Stormbound with a Tycoon by Shawna Delacorte Page A

difficult getting here in winter because of the snow.” She looked around as the calm settled over her, a slight smile of contentment tugging at the corners of her mouth. “But it’s worth the effort. I feel more relaxed here than anywhere I’ve ever been.” She closed her eyes and turned her face toward the morning sun filtering through the trees.
    Dylan studied her finely sculpted features and the way the sunlight caught the golden highlights of her hair. It was hard to believe that this enticingly stunning woman was that same teenager he had first met so many years ago. He drew a deep breath, in an attempt to counter the tightness that banded across his chest again.
    â€œDo you get up here very often?” It was a stupid question, but he needed to say something to help break the tension building inside him.
    â€œNot as often as I’d like. Probably once a month on the average for me and about the same for Justin. Our schedules very seldom coincide to let us be here at the same time.”
    â€œDo you ever rent the cabin out as a vacation place?”
    â€œNo. We talked about it but decided against it. We didn’t want to be shut out of our own cabin if either of us had a last-minute cancellation of work and could get away for a couple of days.” She shot him a sidelong glance of disapproval, more in an effort to provide herself some emotional distance from him than anything else. She resumed walking along the trail. “Like when my New York project was postponed and I had a last-minute opportunity to use the cabin for a few days…what I thought would be a quiet getaway.”
    He continued down the trail walking along beside her. He spoke reflectively, almost as if he were talking to himself. “And I was there first, ruining all your plans and spoiling your quiet time.”
    She stopped walking again and turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise at what he had said. “That’s not what I meant—”
    He quickly pulled himself together. “Of coursenot.” He smiled condescendingly, making no effort to hide his feelings. “Don’t worry, you’ve already explained the rules to me…you have no intention of being gracious and you have no desire to entertain guests.”
    She felt the sting of his pointed barb. “That’s not fair. You’re putting words in my mouth—”
    â€œThey were your words, not mine.”
    She looked up at him, her expression almost pleading for an end to what appeared to be the start of an argument. “But you’ve twisted the meaning. I only meant—”
    His mouth was on hers before she could finish her sentence. He folded her into his arms. A little shiver darted across his nape when her fingers raked through his hair. Then he felt her arms slip around his neck. Every heated spark from the previous night came rushing back to him. He pulled her body so tightly against his that he literally lifted her off the ground. She was everything he could ever want, but he didn’t know what to do about it. And the notion frightened him.
    He reluctantly released her from his embrace, but continued to clasp her hand in his. He spoke softly, trying to keep his emotions under control. “It’s too nice a day to spend it at odds with each other.” He lifted his other hand and lightly traced the outline of her lips with the tip of his finger. “Don’t you agree?”
    â€œYou’re right.” A shiver darted through her body. Her breathless reply matched his. “It’s too nice a day.”
    He kept her hand firmly in his as they walked along the forest trail. The warmth of her touch radiated up his arm and through his body. His tension began todrain away, leaving only a sensation of well-being and contentment.
    â€œYou never did tell me how you got involved in public relations. Was that your area of study in college?”
    â€œYes. I had hoped to take a position