into a wooded valley filled with a shimmering blue lake. A huge lodge with a high, peaked roof stood on the shore closest to them, its wood and stone façade blending with the forest. Multiple chimneys stretched toward the canopy, and tall windows reflected the trees and the clear blue sky. As they approached, Sarah could see a redwood deck wrapping from the front of the house to the back and a lush green lawn that led to the water’s edge.
If the spa is half as peaceful or luxurious as this, my troubles will be over. “Wouldn’t you love to stay there?” she asked with a sigh.
“I do. Regularly.”
“Really?” It seemed a bit upscale for a mechanic.
He laughed. “Of course. I live there. That’s my house.”
“That’s your place?” Her jaw dropped and she looked from the house to the man next to her and back again. To the house. Back to the man. She tried to connect the dots before her into some coherent image, but the edges kept blurring.
This was the house of a mechanic?
Chapter Four
Cole drove past the mansion—might as well call a spade a spade—and pulled onto a brick pad much too big to be called a driveway. It was as wide as the four-car garage behind it and long enough to fit a tractor-trailer. He got out of the truck. By the time Sarah had pulled herself together and unclipped her seatbelt, he was opening her door.
Sarah felt a flutter near her heart before she caught herself. It was that Southern thing again. He would do it for any woman. “Thanks, but I got it,” she said before he could reach for her. Cole nodded and stepped out of her way. She scooted to the edge of the seat, took a breath and hopped down. Her ankle wobbled but she managed to remain on her feet.
Pride somewhat intact, she preceded Cole down the brick path that led to the front door. Was he watching her? Curious, she put an extra wiggle in her walk just in case and thought she heard a sharp intake of breath.
Could this detour be useful after all? He wasn’t her usual type, but she couldn’t deny that he turned her on in a big way. Maybe this guy was the jump-start she needed to get herself back on track. She could solve her little problem before she even got to the spa. That would be convenient.
She reached the door and stepped aside to give Cole access to the lock. Instead of pulling out keys, he turned the knob and the door swung open.
“You don’t lock it?” she asked, incredulous.
“No need.”
She snorted. “If I did that in Manhattan, my place would be stripped clean in minutes.”
“So I’ve heard.”
She raised a questioning eyebrow, wondering what else he’d heard about New Yorkers, but he didn’t elaborate. Sarah slipped past and her shoulder brushed against Cole’s. A spark of desire leapt between them, zipping along Sarah’s skin. She thought she saw a muscle tick in his jaw.
Did he feel it too?
Wiping her damp palms on her coat, Sarah stepped into a large foyer with a cathedral ceiling. A combined living and dining area with a massive stone fireplace lay straight ahead. The kitchen was off to the right, and the foot of a staircase was visible to the left. The air smelled pleasantly of pine and wood smoke, reminding her of a ski lodge. Hell, this house was as luxurious as any of the places she visited in Aspen, only more comfortable. The perfect place to get cozy with her companion.
The sound of keys hitting the table was followed by the click of the front door.
“Nice place,” she said over her shoulder. “You—” Sarah felt the whisper of a touch brush the side of her neck. Oh yeah, they were on the same page. The one that read “they fell into each other’s arms…”
Anticipation flared, making her giddy. Her purse slid down her arm, landing on the floor with a soft thump. She started to lean back, eager to feel his strong, solid body against hers. But instead of sliding down to embrace her, his hands slipped under the neckline of her coat.
He wasn’t coming on to her. He