When Val comments about how hard I work, James says he loves people who work hard and adds in a low voice while looking at me, “Hard workers deserve to be rewarded.” That shuts her up and heats me up.
When she tells James about one of my most embarrassing high school moments, the time I stained myself when I got my period at school unexpectedly, I look away at the verge of tears as I remember the comments mean boys and girls made at school, but James just brushes it off, not giving her the reaction she needs. Instead, he removes his jacket, claiming that it’s too hot in the car and places the large jacket on the console between our seats, then, in a move so daring that drives my senses into overdrive, he reaches over and grabs my hand.
Shocked, I look at him only to realize that he put the jacket there to hide what’s happening up front from Val and Knox.
Suddenly, I’m emotional for a whole other reason. I’m mad at him sure, but for the rest of the way to James’ cabin while Val flirts with Knox, talking about their ‘rad’ and ‘crazy’ wedding night, I cling to his large, calloused hand.
I’m sure my grip is tight and at some point when Val starts talking about how she was closer to our parents than I was, I think my fingernails dig into the flesh of his hand, but James doesn’t flinch. When I realize what I’ve done, I try to let go of his hand, but he stubbornly refuses.
Overwhelmed and grateful at this man that I know I should stay away from, I apologize by lowering my head and plant kisses where I hurt him.
That’s when I hear a low growl coming from beside me. Hmm, he’s aroused.
Smirking, I glance at him through my eyelashes only to see his heavy lidded gaze intently focused on the road but I know better, he’s focused on me.
To prove it, he pulls my hand slowly over to his side and makes me cup his steely hard on through his jeans. A hot thrill rushes through me, I can’t help but hum low in my throat as I look at James who faces the road with a pained expression on his face. Good.
I cup him in my hand, then, biting my lip to stop myself from purring with want, I give him a quick but tight squeeze, feeling naughty and a bit more alive than I was a minute ago. James grabs my hand so fast, I almost start laughing.
“Behave,” he murmurs in that low voice of his, but I only squeeze him through his jeans in response. “Fuck.”
“Did you say something, Mr. Cross?” Val questions from the backseat, breaking the naughty bubble James and I are in. When I glance back at her, she has a quizzical expression on her face.
“I said we’re here,” James says after clearing his throat.
Shocked, I turn around and low and behold, my jaw drops to my lap.
“Oh my gosh, we’re here!” Val screeches. “Look at that, Nicki!”
Feeling hellish, I give James’ hard cock one last squeeze through his jeans, then I snatch my hand away just in time to hear him curse softly.
“Wow, that’s huge,” I say, impressed by the huge cabin that is secluded in the mountains.
“That’s what you said last night,” James growls so low, I smile then look out the window.
“What?” Val questions.
“Nothing,” James says, as he drives up the long driveway leading toward the beautiful cabin. See, I wasn’t expecting to give a damn about this Godforsaken trip that’s given me a whirlwind of emotions since I boarded the plane, but as I look up at the huge log cabin, surrounded by ever-green pine trees, I instantly fall in love with the place.
“Wow,” I breathe when I step out of the car, wanting to get a closer look. Everyone gets out of the car then Knox comes to stand close to me.
“Wow is fucking right at how obnoxious this place is,” Knox says, a bit of annoyance in his voice. “It’s the only thing my dearest father wanted in the divorce settlement. Forget about fighting for his marriage, no, he wanted this pile of wood in the mountains like the selfish hermit he is.”
“Knox!” Appalled at Knox’s blatant disrespect for his father. “You can’t say that.”
“Why not?” he scoffs. “It’s fucking true.”
“Knox, baby, that’s not nice,” Val says going round and pressing herself to his front like this a fucking club. “We’re here to celebrate the holidays and our love.”
Why is Val rubbing her ‘marriage’ in my face? I fucking get it. But what Knox says is stuck in my head.
I glance at James and notice his jaw is clenched, his eyes are hard but he doesn’t say a word. It looks like these jabs between father and son are a common occurrence. But James’s silence tells me everything I need to know. He’s a man that values his peace and tranquility, and he apparently loves this cabin. I think it’s sweet.
I watch as James rounds to the back of the car to get my carry-on, then he’s back with it.
“It’s gorgeous,” I murmur for his ears only. “Can’t wait to see more of it.”
He looks down at me. For a heartbeat we stand there watching each other.
“Why don’t you get settled and then we’ll get acquainted when I give you the tour of the grounds?”
“Actually, I can do that,” Knox says, stepping forward.
Val frowns unhappily, looking at her new hubby. “But, I never got the tour,” she whines.
I do my best not to roll my eyes, but James is still watching me. He raises an eyebrow and I nod.
Yes, she’s always been like this but somehow, she’s worse now than she was when we were growing up. But hey, you opened up your home and your family to her. I’m fine.
James glances at Val with a small frown that I would’ve missed if I hadn’t spent hours studying his face, then he looks back at me, but he doesn’t say a word. Suddenly, I’m desperate to know what he’s thinking, but I bite my bottom lip.
“Nicki?” Knox calls.
“Yes?”
“Do you want a tour right now?”
I look up at James, so glad that he’s right in front of me and he’s the only one that can see my face right now.
“I think they’ll be plenty of time for that,” James says, looking into my eyes. “Maybe now Nicole can go up to her room and freshen up after her long…” I glare at him. “flight… and then we can all get brunch?”
Nice save.
“Yes! That’s a good idea James!” Val gushes, all high school cheerleader type of bullshit she loves to pull when vying for attention. “Knox and I wanted to surprise you with an incredible brunch!”
“You are making brunch?” I ask, my eyebrow raised. “Since when do you cook?”
“Since Knox and I’ve been taking couple’s cooking classes,” she gushes.
It’s like I’ve just been whiplashed...again.
“Cooking classes?” I croak, glancing at Knox, but he can’t even look at me.
“Oh yes!” Val goes on. “I said it as a joke one day but he surprised me with our class passes the next day! He said a couple that cooks together…”
“--stays together, yeah,” I mutter, the hurt in my chest blooming as I recall saying those exact words to Knox only for him to blow me off after I begged him to take cooking classes with me. I guess I was the wrong one for him.