The Knight Before Chris

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  Whiskey Creek Press

  www.whiskeycreekpress.com

  Copyright ©2006 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

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  NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.

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  THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRIS

  by

  Peggy Hunter

  WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

  www.whiskeycreekpress.com

  Published by

  WHISKEY CREEK PRESS

  Whiskey Creek Press

  PO Box 51052

  Casper, WY 82605-1052

  www.whiskeycreekpress.com

  Copyright ©

  2006 by Peggy Hunter

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  ISBN 1-59374-833-7

  Credits

  Cover Artist: Nancy Donohue

  Editor: Chere Gruver

  Printed in the United States of America

  WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT

  THE KNIGHT BEFORE CHRIS

  *****Superior Recommended Read

  "This was a pleasure to read. Chris and Winter argue and battle their attraction, make love and battle their attraction, and they argue. But the battling is fun to read. The storyline is interesting and moves along swiftly. The characters are adorable with well rounded personalities. The sexual situations are well written and exhilarating. I look forward to read more by this wonderful writer."

  May @ MayReview.com

  5 Angels

  "In The Knight Before Chris, Winter and Chris show that there's more than one way to keep warm in a snowstorm. You'll never look at a rustic, cramped cabin the same way after you read this hotly erotic book. Peggy Hunter turns up the heat in a big way, nearly melting all of the icicles in the vicinity as her characters show how snow sports and fun in the great outdoors should really be done. How do you reconcile your attraction to someone you don't even like? Perhaps passion like this could be therapeutic! Take a read of Peggy Hunter's The Night Before Chris and find out for yourself! Five Angels!"

  Michelle, Fallen Angels Reviews

  Dedication

  For Ron. The devil made me do it!

  Chapter 1

  "You'll have to speak up,” Chris shouted into his cell phone. “The reception up here sucks. I can't hear you."

  He frowned and closed his eyes in an effort to concentrate on the garbled words beneath the hiss of static. ” ... Winter ... there..."

  "Yes,” Chris called back. “It definitely is winter up here. But there's lots of wood in the shed for the fireplace and the cookstove and I brought several cans of gas for the generator. I'm fine."

  "...no ... listen ... Winter ... on the way..."

  "Jimmy, I can hardly hear you. Don't worry about me, okay? I'm looking forward to being alone this Christmas. Give Susan a kiss for me and tell the kids they can't open the presents I got for them until Christmas morning. Happy holidays, pal."

  Chris didn't wait for his best friend to respond; he hit the end button on his phone, switched it off and tossed it on the coffee table. What the hell was Jimmy talking about? Winter was more than on its way. Even if it wasn't the twenty-first of December, all he had to do was look out the window to see the heavy snow coming down.

  Thank God he'd arrived at Jimmy's cabin when he did. Another hour or two and he'd have been driving his car up the hills in the blinding snowstorm. He shivered at the prospect, tossed another log on the fire in the hearth and pulled the bright red wool blanket tighter around his shoulders.

  Damn, the quiet was good. After the last few weeks, he needed a place to hunker down and lick his wounds. Jimmy and his wife tried to talk him out of spending Christmas alone. But shit, when his divorce was finalized last week after a two year battle, he didn't feel much like celebrating the holidays. Besides, the last fucking person he wanted to see was Jimmy's sister!

  Chris leaned forward and picked up his mug from the coffee table. He blew the steam off and took a long sip of hot chocolate before he leaned back and put his feet up on the table. He moved his toes inside the heavy wool socks as the heat from the hearth warmed them.

  Nope, he had no regrets. Spending the holidays holed up in his best friend's cabin was exactly what he needed. He needed to be alone.

  * * * *

  Winter Knight bowed her head against the howling wind and driving snow as she made her way to her brother's cabin. Her stylish, sporty car would only go so far on the steep, snowy roads. When the little shit box would go no further, she was forced to walk the rest of the way on foot, dragging just one of her bags of luggage along with her. God, she hoped the bag she'd chosen had the stash of coffee in it. She'd so need a jolt of caffeine when she finally got to Jimmy's cabin.

  Winter grimaced and pulled the hood of her coat tighter around her face as the wind whipped snow over her. The faux fur trim around the hood felt like sandpaper against her freezing cheeks. She'd been trudging through knee-deep snow for what seemed like hours before she finally caught sight of Jimmy's cabin.

  Good! This is good! Unless, of course, she was hallucinating. Her toes were frozen in the designer boots she wore. Every step she took was a new adventure in pain. God, she could only hope Gilles Gothier, the haut couture designer, would eventually end up in divorce court as a defendant. No woman should suffer the torture of wearing these boots during inclement weather. She'd ream his fucking ass out and be thanked by every woman who could afford his stylish but nonfunctional designs.

  As Winter made her way through the blinding snow, she frowned when she saw the Jeep parked near the cabin and the soft light shining through the windows. It occurred to her that she wouldn't be alone in her brother's cabin as she had hoped. She considered it for only a moment. She was too damn cold and the cabin looked far too inviting to care.

