Detrimental Diversions

Summary: Serena was on her way to do a very big favor when she met someone who could undo it all.

7.8.2012

Yesterday had been a mixed big of goodies. In the end though, Serena thought happily as she leaned against the door-frame to the car she finally managed to get down to of all things: Pony, Montana. It had a cutesy name and it was a charming town she found herself in. The town was nestled into a surrounding of mountains. The season was not yet winter, though judging by last night, that might have changed. Though here, it was still quite clear that it wasn't yet time to be laying out all the amenities for the up-sweep of guests the season usually brought.

Not that she would know on her own experiences. And it wasn't the town she'd found herself in, though it was quite gorgeous and would have lifted her mood anyways, it was the night before. The man of the night before. A delicious shiver went through her just recalling everything that transpired. It had been more than a meeting of the flesh, it had been a meeting of minds and emotions and desires. It had been perfect.

She was lost in the idyllic surrender of memories for a little while... Though it hadn't started out roses, that was for sure.

–

She had been following the same flashy car for miles, going way above speed, especially for these roads and in this condition. She was cursing out fate, and why she'd ever agreed to this in the first place as big drifts of snow came flocking to her windshield. Wet enough that it was difficult to brush them aside. Further cursing transpired every time her wheels slipped for a fraction of a second and her heart started pounding in its cage.

She would get it back under control but her breathing and her heart took longer to do so, her instincts faster than her breathing techniques. The car ahead of her looked to be having only slight problems as it slowed down enough for her to bridge the extensive gap that had been between them for quite some time.

He'd passed her on the interstate and Serena had only been able to spot him on the winding trails, on bends further ahead, along the ridges of other mountains but none of the turn offs had been taken. She had to admit though, the car while unsuited for the weather, it was well suited for the environment in more favorable conditions. The low slung sports body of the car hugged the curves with a grace that Serena's own vehicle could not. Though hers would see her to the other side of the mountains if the snow kept up, if she'd had remembered the chains Lizzy had fostered into her hands when she'd first agreed to this farce.

They were sitting, unfortunately, on the table near the door as she'd rushed out. She'd have to call and tell the sitters of it, that they should put it in her room and lock the door and forget that there was anything there. All her valuables were either in storage or with Lizzy herself. Her cat had been kept in her friend's safe-keeping even though the girl was allergic. Serena smiled fondly in remembrance of Luna's nonchalant attitude about being given up and having her house rearranged. The cat always liked Lizzy better anyway.

Serena would have to be reassured that the sitters wouldn't damage her furniture or do inappropriate things all over the apartment. She tried not to let her min think of that and she shuddered away the images.

She had noticed too, on this long drive that she'd pulled into a gas station hours ago and hadn't seen one since. Her tank was glaring at her, telling her that the empty single was not there just for show and she had to be careful on how much gas she used. She might not make it as far as the next ridge if she put her foot too heavy on the gas peddle.

The light started blinding her just as the sun finally dipped beyond the peaks around them, signaling its decent. The day would turn dark before it really even begun, a quick stolen glance at the clock reminded her that it was only four in the afternoon.

She'd given up her nice beach front property, however temporarily, for this. She'd flown up here and saw the truck parked, just as she knew it would be at the airport when she landed. She'd thrown her bags into the trunk and set off this way right away. There had been no reason to lolly about in Billings. Nobody would be there for her and she hadn't planned to stay the night anywhere, intent on getting to her destination. But her flight had been late and even the half hour was detrimental to her state of mind, she was having enough trouble navigating the roads in daylight, much less trying to manage it in the dark and snow. She wasn't a mountain driver, the only times she did were in the summer in ones that compared with these mountains put them to shame to even think they were on the same playing field. These made those look like mole-hills that kids liked to roll down for fun.

The grip on the steering wheel tightened as she realized the car in front of her had slowed down a lot more than she had realized. Perhaps it was having more difficulty than she'd thought. But he was also slowing her down. Perhaps he was finally turning off and then she saw it, the exit that would give her a chance to refill. She followed him as he signaled to another small community, one probably larger than where she was intending to go.

