Hidden (A McKenzie Ridge Novel Book 2) Read online

  It may not be her style, but she found this country chic setting adorable and absolutely charming. There wasn’t anything like this, with this ambiance and wow factor in the city. Maybe small town simple life living was starting to rub off on her. This gave her an incredible idea for the Holiday Fairs final event.

  ***

  Colton was a gentleman, making sure she had everything she needed first. He also made sure it was clear who she was with. He held her hand, or had his hand at the small of her back as they made their way down the buffet line. He was sweet, kind, and even laughed at her jokes.

  He loved watching her joy flood the place they were in. She laughed all night, and made fast friends with everyone around them. Her outgoing spirit was mesmerizing, he couldn’t get enough of her, and he was also tired of sharing her.

  Dinner was replaced with dessert at the buffet, while coffee and tea stations were set up around the perimeter of the pergola granting easy access, while guests wandered the grounds and mingled. Peach cobbler was the featured dessert, but seasonal pumpkin pie and apple pie were served as well. On the side of each plated dessert was a generous scoop of freshly made vanilla bean ice cream. Unable to make their choices, they settled on a dessert each with a plan to share. Colton grabbed the third dessert for good measure.

  They found a lovely spot near the log railing that lined the perimeter of the property. This particular railing protected people and animals alike from the steep rocky terrain of the ridge beyond. They took a seat on a vacant bale of hay that boasted the best view on the entire property. The ridge overlooked the moonlit town below, sprinkled with the few city lights there were. A mirror like maze that was Bear Creek, trailed through town disappearing in the distance, while reflecting the gorgeous star speckled sky and silvery light of the moon. It was a magnificent sight as even the newly snowcapped mountaintops at the highest elevations glowed from the same silvery light against its freshly lain snow.

  It was a magical night, thoughtfully planned, and neither wanted it to end. From the fun campfire-like singing and mingling with strangers from all over, to their sweet romantic spot on the ridge…it was perfect.

  Staring off in the distance, Megan said, “I’ve never seen such beauty. Absolutely breathtaking.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” he said, referring to his view, which was all Megan.

  “You’re sweet. Really, tonight has been…amazing,” she confirmed.

  “Well, I’m glad you liked it. I had a feeling you hadn’t been out here so it seemed like a good choice.”

  “It was. Oh my God, this dessert! I can’t believe you stole an extra!” She joked.

  “It isn’t stealing. It’s just…sampling,” he said with confidence, taking a hearty bite of dessert.

  She laughed at his defense and said, “Well, thank you for inviting me. It’s nice to get out and ‘adult’ a little! I love Jax, but tonight was so needed and so…worth it,” she finished, locking eyes with him hoping he heard all that she was trying to say without giving everything away.

  “I enjoy spending time with you and Jax; I think you know that by now. Tonight, I just wanted to be with you,” he admitted, figuring he had nothing to lose. He wasn’t ready to propose anything more than dating, but needed her to know that she was quickly becoming a priority and someone he saw some form of future with.

  “Colton…” she interrupted, putting her guard up ever so slightly.

  “Meg, I know something happened to you or someone hurt you. I see the walls you hold up, the anxiousness that it provokes. I’m in no rush to turn this or us into anything you aren’t ready for. I want you to know that. Whatever your past holds, you can tell me, when you’re ready and maybe you’ll never be ready, but in the meantime, you can count on me. You can trust me. I won’t let anything happen to you or Jax, you can count on that.” His sincerity and vulnerable heart on the line, he said everything she needed to hear.

  Tears threatened as his words sunk in and he found his way to her heart. How did this incredible man find her? He accepts every piece of her without even knowing what he’s signing up for. There wasn’t a word she could say that conveyed how he made her feel in that moment. She leaned in and kissed him, hoping he read every page of her story and everything she was feeling in that kiss.

  Their steamy kiss was interrupted by the ping of her phone. She was reluctant to check it, but it could be about Jax and couldn’t be ignored.

  “It’s a text from Sam,” she said while reading it.

  “Really, what’s it say? Everything okay?” He said with concern.

  Megan handed him the phone, smile on her face, so he could read it for himself.

  -M

  Kids are sleeping in the blanket fort that they made with D. Can J just stay over? Get him in the morning, after breakfast?

  -S

  Colton grinned and looked at her. It seems their evening just got a little longer. He raised his eyebrows, questioning her response. To his delight, she gave him a dramatic nod and wicked raise to her eyebrows. He looked back to the phone and replied,

  -S

  I love you, girl. We’ll see you in the morning!

  -C

  Colton grabbed her hand and pulled her from her seat, giving her a quick kiss before dragging her through the parked cars once again, all the way to his truck causing her to laugh breathlessly the entire way. Once there, he opened her door and lifted her to her seat, giving her one final kiss before he drove them down the mountain.

  Megan was certain this was a premeditated event planned by the menacing matchmaker fairies again, but she wasn’t complaining. They had already planned to finish their evening with a movie, but both were hoping it would end with a sleepover of their own.

