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WE WOKE AT THE INN feeling rested. At least I assumed that Theo felt rested; I felt like a million bucks. All the kinks had worked themselves out of my shoulders, and my calves and hips were still warm from their workout the night before.
It was crazy waking up with the same man I’d gone to sleep with the night before. It had been so long since I’d had a normal relationship, I’d almost forgotten what it was like. I didn’t have to wait until Theo was asleep so that I could kill him and sneak out of the hotel room. Instead, I was pretty sure I was the first one to pass out and that Theo held me long after, protecting me from harm.
“Hey,” I said, pushing gently against his shoulder. “Check-out’s at ten.”
“Just a few more minutes,” he grumbled, rolling over to put his face into the pillow.
I got my things together and went downstairs for coffee. The bar wasn’t open yet, but there was a little coffee niche on the hotel side of the building. A few pastries were also being offered, so I grabbed two and went back upstairs.
When I walked in, I found Theo pulling his shirt on. I offered him some breakfast, and he took it with a nod of thanks. The plan was still to go to his place in the Alps. He’d filled me in on the specifics late last night, just in case we got separated. I had an address, and while neither of us wrote it down, it was burned into my memory like all the other indispensable bits of information I’d gathered over the years.
“Are we taking the train?” I asked.
“Still the quickest way,” he replied.
“What about yesterday?” I pointed out. “Won’t they try to pick us up again?”
“Good point,” he agreed. “Let’s walk a bit farther and then grab a car.”
We followed Theo’s suggestion to the letter, continuing down the main street until it turned into wild land. At the first homestead, we stole a vehicle, an older European model that was just rusting in someone’s driveway. I thought it wouldn’t start at first, but Theo had a few tricks up his sleeve. He managed to pump the gas into submission, encouraging the ancient engine with soft words and a gentle touch.
I gave the thing a hefty shove to get it started, and together, we managed to get the thing up and running. I hopped in while the car drifted toward the road. By the time I got my seatbelt on, we were flying.
The road rose and dipped with the landscape, the switchbacks getting steeper and tighter with every mile. I was surprised that the little car managed to stay on the road. There were a few times I braced myself for impact when it whipped around a corner without any noticeable brakes.
“Do you think it can make it up this hill?” I asked, squinting in derision as the car sputtered.
“This isn’t a hill,” Theo corrected me. “It’s a mountain.”
“In that case, this thing definitely isn’t making it up to the top.”
“It doesn’t have to make it to the top,” Theo said. “We’re almost there.”
“You’re being too nice to it,” I groaned.
“How can I be too nice to a car?” he asked, patting the dashboard as if it was an old bloodhound.
He was right; the car made it. We struggled up to the top of a rise, and Theo turned off the main road, diving deep into the forest. There was snow on the ground, and the pavement fell away after a moment, leaving us driving on fresh powder. I was concerned about the tire tracks, but Theo told me not to worry.
“We’re far enough away from the main road, nobody will see them unless they’re already looking.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” I answered despondently.
“No one knows about this place,” he assured me. “We’re safe.”
“Until we’re not,” I grumbled.
Theo didn’t have an answer for that, so he simply continued to drive. The road beneath us was uneven. We bounced along, every rock we traversed causing the car to quake without appropriate shock absorbers.
I put a hand on the ceiling to hold myself in place. I couldn’t stay mad at him. This was our best option by far, and he was right. If someone came far enough down this gravel road to find our tire tracks, we were caught already. Still, I hoped he had some sort of surveillance already established. If not, my first order of business would be to lay a trap at the end of the driveway so that we could sleep without worrying about being ambushed.
Theo pulled up to the side of what looked like a ski chalet. Broad wooden beams jutted out from beneath a snow-covered roof, framing the structure with a warmth that felt oddly familiar. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooked the front, and turning around to gaze out at the wilderness, I could see why.
The view from the home was magnificent. There was a break in the trees right at eye level, displaying the glory of the Alps with their snow-capped peaks. I couldn’t see a hint of civilization anywhere. It was all majestic wilderness, silent beneath its blanket of winter.
My breath floated from between my lips in a white haze. Theo tucked the car into a garage and came out to join me on the front stoop.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” he whispered, studying me as I studied the landscape.
“This belongs to you?” I asked.
I had stayed in many beautiful places over the years, but always on the company dime. I’d never owned property myself or even wanted to. Yet there was something even more exotic about this safehouse knowing that Theo owned it. Whether the deed was in his name or an alias, it was a place he could come back to when everything else had been stripped away. It wasn’t a hotel or the backseat of a stolen car, or anywhere else I fell back on when I was desperate. This was a cozy home with a beautiful view hidden away from all evil. I should have been jealous, but I wasn’t. Instead, the only thing I felt was relief.
“Are you hungry?” Theo asked.
I favored him with a smile, those three small words making me feel loved. “I thought you only cooked ravioli from a can.”
“I can cook,” he replied, opening the door with a thumbprint lock.
