Page 106 of Pretty Thing

Jim gathers our empty plates before walking into the kitchen.

“You remember where all the extra snow gear is?”

“Yup,” I say, standing and holding my hand out for Eden.

I’m a gentleman totally born in the wrong era.

With her hand in mine, I lead her over to the large closet that holds all the winter clothing and hunting equipment. Everything from fishing rods and knives to gloves, jackets, helmets, and winter boots.

Once upon a time, Dad and Mum brought me up here to visit for a week or two. It was the only time I was assured that my father wouldn’t drink heavily and I wouldn’t end up punished or hit for some reason. It was the only time of the year when things were normal in the Blackwood home.

“Here, try these on.”

I hold out the snowmobile pants while digging for the matching jacket.

“What do you think,” Eden asks, and I turn and smile.

Grabbing her by the hips, I pull her into me.

“You look fucking sexy,” I say, kissing her hard and fast, and wishing we had the cabin to ourselves.

After fucking her last night and first thing this morning, being buried in her is all I can think about.

Grudgingly, I break the kiss and press my forehead to hers.

“Here, I found the jacket,” I say, handing her the black and yellow jacket that looks a bit like a bee.

Eden shrugs it on and smiles.

“Wow, this is hot.”

“Trust me, you’ll be happy once we get outside and are moving at eighty into a headwind.”

I quickly find boots, a helmet, and massive mitts that will fit over her cast. She looks like a kid wearing her father’s clothes. I find a clean balaclava just as I hear the roar of the sleds starting up outside.

“Go ahead, I’ve got to find mine.”

“Okay.”

The sound of Eden’s snow pants swooshing as she walks away makes me grin. I find my gear in a wooden chest, and as I grab my jacket, I spot my old hunting equipment.

I forgot all about the massive hunting knife with the bone handle. It’s the only gift my father ever bought me. I slip the blade from the leather case, and it’s still just as sharp. It glints in the dim light as I twirl it around before sliding the knife back into the leather and tossing it into the chest.

I’m pulling on my snow pants when my phone vibrates.

Probably Matt with a progress report. I take it out of my pocket and see a movement notification from Eden’s house.

What the fuck?

Clicking on the feed, my teeth grind together. Kyle walks in the front door like he owns the place. Does that fucker have a key? I don’t have the volume on, but he’s clearly calling out for Eden. He wanders around the living room, then heads for the stairs, so I switch over to the cameras on the second floor. He stops and looks down the hall toward her parents’ door and then calls out again.

Cut the act, asshole. She’s clearly not home, so what are you still doing there?

I tell the system to start recording. I don’t trust this fucking weasel. He thinks he is so slick, playing the best friend card. He has no idea who he is dealing with. Kyle thinks he’s a predator, but he’s only prey.

Kyle walks into Eden’s room, and the rage brewing in my chest is a beautiful and deadly creature. He runs his hands over her desk, opens her closet, and then moves over to the dresser. One at a time, Kyle opens drawers until he finds her underwear, then he pulls out a cute white lacey pair.

“You’ll put that back if you know what’s good for you,” I growl.