Her eyes widen, and she moves her head to go look at the fireplace before stopping herself and looking back at me. “I don’t plan to deprive them of their home,” she says, voice tight with discomfort.
Based on the reception I received when I first got here, I know the only way I can get her to let me stay is by pushing this.
“So, you’re not worried about them venturing out in the middle of the night while you’re sleeping? I’m sure that whatever decided to make a home in there is probably nocturnal.”
I watch the shiver travel through her and know I just need to push a little more.
“If you’d like to wake up to some uninvited guests of the more fury variety, I guess that’s up to you.”
My stomach tightens as I turn and take a step towards the front door. When Annalise’s delicate fingers wrap around my wrist, stopping me, relief floods me. The feel of her skin on mine is like a zap to my system. I want her hands in more places than just my wrist.
I shake my head slightly before turning to face Annalise again, cocking my head but making no attempt to remove my wrist from her grip.
She sighs, and my lips twitch, but I hold back my smile.
“Fine. Can you please help clean the fireplace?”
“Why yes, Annalise, I’d love to.”
She glares at me, and I find myself taking a step closer, watching as her head tips back to keep looking at me. I fight the urge to tuck a stray piece of hair behind her ear or run the backs of my fingers down her cheek. Instead, I say, “I’m much better company than whatever may be in there.”
She rolls her eyes and takes a step back, dropping my wrist. I immediately miss her touch.
Hooking a thumb over her shoulder, she says, “I’m going to head upstairs. Let me know if you need anything.”
I watch her hurry up the stairs before getting to work on cleaning the fireplace.
THREE
ANNALISE
Why in the world would Walker send Sebastian Hayes to the cabin as though he’s some kind of knight in shining armour to save me from some horrible decision I’ve made?
Heaving a frustrated sigh, I throw myself onto the bed and stare up at the ceiling. I just wanted to come to the cabin and enjoy one last Christmas here before some random person takes it over. I wanted one last set of good memories. My plan was to venture out and find a small tree and cut it down—I know there’s no way I could get my dream tree, because the damn thing would be too big and heavy for me to do it myself. I’d then haul out the boxes of decorations stashed in the closet and make this place into a picture out of a Christmas movie.
I don’t understand why Walker thinks my wanting to be here one last time is such a big deal. So what if it’s snowing outside? I don’t have plans to head home until New Year’s Day. That’splentyof time for it to die down before I leave. It’s only the fifteenth.
I lie on the bed staring up at the ceiling, unsure of what to do right now. When Sebastian started banging on my door this morning, I was just getting up to make breakfast and coffee, really hoping the poor old coffee maker we keep here still works.Now, I’m here hiding from the last person I wanted to see while he cleans the damn chimney because the bastard had to go and push my buttons about random animals living in it.
Don’t get me wrong, I like animals. I’m a lifelong dog person, and if I didn’t live in an apartment in the middle of downtown, I’d have one. But out here, far away from civilization, I think it’s best to keep animals at more of a viewing distance than a petting one.
When my stomach lets out a loud growl, I huff and shove myself up into a sitting position.
Okay, Annalise. This is your trip and your place. You’re not going to let Sebastian Hayes of all people ruin it. You’re going to march your ass downstairs and make yourself some breakfast.
One pep talk later, I find myself at the base of the stairs staring at the way Sebastian’s T-shirt rides up as he reaches up into the chimney. When he twists slightly, I can see the trail of hair that descends from his navel down until his jeans hide the rest.
“Having fun?” Sebastian asks, and I hate the humour that laces his voice.
“Nope. Just wondering how long until I can be rid of you and enjoy my little vacay on my own,” I say with just enough enthusiasm to hopefully convince him that I wasn’t just ogling him.
He grunts, and I head into the kitchen, pulling out a couple eggs, some peppers, green onions, and some cheese before whipping up an omelette. I brought enough food that I shouldn’t have to leave the cabin for at least two weeks. Nothing fancy, just easy to make meals and things that were light and easy to pack.
As I plate my omelette and take my first bite, Sebastian pulls himself out of the fireplace and moves to the sink to wash his hands. His eyes stay on me the entire way, and something aboutit has chills racing up my spine. I ignore the feeling and take another bite.
“Going to maybe offer me some for cleaning the chimney?” he asks, and I shake my head, taking another bite. He quirks a brow. “Really? Just using me for free labour.”
I shrug. “I didn’t exactly ask you to come up here, and you basically begged me to let you clean the fireplace. Sounds like a win-win to me.”
