Instant Gratification

“You know what I think?”

“That sex is the answer to all the planet’s problems?”

He grinned. “Well, yes. I also think you’re trying too hard.”

She stared at him, lifting her hand to touch her still wet, slightly swollen lips. “How do you stop trying to relax?”

“Stop thinking.”

“Yes, but…with us, everything’s so…hot. So wild.”

Looking quite proud of that assessment, he smiled.

“It makes my brain race.”

All she could think about was him, the way his body moved against hers, how he was made of pure corded sinew, how warm his smooth, tanned flesh felt against hers. And then there were his eyes.

And his mouth.

God, his mouth. “How? You’re pretty potent, you know.”

“Same goes, Emma. Come on, I have an idea.” Taking her hand, he tugged her around the side of the big lodge to the first of two equipment garages. Opening the first door, he led her inside, where there was a large snowcat, several quads, a snowmobile, and a whole bunch of other outdoor equipment she couldn’t quite catch because he turned her toward the small office to the right.

“Nick’s,” he said, and opened the door. The room had a metal desk and an old, beat-up couch. Skis, poles, boots, bikes and other various parts were scattered everywhere except the one spot where a large basket sat next to the couch. In it was a watchful Chuck, and her four soft, fuzzy, wiggly kittens.

“Oh,” Emma murmured, her heart melting in a puddle as she dropped to her knees by the basket. “Oh, look at them.”

“Their eyes just opened this morning. See that soft gray one?” Stone crouched just behind her, speaking softly, pointing to the one kitten she’d already spotted, the one that was just a little bit separate from the others. “She’s the youngest.”

“The runt.”

“No, she’s not weak. She’s a fighter. Look at those eyes. She’s fierce, intense, and just a little bit pissy.” His voice was full of both amusement and pride, and Emma turned her head to meet his gaze.

“She reminds me of you.”

“Hey,” she said with a laugh. “Pissy?”

He smiled, and she sighed. “Okay, so we share a few traits. Are you sure she’s a she? Because Chuck surprised all of you.”

“She’s a she.” His gaze ran over the features of Emma’s face, which felt like a caress, and her entire body reacted.

“You know,” she said unevenly. “It’s a pretty cheesy move on your part to use kittens to soften the female into having sex with you.”

“So it’s working then?”

“No,” she said on a laugh.

He lifted a kitten and nuzzled it to his jaw, and every hormone in her body stood up and tap-danced. Apparently in agreement, the kitten “mewed” softly, let out a huge yawn, and cuddled against him.

Emma’s heart, already melted, twisted hard. Dammit. “It’s hard to think too much when you’re holding one of those.”

“Okay.” Shifting, he set the kitten in her arms, who happily snuggled in, and Emma sighed, definitely falling for the sweet little thing.

And maybe, just a little, for the man as well.

Or a lot…

As she thought it, as she leaned over the kitten to kiss Stone, to crawl into his arms and burrow in much like the kitten had, the door behind them opened.

Stone sighed and looked up at Nick, standing there holding the door open for Spencer and Serena.

Nick lifted a brow at the sight of Stone holding Emma, who was holding the kitten. “Bad timing, huh?”

“No, not at all,” Emma said, backing out of Stone’s arms, who turned and gave Nick a long, thanks-a-lot look.

“Sorry,” Nick said lightly. “Spence’s leaving today, and he wanted to see the kittens before he left. But apparently he’s not the only one who hoped to use the adorable factor to his benefit.”

Spencer and Stone winced in unison.

“Hey,” Emma said, slipping the kitten back in the basket with reluctance. “Give the women some credit. We recognize the tactic.”

“Definitely,” Serena agreed, but then turned to look at Spencer speculatively. “Is that what you were doing, using the kittens to seduce me?”

“No. Absolutely not. I was using the kittens to make you want to be seduced, so that on my next visit—”

“I’d be all buttered up.” She gave him a long look. “I haven’t yet decided on you, Dr. Spencer Jenks.”

Spencer’s dark eyes and dimple flashed. “Which is why I’m hedging my bets.”

“Well I’ll tell you,” Serena said. “It’s going to backfire on you, because kittens make a woman want to be seduced now, not later.”

Stone looked at Emma, who laughed and shook her head.

He sighed, rose to his feet and pulled Emma to hers. “Excuse us,” he said to the room. When he had her outside in the hot sun, he looked at her. “I thought I’d give Spencer a second chance with Serena.”

“And you a second chance as well?”

“Most definitely.”

She laughed, and he loved the soft, musical sound. They walked the trail back around the side of the lodge. It was a beautiful day, and he pulled her around, backing her to the wall of the lodge.

“What?”

“Back to that relaxing thing.” He slid his fingers into her hair.