We walked inside, and I was equally taken by the interior architecture. From the foyer, you could see out over the driveway to the mountains in the distance. Along the back wall, a massive fireplace was bordered by hearty stonework. Wooden planks lent an air of backwoods mystique to the place but stopped short of seeming rustic. The whole thing was sophisticated and modern, perfectly fitting Theo’s personality.
“You had this place designed?” I asked, setting my bag down on the couch.
“Five years ago,” he said. “No one knows it’s here.”
“Except the contractors,” I reminded him.
“Good friends,” he replied. “And not from around here.”
“Aah,” I sighed, knowing that he had taken all necessary precautions to ensure that the cabin stayed off the radar. “So what’s for lunch?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of fresh vegetables,” he replied. “But there’s some venison in the freezer.”
“All right,” I agreed. “I haven’t had a good slab of meat in a while.”
“What about last night?” he teased.
I laughed, cutting him off before he reached the kitchen. We kissed under the chandelier with its electric candles, alone at the top of the world. I knew I should be on guard, but the thought of looking through all his closets for intruders made me uncomfortable. I would much rather have trusted him and found a way to believe that no one knew where we were.
“Do you want to sweep the premises?” he asked.
I gave him a puppy dog look, knowing that it would have meant a lot to both of us if I could just relax. “Yes?” I replied, my voice hitching up as if it were a question.
“Go,” he allowed, giving me a gentle nudge toward the staircase.
I walked away, satisfied that he was keeping no secrets from me. To let another spy walk through your personal home on a fact-finding mission was the epitome of vulnerability. That Theo trusted me enough to let me canvass the place alone was a declaration of love.
I started on the lower level, peeking into the bathroom and checking out the shower. Then I went upstairs to investigate the bedroom. By the time I came down, Theo had arranged a chunk of frozen meat in a bowl on the counter to allow it to thaw. I was no chef, but I assumed that meant lunch wasn’t right around the corner. If I wanted the good stuff, I would have to wait. But I could think of plenty of ways to spend the time.
I wandered toward the glass wall, my animal instincts telling me that I should be wary. The snow outside glittered in the sun, chilling my fingers even though I was safe inside. It was a dichotomy that I didn’t often experience, looking out on an icy landscape while being warm and comfortable. No wonder so many rich people liked to vacation in the Alps.
Theo came around behind me and put his hands on my shoulders. I didn’t even jump at the sudden touch. I knew it was him, and I trusted him not to press his advantage. He wanted the same thing I did, and there was absolutely no violence involved.
“I could stare at this vision all day,” I said dreamily.
“Did you get a chance to look at the bedroom?” he asked.
“I did,” I told him. “There’s a nice view from up there too.”
“Would you like to go back there and take another look?” he asked, his thumbs sliding up the back of my neck like a professional masseuse.
“I would love to,” I answered, following him up the stairs.
In the bedroom, the window was a more traditional shape, but it revealed the same stunning panorama as the foyer downstairs. I took a moment to study the overlook from one story higher. If anything, it was even more breathtaking.
Theo distracted me by kissing my neck. I moved my head to one side to give him better access, floating my arms up to slide my fingers through his hair. I could get used to this. Here in the Alps, we were like the king and queen. It was as if no one else existed, especially not the people we were trying to run from.
In the back of my mind, I told myself that I should remain alert. But those thoughts washed away like runoff from a glacial pool the moment Theo’s lips touched mine.
I turned around, pressing my chest to his. The only thing that mattered was his touch. I turned my back on the world to focus on him, to build the bond between us until it was unbreakable.
I slid my hands down his sides until they reached his pockets. Digging deep into the fabric of his pants, I found his cell phone. I pulled it out, set it on silent, and left it on the bedside table.
Theo did the same for me, finding my own device in my pocket and setting it aside. Though we stopped short of breaking them or turning them off, the collective action was a statement of our commitment to the moment.
I could feel the passion rising within me, but there was an equal amount of exhaustion. Though we had spent a satisfying night at the inn, the tiredness that I felt wasn’t exactly due to lack of sleep. It was metaphysical. I was tired of the life I was living; I was tired of my anger and my drive for revenge. In Theo, I thought I saw an antidote. Maybe I could put my weapons away and just be happy for once.
I put my head down on his chest, allowing him to hold me. He seemed to understand, giving me space to just be next to him. But when he kissed me, my energy rose to the challenge. His lips tasted so good, like the first frost on a fall morning.
He slipped his fingers beneath the hem of my shirt and pulled the fabric up over my head. I watched it go with no remorse, my skin tingling in anticipation of his touch. I decided to help him out, reaching behind my back to undo my bra.
My breasts swung free, released from their harness and subjected to the fresh air. Theo sighed happily, as if he had been convinced that he would never see me naked again and the reality was a welcome relief.
I nibbled on my bottom lip, gazing up at him with rapt attention. He combed his fingers through my hair, grasping the nape of my neck and pulling me toward him. He pressed his lips to mine, holding nothing back. The passion burned through our combined forces, heating up the bedroom, scorching a path through the snow.
I reached for his belt, undoing it with practiced hands. I knew what I wanted. He’d had his feast a day before, and now it was my turn. I pushed his pants down, dipping my hand into his underwear for my prize.