But she seized the opportunity to fill up and there were only four pumps at the station. One a giant truck was tending and then the one the sports car took up, and she pulled into the one so she could face the man across the top of his car. When she got out to fill hers up, she glanced up and saw the man driving the machine. She'd thought he'd be old, an old man having a midlife crisis or one trying to reclaim his youth, or at the very least a man who had saved all his life and finally spent his money on something unpractical.

Instead, her breath caught in her chest and words escaped her for a minute as she fumbled with the cap on the rusted old truck. He was utterly breathtaking. Not in the classic beauty but with the sheer male rawness that was undeniable. Even from this distance she could see that his nose had once been broken, and while now straight, there was a scar along the top going sideways. His lips weren't quite even, as if another scar kept them from doing as he wanted with his mouth sometimes, but that's what where the scars ended. His hair was dark and gleamed like a raven's wing, and the setting sun through a shine onto it, causing a halo around his head.

He was her dark angel.

He didn't even glance up at her and the old truck that had been following him for ages. He probably deemed a male was behind the wheel and hadn't wanted anything to do with him. He'd probably brush her off anyway, more interested in himself and his wealth than the people around him. He'd pay at the pump and get back in his car and probably had a girlfriend waiting on the other end of the line to his built in phone, having to be paused in her uninteresting talk of the day she'd had while being pampered.

But what was he doing out here in the middle of nowhere? This was not a place a rich man, in his mid to late twenties ventured on his own with a sleek car and business clothes. It wouldn't hurt to ask, but she'd probably be rebuffed for even trying, ignoring her like a horse ignoring the flies buzzing around its head. He'd get in the car without responding and drive off. Probably on his way to California or Washington, unwilling to let his car stay in New York or Connecticut while he had business to attend to on the opposite coast. Preferring to waste time and gas on his precious car than leave it behind. Money never a concern for him or the environment.

She cleared her throat. She could easily go inside or ask the man with the truck. The first option, she'd have to anyway, to pay, she just realized that they'd pulled over just in time. It wasn't a pay at the pump like she'd been used to, but pay at the register and the second one was still an option if neither of the first two worked out. "Excuse me?" She asked in her politest voice and the man's head snapped up and around to her.

He hadn't felt her gaze on him then, undressing him despite her best intentions to treat him like another human being. She tried her hardest now not to show case that seedier side to her. He caught sight of her with the beat up truck and he seemed to be reevaluating something. "You've been following me for quite awhile. I should have looked to see who the driver was. I'm afraid my mind was somewhere else." She'd known that, but she was surprised by the accent, it wasn't from anywhere on the East Coast. It was crisp and clean and clear like the Midwest, but there was also a short drawl as if he was hiding his true voice. Was he really from this area after-all? But then what was he doing out here, dressed like that and in that car when snow pelted them from all sides. "What can I help you with?" A crooked smile due not to the small scar, but because that's how his lips naturally lifted or was it for her?

She felt an answering one rise to her own. "That's all right, its hard not to be when you're a million miles away from anyone else." He lifted a brow at that, a thick dark one over black eyes but he didn't correct her. "I'm heading out to Pony, are you heading anywhere near that direction? I'm afraid after the interstate, I kind of lost my bearings. I thought I was supposed to take that for a while yet but somehow I must have gotten off of it."

"You'll need to continue on 90, that's the road you just got off and continue that way until you reach Three Forks. From there you'll head south on 287. That turn is after the town, but it gets up on you fast if you're not careful and watch where you're going. It's not the easiest of roads."

"You mean we've been on the interstate this entire time? I thought for sure it was some highway at the kindest."

"Nope, you'll find that this is a cakewalk compared to 287. That's our highway. Though at times it seems more like a back road to the locals who get used to zipping along some of the paved streets from Billings to Helena."

"Locals?" Serena couldn't help the smile that spread against her lips this time. "Where are you heading?"

"About the same locale. Just north of it, there's a Ranch that I own that I'm heading out to oversee for a little while. They need help getting buckling down for the Winter."

"Oh." Serena didn't know what to say to that, he'd be around, but only for a short while. "That's why you're in a suit?"

The man looked down at himself ruefully. "I had a meeting that was delayed first a day then several hours. If I had any chance of beating this storm or the sunset, I had to take off straight away. Thankfully I have some winter provisions with me in the trunk. More than I can say about you, sunshine."

