The Knight Before Chris Read online

  "Oh, did you want coffee?” Chris’ voice was laced with sarcasm. “I've been up for a couple hours so,” he raised his mug, “this is the last cup."

  All right. That's fine. She didn't need his coffee anyway. “I'll make a pot for myself after I've had a shower."

  "You want to take a shower, too? Hell, that's too bad.” He smiled wickedly. “There's no hot water."

  Winter attempted to count to ten. She knew what he was doing. He wanted to get under her skin; he wanted her to push her buttons. She took a deep breath. “Looks like you took a shower,” she said, indicating his still-damp hair.

  Chris nodded. “Yeah, I started the generator a couple hours ago, just long enough to heat the water and take a quick shower."

  Winter sighed. “Let me guess,” she said. “It's too much trouble for you to start the generator for me."

  "Well, yes,” he replied. “We need to conserve fuel. We don't know how long we'll be stuck here."

  If she had anything to say about it, they wouldn't be stuck here long!

  All right then. No shower. She could wait for a day or so. But she needed coffee and she needed it now! She dug into the one bag she'd brought and located her favorite can of coffee. When she held it up, Chris spoke again.

  "Aw,” he said, “does that coffee need to be perked?” He didn't wait for her reply. “Shit, that's really too bad. See, there's no power, so there's no way to perk it."

  Winter tossed the can onto the floor in disgust. Fuck holding her temper, she needed coffee! “What the hell do you expect me to do?” she said vehemently. “I should warn you that you won't like me one bit without my morning coffee."

  Chris’ laugh grated her already frayed nerves. “I don't like you anyway. Why would I care whether you've had your precious coffee or not?"

  The entire situation was beyond belief! She tried to settle her rattled nerves, each and every one anxious to kill the bastard with the ever-so-fucking-sexy grin on his face. Winter felt anger that started at her toes and slowly made its way up. The man had no idea just what he was getting into.

  "All right,” Chris said. He'd clearly seen just how frustrated she was. “Don't blow a fuse. There's a kettle of hot water by the fire and instant coffee."

  Winter hated instant coffee but at this point, she wasn't about to complain. Chris got up and walked to the cupboards. He retrieved a jar of instant coffee and spooned it into a mug before he walked to the hearth, grabbed the pot and poured hot water into it. His eyes blazed as he handed the mug to her. “Here you go. Now shut the hell up."

  Winter's fingers wrapped around the mug. If he expected a thank you, he'd be sorely disappointed. “I like cream in my coffee."

  "Too fucking bad,” Chris shot at her. “I drink my coffee black, so I didn't bring cream. You should have thought of that when you packed to come here."

  She had thought of it. In fact, she'd thought of everything. Unfortunately, she'd only been able to handle one piece of luggage when she was forced to leave her car behind and climb the snowy hill to the cabin. The bag of groceries was most certainly frozen solid in the trunk of her car by now.

  She'd waited until the last possible minute to tell her brother she intended to spend Christmas alone but she'd been planning the trip to the cabin for days. In fact, the plan fell in place soon after she realized Linda had been playing her for a sucker all along.

  She'd kept it to herself for fear Jimmy would talk her out of spending Christmas alone. Family was everything to him. Christmas without Winter was unthinkable. Never mind the fact that she was twenty-nine and had proven time and time again that she could manage just fine without him.

  Christmas had always been a very special time with her family as Winter grew up. When her parents died, Jimmy quickly took over the role and made sure every Christmas was special.

  She loved her brother too much to tell him it was never the same after their parents died. For the past several years, she'd played along, let him believe he really had made the holiday season special.

  There'd only been one special Christmas since her parents died ... the one she'd spent with Jeff.

  She had no desire to ruin Jimmy's Christmas but this year, she really needed to be alone. She'd called her brother as she was heading out of town to inform him of her plan to spend the holidays alone at the cabin. When he tried to talk her out of it, she said she loved him, hung up and shut her cell phone off.

