no one.
Not even a fire crackling in here as there was during the few days I stayed. Weird.
After dinner, I slip back to the B&B to clear the cookies and make sure everyone is happy. It’s not my job, but I need another task to distract me. I dread going to bed. I’ll never sleep with Aurora constantly screaming at me in my head.
And I never got around to snooping in the office that no one seems to occupy. I should’ve done it earlier when the place was deserted, but I’d wanted to get back to the Bradfords’.
Once again, it’s beyond quiet inside. The only light is a lamp in the foyer. I flip a switch to the chandelier so I can see to get to the breakfast area.
I nearly trip when I find everything exactly as I left it. Not a single cookie has been taken.
Where is everyone?
Chapter Eighteen
Colin
Everything in Winter Valley is within walking distance, which is why I don’t pay much attention to what I take to my parents’ when I stay overnight. Not that I do it often. Perry is the one who usually has slumber parties with her grandparents. So, of course, I forgot to bring a change of clothes for myself. Since I have to leave town at the crack of dawn, it’s best to run back home and grab what I need. I’d hate to leave tomorrow morning like a college guy doing the walk of shame before his seven o’clock class.
On my way home, I pass the B&B and notice Audrey coming out of the place. Wasn’t she already in bed?
“Hey, gorgeous.”
She jolts and stares at me with wide eyes, looking like a kid caught opening the cookie jar. “What are you doing here?”
“That’s what I’m wondering about you,” I respond. “Did you forget something when you moved out?”
She glances back at the house and shakes her head. “No, I . . . I wanted to clean up the cookie service. What about you?”
“I forgot a few things at my house,” I say in a low voice, leaning closer to dust some crumbs away from her mouth.
The caress makes her open that sweet mouth slightly. Her lips part, and a hint of pink from her tongue appears when she delicately touches her top lip with it.
As I run my thumb along her jawline, her breath hitches. Those noises stir something inside and get me hard. I want to make her moan, thrust, and scream my name tonight. There’s nothing or no one to stop me. Unless she doesn’t want it to happen.
I slide my hand into her hair, letting it fall through my fingers as I lean forward, my other hand lifting her chin slightly. Our shared gaze locks before I slant my mouth to hers. The cold around us disappears. I’m on fire, combusting as I kiss her without restraint. My heart quickens as my tongue sweeps across hers. Her arms wrap around my neck as we deepen the kiss while mine lower to her perfect ass, pulling her body closer to mine.
We’re wearing too many clothes, and I wish . . . I shouldn’t want it, but I can’t remember why this is pointless. All I know is I need her.
We have the night to ourselves. I’m so hard and ache to be inside her, dying to claim her. My head swims with lust, and I suddenly stop, remembering where we are and where I want to be. Inside her, in my bed—or any place.
“I want you so much,” I say between breaths, controlling the desire that threatens to push her inside the B&B and take her against the door.
If only I could yank her clothes off and have her fast and raw.
“Let’s go to my house?” It comes out like a question.
She clears her throat. “We shouldn’t . . . it’s late, and we’re staying with your parents.”
“Which is why we’re going to my place,” I repeat, grabbing her hand and pulling her along with me.
The way I behave around her is so not my norm. I can’t convince myself to stop needing her the way I do. This might be the only chance we have to be together. She’s leaving in a few days, and after that, she’ll be a fond memory. Why is it that all the good things come to an end?
When we arrive at my house, the place is almost dark. A sliver of light seeps through the window, but I don’t turn on the