Serena usually bristled with nicknames, having gotten a few unflattering ones growing up. She'd had a few stages, a clumsy one, a sleeping one, one where she wore her hair in the most ridiculous style, two buns on either side of her head with the rest of her hair streaming from them and bangs. But she'd been independent and a free spirit and many people had responded warmly to her oddball way of thinking, and joy of life. Not that it was in full swing right now, she again didn't know why she'd agreed she hated the cold, responding so much better to sunshine. Which was the name he'd called her and which fit in so many ways, and not just for the two she'd already mentioned, but also that it fit her tan and hair coloring nicely. As dark as he was, she was as light. Her eyes would never be black, no matter how dark it got in a room, they were overly bright and seemed to shine with an inner light, almost like two dwarf stars.

People could always see her in a crowd or pick her out in movie theaters. Whatever light was there, was easily reflected back in her eyes. Something he seemed unable to tear his away from. "Spectacular." She heard him mutter and then seemed to come back to himself. He seemed helpful enough, much more so than she had originally given him credit for at least. "Look, if you're not prepared for this weather it can sneak up and hit you broadsided. Come into town with me and we'll wait out the worst of it. I'll even treat you to dinner."

"It's all right, I've got the truck. Do you need a ride?"

He grinned at her again. "Have you got any chains?" It seemed he knew the answer before she even responded, probably because it wasn't the first thing she set out to do when they stopped. "No, I didn't think so. They didn't give them to you with the truck when you rented it?"

"Why do you think I rented it?"

"You're not from these parts. That isn't a day-glo lotion tan."

"Could have gotten it from a bed." Serena countered.

"Could have, but you don't seem the type. More like lazy days at the pool, or rather outdoor pools where you pounded out laps before going down to the beach to do something else physical. Then off to work during the worst of it."

That was true enough, she hadn't been burnt once since she moved to Florida. Her job kept her indoors during the worst of the heat and sun's rays, but she still got time both before and after to enjoy her time outdoors. She'd never known herself to be such an avid fan of surfing before then. He was right too about the pool and beach but he had the order mixed up, and work came in between.

"Right you are, but its not a rental, just a friend's. I was given snow-chains but I forgot them." She smiled hopelessly at him.

"Off to spend some time on the slopes? You're a bit early for that kind of vacation, though with that thing, maybe you would be wise to get there before the weather worsens. Though you'd have to stay awhile before you could get any sort of benefit out of it. Though remember to use sunscreen on the slopes, it might not be as sunny or hot as you're used to, but the rays are strong up there. Less atmosphere to fight through to get to you."

"I'll remember that." Serena wanted to sigh in frustration, she was enjoying her talk with him as both tanks filled, but it wasn't getting her any closer to her destination. "Any rate, I'd like to get a move on before the sun completely sets."

"I would too, but I don't think it'll be an option. The pass up ahead is dicey in fair weather and good lighting. Anyone will tell you to take a break here if you aren't lucky enough to get through it before the sun sets."

"I hadn't planned on staying here." Serena looked fretfully at the distance, in the way she thought she had to go.

"Pony's over there." The man pointed off in a direction over her left shoulder and she had to turn her head slightly. "You can't see it obviously, its still another two hours drive in better weather than this, but that's the general direction. You were looking more towards Four Corners."

"Three Forks, Four Corners." Serena mumbled to herself. "Next you'll be telling me Two Pennies and One Bowl."

"Close." He laughed at her expression. "Come on, we'll go settle up with the gas bill and then I'll treat you to a nice dinner at the Inn down the way, I know the owner, hook us up with a couple of rooms and tell you all about the landscape you've just stepped into. I'll even pitch in for a couple of snow-chains for the lot of us."

"You're talking as if a whole herd of clowns will come out of your car at any moment."

He laughed again, it was a deep, rich sound and she liked hearing him do it. If she had her way, she'd make him laugh often, or rather she'd settle for again, if she met him after this. "I can already tell I have to be careful with you, you're too easy to like."

Serena grinned at him and finished up with the truck, twisting the cap in place and closing the door. She walked with him up the station floor to pay. "I'm Serena." She gave him her name and her hand and he took both and returned it with his own.

