Lisa stood on the cabin's small porch and shook the rain from her hair as she fished in her pocket for the key. Privacy be damned, she swore to herself.
Next time, I'll choose a place that is reachable by car
. Moments later, a similarly soaked Eve joined her. They'd been almost half a mile away when the storm caught them by surprise. Trudging through high winds and torrential rain was not the best way to start their weekend escape.
"Just whose bright idea was it to walk?" Eve panted. "Hurry up, woman! I'm freezing."
Lisa shot Eve a sardonic look as she pushed open the heavy door with her hip. "I seem to recall it being
your
idea. I wanted to wait for the ATV shuttle."
"Your memory is.... Oh, wow! This place is gorgeous." Eve kicked off her sneakers and peeled the sodden socks from her feet, her feigned annoyance forgotten. She rubbed and wiggled her toes a bit to warm them. "I'll start a fire."
Lisa grinned at her abrupt change in tone. The woman could shift gears without missing a beat. It was just one of the many things she loved about Eve. "Sounds terrific. I'll find some towels and then make hot chocolate."
The reservation desk had assured her they need not bring toiletries, towels, bed linens, or groceries; all would be provided. Looking about, Lisa could find no fault with the accommodations. She congratulated herself for calling right on the heels of a cancellation. During peak fall foliage season, the deluxe cabins were typically booked years in advance.
Barely two weeks ago, one of their company's multi-million dollar accounts had announced a Halloween costume ball. Everyone in the office was invited, and the CEO 'strongly encouraged' attendance. Both Eve and Lisa hated the idea, but they needed a damned good reason to miss the party. A non-refundable reservation provided the perfect excuse, and Lisa could think of no destination more appealing than a secluded mountain cabin. Add Eve to the mix and it became her idea of paradise. The speed with which Eve accepted her invitation gave further weight to Lisa's growing suspicion that the fantasy was mutual.
Lisa grinned when she discovered the long terrycloth robes hanging on pegs behind the bathroom door. The rain turned from liability to asset as a new plan formed in her mind. Silently thanking the weather gods, she removed her wet clothing and wrapped herself in the plush bathrobe. Seduction would be so much easier without a bunch of clothing in the way.
"Everything I brought is completely soaked," Lisa announced upon her return to the living room. She tossed a fluffy towel on the hearth where Eve stood warming herself by the fire. "I threw it all in the dryer. Turn it on after you add your stuff, okay?"
Continuing toward the kitchen area, Lisa could feel Eve's eyes on her back.
Penny for your thoughts
was on the tip of her tongue as she glanced over her shoulder. The expression on Eve's face made the inquiry unnecessary, and Lisa felt the knot of desire between her legs pulse in response.
Eve blushed, but held her gaze. Lisa wasn't about to back down in a game of erotic dare, so she turned and took a small step toward Eve.
C'mon!
her mind screamed, but Eve ducked into the bathroom to change out of her wet clothes. The spell broken—for the moment, anyway—Lisa busied herself with the hot chocolate.
She tried not to think about Eve or about the big box on the kitchen table, but that was nigh impossible. She'd placed the online order as soon as the reservation was confirmed, and then notified the park of the pending delivery and requested it be left in the cabin.
Eve's voice jolted her from her reverie. "Wonder who Mrs. Smith is and why her package is here."
"Oh, that? It's mine." Lisa handed Eve a steaming mug and carried her own to the overstuffed sofa before the fireplace. Seeing Eve's puzzled expression, she explained, "The last time I used my home address to order toys, I ended up on a gazillion smut mailing lists. So, I figured I'd have my order shipped here."