“I suppose you do, but Bear Mountain is going to teach you that some things really are priceless, Walker. Because I’m not going to sell. That mountain has been in the family for generations. Sometimes when I’m on that mountain, it’s like I didn’t lose my dad, and he’s all around me in the memories.”
“But memories are here.” He taps the side of my temple.
“Some,” I agree. “But you said you felt it. There’s something about this town that is magical.”
“I did feel it. Don’t you want to share that with the rest of the world?” There he goes working his way back to making a resort here.
“We have a bed and breakfast and a lodge. It’s not as if we don’t allow anyone to come here.”
“You yourself rented out some cabins,” he adds.
“How did you know that?”
“I'm very thorough.” Mischief dances in his eyes.
“I bet you are, Mr. Smoke.” I try to tease him back, but as his name rolls off my tongue, the air around us changes, and his hold on me tightens. How had I forgotten I was in his lap? I’d been so lost in what he was saying and hanging on his every word.
“It’s not only this town. There is something about you as well. I felt it before I got here. Do you feel it too?” I want to lie, but it feels wrong.
“I feel it.”
“And you don’t like it.”
“The magic to this town brings a gift to us. I’ve been waiting for mine.”
“And have you found it yet?” he asks, leaning in, his mouth only a breath from mine.
“Only time will tell,” I whisper as his lips brush against mine, making me forget about everything else except him.
Chapter Eight
WALKER
When our lips touch, it’s like I’ve been zapped by electricity. She’s fire and ice, and when I breathe in her warm maple sugar scent, I groan. Her hands go to my hair, and she grips me tighter to her as mine go around her back and down to her ass. She gasps at the touch, and I use the moment to sweep my tongue inside and taste her.
Fuck, I’m a goner.
Before I know what’s happening, I’m lifting her and pushing my chair back so that I can get her to straddle me. I need every inch of her hot curves pressed to me, and I want to squeeze everything I can get my hands on. I want to dig my fingers into the soft flesh of her thighs until I leave a mark on her. No, my mark on her.
I’ve never felt this kind of obsession so instantly, but I was pulled here by Natalie, and I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
“My god, I can’t get enough,” I say as my mouth moves hungrily down her neck. “More, Natalie, more.”
“I feel like I’m on fire.” Her words catch in her throat as I bite the soft skin there.
With both hands, I yank open the front of her plaid shirt, and the material rips as the buttons go flying. She’s got on a pretty baby blue bra, and her breasts are swelling over the top. I caress the soft skin before I lean forward and place a kiss between them, right over her heart.
“Look at you, princess.” I cup her breasts with both my hands and then lick between them like I would her pussy. “So fucking perfect.”
“Oh my god, I can’t believe we’re doing this.” She’s breathy like she’s just run a mile.
“Does it feel wrong?” I ask as I kiss her collarbone and then just below her ear.
“No!” She’s so quick to respond, I hear her laugh, then I pull back to see her smiling. “I mean, um, it’s okay.” She shrugs and pretends to be unaffected.
My own grin is wicked as I put my hands on her ass again and take her mouth. This time when we kiss, it feels like the whole earth is moving just for us. That the plates under the surface have shifted to make room for what we’re feeling right now.
“It’s like the world is vibrating,” she says between kisses.
“I was just thinking that,” I groan when she rocks her hips and pushes her pussy right against my hard cock. “Almost like a rumbling.”
“Oh shit,” she hisses when I reach into the cup of her bra and pinch her nipple.
Just as I’m about to lower my mouth onto it, I feel that vibration again. “Wait,” I say, sitting up and looking around. “The world is really vibrating.”
“Wha—?” Just when she’s about to say something, the sound of it gets louder, and the glasses on the table fall over.
“Is it an earthquake?” I look around then hold Natalie closer to keep her safe.
“Oh my god.” Her eyes widen, and her face pales. “It’s an avalanche.”
We’re on our feet in a second, but I keep a hold of Natalie’s hand as we race to the front of the inn. The sound is deafening, and just when we reach the front doors, I see it coming straight toward us.