  Now as she stared at Chris, she wished she'd listened to Jimmy. Christmas with a man who had so much reason to hate her had very little appeal. Just how was she supposed to sort things out when the reason she needed to be alone shared the same small space with her?

  Winter took a small sip of her coffee and sputtered. “Holy shit,” she cried as she peered into the jet-black liquid in the mug. “Just how much instant coffee did you put in this?"

  Chris’ eyes narrowed. “Are you complaining?"

  "No,” Winter said quickly. “It's just very strong."

  "So you won't need a second cup,” he said.

  She watched as he reached for a book and opened it. He flipped through until he found the right spot, settled deeper in the armchair and began to read. The bastard! He seemed perfectly comfortable with her presence. And why not? He'd had a restful night's sleep while she was stuck on the lumpy couch.

  She closed her eyes and took another swig of the coffee. It wasn't so bad once she got used to the overbearing taste. She swallowed slowly and gazed at him. Watching a man read a book was going to get boring pretty darn fast. “So, is this what you plan to do all day?” she asked.

  Chris’ eyes lifted from the book. “We're stuck in a small cabin during a storm,” he said. “Do you have something better in mind?"

  "No, not really,” Winter replied. Her mind whirled. What the hell had she been thinking anyway?

  "Oh, come on, Knight,” Chris said. He put his book aside and gazed back at her. “You weren't counting on having someone here anymore than I was. Since we're stuck with each other for the foreseeable future, what would you like to do?"

  "Forget I mentioned it,” Winter said.

  "No can do,” Chris said. “I'm willing to bet a woman like you can't go too long without screwing a man."

  Winter struggled to put her coffee mug aside without spilling it. She took a deep breath, trying to keep her hands from quaking. “I will not justify my job to you,” she said tightly.

  "Oh, did you think I was talking about your job?” Chris asked. “Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was talking about the fact that you probably hope I'll fuck you."

  Winter sputtered as she leapt up from the couch. “You wish!” she cried. “Aren't you just the typical man? Thinking with the wrong head is the main reason I fleeced you in court."

  Chris stood and towered over her. His eyes narrowed as he peered down at her. “Are you sure you want to go there, Ms. Knight?” His voice was ominously soft, daring her to push him just a little further.

  A sense of excitement coursed through her body as she looked up at him. God, he was so damn sexy! She felt her body warm, her core dampen just slightly, as she stared up at him. She wanted to close her eyes, to let him take her in his arms and show her just how masterful he could be. She wanted to feel his fingers slide over her, his lips on every part of her body.

  God, how she wanted to push him, to force him into acting on what was reflected in his emerald gaze. He wanted her; there was no doubt about it. He wanted her with the same primal urge she felt pool inside her.

  Winter took a step back. “No,” she said finally. “I expect I don't want to go there."

  Chris watched her for a long moment, his face unreadable. She swallowed hard, expecting the worst, before he finally replied. “I think that's wise,” he said. “Very wise."

  Winter hadn't realized she was holding her breath until Chris turned and walked back to the armchair. Air whooshed from her lungs when he sat down and picked up the book he'd been reading. She stood watching him for a l
ong moment, almost afraid to move. When he continued to ignore her, she slowly went back to her place on the couch and picked up her mug of coffee.

  Her heart pounded in her chest. She didn't want to admit to just how excited she'd been moments before ... or how disappointed she was when Chris backed away.

  * * * *

  The room was basked in candlelight when Chris walked inside. He blinked when he saw Winter laying on the bed. She was on her back, her hands cupping her breasts. She looked up at him, her eyes blazing with desire. She pulled her knees up and opened her legs to expose her moist pussy. Chris stood stark still, gazing down at her as she slowly slid a hand from her breast over her abdomen to her sweet core. She smiled up at him as she spread the lips of her vagina open. “Do you like my pussy, Chris?” she asked, her voice low and hoarse with desire as her fingers slid over her slick core.

  When he nodded numbly, she said, “Then come here."

