Free Stranger in my Arms by Rochelle Alers

to spend the day reading, chopping wood or watching television.
    However, his plan to reconnect with Alexandra Cole thwarted the inclination to fall back into what was familiar when he packed enough clothes for a two-week stay in the Capitol District. And he never questioned or second-guessed himself once he’d checked into the Hyatt.
    Sharing dinner with Alex had become an enjoyable event. Her exquisite culinary skills were only surpassed by her delightful companionship. Dinner had begun with shrimp cocktail with a piquant cocktail sauce, a salad of endive stuffed with lump crabmeat, marinated pork tenderloin stuffed with spinach and corn bread. A pale blush wine had become the perfect complement to the differing flavors that had lingered on his palate.
    He’d offered to help her clean up, but she’d refused with the excuse that she didn’t like anyone in her kitchen. It was apparent she liked being in control.
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    Alex walked into the living room to find Merrick stretched out on the rug in front of the fire, his head cradled on folded arms. She smiled. He’d truly made himself at home.
    Closing the distance between them, she lay down beside him. She didn’t have time to catch her breath when he reached out and pulled her into an embrace. Shifting to her right, she rested her head on his shoulder as if it was something they’d done countless times before, feeling safe, protected in his arms. His warmth and the lingering scent from his cologne urged her closer.
    â€œIt’s still snowing,” she said softly. She’d turned on the under-the-counter television in the kitchen to the Weather Channel; the snow totals for the D.C. region had surpassed fourteen inches.
    â€œWe’ll probably get two feet before it’s over,” Merrick drawled, not opening his eyes.
    â€œI hope you’re not thinking of trying to make it back to your hotel tonight.”
    He opened his eyes. “It’s not that far.”
    â€œIt’s too far for you to walk in a blizzard, Merrick. I have a spare bedroom. You’re about the same height as my brother Jason, so you won’t have an excuse that you don’t have anything to wear.”
    He chuckled softly. “You’re the second woman within the span of a week who has invited me to stay with her.”
    Alex went completely still, her heart pounding a runaway rhythm as she held her breath until she felt her lungs burning. Had Merrick lied when he told her that he wasn’t involved with a woman?
    â€œYou stayed with a woman in Florida?”
    Tightening his hold around her waist, Merrick pulled her closer to his length. “It’s not like that, Ali. Rachel’s someone I used to work with. She threatened me with bodily harm if I didn’t check out of a Key West hotel and stay with her.”
    Some of the tension left her. “What did she threaten to do? Shoot you?” He nodded. Tilting her chin, Alex stared up at Merrick staring down at her. “Would she have shot you?”
    â€œOf course not. Why are you taking what I’m saying so seriously?”
    Vertical lines appeared between her eyes. “It’s just that I don’t need some crazy-ass woman looking to cap me because she believes I’m hitting on her man.”
    â€œThat will never happen because I’m not involved with anyone. Tell me how it was growing up a Cole,” he asked, deftly changing the topic.
    â€œThat all depends on which Cole household you’re talking about. I believe mine was the most unconventional. My uncle Martin is rather traditional, and so are his children. My aunts Nancy and Josephine were raised believing they were Afro-Cuban royalty, so they passed their values down to their children and grandchildren. The Cole-Thomases and Wilsons have this air of entitlement that can really work my nerves. My uncle Joshua is quite conservative, but that comes from a career in the military.
    â€œPerhaps