  Thank God the cabin door was open. Her fingers were too numb to reach into her pocket for the key. Snow billowed in a cloud around her as she turned to lug her suitcase indoors. She moaned when the brittle strap broke and the bag fell on its side in a snowdrift just outside the door.

  That did it! Winter growled in anger. She tossed the broken strap aside and kicked the door closed. She howled when her frozen foot protested against the action. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” she wailed as she hopped on one foot.

  "That's exactly what I thought when I saw you come through the door."

  Okay, Knight, you didn't hear that voice. Your guilty conscience is playing tricks on you. There's no way that guy could be here!

  Winter closed her eyes tight and took a deep breath. She made a feeble attempt to count to ten before she opened her eyes and peered over her shoulder. Her heart dropped to her toes. She hadn't been imagining that rich, sexy baritone. It really was Chris Donnelly!

  This isn't happening! There was no way the man was in her brother's cabin right this second. Winter squeezed her eyes closed again and shook her head, hoping to dispel her whacked-out vision.

  "Well now,” the vision said as Winter squeez
ed her eyes shut tighter. “If it isn't the Barracuda herself."

  God, she hated that name! Her eyes flew open and she glared at Chris. “Don't you ever call me that, you fucking asshole!"

  She trembled with anger when he simply smiled. “I've learned the hard way that the shoe fits,” he said smugly.

  Since her heart had already dropped to her toes, there was little else her chest could do other than cave in with anger. “If the shoe fits, it's your own damn fault,” she said. “The only thing I'm guilty of is making sure your ex-wife got what was coming to her."

  "I take it you're aware she took off with her Latin lover, our former pool boy, to France for the holidays."

  Winter winced. There was no mistaking the bitterness in his voice or the fact she had a role in the farce to screw him out of millions of dollars.

  "The judge made the final decision. There's no point to rehashing it.” When he didn't respond, she went on, “I'm afraid you'll have to vacate the premises."

  Chris’ head tilted back as he laughed. “I don't think so,” he said. “Jimmy gave me the use of the cabin for the next ten days. I have no intention of leaving."

  "I'm Jimmy's sister,” Winter said. “That gives me more right to be here than you. Get the fuck out!"

  Chris’ throaty chuckle grated on her nerves. “Your brother gave me the use of the cabin. You're the unwanted party. And hell, look at the snow outside. Gonna be a son of a bitch hiking back to the rock you crawled out from under."

  Winter gritted her teeth. “I'm not going anywhere. The second the storm clears, I'll call Jimmy and have him tell you personally that you don't belong here."

  Chris eyes narrowed slightly. “Does your brother bend to your will the same way every other man in your life does?"

  "Excuse me?” Winter said, quite incensed. “What the hell do you know about the men in my life?"

  Chris grinned. “Your reputation proceeds you,” he said. “Barracuda in divorce court, barracuda in the bedroom. I've heard there's at least one man with your teeth marks on his ass after having tangled with you in the bedroom."

  Damn it, Jimmy! How could he have told Chris about that? It was definitely not one of the shining moments in her life. Especially when the guy called the cops, showed his dented ass and insisted she be charged with assault.

  She had to admit, in spite of her shattered heart, she regretted what she'd done. The cop who'd charged her said Jeff hadn't caused physical damage while she had. She begged to differ. Jeff's ass heeled, her shattered heart never would.

  It had taken so much for her to trust Jeff and when she finally did, she'd loved him with every fiber of her being. When he betrayed her...

  Winter shivered. “What happens in my bedroom is none of your affair,” she shot back.

  She didn't want to go there; she didn't want to replay that horrible night. The only good thing that came from Jeff's betrayal was that she'd become a damn good divorce lawyer. She may never love again, but at least she could help the women hurt as badly as she'd been.

  "I agree,” Chris replied. “But what you did to me in the courtroom is very much my affair."

  Another twinge of guilt coursed through her. She had set out to help women who'd been hurt as badly as she'd been. And then there was Linda Donnelly...

  "It's water under the bridge,” she said. “Your divorce is finalized now. Move on."

  "I expect you can move on,” Chris retorted. “What with the fat check you deposited at my expense. It's not quite that easy for me. I'm fucking lucky to have two cents to rub together."

  "What? I thought we'd cleaned you out,” Winter said sarcastically. “I'm sorry to hear I left two cents unaccounted for."

  Rich green eyes impaled her, sank into her soul. Winter tried to ignore the thrill of excitement that coursed through her body and settled in her core.

  There was no denying Chris Donnelly was a handsome man. Tall, he towered over her five foot eight frame. He was lean and muscular with chiseled good looks. Dark brown hair swept back from his face, which included a long, angular nose and a gentle cleft in his chin.

  She wasn't sure, but he might just have dimples in his cheeks when he smiled. She had to admit, in the past two years, she'd only seen him in either negotiation meetings or the courtroom ... and the man sure as hell wasn't smiling then.

  Chris’ most striking feature was his eyes. Emerald green, framed by long dark lashes and thick eyebrows. One look from him could kill. But she could imagine those eyes gazing at a woman with desire. She imagined the same intense gaze he was giving her now, only his face wouldn't be furrowed in anger.