  When he approached, Winter quickly rose on the bed, kneeling in front of him. Her eyes blazed as she opened his jeans and reached inside to cup his cock. She nuzzled it as her fingers massaged his balls. He closed his eyes when her mouth touched the tip and slowly sank over him.

  His hands dug into her hair, holding her in place as she sucked and lapped. “Oh yeah, babe,” he said through clenched teeth. “That's so damn good."

  Winter's breathing became labored as she continued to pump him. Chris’ hands fell from her hair as she quickened the pace.

  Seconds before he knew he'd explode, his hands cupped her shoulders and shoved her. She cried as she fell backwards, landing spread-eagle on the bed. Chris didn't waste a moment, he dove on top of her, knocking the breath out of her lungs as he landed. He didn't wait to drive his cock inside her slick pussy. Her body welcomed him, urged him to take her. He winced as her fingernails dug into the flesh on his shoulders. Her legs wrapped around his waist, beckoning him to drive his cock into her harder.

  "Wake up, shithead!” He'd heard the words in the distance and slowly opened his eyes.

  He frowned and looked down at the book on his lap. “I fell asleep?"

  "Yeah,” Winter replied. “I guess the excitement of sharing the cabin with me got the best of you."

  Chris peered up at her. “I was having a very nice dream,” he said. “Why did you wake me?"

  "Because it's almost five and I haven't eaten anything other than the package of cheese and crackers I found in my suitcase. I'm hungry!"

  He looked at Winter. Shit! So was he! Though he suspected she was talking about food while he was thinking of her flesh. Thank God the book covered his cock.

  He tried to keep the book over the protruding bits of his jeans as he rose from the armchair. Her gaze slid from his face to the strategically placed book. Her brows lifted. “Just what were you dreaming about?"

  Damn it! He tossed the book aside. Why hide it? It wasn't like she could go running from the cabin while the storm raged outside. She had nowhere to go and might as well know how she affected him.

  Her brows rose and she gazed at the hard-on pressed against the fly of his jeans. She whistled. “Must have been one hot dream,” she said.

  Chris had to admit he was disappointed by her glib response. He decided to turn it up a notch. “I was dreaming about fucking you,” he said.

  His cock wilted when she smiled. “Then you'll have to feed me first,” she replied. “I'm too hungry to think about fucking any man, let alone you."

  Chris’ blood boiled. The fucking witch! When the time was right, she was so going to pay the price! He'd see to it that she'd beg for him.

  "Hello?” Winter broke into his thoughts. “Are you still here, or do I have to call 911?"

  Chris gazed at her through hooded eyes. “Gotta go out to start the generator,” he said absently. “Then we can cook something on the stove.” As he retrieved his coat and started for the door, he stopped briefly when the witch had to nerve to say...

  "Well, hurry up!"

  Chris grinned as he opened the door. Oh yeah, he was looking damn forward to giving her exactly what she deserved!

  Chapter 3

  Winter took one last bite of steak and pushed away from the table. She patted her rounded stomach in satisfaction.

  "I take it the meal was acceptable?” Chris asked from across the table.

  Winter gazed at him. The meal had been more than acceptable. She'd eaten a large sirloin steak, baked potato and a healthy helping of steamed baby carrots. “It was a very good meal,” she said cautiously. There was no point in letting it go to his head.

  Chris slowly rose from the table, his gaze pegged on her. “Then I guess we should consider dessert."

  Winter frowned. They'd made dinner together but there'd been no mention of dessert. She looked at Chris as he approached her. “Do you have a stash of chocolate?” she asked. “I'd love some chocolate."

  The moment his hands closed over her shoulders and pulled her off the chair, she knew what he was talking about. “I have something much sweeter in mind."

  Winter felt her body sing with sexual awareness as she allowed him to lead her to the couch. “Don't you remember what you didn't have the strength to do before you had something to eat?"

  Oh God! She'd told him she couldn't fuck a man unless her stomach was full! “Chris,” she said nervously. “You know I wasn't serious."

  Chris’ eyes blazed as he pushed her down on the couch and quickly followed her. His hand touched her jaw as his intent look examined her face. “You are a beautiful woman, Winter Knight,” he said softly.