"Darien." That was it, no last names, but they really didn't need to share that, this was an easy exchange between the two of them and when their hands touched, it became something a bit more. It surprised Serena, the intensity and fizzle that went up and down her arm, ricocheting about as if it had to be released somehow, now that he'd started it into motion.

They both paused and looked at each other again, their eyes locking. Serena noted, looking up like this and in better lighting and better distance that she was wrong. His eyes weren't black. They were a dark blue, like looking into a lake on a clear night and still unable to see beneath its mysterious surface, sparkling with the light of the thousands of stars and moon in the sky, but refusing it further entrance than just to gleam on its surface.

Serena smiled back the lump that formed in her throat, suddenly it was very dry and her palms were starting to get very slick. She pulled her hand away from his, but her gaze never faltered. He was breathing more difficultly too as he looked back at her, something secret and deep was going on, but she couldn't understand what. It was as if something was shifting inside her, down into the darkest resources of her being, as if a light was being ignited, emptiness was being fanned out, getting rid of the old and musky, rugs flapping against wall as it was beating out the dust. What would take its place? She couldn't say.

He swallowed, and held open the door for her like a perfect gentleman and allowed her to pay first and then he finished up and walked her back to her truck. He watched her unlock it, a smile tilting up the corner of his mouth. "Good thinking, locking your door, you can never know whose going to be sneaking in the back, waiting with an ax."

"Don't say things like that." Serena warned, well-versed in urban legends and darted a glance back behind her just in case, even careening over the chair to check if anyone was on the floor. Nobody. Thankfully the cab was quite small comparatively, and the bed was not accessible through the back window.

"Not that it would deter any would-be-serial-killer." He teased. "Want me to check under the car as well?" He swooped to do just that. "All clear."

"You mock, but it would be the perfect location for that."

"You watch too much television, city-girl." He smiled at her broadly, but he'd be giving her nightmares for a week if he didn't stop it. "It's safe out here. You'll learn that soon enough and you'll never want to go back to big city life again."

"I don't live big city life." She told him, leaning out the window slightly.

"No?" His eyes raked her and he didn't seem to believe her, no more than she would believe that he was restricted to farm work all his life. "Come on, I'll show you the way to the Inn. It'll probably be better if you follow, that way if I get stuck, you can push me out."

He tapped the hood of her car and then ducked into his car. She followed him, but she wondered why, everything thing he said she had to take at face-value. She hadn't known she was still on 90, but she was so worried about cross-traffic signs and looking for a gas station that she hadn't checked the mile markers or scant reminders, if there were any about what road they traveled. They could be in Idaho for all she knew and whatever he said, she'd believe. But why? Hadn't that been his way of warning her not to trust him? This talk of Urban Legends, or was it just teasing her that she was so paranoid to lock up with only him and the trucker and gas attendant on a night it was obvious no one was coming down that road, that she had to lock up? She hadn't seen or heard him lock or unlock his car, but the thing was so sleek it might not make any noise.

What had she to base anything on? That he was attractive in a sort of devilish, tough way? Or the fact that he looked so gloriously male? He had spoken kindly to her, but that was only after noticing that she was female, and she wasn't blind to the quick looks he'd shot her, obviously admiring, though not lewdly. More like he was appreciating, rather than imagining. She wasn't the skinniest girl in the world or the most curvy but he'd still found something to appreciate.

But what allowed her to trust him? Nothing. What allowed her to trust anyone? Nothing at all. She just did, often times detrimental to herself, but more often than not, proving a wise choice. She'd always been saved from too harsh a blow because of the other relationships she'd built. They'd always been there to support her if she did make a wrong choice in believing in someone.

So she was putting herself into the hands of a stranger. She was at his mercy but it was her way and when he lead her to a well-established looking Inn, she didn't even need to breath a sigh of relief, never doubting for a moment where he'd take her, that it was anything other than what he'd said. She found she was a pretty good judge of character.

He slung an overnight pack onto his shoulder and she looked for her carry-aboard. That would suffice for the night. It was in the back along with an emergency pack. She opened the door and looked down at the slush the dusk had gathered and then down at her shoes, sensible while flying, breathable and comfortable, but totally ill prepared for meeting snow and salt.

