Page 18 of Mr. Winter
“To demand a meeting with the troll in the mansion right now,” I tell him with conviction. He shakes his head and grabs his keys. “No. I’m going alone. Ain’t nobody scared of someone namedEspen.”
Mack starts to follow me anyway, but Deacon stops him. Kim begins to protest, but she and Deacon look at each other like something unspoken passed between them. With a slight nod, she turns to me and gives me two thumbs up.
“Go get him, killer. Remember. Strategy.”
The wind has picked up considerably, but I’m on a mission. Luckily, the mansion isn’t far from the reception. I park in the driveway because I’m feeling bold as hell, and it’s too damn cold and windy for nonsense. It’s colder here just like last time. Making my way to the front door quickly, I knock then ring the doorbell. Nothing. It’s too cold for this. Plus, I need to verify if he’s left already. Running to the side, I find the kitchen patio door, but it’s locked as well. I stomp my foot in frustration then remember what Kimberly said. Here goes nothing. I push through the doggy door and am halfway in when my hips get stuck. Rolling to my side, I wiggle until I’m inside. I lie on the floor for a beat because I’m slightly winded—too much holiday sugar. I slip off my shoes then begin to explore his home. I know the layout pretty well since I've come here often since childhood, but it’s weird not being wholeheartedly greeted by Old Man Winters. Using the flashlight on my cell phone, I make my way upstairs.
It’s quiet except for the wind roaring outside. Dejected, I begin to believe I missed him until I see the blue glow from one of the bedrooms.
“Mr. Espen Winters?” I call out with a knock. I don’t know why I need to say his whole name.
I push the door open further when I don’t get a response. Tiptoeing inside, I see a man standing in front of a set of floor-to-ceiling windows completely void of clothing. I’m stuck in place, and I cannot look away. Glowing symbols that look like ancient snowflakes run along his spine. His palms are braced on the window. The ring on his right hand glows the same hue. The wind howls dramatically as snow falls at a rapid pace. The raging storm is unprecedented. I shake myself out of my stupor long enough to realize what’s going on here. He’s the source of this freak of nature.
“Jack,” I whisper. My heart is pounding as I inch closer to him. I’m in touching distance when I yell, “Jack!”
My voice must have cut into wherever he’d gone in his mind. He turns slowly while his eyes still glow.
“You shouldn’t have come, Arden, and it’s Espen now.”
* * *
Espen
The room is quiet as we face off. She’s even more tempting up close and in person. Her eyes are big with shock, and I can tell she’s fighting against her curiosity. Arden wants to look down, but she’s too busy trying to glare at me. I take a sidestep, and it’s like we’re circling each other and sizing one another up before a fight. Curiosity wins. Her eyes drop and are stuck on my dick long enough to get a reaction.
Her eyes fly back to mine once she notices my dick is stiffening. I understand her turmoil. I can see it and feel it. She’s relieved she’s not crazy but hurt and sad from my avoidance. I’m far too familiar with the latter emotions. Experience tells me what’s next. She’s like a teapot getting to the boiling point. Arden is about to blow.
She shakes her head and attempts to form a question, stops then tries again.
“I just think it’s funny how…”Oh, shit. Here we go.She pauses but does that angry laugh before she blows up. “Jack is Espen...AND ESPEN IS MUTHERFUCKING JACK! Do you have any idea what you put me through? You disappeared! I had no idea if you were okay!” She takes a breath as she advances and pokes my chest. “I’ve been trying to get everything together, and you’re over here being an asshole and moping in your castle—ignoring me! HANGING UP ONMElike I’m some nuisance or a random stranger.”
She’s seething, and it’s hot. I’m so mesmerized by it that it dulls my senses enough not to see her slap coming. My head snaps to the side. My cheek stings, but it’s one of the most exciting things that’s happened this year. When I look at her again, she doesn’t look scared that she hit me nor is she apologetic. Instead, her expression tells me she did exactly what she meant to do. Hell, she even silently challenges me to do something about it.
I move into her space. A flicker of awareness of her situation flashes in her eyes, but she attempts to maintain a brave front. She doesn’t break until I groan and chuckle.
“Damn, baby, so you want to play?”
My question sends her in the opposite direction. It’s too late. She can’t go anywhere due to the blizzard outside. Now that I’m fully engaged, I wouldn’t allow her to leave if it were sunny. With a flick of the wrist, I surround her with ice to stop her advance. She turns around, testing each wall of her icy prison but to no avail. She’s trapped.
“Let me go, Jack!” She yells as if her threat can scare me.
I saunter over to the cell and circle it while she turns to keep her eyes on me.
“No can do, Miss Voss. You wanted my undivided attention, now you have it.” I lean on the bars and take a long look at her barefoot but still wearing her dress. “You look damn sexy, baby. By far the most entertaining prisoner I’ve ever had.”
“Let me go right now! I mean it.”
I rest my forehead between the bars. “Or what? Threaten me. Explicitly. Don’t leave out not one small detail.”
She steps back like I’ve lost it. Maybe I have, who knows. “Are you crazy?”
I turn to look at the almost violent storm outside. “I guess you have plenty of time to find out.”
Reaching through the bars, I pull her close then grab her chin. When I press my lips to hers, she resists, pushing against the bars until she gives in and opens her mouth to me. I take a small taste then move back after she moans.
She stares at my lips as I lick them. “You’re almost as sweet as all the sugar you’ve been eating.”
Moving to my dresser I pull out some pajama pants and a t-shirt. I pull on the pants but drop the shirt on the bed.