  Winter closed her eyes as his fingers slowly slid around her neck and pulled her closer to him. “What about the fact we hate each other?” she asked softly, almost breathlessly.

  She sighed when his lips brushed hers and slowly made their way over her cheek to her ear. “Hate is such an ugly word,” he whispered.

  Winter's hands settled on his chest. She knew she should be pushing him away; that what they were doing wasn't right. And yet, when she felt the firm muscles in his chest contract under her touch, she couldn't help herself. “Okay, hate is a strong word,” she replied. “But you can't deny—"

  Chris’ hands slipped behind her and pulled her against him. “You can't deny we're attracted to each other,” he said.

  "Well, yes. But—"

  Chris cut her off again, this time with a low growl. “Shut up, Knight."

  Winter moaned when his lips crushed hers. God! She wasn't used to being told what to do by any man, but he felt so darn wonderful. Her mind whirled as she felt the sheer power his body eluded. It was more than muscular power; it was confidence and downright arrogance, all the qualities she disliked in men. And yet, she couldn't deny that deep down, she felt drawn to him like a moth to the flame.

  She reveled at the contours of his muscular chest as he pinned her beneath him. And, oh Lord, his hands as they snaked beneath her sweater and slowly slid up her back made her body rock with passion.

  To hell with her misgivings! There was nothing wrong with enjoying the moment. There'd be lots of time to reason it out later. Right now, she needed his touch, every fiber of her being begged for his unforgiving strength.

  She sighed when Chris’ hands skittered to her front and his palms settled over her breasts. She felt the warmth of his hands through the thin nylon fabric; her nipples jutted forward to greet his touch.

  "Hmm,” he whispered against her ear. “You want me as much as I want you, don't you, babe?"

  God, how she hated being called ‘babe', yet when Chris uttered the word, it wasn't nearly as annoying as it had been in the past. “Yes,” she hissed as she let out a long breath.

  "Do you want me to suck your nipples?” he asked as his fingers massaged her breasts.

  "Mmmm.” It was the only sound she could manage. Her hands had delved beneath his sweater and were sliding over his sinewy back.

  Chris chuckled. “You'll have to do better than that, babe,” he said. “Do you want me to suck yo
ur tits?"

  She finally found her voice. “Yes!"

  He pulled away from her long enough to pull her sweater over her head and toss it aside. When the hooks of her bra wouldn't give way to his fingers, she chuckled softly and pushed her hands behind her to unhook it. But Chris didn't want to wait. He shoved the cups of the bra over her breasts and slid his hands over them. When the hooks gave way to her ministrations, he didn't seem to notice. His eyes blazed at they focused on her breasts.

  "They're much fuller than I expected,” he said absently. “Heavier in my hands."

  Before Winter found her voice, he leaned down and took one erect nipple into his mouth as his fingers continued to tease and roll the other. His lips closed over it and sucked hard, nipped it with his teeth and swirled his tongue around it before he released it. He raised his head for only a moment before he began the process again.

  "Good?” he asked as his lips released her again.

  "Yes.” It was the only word she could manage as her mind whirled in sheer ecstasy.

  When his tongue dragged from one breast to the other to begin the sensual assault over again, his hands slid over the fly of her jeans and worked to unbutton them. He growled softly when they didn't give in to his will.

  "I'll help you with that under one condition,” Winter said.

  Chris pulled his mouth from her breast and rose slightly. Emerald eyes glimmered as he peered down at her. “Name it."

  "Strip."

  Chris laughed out loud. “Is that the challenge?” He lifted from the couch and stood over her. His fingers curled under his sweater and pulled it off. He tossed it aside before his hands went to the fly of his jeans. “Okay,” he said. “I'm willing to take the rest off but I want something from you in exchange."

  "You already know you've got me,” she said. “What's left?"

  Chris smiled slowly. “So you figure all that's left is fucking you?"

  Winter frowned. “Well, yes. How much more can there be?"