In the back, in one of the big bags were her UGG knock-offs, warm and comfortable like the overly expensive pair, but weather protected on the outside and rubber grips on the bottom of a two inch rubber platform rather than half an inch of foam. She wouldn't be wearing through a pair of those any time soon, unlike the real brand. They still gave the same look, but a bit more practical.

She jumped down into the snow and miscalculated how far she had to go. At least it wasn't a jarring thud like she had the first time she filled with gas, this time though, she found herself up to her knees in snow. Tugging down the case, she set it aside and locked up the door, slamming it shut with the keys looped around her fingers. Then she made the impossible attempt to get out of the knee deep snow.

She heard chuckling and then a slightly concerned voice. "Need help?" She twisted to see Darien at the hood of her car, looking at her. She nodded and he dropped his pack, took hers and set it next to him on the ground, where it had been paved, but was slightly icy looking. "Next time park a little further away from a snow bank, or at least have it on the passenger side." He didn't sound condescending, just offering her friendly advice as he walked easily along the top of the slightly crunchy snow. "And don't jump into it any more. You'll sink faster that way." By the time he pulled her out, he was already sinking and was two inches deep before they were moving somewhat quickly back towards the dropped cases. "If you are fast enough, and its firm enough, you won't sink too deeply too quickly and its sometimes easier than the road." He helped her down off the massive bank and jumped down beside her.

It was with pleasure she watched his feet go out from underneath him. He was wearing smooth soled shoes for the office and combined with the ice, not to mention carpet or slippery floors, he found himself on his rump. She had a feeling it was coming to him, not that he was high minded with her, but she had a sense that he was privately laughing at her, this girl so out of her depths. The problem was though, she wasn't, not completely at any rate.

She tried not to laugh, she really did as she inquired after him, but he'd been laughing at her and her misfortune the whole time. She held out her hand to help him up, but found herself on the ground with him. For a second she was intent on accusing him of doing that on purpose, but after a second's recall, she started laughing in earnest. She had lost the grip her feet had and when he put any weight on her, she had over balanced and ended up with him.

He wrapped an arm about her and hoisted them both up and together they half skated towards the entrance to the Inn. In some cases it was easier to walk, but doing so meant she had to pick out her steps a lot more, but skating always had the inherent risk of falling again she she let her feet get too far out from under her and was unable to catch herself again. It was really half a dozen to one either way.

They were laughing and they made an intimate picture as they arrived within the warm confines of the building. A few curious glances slid their way, but the other patrons were more interested in their companions or the fire to give them much notice. "Is Mrs. Shelby in?" Darien asked when they dropped the stuff off at the desk.

"Not yet, she will be in a few hours." The response from the man at the desk. He cast a wandering eye over Serena and she shifted slightly uncomfortable at the sweep. It froze and backed off hastily when his eyes met Darien's. She'd have to thank him some time for that.

"Well let me know when she gets in." Darien gestured to the bags. "Mind storing those for us while we have a bite to eat?" That was cleared away and she found herself at the table, being utterly charmed by this handsome stranger who was becoming not quite so strange.

She had never laughed more in her entire life, she swore at one point and he admitted to about as much for himself. "Where is it you are coming from, Serena?"

"Florida." She sighed happily at the thought of the beautiful beaches, warm sand, warm sun, swirling blues of the ocean, flecked with white as they capped. Her eyes slid to his and she was watching those waves crash not on the beach, but in those orbs. "What about you?"

"I was born and raised in Montana. Though I spent several years down in Chicago which took me other places in the world."

"That accounts for the sleek tailoring and fancy car." Serena murmured thoughtfully.

"It does." He agreed, and his fingers flicked at the bracelet around her wrist, she tried to ignore the burn at the touch of his fingers, what it did to her, how it started there but sneaked up her arm, setting a fire to the rest of her. And it was such an innocent touch. "Florida however does not answer my own questions. You look too nicely dressed to be a college student."

"College students are renowned these days for looking nicer than before." She retorted back. "However you are correct. I have been out for two years now, and my job pays me well enough."

"Model?"

Serenity shook her head. "Not that, was never tall or skinny enough."

"Not going to self-efface and say you weren't beautiful enough?"