  Chapter 11

  Colton held Megan’s hand all the way down the mountain. He had a smile that wouldn’t fade for days as he listened to her contagious excitement over her new ideas for the Holiday Fair, that were inspired by their evening. It was now the “Holiday Hoe Down Bizarre” featuring their first annual “Crystal Showdown Gala”, a formal ending to a weeklong chain of events. This was one of the best days Colton had for as long as he could remember, and he hoped it wasn’t the last.

  They ended their evening at his house so they could let the animals in and to bed for the night. Nancy pushed her kittens to the mudroom, followed by the other dogs and Doug the goat. Even Rambo was in for the night, perched at the top of the snuggled up stack of pets in the long custom dog bed that lined one side of the room.

  Megan was impressed by their nighttime routine and found it absolutely adorable. She sat and gave them each good night pets and sweet goodnights, especially Duke…he was becoming quite special to her.

  She found Colton in the kitchen making popcorn and hot chocolate while gathering a few other movie snacks. They quickly settled on a romantic movie that happened to be a mutual favorite. She was surprised that he enjoyed the movie as well, he was such a man’s man, but had such a loving, tender heart that it shouldn’t have surprised her.

  He held her close throughout the movie as they laughed through the humor, held each other tighter through the spectacular love scenes, and of course at the end when she cried like a child over the happy yet sad ending.

  “Oh my gosh. I’ve watched that movie a million times, I don’t know why it makes me cry still! How embarrassing! Ugh, it’s just so beautiful though, to die in each other’s arms…” She hiccupped on her last word and wiped her tears laughing at herself.

  Colton reached up and caught a runaway tear from her cheek and brushed it away. “It is a really good movie.”

  “I’m so impressed. Most guys wouldn’t watch it to save their lives, nothing blows up and there isn’t any blood or fast cars,” she laughed.

  “I’m not most guys, I guess. I like all the other stuff you mentioned, but there is something about this movie. I guess I just really want something like that someday. Someone to love forever, through your best and your worst,” he said sh
yly. “Now I sound like a whiney jackass. Next time let’s watch a movie where they blow shit up,” he joked.

  “You don’t sound whiney. You sound amazing. Like a guy who knows what he wants and won’t settle for less. She’ll be the luckiest girl around.” Her cheeks took on color as she revealed her admiration for him, and what sounded a lot like an admission.

  He knew her words were anything but a proclamation of love for him, but there was indeed something there, something she felt about him. The eternal optimist that he was, his heart began to do flips as she finally let it be known that she just might be as interested in him as he was in her.

  He sat her up from his chest, and pulled her close and said, “No, I would be the luckiest man around.”

  He kissed her. He kissed her full of heart and promise to be whatever she needed him to be for now. His kiss told her he would wait for her, whenever she was ready for more. His kiss was hot and full of the passion he wanted to share with her.

  She heard his declaration loud and clear without a single word. She was ready to throw chance to the wind and explore this wonderful man that wanted her as much as she wanted him. He was one of a kind and all hers if she wanted it, and man did she want it.

  She turned her body, straddling him on the couch, taking up the heat to epic levels. If he didn’t already know what her intentions were, he did now as she pressed her chest to his and slowly slid down his front, making sure to sit right where she could feel his excitement.

  His hands rode up her shirt, slowly up and down her sides, finally resting his hands where his thumbs could tease her hardened nipples. She raised her arms for him, inviting him to strip her sweater from her body and he was happy to oblige. Her breasts were perfectly displayed in a sexy lavender lace and satin bra with little bows above each breast. Man he loved her underwear, it was the sexy expensive boudoir type…it suited her.

  She unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it from his shoulders to reveal his Adonis-like chest, hard, rippled abs, and her favorite…his wide, sexy, strong shoulders. He was something to look at, hot as hell and she couldn’t wait to taste every inch of him. She ran her hands down every hill and valley finding her way to his waist, undoing what stood between them.

  Before she could finish, he found the clasp of her bra, freeing her breasts that were as happy to see him as he was them. He closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

  “You are so damn beautiful. You know it. So beautiful,” he said before taking her mouth again.

  His hands worked her breasts while he kissed his way down her neck to her collarbone and eventually her breasts. Her head fell back in pleasure as his tongue marked her as his. He stood, holding her around his waist and walked to his bedroom.

  He placed her in the middle of his bed and slowly undid the rest of her clothing while taking tastes of her along the way. He stood from the bed and finished removing his own clothing, gaining a sigh from his lady who apparently wanted the joy of doing so herself, next time.

  The bright moonlight was cascading in from the large window above his bed, the only light in the room, intensified by the glare off the lake. She stood to her knees crawling to the edge of the bed, appreciating the show he was giving her. He stood there, looking at her, in all his glory, he was magnificent.

  She reached for him, unable to wait another moment to get her hands on him. All over him. She found his collarbone and sprinkled sweet kisses and nips along the trail. Her hands traced the length of his body, to the impressive ‘V’ that had her mouthwatering as it led to his hardened length.

  He was impressive, more than a handful, leaving her both nervous and excited to explore him more, feel him. He only let her stroke him for a moment before he held her hands, raising them above her head while lying her down. He loved the feel of her hands on him, but he loved to feel her more.

