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I clutched the papers and glared at him. “You’re truly fucked up, Thane Erickson,” I yelled and went to my room, making sure to slam the door and lock it.
There was complete and utter silence in the cabin, and I wondered if Thane was still standing there.
Has he gone crazy?What made him think I would ever have sex with the likes of him? I sat down on the edge of my bed, still holding on to the papers. I looked down at them.
Contract between: Thane Erickson and Darcy Blackwell.
I put the papers down. I couldn’t even look at them. Of all the utterly stupid and presumptuous things Thane had done, this had to take first place. I shook my head in shock, laid down on my bed, and closed my eyes.
Several hours later, I sat up, startled. Blood was pumping into my chest at an alarming rate, and I couldn’t catch my breath. It was amazing. I blinked a few times and tried to grasp what had just been playing out in my subconscious mind. Thane and I were having sex. Wild, crazy, out-of-this-world sex, and I was enjoying it. A lot.Was it only a dream, or was it a nightmare?
* * *
Thane
I really didn’t think my offer was that outlandish. I would just have to wait for her to realize that she wanted the same thing that I did: to be intimate without the commitment of a relationship. I wasn’t wrong. I knew it was what she wanted. She just didn’t know it yet. I’d give it some time, and she’d see it was what we needed to do. I needed to get her out of my system so that life could return to normal again.
Regan delighted our taste buds with another magnificent meal. This time it was a Mexican dish. Afterward, Shellene, Lyle, Regan, Addison, Remi, Darcy, and I decided to go relax in the hot tub. Lila and Evan watched a movie instead. It wasn’t good for the baby to be in that intense heat; besides, they needed some alone time. Luckily, the hot tub seated 10 people, but it was a little crowded.
We each brought our drinks and chatted about every topic imaginable. I was glad there were so many people around at that moment because all I could think about was ravishing Darcy, and her sexy white bikini certainly wasn’t helping.
She hadn’t spoken to me since I’d given her the contract, but she would. I knew her type too well. She didn’t want a commitment any more than I did. She would never want to lose control of her future that way. You never knew what could happen in a relationship, so it was too unstable. But “friends with benefits” was something you determined the outcome of.
“I was reading an article that said jumping in a snowbank right after being in the hot tub is really good for your health,” Shellene told us. “Apparently, it helps with arthritis, inflammation, circulation, and increases your mental awareness,” she went on.
“I’ve heard of that too,” Regan said. “Didn’t the idea originate in the Swiss Alps somewhere?”
“I think so. Want to try it?” Shellene challenged us.
“I’ve done it several times before. It’s a wonderful feeling,” Lyle said.
“You guys are nuts,” Remi said, drinking some of her wine. “I’ll just stay in here where it’s nice and cozy. Bad enough, I have to get out and make a run for the cabin before I freeze once I’m done soaking in here.”
“Okay. Let’s do it,” Shellene said. Shellene, Regan, Lyle, Darcy, and I got out and flung ourselves into the nearest snowbank, shrieking when the cold snow enclosed our warm bodies.
“Holy shit, that’s freezing,” Shellene screeched. She got up and went back into the hot tub as fast as possible, giggling.
Once we were all back in the hot tub, we continued drinking and chatted some more. “Anyone up for some cards?” Regan asked. Shellene, Remi, and Lyle all agreed.
“I’ll just stay here,” I was shocked when Darcy said the same. Now it was just the two of us in the hot tub, and I suddenly wished I was playing cards with everyone else.
We averted each other’s eyes for a few minutes when finally Darcy said, “Figures, you’d be the only one to stay in here. Why don’t you go play cards?” she asked me.
I shrugged. “I’d rather talk to you about my proposition,” I told her, smiling.
“Dammit, Thane. I’m not sleeping with you,” she said, rolling her eyes. She stood up and stepped out into the snow, shivering. “Are you staying here or coming inside?”
I couldn’t stand up. I didn’t feel like explaining the tent in my pants from seeing her in her bikini.Christ!Her body is a dangerous weapon, and I’m the one who stands to get injured from it.“In a minute, and you’ll change your mind.”
“Suit yourself. Don’t freeze. Oh, and don’t count on it.” She wrapped a towel around herself and went inside. I tried to think of something else to diffuse the arousal.
When we walked back inside, it was utter chaos.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Heater’s broken,” Evan told me. We’re gonna watch a movie, so everyone’s finding themselves a blanket or warmer clothes. You guys might want to get into something warm before you freeze, especially since you’re wet.
We finally all settled down to get cozy by the fire and watch a thriller movie. Lyle turned the lights off for full effect. We finished the movie, and after several more drinks, everyone went to bed, though we were still all shivering. Erotic dreams of Darcy kept me warm enough to sleep.
