It Must Have Been the Mistletoe(20)

Drew looked into her face, trying to commit to memory every detail, every perfect feature. “You are beautiful, Alison.”

She glanced away. “Not so much.”

He reached up, taking her chin and turning her face to meet his gaze. “I’m not sure I want to let you go.” He kissed her again, lingering over her mouth. And when he’d satisfied himself with the taste of her tongue, he moved lower to her breast, drawing her nipple to a taut peak.

Was there a way to keep her here for one more day? If he just had another day, he might be able to understand these feelings pulsing through him. Was this simply sexual attraction? A temporary infatuation? Or was it deeper?

She whispered his name and Drew sighed. One thing he did know—this would not be the last time he made love to Alison Cole. He’d make sure of that.



THE WEATHER HAD TURNED overnight, a wind from the south driving the chill from the air and melting the ice. Alison stared out the window of the cabin, gazing up at the blue sky that peeked through the trees.

Drew had driven down the mountain to check on the road. He’d been gone for almost an hour, so she suspected the road had been fixed and she’d be on her way today, back to the real world of students and classes, grades and exams. That world seemed so far away from the one she’d shared with Drew these past couple of days.

Strange that her life had taken such a sudden turn. Over the past few years she’d wondered if she’d ever meet a man who was worth loving. Maybe, at a different time in her life, he could have been that man. But with the job in Texas there wasn’t much chance they could continue.

Alison rubbed her arms and walked over to the table, staring down at the manuscript paper that cluttered the surface. She’d crawled out of bed last night, long after Drew had drifted off to sleep, and finished transcribing the melodies of all Ettie’s songs.

Christmas was approaching, and after her recital and final exams, she was expected at her parents in Ponder Hill to celebrate the holidays. She’d be a long way from this mountain. She didn’t even know what Drew was planning for the holidays. He’d probably drive into Knoxville to see his parents.

She sat down and began to straighten her papers, arranging the pages in order before slipping the songs into her bag. Why was it so difficult to think about leaving? When she’d first decided to share his bed, Alison had accepted the fact that they’d spend one night together and that would be enough.

Maybe it had been a mistake to stay a second night. Maybe she should have pushed more to get off the mountain and back to her real life. Was that what had altered her perspective? One night was a one-night stand. But two nights—well, that was the beginning of a relationship.

“No,” she murmured. “I’m not going to do this.” She’d worked far too hard to get where she was to give it all up for a man. And what would she do on this mountain besides drive herself completely crazy? She needed libraries and practice rooms, conferences and lectures. That was who she was.

The sound of Drew’s truck startled her out of her thoughts and she hurried to the cabin door and pulled it open. The truth was, she wanted him to tell her that the road was still impassable. She wanted just one more night. But as he jogged up the steps, Alison knew that was not to be.

“The route’s all right,” he said. “I cleared all the branches and there’s a good spot to drive over that gulley. The cold firmed up the road, so you shouldn’t get stuck.”

It was for the best, Alison mused. She’d get back to her life and forget all about Drew Phillips. “I guess I should get going then.”

He nodded, his gaze fixed on hers. “Probably. It’s still cold. We might get snow.”

Alison retreated inside the cabin and grabbed her jacket, her duffel and her messenger bag. She took one last look around at the rumpled bed, at the fire dancing in the hearth, at the remains of their breakfast on the table, then stepped outside.

They walked silently to his truck, the ground crunching beneath their feet. “I had fun last night,” she said. “And this morning.”

“Fun?”

“You know what I mean. I enjoyed it.”

“It?” he asked, a grin teasing at his lips.

Alison slapped his shoulder. “Stop! I’m just trying to tell you that…that…it was nice. You were nice. It was amazing. And if you’re interested, we could do it again.”

“Right here? Or in my truck?”

“No,” Alison said. “At a later date.”

He pulled open the passenger side door and helped her inside, tucking her belongings between her feet. Drew circled around and got behind the wheel. “That’s a possibility,” he said. “How would it work?”