Page 39 of Hot Winter Nights (Bear Mountain Rescue 1)

She was stubborn and obstinate and a giant pain in the ass…but she was also funny, caring, and her beauty was so arresting that sometimes he had a hard time looking away from her.

As he kneeled before her, his lips made their way down her torso. He lost himself in the symphony of her pleasure, working his mouth over her sensitive flesh until she shattered against him.

Lifting her onto the bed and laying her down across his comforter, he took it all in. He’d spent the last five weeks imagining what she’d look like sprawled across his bed with her arms open for him.

Now he didn’t have to fantasize anymore.

Once he had the condom on, he crawled up and over her, claiming her mouth once more as he flexed his hips. Her legs wrapped around him and he slid home, groaning in ecstasy as her warmth engulfed him. Rocking against her, he got lost in the taste and feel of her, the sweet sounds of her little moans as he buried his head in her neck, relishing the squeeze of her muscles around his cock as she came again.

When he followed her down, he knew. It had never been this good, felt this right.

It was all Allie.

And this time, he wasn’t going to mess it up.

Chapter 23

On Sunday morning, Dex waited in the parking lot of the hospital for Hunter. It was hard to stop smiling, considering how he’d spent the last three days with Allie. Besides making love, they had talked…about their childhoods and their friends. His time in the army and her failed attempt to appear on some reality singing competition when she was eighteen. Who knew being snowed in could be the most fun he’d had in…well, his whole life.

It was the second day since the snow had stopped and he needed to be back at work, especially since the avalanche danger level was high. He’d snuck out from under Allie’s soft body, resisted her sleepy attempts to lure him back

to bed, and stopped off in town for two coffees. One would be a peace offering for Hunter. Dex was hoping he’d get to keep his friend, but he wasn’t counting his chickens yet.

Hunter pulled up next to him, and when he climbed out of his car, he gave Dex a nod.

“What’s this?” Hunter asked.

“Coffee, with a side of ‘We need to talk.’”

Hunter came around the front and took the proffered cup. “Aw, are you breaking up with me?”

The joke didn’t have the same tone to it, not after the last five weeks. There was a definite edge to it, and Dex wasn’t going to bullshit his friend. Not anymore.

“Look, I know that I’ve screwed up, especially with things between us, but I gotta be honest—”

“You slept with Allie.”

Hunter didn’t sound ready to throw the scalding coffee in his face, so he took that as a good sign.

“It’s not like that. I…” Ah, hell, spit it out. “I care about her, Hunt. I didn’t know it, or at the very least, wasn’t ready to admit it, but I do. A lot.”

Hunter took a drink from the coffee cup before saying, “Well, that’s it, then.”

“If you want to take a swing at me…wait, what does that mean?”

“It means I knew after you kissed her I had lost. I just figured you’d lost, too, when you acted like a total prick. But she gave you another chance?”

“Not at first. Her battery died and her power was out, so she stayed at my place—”

“I don’t need details, really. Good for you, though. It seems like she makes you happy.”

“She does, I’m not gonna lie. I’m really lucky.” Dex was at a loss. Of all the ways he’d expected Hunter to react, cool and collected hadn’t been among them. “Well, thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

“I’m not going to do cartwheels, at least not anytime soon, but I also am not going to hold a grudge against you for falling for someone.” Then Hunter grinned as he added, “Besides, with you off the market, the next hot, single woman that rolls into town will be all mine. No contest.”

Holding his coffee cup out to his friend, he gave a toast. “Here’s to love.”

Hunter’s eyebrows shot up his forehead. “Love, huh?”

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