Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

S ten studied the small living room of Cassie’s house. The furniture seemed old and worn, but everything was neat and clean. She stood on the other side, warily watching him. Maybe because that strange sizzling caused by their simple handshake freaked her out, too. Or maybe because she’d just invited a stranger into her home. He smiled his most non-threatening smile, but that only deepened the frown marring her brow.

She gestured toward one of the small tables next to the couch. “The phone is right there. I’ll get you a phone book.” She dipped into the kitchen and returned with a thin yellow book. “As you know, cell phones don’t work out here. I also don’t have internet access. I use the library in town for that. So, you’re going to have to go old school to look up the numbers. The book is several years old, but nobody changes their numbers around here.”

“Thanks.” He made sure their hands didn’t touch when he took it from her. The way she snatched her hand back made it clear she, too, had felt the zap of electricity.

What in Odin ’ s name had caused that?

The contact had sizzled along the nerves up the skin of his arm as warmth flooded his body. Maybe the long drive and wrestling with the flat tire had tired him out too much. He needed to get the weapons they needed and head back to Pine Rapids as soon as possible. When he got back home and back into training, he’d be okay again. But it was hard to hit the road without a functioning vehicle. He inwardly cursed the warrior of his tribe who had left the flat spare in the car.

When he found out, he’d let them know how they’d jeopardized the mission. Although he’d been an idiot for not checking on the reserve tire before he’d left the Norse fortress. On second thought, maybe he wouldn’t mention getting stranded like an idiot in an area without a cell signal.

Cassie took a few steps away from him. “I’m going to change into clothes that don’t smell like cooking grease.” With a quick smile, she disappeared up some stairs in the room's corner.

Sten sat down on the couch and reached for the phone.

Twenty minutes later, he banged down the receiver after yet another frustrating call.

“Whoa,” Cassie said as she returned from upstairs. “What did my poor phone do to you?” She’d changed into another pair of stretchy leggings. These were grey. On top, she wore another oversized t-shirt, this one pink. Wet, wavy tendrils of hair framed her scrubbed-clean face.

“All the tow trucks are tied up with an accident on the highway. I can’t get one until early tomorrow morning.”

She leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms. The shirt’s fabric stretched across her chest, and he tried not to be obvious about checking her out. “All two of the trucks?” she asked with a smile. “I heard about the pileup on the radio upstairs.”

“I’ve got more bad news. The motel is full. There’s some kind of sewing conference going on.”

Cassie walked to the chair on the other side of the coffee table from the sofa and sunk into it. “I forgot about the quilting retreat.”

He blinked at her. The what, now? “This sewing stuff is a regular thing?”

She nodded. “Once a year, quilters from all over eastern Montana invade the town. One of the avid quilters who lives here started it in her big barn. She renovated it and set up a ton of quilting tables. They all gather there to sew. But they stay at the hotel.” She sighed. “I’d forgotten it was this weekend. We’ll be flooded with customers this weekend. I have tomorrow off, but the next day will be a long one. The extra tips will help my bank account, but my body will take a beating as I’m run off my feet.” She studied him for a few heartbeats and then squared her shoulders. “You’re not an axe murderer, are you?”

The unexpected question made him chuckle. “Not last time I checked.”

She stood. “Follow me.” He trailed behind her to a small room in the back of the house. A full-sized bed and a chest of drawers took up all the space. Cassie opened a drawer and took out a pile of sheets. “This used to be my room before my grandmother died.” She put the linens on the bed and faced him. Only a few inches separated them.

Sten couldn’t believe her generosity. “I can sleep in the car.”

Cassie interrupted. “Grannie would have insisted on it. She was big on kindness toward strangers. She’d be proud of me for helping a new friend in need.” Cassie’s teeth worried her bottom, and she broke eye contact, tucking a still-damp lock of hair behind her ear.

The air between them sizzled again, as if a tiny spark could set off an explosion. As a guest in her house, he shouldn’t try to seduce her. But those curves were so close and so delectable. His hand twitched from wanting to touch her. “Thank you,” he said, his voice hoarser than he’d intended.

