Dash of Peril

Like it? It was...stunning. Margo opened her door and stepped out to the dew-wet grass. A distinct chill blew off the mist-covered lake. Here on the land, the sun played peekaboo through the leaves of tall trees, but over the lake it shone bright, mixing with the mist in an ethereal way. She inhaled—and filled her lungs with crisp, fresh air.

Dash got out of the car and, arms folded on the roof, looked at her. “It’s always a little cooler here because of the shade and the water.”

She shivered, but didn’t want to pull on her coat. Moving forward, she ignored the house for the moment and instead looked at the large, peaceful lake. It wasn’t that far from the house, the land leading to it almost flat with only the gentlest of slopes. Spring was in the air with wildflowers just starting to bloom all along the shore.

She saw no other houses, no other people. No sounds of traffic or conversation intruded, only the honking of geese, the trill of myriad birds, the chirping of insects. Even as she watched, a large fish did an impressive jump, splashing down again and sending ripples across the glassy surface of the lake, forcing the mist to part.

Tension seemed to seep away, when she hadn’t even realized she was so tense.

Stepping up behind her, Dash put his arms around her. “I love seeing you like this.”

He mentioned love so often that she barely noticed anymore. “It’s beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful.” He kissed the side of her neck, his mouth damp, hot. The familiar rise of his interest nudged against her backside. It was incredibly nice to be wanted so much.

Smiling, Margo stepped out of reach. “Let’s get Oliver inside and settled. Then I want that shower.” A thought occurred. “You do have hot water, right?”

“The house stays fully functional, even when I’m not here. I stocked up on basic groceries, canned goods and frozen meats, condiments...everything needed.” He smoothed back her hair, checking her forehead where the stitches had been removed, then pressing a tender kiss there. “The whole point of a lake house is being able to escape at the drop of a hat.”

In so many ways, he touched her heart, made her feel special and...loved. But she was afraid to think along those lines right now. Nothing in their relationship had been normal. She knew Dash was one of “those guys,” the men who wanted to protect and care for others. He was alpha with a capital A, a natural-born leader. What had started out purely sexual had become so much more because of the threats against her.

Without those threats, would they have had a blazing affair...and then ended things? Dash was thirty years old...and single. That had to mean he enjoyed the bachelor life, and God knew he played the field. So why should she assume she was special to him?

Better to give it some time, to see where things went once the danger had ended.

If it ever did.

She remembered that their one and only time of actually consummating their attraction, they’d forgotten to use protection. Worries added up, too many to deal with at the moment.

To give her mind something else to focus on, she surveyed the house. It seemed to go on forever. Undisturbed trees grew up around it. A stone walkway led from the gravel drive to a side door. Green metal sheeting served for the roof while large, rounded stones climbed a very tall fireplace.

Dash unlocked the door, then pushed it open. “Go on in. I’ll get Oliver and our stuff. The house has air and heat, but for today I’ll build a fire to warm things up.”

Curiosity kept her from arguing. She wandered in. The air smelled a little musty and a chill hung in the air. She wrapped her arms around herself.

The interior was even more impressive than the outside.

Natural wood...everywhere. The planks on the floor had been polished to a high shine. Lighter wood drew her attention to a cathedral ceiling broken only by multiple skylights and a few beams holding ceiling fans. A spacious, modern kitchen sat to the left and ran into an eating area and then a large sitting area, situated around that massive stone fireplace.

Dash came in behind her. “Main bathroom is the center door. There’s a tub and shower. Bedrooms are on either side. There’s a third loft bedroom up the stairs, with a shower. That’s the one I like to use. The skylights up there make you feel like you’re sleeping in the stars.”

Because kindling had already been laid on the grate, Dash gave her Oliver’s carrier, then went to the fireplace. In less than a minute, he had a fire started. “Be right back,” he said as he went out the door again.

Margo freed Oliver and sat with him by the fire, soothing him so he would understand the new surroundings. He allowed that only a moment before he went to explore. She trailed him, making certain he wasn’t afraid.

Once Dash brought in his bed and food dishes, she took care of setting them up near the fireplace. Oliver ate as if he hadn’t been fed in days instead of hours, proof that his upset had waned.

The fire quickly warmed the interior and made everything cozy. She loved the crackling of the flames, the scent of aged wood burning.

Dash let her dictate the placement of the cat box, putting an old rag rug beneath it. After the cat had finished eating, Dash showed him the box. “Try to remember, bud. But if you forget, we’ll deal with it.”

Sitting on the hearth, Margo watched Dash talk to Oliver as if he understood. He might not get the words, but the way Dash stroked him, his gentleness—that Oliver comprehended all too well. “You’re so patient with him.”

