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  She woke from her nap to find Viper working at his desk. He had began bringing her dinner and joining her before working on his paperwork while she read. He was restlessly running his hands through his hair.

  Winter pulled her chair close and pulled herself into it. Viper turned to watch as she went into the bathroom, not offering to help. They were giving her more independence and she appreciated it. She had noticed that with Beth and Razer gone to spend the holiday with Lily that he was doing even more paperwork. Beth was an accountant and usually helped Viper with the paperwork in the evenings.

  When she came out of the bathroom, she rolled to the desk.

  “Need any help?” She offered.

  He sat back in his chair. “I wish, but…”

  “I am an expert at paperwork plus I enjoy it. I also know accounting. In case you have forgotten, I had to budget a whole school for the year and keep the figures straight. At least let me try.”

  He slid the books to her explaining the various columns. It wasn’t hard, mainly tedious. Viper, who hated to sit still, would have a difficult time with it. It didn’t take long before Winter caught on and began making headway in the mess he had created. He watched Winter chew on her pencil as her fingers flew nimbly over the adding machine. Evie called on the phone to say that dinner was ready. Viper left her working until he returned with their food. They spent the evening catching him up through the holidays and Winter smiled when he gave a sigh of relief when he closed the ledger and shut down the computer.

  “Thanks, that took a load of work off both Beth and myself.” Viper moved to turn the television on and sat watching. He took a beer out of the mini fridge he always kept stocked. “Want to join me?”

  A closed expression came over her face. “No thanks, I think I’ll take a shower then lay on the bed and read awhile.” Viper stared at her thoughtfully as she rolled herself into the bathroom taking her nightclothes with her. He was well aware that he had brought back memories of the many times they had sat and watched television together and that she wasn’t going to allow herself to get that close to him again. The show flashed across the screen unnoticed as he realized she wasn’t ever going to let him in her heart again. He had hurt her too badly for him to regain her trust. He had been lied to and cheated on once in his life when he was still in college, before he joined the military, and he could remember the pain of betrayal well. What he had done was much worse. She would never trust Loker James again. What he had to do he decided was to teach her to trust Viper, the man he had hidden from her. To do that, he was going to have to show her the real man in the true environment he lived in and let her make her choice. The choice of whether they had a future together was in her hands, but Viper was going to use every trick he knew to get her to make the decision he wanted.

  ***

  “One more, come on Winter you can do better than that.”

  “I’m tired Conner.”

  “One more and I will give you an extra five minutes in the hot tub.”

  “Deal.” Winter forced her tired legs to do one more stretch upwards. Her belly quivered as the muscles pulled taut.

  “That a girl.” Get changed, and I will meet you at the hot tub.” Conner helped her into the wheelchair before leaving to go to the hot tub. Winter rolled herself to the bathroom and changed into the tiny bikini.

  She put on the robe she had brought with her when Viper had carried her down. He and Cash had stayed to work out. She rolled herself to the hot tub without glancing in Viper’s direction.

  Conner helped her inside.

  “You’re getting much stronger, Winter. Next week we will try and let you start walking more than a few steps.”

  “Really?” She couldn’t keep the excitement out of her voice.

  “Really. The house seems much quieter today.” Winter knew he wondered where his fan club was. Several of the women made a point to be around when he was there.

  Winter nodded, sinking lower in the water. “Some of the people who live here left to visit their families. Where does your family live?”

  “Texas. It’s too long of a trip for Thanksgiving but I am planning on going home for Christmas,” he said with regret.

  She frowned, “What are you going to do for Thanksgiving dinner?”

  “Probably eat at the diner.” He shrugged.

  “I would invite you to dinner here, but I am a guest myself,” she said apologetically.

  “That’s all right, the food at the diner is good. That’s long enough Winter, we need to get you out.” Conner stood in the tub and helped her to sit on the edge. He stood between her legs until she had her balance. As he began to move away, Winter’s leg began cramping and she almost slid off.