  One hand holding her arms above her head, the other skimming her body, leaving a trail of heated skin covered in goose bumps. Her pebbled nipples told him he was touching her in all the right places, her hot and ready folds confirmed his thoughts. He gently teased her swollen bud, stroking her in sync with the motions of his tongue.

  He let go of her hands, needing to touch more of her. Half on the bed, half standing, straddling one leg with his girth heavily resting on her thigh, he continued his assault intensifying his strokes and motions in response to the breathy sounds she was making. He slipped one finger inside of her, then two, kissing a trail down her abdomen to where she wanted his mouth most.

  She missed his weight on her thigh until she felt his hot breath against her most sensitive parts. His tongue was pure magic as it massaged her in heavy strokes, stopping to tease her hard knot over and over again. One leg over his shoulder, he spread her wider so he could go deeper.

  Her body responded to his every touch with such erotic movement, he worried he would be done before he could start. It was hot, it was sexy, and he couldn’t get enough. Her body began to twitch when she began to move against his mouth trying to find her pleasure. His fingers slipped back in, one, then two while his free hand made her arch with at the touch of her breast.

  The sensations were all consuming, so intense. Her rhythm was fast, her breathing faster, and her cries so sensual, like an aphrodisiac that hardened him to near pain as he tried to hold off his own release. He stroked her harder, faster, responding to her every movement until she cried out his name and shattered around him riding the waves coursing through her body.

  Colton slid her back and crawled up the bed between her legs giving her long loving kisses as she came down from her high. He slowly filled her, inch by inch giving her time to catch her breath. Before he knew what was happening, his tiny vixen had rolled on top of him, taking him all in.

  She was hot, wet, and felt like a well-fitted glove covering him. Heaven. She began to ride him slowly, never breaking their kiss. Her kiss became harder, more purposeful as her pace quickened. She sat up, hands on his chest tossing her head back she rode him fast and hard. He held her waist, lifting her up and down as he ground into her.

  It was so virile, primal even, as they made fast, hot love both greedy for their finish. With one final thrust, deep inside her, she cried out for a second time. He felt her clench him hard, the waves of her finish squeezing him tighter like a rapid pulse until he followed with his ending, completely spent, completely satisfied, completely smitten.

  He rolled her to her side, her exhaustion evident, and held her close. She eventually began to stroke him again and he complied with her demands. This time, he made slow, sweet, love to her long into the night.

  Chapter 12

  A cold, wet nose lying on her arm was enough to wake Meg from her sleep. Trying to maneuver under the heavy arm and leg that lay across her body, she turned to find two dark eyes inches from her face, startling her until it licked her chin…Duke.

  She turned to see Colton still soundly sleeping, she felt content, happy. She could get used to this, wet nose and all. She scratched Duke’s ears and whispered what a good boy he was. She carefully found her way out from under Colton, pulled his shirt over her head, and made her way to the kitchen where four little faces greeted her, tails wagging.

  “Ah, its breakfast time, isn’t it?” She questioned the fury gang before her.

  She let them out while she started a pot of coffee and gathered their food bowls to fill. She had watched Colton do this a number of times, surely it wouldn’t be that hard. Their bowls were clearly labeled, as was the large eight cup measuring scoop. She stacked them up, as Colton did, and carried them to the front porch, trying not to spill the contents.

  “Shit, this is heavy; it weighs as much as Jax,” she proclaimed.

  She lined them up, just as Colton would, in size order. She gave them all the okay to eat, including the hand signal for Boss that she learned by watching Colton so many times. Very proud of her accomplishment, she confidently stood, hands on hips, with a satisfied look on her face until she turned to the door to check
on the coffee. A chill ran down her spine.

  She watched her house in the distance, and what appeared to be a prowler getting in his dark car and driving off. Who would be out this time of morning? What was he doing outside of his car, in front of her house? She didn’t get a good look at him or the car—too far away.

  She pushed down the paranoia, reminded herself that she is safe, nobody was looking for her, and if they were they couldn’t find her. Living alone in a new town was starting to play games with her mind. This wasn’t the city—it was a safe little town. “Bad guys” don’t lurk in places like this.

  ***

  Colton leaned against the wall near the hallway, arms crossed in front of him, watching Megan through the large picture window. He felt her get up; her absence had woke him from his deep satisfied slumber. He wondered how one night with her in his bed could leave such an imprint on his soul, that he felt when she was gone.

  He chuckled at the sight of her carrying the bulky bowls, balancing them through the house. He almost helped her, but was enjoying the show. Her final feat, signaling Boss, afforded him a cute little victory dance full of bouncing breasts and wiggling hips that made the front of his pants twitch, and heart swell. He was completely taken by her. He knew he had a lot of love to give someone, but this was overwhelming. He wondered, was it love, in such a short time? If it wasn’t he didn’t know how he would handle the real deal. This, whatever it was, was powerful and all consuming.

  His mood quickly shifted when he noticed her joyful dancing quickly change to stone cold fear. She stood still and became pale, eyes locked on something in the distance. He followed her gaze in the direction of her house. He could see it from where he stood through the dining room window. He saw an unfamiliar car driving in the distance, not sure where it had come from or why it drained the light from her eyes.