  "You're a sarcastic little bitch, aren't you?” Chris said.

  "I don't see any reason for name calling,” Winter replied. “The fact is we're stuck with each other until the storm subsides. I recommend we make the best of it."

  Chris’ gaze ran over her from head to toe. “And just how do you see that working?"

  Winter pulled the zipper of her coat down and shucked out of it. “Well, I expect we'll just have to keep our distance.” She peered around the cozy cabin. A closed door caught her eye. “I'll take the bedroom and you can sleep out here on the couch,” she said.

  Chris rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Never mind the fact that I was here first and have already unpacked."

  "This cabin belongs to my brother,” she said as she walked toward the closed door. “That definitely outranks your dibs on the room."

  Chris quickly blocked her path. She'd almost walked into his chest as he stood in front of the door. “I don't think so,” he said softly. “If you want the bedroom, you're going to have to fight me for it."

  Damn! She stood stark still and stared up at him. She didn't blink as she made an attempt to stare him down. She wasn't about to budge, or give in to him.

  "Get out of my way, Donnelly,” she said.

  * * * *

  Hell, she was a beautiful woman. Long, light brown hair framed her oval face. Rich blue eyes that gazed up at him with contempt. Her chest heaved slightly, accentuating small, firm breasts beneath the heavy white cable-knit sweater she wore. Her jeans were cinched tight around her tiny waist, accentuating the swell of her hips and long slender legs.

  Chris felt a certain measure of sexual excitement course through him. He had to admit, in spite of Linda's efforts to ruin him, he often found himself fantasizing about her divorce lawyer. He'd had many sleepless nights imagining Winter Knight bent over the desk in the courtroom, the skirt of her stuffy business suit shoved up over her ass as he drove into her from behind. She was fiery and defiant, and most of all, sexier than any woman he'd ever encountered.

  But hell! Winter had chosen to represent Linda, in spite of their family connection and that bugged the shit out of him. Before Linda hired her, he'd only met Winter in passing at Jimmy's house. Still, being his best friend's sister was a definite conflict of interest, something any reputable lawyer should have considered.

  Chris had been careful about what he said to Jimmy. After all, Jimmy was very protective of her. He was eighteen when his parents were killed in a car accident and he quickly took over raising his fourteen year old sister. And he'd done a damn good job. Winter had grown into a very strong woman. The type who wasn't going to be pushed around by anyone, most certainly not a man.

  Unfortunately, Chris had firsthand knowledge of just how good Winter was at defending scorned women.

  So be it. Chris couldn't change the past but he sure as hell wasn't going to give in to Winter's demands now. In fact, he'd like an excuse to take her down a few notches, maybe an opportunity to show just how powerful he really was.

  As she stood in front of him, unwilling to give in, he imagined wrapping his arms around her and pushing her to the floor. She'd fight him at first, but once he sank his cock inside her, she'd relent, willingly giving herself to him. He'd fuck her within an inch of her life.

  His hand touched her cheek as he stared down at her. He smiled slowly when she flinc
hed and took a step back. “We're not in a courtroom now, Winter,” he said softly. “I suggest you don't push me unless you're willing to pay the consequences."

  Winter's eyes narrowed. Her chin jutted up as she sniffed. “Fine,” she said tightly. “I'll sleep on the couch."

  "A wise decision,” he said. He walked into the bedroom and retrieved a pillow and a few blankets from the closet. He tossed them on the floor at her feet. “Sleep well."

  He chuckled when he heard a soft oath through the closed bedroom door. “Bastard."

  Oh, she didn't know the half of it! If the weather forecast was right, they were going to be stuck with each for the next few days. He fully intended to make her life as miserable as she'd made his for the past two years.

  Chapter 2

  Winter woke to the alluring smell of freshly brewed coffee. She pushed the layers of heavy blankets aside and sat up. The wind continued to howl outside the cabin but inside was toasty warm. She brushed her hair away from her face as she peered around her.

  "Thought you were going to sleep all day,” the familiar husky voice sounded. She opened her eyes wider and located Chris sitting in the armchair near the hearth. He looked absolutely gorgeous in his tight blue jeans and heavy white wool sweater. Clean-shaven, his damp hair was combed back from his face. His spicy scent combined with the smell of fresh coffee.

  "What time is it?” she mumbled as she combed her hair with her fingers.

  "Almost nine,” he said and then chuckled. “Give it up. Your hair's a mess. You must be a restless sleeper."

  "As a matter of fact, I'm not a restless sleeper,” Winter replied.

  "Really? I would've thought all the men you've screwed in the past few years would weigh heavy on your mind.” He toasted her with his coffee mug. “My mistake for thinking you might have a conscience."

  "Oh, piss off!” Winter shot up from the couch and walked to the kitchenette. It was too damn early in her day to fight with the likes of Chris Donnelly! She needed at least one cup of coffee first. She grabbed the enamel coffee pot on the counter and frowned. The pot was not only cold, it was empty.