  Conner jumped out of the hot tub sitting her on the floor, massaging her calf and thighs. His hands were massaging her inner thigh when the cramp finally eased.

  “Thank you, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been here.”

  “Don’t go in the tub by yourself, Winter. Your muscles are still recovering from the trauma.

  “I won’t, I promise.” She gave him a shaky smile. The door opened and Viper walked in, his eyes landing on Conner’s hands on the inside of her thigh near her crotch. His eyes became glacial. Before he could say anything, Winter jumped in with an explanation.

  “I had a leg cramp. He was massaging it for me.”

  “Glad to know, for a minute there I thought he was being unprofessional.”

  The smile died on Conner’s mouth as he removed his hands helping Winter into her wheelchair.

  “Thanks again, Conner.” Winter said before deciding to go for it and ask Viper for a favor.

  “Viper, would it be all right for Conner to come to dinner tomorrow? He has to eat at the diner.”

  Winter looked pleadingly at Viper. “I am afraid that’s not possible. Tomorrow is for members of the club only.” He gave a smile, which Winter didn’t quite trust. “But I will tell you what I can do. Friday is our party day and I am sure there will be plenty of leftovers. We allow non-members to participate with an invitation. Will that work?”

  Winter looked hopefully at Conner.

  “I will look forward to it, Winter. Thanks Viper.”

  “My pleasure.” Winter smiled at Viper when he asked if she was ready to go upstairs.

  “Yes, please.”

  Viper rolled her in the wheelchair to the bottom of the steps before picking her up and carrying her upstairs. Connor followed as far as the front door before saying goodbye.

  He continued up the steps to their room, sitting her in her wheelchair.

  “I will make some calls while you grab a shower, in case you have another cramp.” He said snidely.

  Winter decided to ignore it. “Thanks, I won’t be long. I was lucky he was there. He is a really nice guy. You know? You can tell he is lonely with his relatives being in Texas.” She kept a running monologue as she gathered her clothes. Finally she went into the restroom. Viper heard the shower running, his hands clenched as he heard her singing in the shower. She had treated him like her fucking BFF, talking about a guy she was crushing on. Viper had recognized the look on Conner’s face when he had walked into the hot tub room. The man was only biding his time to make his move. Viper had every intention of preempting his strike. Winter was about to find out how he got his nickname.

  Chapter 6

  The kitchen was crowded with those wanting to cook. Winter sat at the table with a cup of coffee, sipping it with enjoyment as she watched Rider and Evie argue over the best way to make sweet potatoes. When Evie made gagging noises after Rider mentioned marshmallows, Winter couldn’t hold back her giggles.

  “They are like this every holiday.” Bliss said, taking a sip of her own coffee.

  She watched the perky blonde take a bite of her toast and smiled. The woman was sweet and quirky. At first Winter had talked to her less than the other women but they had continually ran into each other in the gym or hot tub room. They had
slowly gotten to know each other and Winter had developed a friendship with her.

  It was midafternoon before they were ready to eat. Razer and Beth were the last to show, coming in just as everyone sat down at the table. Beth slid into a chair at the table next to her.

  “I thought you would have dinner with Lily?” Winter couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.

  Beth smiled. “This is the first Thanksgiving we have spent apart, but a friend from college invited her to spend the holiday with them and she accepted.”

  Winter raised a brow. “As overprotective as you are, I am surprised you let her go.”

  Beth laughed turning red. “Lily is old enough to make her own decisions now, that was the whole point of her going away to college, but I did ask Razer to check them out for me. He assured me it was safe.” Beth confessed.

  Beth was facing Winter so she saw the unguarded look on Razer’s face as he stared at Shade across the table. Shade kept his face expressionless, aware Winter was watching.

  “How long has she known this girl?” Winter questioned Beth.