It lay there curled up against his leg, massive and growing stronger by the second. He didn’t release his hold on my hair, the savagery of it egging me on. I pushed the waistband of his boxer shorts aside, giving me full access to his cock.
It didn’t matter that he still wore his shirt, although licking his chest would have been almost as good. I released his monster for a moment, pushing the multiple layers of fabric away from his abs.
Then I lowered myself to my knees, seeking out his naked flesh. I kissed the washboard stomach above his navel, dragging my tongue across ripples of taut muscle. Like a love-struck housewife, I lapped my way lower and lower until I came face to face with the main course.
Cupping his privates gently in both hands, I served it up to myself on a silver platter. His fingers contracted against the base of my skull, holding me in place but not rushing me. I elongated my tongue, licking up one side and down the next. It was salty and heavy, just as a masculine crotch was supposed to be.
I eased the entire cock into my mouth, swallowing it all the way back to the base of my throat. Impaled so deep I couldn’t breathe, I sucked lovingly, narrowing my focus to this one heady task. Everything else in my life dimmed. Ryan’s memory vanished, Lukas’s assertion that we were being taken for a ride didn’t seem to matter. There was no one out to get us and nothing I had to get back to. The only thing I had to do was make love to the man in front of me. And his sweaty, juicy cock was thrust deep into my mouth, throbbing with its ability to set me free.
I gripped his buttocks with my palms, giving myself leverage to do the deed. Pulling back, I inhaled through my nose, as if I was a swimmer preparing to dive. Then I sucked it all back down, closing my eyes to relish the sensation.
Over and over again, I plummeted, surrounding him with my love. He stroked my hair like a kitten, his little gasps proving that I was doing it right. I took him right to the edge, where he was straining under the pressure not to explode.
Finally, he pulled me to my feet, kissing me with a desperate passion that nearly drove me insane. He stepped out of his pants and his boxers, pulled his shirt off, and tossed it aside. Within a matter of seconds, he was bare naked as a forest creature, ready to finish the journey that I had started.
I stepped backward, my upper thighs connecting with the mattress. He gave me a gentle push, encouraging me to lie down. When I complied, he reached for my waistband, dragging my pants down across my bottom and past my thighs.
With a triumphant smile, he tossed them away, reaching for my waist as he descended to his knees. I should have known he wasn’t going to let me get away with oral sex on my own. I was quickly learning that he enjoyed eating pussy, and that no consummation was complete without it.
Pushing my legs wide, he settled down between them. I felt the familiar pressure of his tongue on my lower lips. By the time he found my clit, I saw stars dancing on the ceiling above me.
He slid one finger deep inside, stroking me from within as he licked my external pressure points. I felt my temperature rise, the entire act making me wet with desire. Just as I had pleasured him, he returned the favor, his gentle intrusion thrusting me over the edge.
I came brilliantly, an explosion of light and sound wrapping me up and carrying me away to heaven. Each time was better than the last, a mounting testament to our love. He circled my clit with his tongue one more time before sealing his lips with a satisfied smack.
I felt dizzy and spent, my entire body shivering with relief. But it wasn’t over yet. Theo crawled onto the mattress one knee at a time. I had the wherewithal to scootch backward, giving him room to come down on top of me.
Without a word, he positioned his cock at the front gate of my womanhood. I spread my legs wide to accommodate him, ushering him into my deepest realm. He pressed down, opening me up with a force that stole my breath.
One moment, I was aching and deprived, and the next I was full to the brim. His dick satisfied me like nothing else, stretching me wide and hitting all the right notes. I turned my face to the wall, gliding my fingertips up his biceps to reach his shoulders.
This was so right. I couldn’t imagine anything better than sex with Theo. He commanded all my respect, joining with me on a primal level. I circled him, drinking in his power, loving the reaction it sparked in my body.
After cumming so hard only moments before, I could feel my heartbeat rise again. I pushed my hips up, connecting with his as he came down inside me. We thrust together, meeting each other in the middle, burying his package again and again.
I felt dizzy with the exertion, pushing myself beyond what my body could take. It was raw and unfiltered. I felt like he was going to break me in two right down the middle and spill my life force out into the air. The pleasure overtook me again, dragging me across the finish line as he rocketed deep between my thighs.
He grabbed my ass, helping himself to my body. Dimly, I was aware of his orgasm, a deep, shuddering gasp that started in his core and radiated out to his extremities. He crossed over into the world of pure bliss, joining me in ecstasy. Our bodies vibrated together like harmonious string instruments, every breath an excuse to play on.
It might have been days or weeks that we spent with our privates entwined; I couldn’t judge time any longer. Finally, he released my backside and collapsed on top of me. I stroked his back for a moment, feeling the sweat cool against his skin. Then he kissed me and pulled out, leaving us free to move about the cabin.
“I’m hungry,” I muttered, daring to open my eyes.
He pushed away, climbing to his feet to find his discarded clothing. “I’ll see how the venison is doing.”
I watched him go, thinking how lucky I was to have found a man like him. I wished every day could be more of the same, that we could somehow duck our attackers and remain alone forever. Unfortunately, that dream was not yet ready to come true.
