Progress. She liked that. It filled her with hope.
They drove up a long, single driveway, and Teresa held her breath as they climbed off. A light shone at the top of the yard, spotlighting the hill they stood on. At the top of the hill she saw . . . everything. Sloping hills, steep mountains, miles of trees, an entire landscape spread out before them. Behind them stood General Lee’s house separated by private fencing and a big yard. The large cabin had a wraparound porch that looked as welcoming as anything she’d ever seen. It was wood-roofed and stone and rustic, with hanging pots swinging in the breeze. The porch light was on, and Teresa saw several Adirondack chairs with deep cushions, and could already imagine putting her feet up on the rail and watching what must be an incredible view from the porch. She couldn’t wait till morning.
“We’re staying here?”
AJ nodded. “Grange comes up here a lot on his time off. He likes the rides around the hills and into Wyoming.”
“He must do a lot of traveling.” She pointed to the RV parked under cover of the carport.
“He likes to see as much of the country as he can when he has downtime,” AJ said.
She grabbed her bag and followed AJ up the front steps. He slid his hand under one of the potted plants and pulled out a key, then opened the front door and turned on the lights.
THE INSIDE WAS JUST AS GOOD AS THE OUTSIDE. RUSTIC, BUT homey, with a huge L-shaped sofa, a cushy oversized ottoman set in front of it, a fireplace, wood flooring throughout and scattered area rugs. The place was huge, with three bedrooms plus two bathrooms. Much more room than Teresa had expected, enough to give her some distance from AJ and Pax, some time to think.
But did she really want that distance? Wasn’t that what the last five years had been about—distancing herself from men? Maybe it was time to bridge the gap.
No. That wasn’t why they were here. She had come here to find Larks’s killer and clear her brother, and that’s what she needed to concentrate on, not her personal hangups and finding a way through that particular mess.
“I put your stuff in the master bedroom,” AJ said.
Teresa turned around. “Why?”
“Because you’re the lady and you need the most room. Pax and I can crash anywhere.”
“Hope there aren’t bunk beds in those other two bedrooms,” Pax said.
Teresa laughed at the visual of two men over six feet tall trying to squeeze into beds made for kids.
“I don’t mind taking one of the smaller rooms.”
Pax slung his arm around her. “I was kidding. AJ is right. We could take the floor if we needed to. We’ve slept outside before. It doesn’t matter.”
“They aren’t bunk beds, dipshit,” AJ said. “I already checked out the other two rooms. They’re regular beds. Though Teresa has a nice king-sized bed.”
Built for three?
The thought entered her head, unbidden, and stayed there as she went into the master bedroom and unpacked, then freshened up after the long ride. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off the bed. Big enough for her and Pax and AJ.
She felt the pull of desire as she imagined just what she could do with those men in her bed. Both of them.
Wasn’t it time she took back control of her sex life? Wasn’t it time she stopped being afraid of a man’s touch? Wasn’t it time she stopped letting those ass**les who hurt her have power over her life?
Yes to all those questions. Hell yes. She was stronger than what had happened to her, physically and psychologically. It was time to put it to rest—not to forget, but to not let it lead her.
When she came out of the bedroom and into the living area, the sliding door was open. She stepped onto the back deck, her eyes widening at the sight of a sizeable hot tub and cushioned lounge chairs. The view from the back was just as good as the one from the front. There was a bit of a chill in the air tonight, and the thought of sliding into a steamy hot tub and watching the stars overhead appealed.
Pax and AJ were out there leaning against the wood railing.
“You bring your swimsuit?” AJ asked, his gaze shifting to the hot tub. They’d pulled the cover off and steam lifted off the top of the water.
She shook her head. “I didn’t even think about it.”
“Too bad,” Pax said. “Nice night for a soak in the tub.” Pax pushed off the railing and went back into the house. Teresa turned to AJ.
“I suppose you guys have swim trunks.” She was already jealous, thinking how great a hot soak would feel on her tired muscles.
AJ laughed. “No. But if you want to get in there and relax your muscles from the ride, Pax and I can make ourselves scarce.”
They’d do that, too. Would let her get in the hot tub all by herself. It was a lonely thought and didn’t appeal to her at all. She wanted to share it with them. With both of them.
“How about we all get in and relax together?”
She refused to look away, wanted to see what was in his eyes, needed to know if it was going to be too much. She wasn’t sure if what she suggested was a sexual invitation, or just an invitation to get in the hot tub and have some company.
AJ shrugged. “Fine with me. Why don’t you get in. I’ll go see if Pax wants to join us.”
He left and she was out there alone. Plenty of privacy for her to strip. It was now or never.
She wanted this now. At least the hot tub part. She undressed and slid over the rim of the tub. The water was hot, but perfect. She found the button for the jets and turned them on. Bubbles obliterated the view of her body, and she leaned her head against the edge and stared up at the stars blanketing the night sky. They were so close they seemed about to fall down on her at any moment.
It was breathtaking out here, the air cool and crisp, which made the temperature of the water just right. Her muscles melted as the jets worked the soreness out of her back. She closed her eyes and drifted away, until a hand touched her face. She didn’t flinch.
“You falling asleep in there?”
She smiled at AJ. “No. Just relaxing.”
“How about a beer?”
She lifted her hand out of the water to take the can of beer from him, engaged by the steam rising off her arm. “Sure.”
AJ popped open the top of his beer and sat on the edge of the hot tub. “Nice night.”
“Yes it is. Where’s Pax?”
“Inside, making us some snacks. Grange managed to call ahead and have the fridge fully stocked.”