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wrong. She could sense it. Empty promises and a stream of broken
dreams were all the Cranes had ever given her. Four years later, the
bondage was of no more, yet they were still after her.
The flight was a long one, but it felt like seconds to Sia. She slept
through hunger pangs and daydreamed through the long hours. She
was so consumed with her own heartache and guilt that she hadn t
even noticed how much time had elapsed.
Sia s eyes were wide open. People were coming and going from
all directions, and so was the unrelenting snow. She inhaled the
foreign fragrance of the land as she stepped off the plane. Its aroma
was captured by her sense of smell and lingered in her mind. It was
one of the few things she d never be able to capture through her
camera, only in her memory.
* * * *
Carrington walked off the plane with tunnel vision and one thing
in mind. The black wool coat he wore shielded the strong muscles of
his form, and the shades on his face swathed the flames dancing in his
eyes. His heart was guarded by the shield on his chest, leaving plenty
of room for apathy.
He hadn t bothered to call Sia, nor tell her that he was leaving
town. He was still angry, still hurt, and he resented her for it.
Unfortunately, his hatred wasn t as strong as his love, and to his
family, loving an enemy was the ultimate betrayal.
Carrington swore under his breath as he made his way through the
town of busybodies and icy streets. He saw Sia s face everywhere. No
matter what he did or where he looked, she was always there, looking
back at him. He fought desperately with his mind to stop thinking
80 Ashley Brooke
about her and demanded that his body stop craving hers. It was of no
use. His heart was much too stubborn.
There was just something about Sia that made it nearly impossible
for him to walk away. It was like everything in existence stood still
when she entered a room, and the only sound he heard was the noise
coming from the fast rhythm of his heart. He d never met anyone like
her. She was adventurous, altruistic, and precious, so precious. She
was his own personal teddy bear, one he liked to cuddle with day and
night. One he wasn t ashamed of carrying around and putting on
display.
* * * *
The hotel was nice, and the suite was even nicer, but Sia
personally would have preferred a crappy motel with separate rooms
if she had to choose. Anything was better than being in the same room
as a total stranger. She sighed. At least they didn t have to sleep in the
same bed. The suite had two bedrooms, a beautiful living room, and a
small kitchen. She could deal. If not, she had a high-tech gun hidden
under her bed. She didn t mind a little practice before the day of the
mission& for just-in-case purposes, anyway.
The bedrooms were on opposite ends of the suite. Sia chose the
room with the master bathroom. She placed her bags beside her bed
and then went back into the living room. She d unpack later. She
needed to get out of that room and off the mountain or she was going
to go crazy. Unfortunately, Frank had given her direct orders about
staying inside until Zachery arrived.
Sia glanced out of the window of the living room. She ran her
fingers through her hair. She was already homesick and missed
Carrington dearly. She d give anything to move back to Boston and
start a life with him. She liked to think that he was back in Oregon
waiting for her and that they would one day be together again soon,
but as time went on, the idea seemed more like wishful thinking.
Naked 81
Sia glanced over her shoulder. There was a click, and then the
front door opened. It was Zachery. He had the sweetest smile and
pearly white teeth. Sia would have presumed him to be Carrington s
younger brother if she didn t know any better, but Carrington s nose
was straight while this guy s was a little squarer at the tip.
 Hello, he said at the door.
 Hi, Zac.
Taylor s eyes lit up, and a smile spread across his face.
Sia chuckled and rolled her eyes as she crossed her arms.  Shut
up.
Taylor made his way over to her.
 I guess we re staying in the same room. Sia shifted and put most
of her weight on her left leg.
 That s correct.
She nodded.
 Well, it looks like we re going to get to know each other really
well after all, he teased.
Sia s only reply was a counterfeit laugh.
Taylor simply shook his head and smiled.
* * * *
Carrington stood beside his bed and took off his coat. His room
was elegant but very simple. It had one bed and a bathroom. He didn t
mind. That was really all he needed. It was actually quite cozy and
comforting. It was probably the only bit of serenity he d gotten since
he left Oregon.
The evening was pleasant but extremely cold. Still, he felt the
need to get out. He d been cooped up on that plane for far too long
and was about to lose his mind. He called the front desk and inquired
about an indoor pool.
He was relieved. He hadn t been swimming in a while.
82 Ashley Brooke
The scenery was nothing like the reality outside of the walls in
which he stood. Palm trees were everywhere. There was a tall rose
bush separating the pool and the Jacuzzi, giving the appearance of
two separate rooms. It was calming and helped take Carrington s
mind off all of the drama that was going on in his life. He climbed
into the steaming Jacuzzi. He d just swam several laps and needed to
relax his muscles. He was tense all over and wasn t exactly sure when
he d last been so far away from Sia.
Carrington closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the
wall of the Jacuzzi for a moment. The bubbling hot water felt amazing
against his taut flesh. He opened his eyes. A chill swept over him, and
he instantly got goose bumps. He was feeling rather warm, and his
muscles were relaxed. He had a lot of work cut out for him in the day
to follow and needed to get some rest. He climbed out of the Jacuzzi
and grabbed one of the towels, wrapping it around his waist. He was
tired and already feeling homesick. Only he didn t know where home
was anymore.
* * * *
Sia gently brushed her hair. She gazed at her reflection as her tears
quietly trickled down her cheeks. They came slowly and steadily,
being sure to leave their mark on her pretty face. Her heart beat like a
broken record set on repeat, and she wondered how it could go on so
long without burning out. She missed Carrington.
Sia stroked her hair one more time before placing her brush back
onto her dresser. She didn t want to be there. She didn t need to be
there. Her place was back at home with her family. She released a
sob. If it wasn t for her baby, she would have laid down and died right
there.
Sia fought to compose herself, wiping away her warm, unhappy
tears. She grabbed the key and then closed her bedroom door. She
was on her way to the pool area.
Naked 83
She stopped short and caught her breath. She was walking down
the hall when she noticed Zachery undressing in his room. The door
was wide open, leaving nothing to her imagination. He was taking off
his khaki pants. His thighs were sculpted, and his calves were as solid
as stone. He had abs of steel and strong, sexy arms. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]