"If you think models are beautiful... well that would depend on the type of the model, wouldn't it?" Serena caught herself before she stuck her foot in a generalization again.

"Victoria Secret models don't have to be tall and they're all sorts of curvy."

Serena's lips quirked at that. "I suppose you look at Victoria Secret models enough to know this?"

"Truthfully?" Darien inquired and Serena nodded. "I dated a few of them. None of them lasted more than a few dates."

"So that gives you credence on models fit for that catalog?"

"I do believe so." Darien grinned at her and while it was wide and almost perfectly even, up close she could see the small scar at the corner that made it just slightly lopsided. "At least as far as beautiful women are concerned." He added, noticing her eyes straying to his lips, and they were smooth, sensual lips, Serena dimly thought. Somehow she'd lost track of what they were talking about.

She blamed it on the wine he ordered with dinner, ordering an entire bottle meant to be shared by the two. Meaning she'd had close to half of it by the end of the meal. He'd even pointed out his favorite menu items and she'd gone with the one he recommended the most after a long day of traveling. "Why didn't you wait until tomorrow to come down?" Serena found herself asking, trying to distract herself from the overall pull his body had on her and his personality was matching it stroke for stroke.

"I would have, but my sisters have planned a huge event for tomorrow and I promised I'd be in attendance. I didn't want to risk this happening on the road tomorrow. I suppose I half planned to be waylaid here, though not with such extraordinary company."

"Oh stop." Serena felt a blush coming on and she tried to hide it, tried to stop it. She looked away and then felt two fingers under her chin, lifting her gaze back to his.

"It's the truth. I have never felt so relaxed in someone's company that wasn't family."

They ordered dessert and coffees, unwilling to break this spell that seemed to be cast over them just yet. Their conversations turned slightly more serious, but still with a comfort and ease which surprised both of them. It was also still light hearted and inquiring of their lives before they met. Not too many details were shared on either side, but just generalizations of their past, and of some vague aspirations of their future.

When the coffees were drained and the desserts cleared away, they walked in companionable silence towards the front desk. Mrs. Shelby was there and she was a cute little thing, hardly older than Darien and bustled about for a minute on the computer. "I'm sorry Darien, but there's only one room available. Perhaps you'd like to see it? There's two beds and a couch. If I had known you were coming, I would have cleared your usual room, but we've got a Harley convention going on now, this snow storm really knocked us all for a loop. It was supposed to still be fall colors up here for the next two weeks, and the snow has snowed in several groups that would have only been too happy to pass through. It's good for business, but bad for you, I guess."

There was the option of the room and the use of the common place couch, and after being shown the room, Serena figured it was better than having no room at all. "You can take the room." Darien announced when Mrs. Shelby left. "I'm friends with the cook staff and can probably weasel out a hot drink and some bedding."

"This is crazy!" Serena argued. "You're more than welcome to the other bed. There's a whole couch and two walk ways between us around it. Its better you sleep on the other bed rather than cramped on the couch, especially after being cramped in your car."

"How come you think I'm cramped in the car?"

"I see how tall you are." Serenity stated without hesitation.

He grinned toothily at her. "You've never been inside one, have you? They're surprisingly roomy. I'll have to take you for a spin in Pony."

"If we can get there, if there's no snow in the near future, then I might take you up on that." Serena stubbornly refused to think of why that might not be possible. There were no rules written to say she couldn't do just that.

"At any rate, we're diverging. You don't need to allow me to stay in here if you're uncomfortable. I'm a virtual stranger, you never know what I could do to you once the lights are out."

"You lead me here, didn't you?" Serena stated calmly, knowing he was speaking from concern over her apparent trust in all she met. "You could have taken me anywhere and I would have followed, but you did as you said you would, and if the same holds true tonight, then we'll be in the clear."

"And if I don't?"

"There's nothing keeping me here and not sleeping on that couch where people drift by occasionally either guests or staff. I'd probably be safer out there anyway."

"You're not sleeping out there." His tone broke no arguments and she lifted a blond brow at his words. "You'll be in here and I assure you, I will not make the first move. You'll be safe with me."

"I always thought so." Serena soothed and took her back and put it on the folding rack she found in the closet. "So it's settled, and we'll both stay here for the night."

