasted like grilled cheese and Aspen, a taste he hadn’t forgotten in twenty years.

  Aspen danced around his tongue with her own before she sucked it into her mouth. That suck was a jolt to Colt’s groin. He moaned and pressed closer to her body. Her back was against the counter and he spread his legs, settling her body between them. Powerful thighs rested against her and at the middle of them was a hard ridge that pressed against her belly.

  She moved her hands up the hardness of his torso to latch around his neck—to do what she had longed to do that fateful night. Her fingers slid into the silkiness of his hair, bringing him closer to her mouth.

  Ring. Ring. Ring. Her phone screamed to the house.

  They didn’t jump apart. Silver met brown as their eyes gradually opened. Colt drew back slowly, maintaining a hold on her lower lip for as long as he could. She stood there trapped between him and the counter, watching.

  “Maybe you should get your phone,” he suggested in a low tone. Her eyes conveyed her thoughts. “I’m not going anywhere, not this time.” Colt stepped away from her tempting body so she could get the phone.

  * * * *

  “Hello?” Aspen said in a husky voice, picking up the receiver, her back to the man who had kissed her senseless. “Yes, he is. Just a minute.” Looking at Colt, she handed him the receiver, “It’s for you. Lizzy.”

  As he took the phone, Aspen headed for her living room. Her whole body was alert to his presence and feel. She wanted nothing more than to go all the way with him, but she wasn’t going to give in and be another notch on his belt. There was no longer any reason to be angry with him for that long-ago night, but that didn’t mean she had to act like a slut.

  Kneeling before the numerous boxes, she opened one and moved back to sit on her black leather ottoman so she could go through the items inside. Valor gave a huge sigh as he stretched his large body out beside her foot. Absently rubbing the velvet-soft dog hair, Aspen began removing lights for the tree.