The feel of his bristles against her skin made Kitty moan softly. With every movement of his body, Adam was dominating her. His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her firmly against him, until all she could feel were the hard planes of his muscles against her.
Her senses were full of him. The scent of warm pines filled her nose, while her skin shivered at the touch of his lips. She could hear his breath as he was kissing her neck, fast yet even, and though her eyes were tightly closed she swore she could still see his face behind her lids.
‘You taste so good,’ he murmured, pulling her sensitive earlobe between his teeth. Though it didn’t hurt, she gasped at the feeling it created, sending pleasure shooting straight down to her toes. She pushed her fingers through the dark hair at the nape of his neck, her breath coming in short gasps as he continued to kiss at her throat. Beneath the layers of her coat and sweater, her nipples tightened, her body becoming desperate for more.
As if he sensed her need, Adam tugged at the zipper of her jacket, still kissing at her as he pushed the quilted fabric from her shoulders. Releasing her hair, he moved his hands to her waist and pushed up beneath the cotton fabric of her sweater. Feeling his rough hands pressed against her skin, Kitty opened her eyes, looking straight into his dark brown stare. She could see desire there, a need as great as hers. She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry.
‘Kiss me again.’
The second time he lowered his mouth onto hers was as intoxicating as the first. With the added sensation of his palms stroking her sides, Kitty thought she might combust. His tongue slid against hers, soft yet firm, and she dragged her teeth against it. Her heart felt as though it was growing in her chest, pressing against her ribs until her whole torso ached for him. With every caress of his hand it felt as though she was coming home.
Then the world exploded above them with the sound of a thousand flapping wings. The lodge started to shake, pictures moving on the wall, fine china rattling in the cupboards. Adam wrenched his face from hers, a look of consternation on his face, eyes narrowed as he started to look around the room.
‘What the hell?’
The noise increased, along with the tremors. For a moment Kitty wondered if it was an avalanche. Adam was still holding her tightly, though she could feel his agitation growing. Finally he pulled his hands away and ran to the window, gazing out to the meadow outside.
‘Asshole,’ he murmured, still staring out.
‘What is it?’ Kitty ran to his side, peering out through the misted glass. The tops of the trees were bending downwards, as if being blown by a great force. The snow that capped their peaks was blasted down to the ground in a sudden flurry.
‘It’s a helicopter.’ Adam’s voice was still low, though laced with anger. ‘The fucker’s going to land in the meadow.’
Even in her short stay in Cutler’s Gap, Kitty knew the town wasn’t exactly teeming with money. There weren’t many people who could afford to land a helicopter in the middle of rural West Virginia.
Not unless they happened to be wealthy movie producers.
‘Is it Everett?’ she asked.
Adam’s laugh was short and devoid of any humour. ‘Of course it’s Everett. Who else would be that insane?’
&n
bsp; The helicopter landed in the middle of the meadow, its blades slowing as the engine cut off. A few moments later the door opened and two figures climbed out, running the length of the meadow until they emerged from the downdraught. The one in front – Everett, she presumed – was looking back and shouting. The other person was carrying a holdall and a briefcase, half sliding in the snow as if they didn’t know how slippery it was. From his height, Kitty guessed it had to be a man, and as he came closer she could make out that he was wearing a tailored business suit, with no snow jacket to keep in the warmth. He was shivering, his leather brogues still stumbling in the snow, and as he came closer still she realised she recognised him.
‘That’s Drake,’ she whispered. Adam’s arms were still circling her waist, holding her against him.
‘Who?’ Adam’s reply was sharp.
‘Drake Montgomery, Everett’s assistant,’ she replied, staring at the two figures as they approached the cabin. ‘What on earth is he doing here?’
‘I’ve no idea. But I’ve a feeling we’re about to find out.’
While they waited for Everett and Drake to clear the distance between the helicopter and the cabin, Kitty was aware of the atmosphere growing between her and Adam. It was almost tangible, like a dragon hissing and snapping in the air. Something almost impossible to ignore.
Adam was rubbing his lips with the rough tip of his index finger, his eyes narrow as he kept a watch on his brother’s progress. Everett stumbled among the snowdrifts created by the helicopter’s beating blades. Then they were at the door, rapping impatiently, and Adam sighed audibly before letting go of Kitty and heading to the entrance.
Wrenching it open, he did nothing to hide his irritation. ‘Was that really necessary?’
Kitty hung back, hoping to stay invisible. She really didn’t care to explain her presence at Everett’s brother’s cabin. The dog had no such qualms, barking loudly as he ran across the floor, stopping at Adam’s heel as if he were his protector.
‘Was what necessary?’ Everett asked, motioning for Drake to follow him in.
‘The helicopter landing. You could have just taken your dick out and shaken it everywhere. It would have had the same effect.’
Everett stared at his brother as if he was talking in a foreign language. ‘I heard about Mom coming home and decided to get here the fastest way I could.’
Each time Everett opened his mouth the dog barked loudly, making Everett have to almost shout his words. Kitty remained in the shadows.