  “They met at the first of the school year. Next year they are thinking about being roommates. It’s great for Lily, I was about to break and let her come home but I didn’t want her driving back and forth to the nearest college. This girl has made college life bearable for her. We’ll have to invite her one weekend.”

  Winter had her confirmation when she saw Razer’s face at Beth’s words. Shade stayed expressionless as usual, continuing to eat his meal.

  “I would wait awhile. Finals will be coming up, then Christmas. You have a wedding to plan after Christmas. I am sure Lily can explain that it will be several months before you can return the favor.”

  “Perhaps you’re right. I’m going dress shopping in Lexington after Christmas; we could make a weekend of it, just us girls.”

  “That sounds like a good plan.” Winter agreed, seeing the relief on both of the male’s faces.

  The food was delicious. Both the turkey and ham were demolished. Winter made sure she tried both Rider’s and Evie’s sweet potatoes, gushing over both of them. Viper, sitting across from her, admired her as she deftly stroked each of his club member’s egos.

  Everyone helped with the cleanup. The men voluntarily cleaned the table as the women loaded the dishwasher. Beers were opened and the men crowded into the room off the kitchen to watch the game. The women sat at the kitchen table planning Beth’s bachelorette party.

  “I think we should have it at the Pink Slipper.” Beth said.

  “That won’t work.” Evie said in response.

  “Why not?”

  “Because they won’t let us in the door.” Evie explained.

  “Oh.” Beth said unhappily.

  “How about Rosie’s?” Evie suggested instead.

  “That sounds good.” Beth agreed.

  “I’ll talk to Mick about us renting the bar for the night.”

  “Hell yeah.” Natasha and Jewell high fived each other.

  The men were yelling at the game. Bliss and Natasha got up to give everyone refills on their beer before sitting back down.

  “That’s settled then.” Beth leaned back taking a drink of her beer. “Winter, I bought an outfit for you to wear to tomorrow’s party. I hung it in your closet before coming downstairs.”

  “That was sweet of you but I’m sure I had something that would have been fine.”

  Beth stared at her a minute before replying. “I seriously doubt that. I want to explain about the parties Winter, the first one was a shock for me.”

  Winter began getting worried. “I have been to several parties Beth, I am not a social butterfly but I don’t think I will embarrass myself.”

  “That’s not what I mean Winter. What I meant was the parties can get a little carried away; you may see some things that will shock you.”

  As the women talked, the men’s voices were growing lower as they unashamedly listened. Viper was about to interrupt. He had every intention of talking with Winter to give her an idea of what to expect tomorrow night but he was enjoying listening to Beth beat around the bush. Several of the men were hiding their smiles.

  “For heavens sake Beth, I think she’s seen a naked man before. Hell, she dated Viper for two years.” Jewell interrupted exasperated.

  “I never saw Viper naked when we dated. We never had sex.” Winter confessed to the women.

  Rider yelled out at a touchdown and Knox elbowed him in the ribs so they could hear.

  “You dated Viper for two years and never fucked him?” Evie asked in astonishment.

  Winter had felt herself becoming more laid back since they had brought her to the clubhouse and she wasn’t under constant public scrutiny. Her new mellow attitude was brought out further by the wine she had for dinner and the two beers she had drank afterwards had her confiding in the women.

  “No, at first my mom was sick, so I thought he was being understanding, then mom died and I still thought the same thing. That excuse lasted about a year.” She said opening another beer. All the women at the table watched the movement.

  “What about the other year?” Bliss asked with wide eyes.

  Winter picked at the label on her beer with her fingertips, a blush staining her cheeks. “We went to church together.” Winter said. The women looked at each other not understanding.

  “Yeah, so?” Jewell asked what everyone was thinking.

  Winter looked at Beth. “Oh, I understand.” Beth nodded.

  “Well fucking explain it to us.”

  “It’s our Christian belief not to share sex before marriage. Many couples in our church don’t even kiss before their wedding day.” Beth was now as red as Winter.

