Page 54 of Holiday Hostage
Payton stopped in the middle of the foyer and turned a slow circle, one hand clutched to her throat, lips parted in what appeared to be stunned awe.
I took in the space through her eyes, accepted that Dad went a little crazy on the decor and style of the house, and moved on.
The bearskin rug in front of the fireplace was a bit out there, and I caught Tarron nudging the bear’s snout with his toes after kicking off his boots and placing them in the hall closet.
“This place is amazing.” Payton removed her coat and hung it alongside Maverick’s. Her blonde hair was tousled, a few sprigs of pine knotted in the snarls that trailed down her back. “Does it have hot water?”
“Yes.” I couldn’t help but laugh at her giddy excitement as she danced in place. “Why don’t you go ahead and take yours first?”
I pointed toward the wooden staircase that spiraled upward to the second floor.
I hadn’t been here in years, but I remembered the layout in perfect detail.
“Second door on the left. That room has the bathroom with the best water pressure.”
Last time I’d come here hunting with Dad, we’d cooked our kill over the fire in the back and kayaked up the river until we hit a sweet fishing spot.
We’d overloaded our kayaks with fish and returned to the cabin, starved and stinking.
I’d nearly run all the hot water out trying to wash the fish smell off my skin.
And now it was our refuge in the middle of the storm bearing down on the world and protecting us from detection.
God, I loved this wild place with all its chaos and stormy glory.
I nudged Payton toward the staircase when she remained still and quiet in the center of the room.
“Go on. You must be freezing after a long day tromping through the snow.” And I wanted to talk to Maverick about getting hold of Payton’s father for a possible extraction.
If he’d tried the satellite phone since our first night in the ranger station, I’d missed it.
Payton tugged a strand of hair over her shoulder and picked a twig from the depths.
Twirling it between her thumb and forefinger, she peered up at me through thick lashes. “You could join me.” A look around at the three of us showed an open invitation, but she solidified it with a smile. “All three of you. If you want.”
She said it like she had no idea she was the most desirable creature on the planet.
I wiggled my eyebrows and yanked my shirt free with my good hand, halfway pulling it over my head as I raced for the stars.
“You don’t have to offer twice. I’m there.”
Her laughter trailed behind me, the sound more precious than anything in this world.
We’d met her during the scariest moment of her life, and she still managed to find joy in the moments we shared.
That was something worth keeping.
My steps pounded upward, the crash and dash of Mav and Tarron on my heels causing the whole house to shudder.
Payton grabbed hold of the banister and ducked under my arm. “I get to set the temperature.”
Tarron groaned. “Good. I don’t need my skin. Feel free to scald it all off.”
“Hey.” Payton pouted, her lush lower lip sticking out and begging to be kissed. “I’m cold. If you don’t like the temperature, you can keep watch from outside.”
I burst onto the landing and brought her flush to my chest with my arms around her waist. “Make it as hot as it will go. We can handle the heat.”
I’d walk through hell and back for her.