"All right." Darien tried to match her tone and expression and after a moment they both started cracking up. "Would you like to go down for a night cap with me?"

She nodded and one night cap turned into two and several hours of sitting by the fire, talking about nothing and laughing at interesting anecdotes about people they met throughout their life or funny moments. Serena's head rested on Darien's shoulder as she looked into the fire and he sat perfectly, gentlemanly still next to her.

They were alone now and had been for quite some time, not noticing as the others filed out. Her hand covered his and she ran her fingers along the long strokes of his hands. His hands dwarfed hers by almost double and they clenched around her hand. "Serena..."

"Would it surprise you to learn that I wasn't quite so innocent as you've seemed to be making me out as? I can tell by the terms you use, the way you talk to me, how you hold back." She removed her head from his shoulder and looked up at him. "A few comments you've directed at me, seem to make it seem as if I'd never do some of the things women in your life have, no matter how fleeting they were or how close."

"I wasn't su- you aren't as brazen as many of the women I've known. There is a purity about you that can't be diminished even if you've been intimate with men. It's in your heart." He drew a heard on her captured hand to punctuate his words.

"If I wanted-"

"All you have to do is say the word. I want it too, wanted it from the moment I saw your eyes holding mine, demanding I saw you, demanding that I fall in line with whatever it was you wanted. Imagine my charinge when my fantasies took flight and all you'd wanted were directions."

"Did it bruise your ego a little?" Serena batted her lashes up at him. "If it makes you feel any better, the moment I saw you, I wanted you too. I had to stop myself from mentally undressing you before I addressed you or we'd find ourselves inappropriately sprawled out in a gas station in the cold."

Darien chuckled at the image. "I would never have allowed that to happen. I'd have at least gotten you inside the cab of your truck." His fingers on one hand lifted from hers to draw lines along her jaw. "Only if you're sure."

"I am." Serena leaned the short distance between them and made the first move, her lips slipping over his and was unexpected for the passion that flared up so greatly within her, though the signs had been there all night, with every little touch, it had been impossible to ignore the fire burning within for him. It was hard to tear away for a long time and they did, just to go back to the room they shared.

Darien held her at the door though, once it clicked shut. "I need to know-" He rasped, fighting not to take her into his arms and forget anything else.

"I'm covered, but I'd still rather you- because-"

Darien shook his head. "That's all right, I have protection, but, I need to know, is there anyone? Husband?"

"No."

"Boyfriend?"

"Nope." She smiled at him. "I'm a free bird."

"I don't know how it's remotely possible. You're amazing." He dragged her bodily against him and kissed her with such skill and passion she almost forgot herself as she returned it. His words had stirred something in her, but he didn't know her all that well, did he?

She freed her head from his grasp and pushed him away slightly. He froze for all of a second and then he was wrenching his hands off her, holding them up, showing her that he'd do as she wanted, and if she wanted to stop, he would. She tugged him back to her, putting his hands at her hips, but she put hers on his chest. She could feel his fingers softly rounding into her flesh there, curling in a way that was both possessive and uncontrolled as if he couldn't get enough of touching her. That went both ways, she noted as her hands did the same at his chest. "I need to know now, myself, is there a female in your life?"

"Yes." He said and at her face, he smiled down at her. "Two in fact." When her face troubled further and she was going to push him away, his hands covered hers on his chest. "My sisters are a very big part of my life. They try to run it whenever I'm around and when I'm not, they try to get me to come back." He lifted her hands and kissed both of them. "I don't have a wife or girlfriend. In fact I never do this, I prefer commitment in my relationships before going this far, but we've connected in a way that I haven't done with a woman in a long time, and especially not so quickly. We don't have to let this get any further tonight. We'll have all the time in the world over the next few days."

Serena grinned at him. "I don't think I could last that long." And she pushed him back into the bed. He went willingly and tugged her in after him.

"Thank god for that. I worried for a minute you'd try to slow this down."

"Try and stop me."

–

In the early morning hours, Darien's hand rested on her belly, and he held her close. "What are you doing in Montana Serena?"

"I-" She hesitated. "I'm here for a job." That was as close to the truth as she was going to get, and in many ways it was true. There was a job lined up for her here.