  “So you thought…” At this point Jewell had difficulty holding back her laughter. “..that Viper shared your Christian values?” When Winter nodded, none of the women could hold back their laughter, more than one had to wipe tears away.

  “What about the last months you were together?” Stori asked.

  “I thought he was gay.”

  Viper choked on his beer and started to jump off the couch but Knox and Shade held him down. The women turned at the shuffle.

  “What happened?” Winter asked seeing the men in a scuffle.

  “I think the other team got the ball.” Evie said, laughing.

  “Oh, then I was at a football game and saw you guys walk by and I realized he wasn’t gay.” Winter went on explaining.

  “How did that make you realize he wasn’t gay?” Bliss asked.

  “I saw him look at you. No man who is gay looks at a woman’s ass like that.”

  The whole table got quiet and the men listening got even quieter.

  “That’s when I realized he just saw me as a friend.” Each woman at the table knew that had hurt, watching as Winter took another long drink of her beer.

  “Damn.” All the women threw dirty looks at the men. Bliss looked upset and started to get up from the table. She remembered the very incident that Winter was talking about. A hand grabbed hers and tugged her back down with a heartwarming smile. Bliss saw no jealousy in Winter’s smile.

  “Back to tomorrow’s party.” Winter wanted to divert the attention away from Bliss. “I am sure I am a big girl and if I see anything I can’t handle, I can get Viper to take me to my room.”

  “I am sure that won’t be a problem.” Beth agreed with a smile then thought of something else. “Uh, maybe you should stay away from Rider and Knox tomorrow night to be on the safe side.”

  “Why, do they drink too much?”

  Beth didn’t know how to answer now realizing Razer’s dilemma. She decided to hope for the best. Halftime must have been over because the men started yelling again. Winter’s back started hurting from being up all day. She caught herself almost falling asleep when warm arms picked her up.

  “Time for bed.” Viper carried her to bed. She would have fallen asleep dressed, but he helped her into a t-shirt and pulled the covers
over her. She didn’t even care that he was dressing her. Frowning, he went downstairs to talk to Evie and Beth in private.

  “I have seen it happen with people who have been critically injured. They become almost asexual from being in a hospital and the recuperative period. Once she starts becoming more independent, she will regain her sexuality.” Evie explained.

  “I don’t think it’s only that. She was having her feminism challenged before the accident. What woman’s ego wouldn’t take a hit with an attractive man keeping you at arm’s length for two years? It had to be confusing for her. I do agree that once she becomes more mobile, she will become more confident in herself. I think Conner will help with that. He called me yesterday and asked to be replaced as Winter’s physical therapist.”

  Fuck, Viper was going to fire him for his unprofessional behavior but the man had done the right thing. Viper sat back in his chair drinking his whiskey. Some of the members had gone on to bed. Razer, tired of waiting, came for Beth leading her away. Cash sat down at the table next to Evie, his hand going to her top, unbuttoning several buttons. Natasha came up behind Viper, her arms going around his neck then sliding her hands down his chest. Viper’s hand caught hers.

  “Not tonight.” Viper didn’t know which woman was behind him, it didn’t matter. Standing up, he put his glass in the sink. The woman he wanted was waiting in his bed.

  Chapter 7

  Excitement and nervousness stirred within Winter all the next day. It was almost anticlimactic to open the closet and see the outfit that Beth had bought for her. Disappointment hit her but she hid it not wanting Evie to see.

  The simple black skirt came to her knees and buttoned up the front. The top was a plain blue, both being something that she could have worn to work. Winter was expecting at least a frilly top.

  Evie tried to hide her own disappointment, almost offering to go find another outfit but also not wanting to hurt Beth’s feelings.

  “You look great.” She tried to sound enthusiastic.

  “Thanks.” Winter shrugged. It didn’t matter. It wasn’t like she was going to be the belle of the ball anyway tied to her wheelchair.