She looked up. Her eyes widened and focused on his lips. They felt even dryer under her gaze, so he licked them. Cassie drew in a breath, her chest rising. She looked away, a blush covering her pretty cheeks. “Right then. I’ll let you put on the clean sheets while I take care of some dinner.” She fled the room.

He removed the comforter and put the clean sheets and pillowcases on. After, he sat down on the bed and had a little talk with himself about how honorable houseguests behaved.

“Food’s ready,” Cassie called. He followed the sound of her voice and found her in a cozy kitchen with outdated appliances and wall paper. She stood by a small table set for two people. “Sit down,” she said, gesturing toward a chair. “I hope you’re okay with left-over pasta.”

Sten sat and inhaled the delicious aroma of spaghetti and meat sauce. “I love pasta of any kind.”

“Wine?” she asked, holding out a bottle of red with which she’d already poured some in her own glass.

“Sure," he answered.

She filled his glass, put the bottle on the table, and then took a big gulp of her own glass as she sat down. “So what brings you to White Spruce?”

He hesitated. “I’m here for a work thing,” he finally said.

“I get it. It’s none of my business.” She took another gulp of wine.

Now, he felt bad for not answering her question. But being this near her confused his mind, and he worried he’d reveal too much if he talked about his mission at all. “No, it’s not that.” He paused again. “I just can’t talk too much about what I do.”

“So you’re a secret agent of some kind.” She smiled.

“Sure, something like that.” Maybe if they kept it light, he’d forget how much he wanted her and survive this evening without trying to kiss her.

“I forgot the parmesan cheese,” Cassie suddenly said, looking at the counter.

“I can get it,” Sten said, standing right as Cassie jumped up, her body colliding with his. The air sizzled between them, and she gasped.

Screw good intentions and honor. “You feel this, too.” Sten reached out and trailed the edge or her jaw with his fingertips. “So soft,” he mumbled. Holding her gaze, he traced a path down the smooth skin of her throat and along the neckline of her pink t-shirt. “I wanted you the moment I first saw you.”

“Same. Why are you so irresistible?” Heat blazed in her eyes, and her nipples strained against the fabric of her shirt.

Fuck. No bra. His cock swelled even more and pressed against the zipper of his jeans to where it became painful.

He leaned in, nipping her lip with his teeth before stroking his tongue over the same spot.

She moaned in the back of her throat, the tiny sound stoking the embers that had burned inside him since he’d ordered the huckleberry pie. Maybe since he’d eaten the raspberry pie the last time he’d been in town.

He deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue inside her mouth. She met him stroke for stroke, but then stopped the kiss. “Wait,” she panted. “This is only for tonight. I’m not interested in anything long term.”

“Whatever you want. You set the terms.” He caressed her shoulders and then slipped his hands around to her lower back and down to her ass, pushing her against his rock-hard ridge.

Cassie groaned and gripped his shoulders, pressing herself closer. Her curves fit perfectly against his body, and she felt as if they belonged close to him.

He trailed one hand up her back, tracing the ridge of her spine through the t-shirt. Threading his fingers through her glorious hair, he palmed the back of her neck and tilted her head back so he could have better access as he devoured her luscious mouth again.

Heat flooded his body. Fire danced along his skin, and his insides liquefied.

Sten moved his hands back to her ass, pressing her against his erection. His tongue delved deeper into her mouth, matching the rhythm of his hips.

This was nuts. He didn’t even know her last name, and yet, all he could think about was tearing off his clothes so he could thrust inside her.

He wanted inside her.

Needed inside her. Now.

She slipped her hands underneath his shirt and traced the ridges of his abs. Sweet goddess, her touch would undo him. She moved her hands further up his torso, and he gritted his teeth as he tried to allow her exploration without exploding in his jeans. When she reached his ribs, he inhaled sharply and pulled away.

“Shit, did I hurt you?” Cassie reached for the bottom of his t-shirt and pulled it up. Three angry red gashes slashed across his ribs. “What happened?”

Sten pulled his shirt down. “I scratched myself when I got the tire off the car.”

The Norse warriors healed quickly. The scratches would look as if they’d happened a few days ago. Best not to let her look too closely.

He stepped closer, pulled her into his arms, and claimed her lips with his.

Her arms encircled his neck, and she again vigorously returned the kiss.