"I'm glad it brought you out here. I hope you enjoy it as much as you're hoping." He sighed heavily. "Montana winters can be pretty tough if you're not careful and you're dragging yourself out from sunny Florida to practically the middle of nowhere. Internet is spotty on the best of days, despite my intentions to make it work throughout the town, having put up the bill at the Ranch. I can't even guarrantee it'll work there." He kissed the top of her head when she didn't respond, just listening. "The telephones work well enough, but cell reception is weak. Running water is a godsend when its working, frustration when its not."

"You make it sound as if this isn't a resort town."

"It is, and they try their best, but those who come here verses those in Wyoming or Colorado or even Arizona, Utah or California know its the wilds they're after and not something completely cushioned. They accept if something goes off and the hotel doesn't usually have problems."

"As long as there's heat and a shower at least once a week, then I'm doubtful to complain." Though she had been complaining a lot to herself on this trip, but somehow his presence just made anything bearable. Made all the troubles seem to go far away.

"I hope so. I'd hate to see you run from this country before you even got a chance to properly see it in all its glory. Before we got to see this thing to its end." Though Serena had a sinking suspicion after the passion of the last few hours, that wouldn't be any time soon.

–

The next morning they ate together and then got in their respective vehicles and only stopped for gas one more time. The snow seemed to have gone by dawn's first light, a strange mix of blues and pinks that Serena had never seen in the morning, but had been awake with him to watch it come in. He'd promised to show her how to put the chains on, but it seemed that they were no longer necessary. But he promised he'd show her before he headed back to Billings or she did, which ever came first.

At the gas station he pulled her into his arms again while the cars were filling up and kissed her soundly. "I'll pick you up sometime this week after my sisters' party and take you out somewhere."

"That sounds seriously vague." Serena frowned. "If you don't want to-"

"Don't want to?" Darien sounded almost scandalized. "Serena after yesterday, disregarding our amazing night together, how can you doubt my intentions? We make a great pair, I'm sure we could talk for hours a month from now and never run out of things to say!"

Serena couldn't help but feel warmed by that comment. And as long as Darien was just making fly in visits to his Ranch, things would work out perfectly. "And if we don't discard our night together-?"

"You're fishing." He teased her and kissed the tip of her nose. "It was... I don't think I have any words now either."

Serena beamed up at him. "It was the same for me, you know that." She had told him so and the second and third time had not disappointed either or was any less spectacular.

"I like hearing you say it though."

"Now who's fishing?" She teased right back.

Unfortunately their cars were done and they had to pay and then with a quick kiss Darien let her get back into the cab and he jaunted off to his sleek sports car. The rest of the way was uneventful and when they got to his Ranch, he invited her in for a meal or a quick snack. She was reluctant to turn him down. "I've got to get down to the resort. I'm already two days late, they'll be worried about me. I haven't been able to get through since the airport."

"Must be satellites shifting again." Darien sighed and held his arms open for her. She moved into them easily and without thinking. "You'll have to get the hotel's number. I'm surprised you don't have that already. It's strange you called one of their cells."

"It was easier that way, they were moving about when I called and I forgot to input the hotel's main number into my phone."

Darien hummed, though he was much rather interested in the girl in his arms than trying to figure out one more mystery surrounding her. She was grateful that he was distracted, she had a keen suspicion that he was rather too sharp to let it go otherwise. He gathered her close and kissed her, she clung to him like a woman starved for satisfaction, though she'd had plenty of that and more the night before. He groaned. "Don't go, stay here. I'll call down to the lodge and inform them that you were having car trouble and stopped off here for a little while first."

"I can't." Serena didn't want to go any more than he wanted her to go. "Besides, you have a party you need to help set up and tweak." She smiled up at him softly. "But I'm not going far."

–

"Serena!" Arms bandied about her, big, overly-hairy, muscular arms that were nothing like the ones that held her last night, lifted her clear of the ground and spun her around in his joy at seeing her unexpectedly. "How come you have been standing out here in the cold? I thought you'd come straight in. I've missed you!" Then he set her back on her feet and kissed her full on the mouth.

It startled her but she didn't pull away, quite aware they had an audience. An audience indeed.