This is it. If I don’t speak now, this impossible chance will vanish forever.
“You could… stay here.” The offer comes out like gravel, choppy and harsh. “Just until we get that generator fixed, I mean.”
Her smile is instantaneous and blinding. She sinks back into the chair as if claiming a throne, and God, she can have it. She can have it all.
“Thank you, Mason. Seriously.” She stretches, shameless and cat-like, reclaiming every inch of space she occupies. “Your home is so much cooler than mine. I’ve always wondered what it looked like in here.”
She has? The thought short-circuits my brain.
“I won’t be any trouble, I promise. You won’t even know I’m here.” She turns back to the fire, her smile softening.
If only. Her presence is already a physical hum in the air, a shift in the very gravity of the place.
“Stay here,” I mutter, needing to escape before I do something stupid, like smile back. I turn away, moving deeper into the shadows of my home. Doubting she’ll budge, I toss another log on the fire to make sure she’ll stay warm while I’m gone.
The moment I cross into the kitchen, my composure falls apart. I shove both hands through my hair, gripping the strands until my scalp stings.
Okay. Fine. This is fine.
Just don’t touch anything. Don’t stare at her. Pretend the woman I’ve secretly watched for months isn’t currently curled up in my favorite chair. And above all, don’t scare her off.
Easy.
I don’t know if she’s eaten, so I warm up leftovers for her. Throwing a kettle on the stove, I search for something to drink. Pulling out a box of peppermint tea, I prepare a cup. Hiding away in the kitchen is easier than sharing the same space as her.
Unfortunately, it only takes a few minutes for the food to get hot and the kettle to start whistling.
Going out to fetch her, there’s something about seeing the way she’s so fitting that stirs something up in my chest. I don’t know if it’s the light from the fire reflecting against her skin that’s making my blood run hot, or if it’s that she looked like she didn’t want to leave, that’s doing something to me.
Hovering over the back of the chair, she turns her head, noticing me right away. Guess I’m not the quietest around here.
From right here, I could easily reach down and cup her face, leaning down to—
“Something smells delicious.” Leaning away, she even chuckles. “Did you go out of your way for me? At this rate, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to pay you back.”
Grunting, I rub the back of my neck. “Don’t need anything in return. If you’re hungry, you might as well eat.”
Giving her my back before I let everything show on my face, her feet skim across the floor as she catches up with me.
Reaching my kitchen, she continues to soak up our surroundings. Spotting the food on the table, she comments that there are two chairs despite not owning a couch.
“Never needed one. The recliner is built for two.” Moving to pour her a cup of tea, she groans as the smell of peppermint fills the air.
Letting her delve deep into her food, she strokes my pride by groaning with her first bite.
She looks around, her gaze soft. “You don’t have a single decoration hanging…”
To her, it must be the strangest thing in the world.
“Some of us don’t celebrate.” Watching her bring her next spoonful to her mouth, I linger on her lips for a few seconds too long before clearing my throat. “Some don’t want to knock out their power, either.”
She smiles at my hit and even rewards me with a laugh. Something twists in my chest at the melodic sound, and it leaves me wondering if I can think of any jokes to make her laugh again.
“I may have gone a little overboard…” Sighing under her breath, she steals a sip of her tea and leans back. “You’ve got to admit, it’s a sight for sore eyes. I’ve seen you looking multiple times, thank you.”
Heat licks at my throat at her words. She thinks I was staring at her cabin?
“Just say the word, and I’ll give you some tips.” Oblivious to what’s going on in my head, she enjoys the rest of her food.