Dash smiled toward her. “He’s family, right? And family is always important.”

Family. Immediately she thought of her dad—and clearly Dash had, too. They looked at each other, Dash in apology, Margo in resignation.

“I should probably call him.”

“No, let Logan and Reese do things their way first.”

Of course he was right. It had never been easy for her to take a backseat when decisions needed to be made. Being so personally involved made it doubly difficult.

Letting that thought go, she stood and looked around. “I want to see the rest of the house.”

“I’ll show you around.” Carrying her overnight bag, Dash approached. “Where do you want this? Up in the loft, or one of the rooms on this floor?”

Turning to look at the spiral staircase, she said, “Let’s start upstairs.” She went ahead of Dash, anxious for many reasons. Awareness of Dash, so close behind her, warmed her as the fireplace couldn’t. She could literally feel his gaze on her backside with each step up.

Today, though, would be her day. She wouldn’t let him distract her. She would do things her way—and they’d enjoy it.

“About that shower,” Dash said, his voice low and husky with arousal.

“Coming up next,” she told him. “So don’t get any ideas.”

“Too late for that.”

She smiled. “Don’t worry, I have ideas of my own.” She stepped into the massive bedroom. It didn’t disappoint.

An oversize bed dominated the middle of the floor with four skylights overhead. A wall of tall windows faced the lake, allowing in the inspiring view.

“Wow.”

“Yeah.” Dash set down her bag and put his hands on her shoulders. “I bought the place because of the private setting, and this room.”

That had her slanting him a look over her shoulder. “Planning to do a lot of seduction here?”

Unlike her teasing tone, he sounded far too serious. “Yeah.” He kissed her temple. “I thought of you.”

That would be so nice—if it was true.

Stepping away she went to the windows first to look out. It took her breath away. Across the lake, tall pines guaranteed privacy. She could see his dock, a rowboat tied to the side but a larger boathouse connected. Two benches lined the shore, complete with a kayak stand and bright yellow kayak.

“Do you have a bigger boat?”

“A speedboat, yeah. The other place—the one I’m giving to Logan—was fishing only. No need for anything fast. But this lake is bigger, without the restrictions. I bought the boat when I bought the house, but it’s still winterized. Another couple of weeks and I’ll get it in.”

A door to the right led to a walk-in closet. She strolled to the bathroom off to the left. A pedestal sink, toilet and glass-enclosed shower—with another window looking out—filled the small room.

“The floor is heated. So are the towel bars.” He stepped close, but didn’t touch her this time. “Everything will be warmed up in just a minute if you want to take your shower.”

“I do.” She trailed her fingers over plush towels hanging on the bar.

“I can fix us something to eat while you do that.”

Margo turned to him. Yes, she wanted her shower, and food.

And then she wanted Dash.

Going on tiptoe, she kissed him. Then, drawn by his scent, the taste of him, she went on kissing him. Under her hands, his shoulders flexed as he planted both hands flat on the wall at either side of her head.

He didn’t take over, just let her do as she pleased. She touched her tongue to his bottom lip, licked inside, tipped her head to better fit their mouths together.

His beard stubble was now even more noticeable. She brushed her fingertips over it, enjoying the rasp. Snuggling up closer, she brought her breast to his abdomen, her belly to his groin.

Breathing harder, Dash clenched his muscles and made a small gruff sound of encouragement.

Knowing she had to stop or she’d blow all her plans, Margo inched away. She kissed him once more, a short, damp kiss. Then another. Patting his chest, she said, “I won’t be long.”

It took a second for her dismissal to sink in. With a sound somewhere between a laugh and a groan, he stepped back. “You’re wicked. I love it.”

Love. God, how she enjoyed hearing him say that. “You have no idea yet how wicked I can be.” She stepped around him. “But I’ll enjoy showing you. Soon.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

WITH MARGO BUSY UPSTAIRS, Dash put on soup then took his own quick shower, taking the time to shave, as well. Dressed only in jeans—unsnapped—he stood at the counter, making sandwiches when she came downstairs.

Like him, she wore very little, only a T-shirt and panties.

It fired his blood, seeing her like this, so sultry and on the make. For him.

It wasn’t the first time a woman had taken the lead, but it was a first with Margo and because she was special, because he loved her, it ramped up his excitement to an acute level.

He turned, watching her come toward him. “Luckily the fire has warmed the floor. Otherwise your feet would be cold.”

“No.” She walked right up to him and, after a slow perusal of his body, stroked his chest, his shoulder, his chin. “I’m plenty warm.”

Looping his arms around her waist, his hands meeting over her curvy backside, Dash kept her close. She wore no makeup and her naked mouth looked lush. He wanted to kiss her long and deep, but didn’t want to steal her show.