Melissa McClone - The Winner Takes It All - Winning Back His Wife / In Her Rival's Arms / Royally Seduced

“Definitely not.”

That was fast. Almost too fast. And he had said probably before, but definitely this time. Disappointment spiraled to the tips of her toes. At least they agreed, right?

She pressed her lips together, unsure what to say or do next. That seemed to be standard operating procedure whenever she was around Cullen. So why had she been so eager to see him when she woke up this morning?

He walked into the kitchen. “You mentioned taking a nap. While you sleep, I’ll figure out dinner. I’m sure we have enough leftovers.”

“It’s Taco Night at the brewpub.”

“You’re in pain.”

She didn’t want to stay inside, with him so close and her aching with surprise need. “I want to go out.”

His gaze raked over her, assessing her like one of his patients. “It’ll be too much for you after such a long day.”

“I’ve done nothing but lie or sit around, except for a walk outside with Bill.”

Cullen’s eyes narrowed. “There’s snow on the ground. You could have slipped.”

“We didn’t go far, and Bill never let go of my arm.”

“How gentlemanly of him.”

Sarah didn’t appreciate Cullen’s sarcastic tone, but maybe she could use this to her advantage. “Do you want to go to the brewpub tonight or not?”

“I like Taco Night, but I’m happy to stay home tonight. It’s been a long week.”

She empathized with that. “You must be exhausted.”

He opened the refrigerator. “Let’s go next week.”

“You can go then.” She straightened. “I’m going tonight. I’ll call Bill.”

Cullen slammed the fridge door. “Why do you want to go so badly?”

“I’m desperate to get out of the house.”

He arched a brow. “Desperate?”

Sarah nodded. “I’ve been doing everything I’m supposed to do, but enough is enough. I need to get out and do something. Have…”

“Fun,” he finished for her.

It would be fun to kiss him again. She didn’t dare admit that. “Lying around all day resting is the antithesis of fun. I can sit at the brewpub as easily as I can here.”

“You won’t be here alone.”

That was the problem tonight. She was alone with him. “I’ve enjoyed having people around. Everyone is nice and we’re getting to know each other. But I need to get out, have a change of environment, scenery, whatever you want to call it, or I’m going to lose my mind.”

Or burn with unspent desire.

Kissing Cullen again would send her over the edge completely.

Going to the brewpub made the most sense. The other option—spending the evening at home with Cullen—didn’t seem like a smart idea. Sure, they’d agreed not to kiss again, but they’d also agreed to divorce. Who knew what could happen with the two of them here alone tonight? She didn’t want to take any chances. She couldn’t afford more kisses. She couldn’t lose her heart to him. That would destroy her.

“Leanne told me about the soft pretzels with the house dipping sauce,” Sarah explained. “I love pretzels.”

“I didn’t know that.”

She wished he had made more time for her so they could have gotten to know each other better.

“I didn’t know about your broken arm.” Sarah waited for him to respond. She didn’t understand his hesitation. “If you’d rather stay home, that’s fine. Bill will drive me if you’re not up for it.”

Cullen’s nostrils flared. “I’m up for it.”

“But you said—”

“I changed my mind, okay?”

More than okay. She didn’t care if jealousy was the reason or not, even if it gave her an unexpected rush of feminine power. “It’s great. Thanks.”

“Take a short nap first,” he ordered in that oh-so-strict doctor’s voice of his.

Such a change from the way he’d been kissing and touching her a few minutes ago. She gave a mock salute. “Aye, aye, Captain. Pillows are fluffed and the sheet turned down ready for nap, sir.”

If only he’d join her…

Playful images flitted through her mind. Her temperature rose.

On second thought, napping by herself was better. Safer. Even if she would be…lonelier.

TACO NIGHT AT the Hood Hamlet Brewpub always put a smile on Cullen’s face. Nothing beat good food, great beer and hanging with friends, but it was the last place he wanted to be tonight. He gripped the steering wheel and turned onto Main Street, trying to ignore the floral scent of Sarah’s shampoo drifting his way.

She peered out the window. “It’s crowded for a Thursday.”

Her kisses had sent him to the brink. He’d been on the verge of losing all control until she’d taken him out with her cast. He’d never been so relieved to be punched in the gut. It hurt, but he could have been hurt a lot more if he’d continued kissing her. “Fresh snowfall brings skiers and riders to the mountain.”

Sarah turned toward him. “What about climbers?”

His gaze lingered on her lips. He jerked his attention back to the road. She was the one with the concussion, but he needed to have his head examined. Imagining her with Paulson during the drive home had done crazy things to Cullen.

His self-control had been nonexistent. Whenever Sarah was involved, his feelings overrode common sense. But he hadn’t withdrawn or run away from her. This time he’d done something worse. He’d kissed her.

Talk about reckless behavior.

Finding out she was jealous about who he was with had been a real turn-on. Kissing her had seemed the most natural thing in the world. But he couldn’t allow himself to be taken in by her again. “If they’re smart, they’ll wait for a better weather window and an avalanche report.”

“If not?”

“You hope they get lucky. Otherwise OMSAR pings us with a mission call out.”

“Some people think they can conquer the mountain.”

He parked across the street from the brewpub. “Yeah, but the mountain always wins.”

“Mother Nature gets a shot in once in a while.”

“Leanne’s fiancé, Christian, can tell you all about that.”

“She mentioned how OMSAR rescued his cousin and him.”

Cullen turned off the ignition. “They got caught in a wicked storm, but it ended well.”

Sarah unfastened her seat belt. “It’s too bad there aren’t more happy endings like that.”

Her wistful tone surprised him. Sarah could be impulsive, but she didn’t give in to flights of fancy or fairy tales. She must be talking about her rescue. “Yours has a happy ending.”

Her gaze narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Mount Baker. Your accident,” he explained. “Your data could have been destroyed. Your injuries could have been worse. You could have died. But none of those things happened. Happy ending.”

“It will be happy once I’m back at the institute.”

Away from him .

The words were unspoken, but implied. They stung, given how passionately she’d kissed him back this afternoon.

She reached across her chest and fumbled with the door handle.

He leaned over to help. His arm brushed her breast, sending a burst of heat rushing through him. He pulled back. “Sorry.”

“I’ve got it.” On the third try she opened the door.

She exited as if a bomb were about to blow. He hurried around the truck, then held her hand. “Be careful.”

Annoyance burned in the depths of Sarah’s eyes. She tugged her hand out of his. “I know to be careful.”

“Just watching out for you.”

“It’s not as if I did something stupid to make myself fall. If the steam blast hadn’t happened…”

She wouldn’t be here. The thought brought a strange mix of relief and regret.

“I can cross the street by myself,” she continued.