Page 36 of Kian

“You’re welcome, though I didn’t do anything.”

“You’ve done so much for me. I’ll never be able to repay you.”

“I don’t need you to repay me, Kian. Anyone would have done the same thing.”

He shook his head. “No, they wouldn’t. Not everyone would have done what you’ve done, and I’ll always be grateful.”

“Well, you’re welcome, but it was Lobo who did the finding. He just came to get me.”

Kian rubbed Lobo’s head when he ran toward him. “You’re the best, boy.” He looked at Gretchen. “Let’s head back. It’s cold.”

“Yeah, I really wish I had gloves for you.”

“Hopefully, it will clear up soon and I can get out of here.”

“Maybe the snow we’re expecting in a few days, won’t amount to much. Let’s wait and see and if it doesn’t, I’ll see if I can get my car out and we’ll head to town.”

“That would be great. Not that I don’t enjoy being here with you, I just want to go home.”

“I know, Kian.”

“But I would like to see you again after all of this is over, Gretchen.”

“I’d like that.”

He grinned, nodded, then started to drive the ATV through the snow and head back toward the cabin.

Stopping beside the porch steps, he held her hand while she climbed off, then walked up the steps. He then drove the machine into the shed, and walked out into the bright sunshine. It was a beautiful cloudless day, but it was still April, which meant the next snow coming could be heavy or amount to nothing.

He was glad he’d been able to talk to his mother. He knew his parents had been worried. He knew he’d been with Gretchen almost two weeks now. She still checked his wounds but they were healing well.

After brushing the snow from his jeans and coat, he entered the house, and saw her standing at the counter, making a cup of coffee.

“I never asked, do you have any siblings?”

“No, I’m an only child.”

“Oh, okay. Well, if you don’t mind, I’m going to grab a shower.” He handed her the revolver.

“Of course, go right ahead. I need to work on a few paintings.” She smiled at him and their eyes met.

Taking a deep breath, Kian removed his coat and beanie, then hung them up and left the room. He sure wouldn’t mind sharing a shower with her.

****

As Gretchen lifted her cup to her lips, she listened to therunning water in the shower and could picture him naked under the showerhead. She mentally groaned. A shower sounded so good, but it sounded even better with Kian.

That man had a fantastic body. She hated comparing Justin to Kian but, really, there was no comparison. She didn’t like thinking that way, but it was the truth. When she and Justin fell in love, both were virgins, and neither knew what they were doing, but learned what they thought was ‘good’ sex. Now, she knew better.

It might have been good with Justin, but it was fantastic with Kian. The man was no slacker in bed.

“Shit, all you’re doing is making yourself horny,” she muttered.

What would he think if she just suddenly appeared in the shower with him?

“Well, not suddenly, you’re not a genie,” she said, then laughed.

Making her mind up, she quickly made her way to the bedroom, stripped, then pulled on her robe. Taking a deep breath, she removed a condom from the box, stepped into the hallway, and quietly opened the bathroom door.

---