Page 2 of Soren the Single Dad
Soren must think I’m a ridiculous ninny…
CHAPTER TWO
SOREN CALDWELL
With Sara Beth spending the weekend with her mom, I thought I’d catch up on household chores, maybe even grab a beer with one of my brothers at the Ole Aces. Then this storm kicked into high gear, and like a good neighbor, I figured I’d ensure the elderly Duncans’ home was properly protected. Boarded-up windows. Electric fuses not left to spark if the power goes out.
I didn’t expect to find a curvy beauty standing at the edge of the cliffside when I turned the corner of the cabin.
At first, I thought she was an apparition. No one lives out here now that the Duncans have moved closer to their grandchildren.
Then her head tipped up to the sky, illuminated by a lightning flash, and I knew she was real. And in danger.
“Come on. We’ve gotta get out of this storm before we catch pneumonia,” I say, using a hand at her lower back to guide her away from the cliff’s edge and toward the Duncan cabin.
“You don’t have to walk me back.” Diana quickens her steps, but she can’t outpace my longer stride. “I’m sure your family is waiting anxiously for your safe return.”
“My daughter is with her mother this weekend, so no one’s waiting for me. I’m not letting you wander around the forest to find more trouble.”
She huffs, swiping at the raindrops pelting her cheeks. “Trust me, I’m ready to bunk up for the night. The cabin is right there.” Diana points to the rustic structure thirty feet ahead. “I can hardly miss my stop.”
I ignore her protests. “Do you know how to light a fire? The Duncans don't own a generator, and with the power out, you're going to freeze without heat.”
She reaches for the unlocked front door and steps inside the darkened living area with me glued to her heels. At this altitude, the cabin naturally maintains a cool interior. Perfect for summers, but not so great during the middle of a storm.
“There are plenty of blankets. I'll make do.” A shiver wracks her body, but Diana tries to hide it by snagging the afghan folded over the couch and shaking it out.
“Nice try, but the sound of your teeth chattering threatens to drown out the rain.” The obvious points of her nipples poke through her shirt, too. Her raincoat must have flapped open from the wind because it sure as shit didn’t stop the wet t-shirt contest right in front of me. The soaked fabric clings to every inch of her curves in an obscene display—soft, sexy, and off-limits.
If I wanted sex this weekend, I would have accepted Beckett’s invitation to hang out in Seattle. It’s a bit of a drive from Suitor’s Crossing, but worth the trip when it means avoiding messy attachments in our small town. Beckett already has a reputation with the women here, because my younger brother doesn’t always think before he acts.The bad boy of Suitor’s Crossing.At least that’s what I’ve heard.
But I’ve got a daughter to protect.
I’m not going to jeopardize our quiet life by hooking up with a local woman and feeding the rumor mill.
Diana’s not local, my mind whispers as I stoop to start a fire in the stone hearth. She’s a temporary visitor. The Duncans listtheir house on those home-sharing sites, although they don’t get a ton of takers due to the steep climb up the mountain.
Diana is clearly one of their guests.
Here today, gone tomorrow. Or Sunday.
Either way, she won’t be a permanent fixture in town. No chance of us running into each other and making things awkward. Stoking the flames with a stab of the iron poker, I growl in frustration.
Am I seriously contemplating propositioning this woman?
“Easy, what did those logs ever do to you?” Diana’s amused voice breaks through my musings. Her arms are crossed over her chest. Hiding her nipples but accentuating the heavy weights that would overflow my large palms.
Fuck.I toss the poker aside and stand, shifting on my feet to subtly adjust my growing erection. Seems even ice-cold jeans aren’t enough to contain the motherfucker.
“You should change into dry clothes and then sit by the fire to warm up,” I say, wondering where that leaves me. The smart thing to do would be to trek back down the gravel trail to my cabin, but strong winds and heavy rain will make the journey treacherous.
If a rogue branch hits me in the head, I could be knocked out and exposed to the elements for hours. My family wouldn’t worry until a few days passed, since they know I tend to isolate, especially when Sara Beth is gone.
“The same can be said for you.” Diana gestures to a door down the hall. “I’ve got a couple of men-sized things that might fit. Let me—”
“I don’t want your boyfriend’s shit,” I grumble, my hackles immediately rising at the suggestion. Was this supposed to be a romantic vacation? Where is this asshole boyfriend? Diana’s all alone up here, and anything could happen on the mountain.
Her brown eyes widen as she covers a cough of laughter. “Um, no… I don’t have a boyfriend, and no, they don’t belong to an ex either. Sometimes I just like having oversized clothing for comfort. Is that okay?”
