Sadie
I don’t know what came over me being so bold with Zane, especially about his self protecting. Then there’s that little old thing about agreeing to move in. I can’t stop thinking about it all, days later, even after I’ve started moving things into his place. The whole sharing his house with him is still very surreal, and it’s going to take some getting used to. But if the past few weeks have been anything to go by, I’m up for the challenge.
Now the man is looking after my cat?
His frostiness has dissipated somewhat, but maybe he just feels sorry for me after that meltdown in his office. Not my finest moment. But after driving me and Bailey home safe the other night and all the other things: snow tires, letting me stay at his house, a year’s supply of winter mittens… I think we’re going to be good roomies for the short-term. Then I think back to his surprise…
I stare at the box of mittens on my desk. It came in an Amazon package addressed to me, care of Lawless Farms. All different colors of the rainbow. I think about it for halfa second… Did I drunkenly order shit off Amazon again? It wouldn’t be the first time.
I have been a bit blurry from being back and forth from Bailey’s to his place, trying to get mine and Mindy’s things moved before I head off to see my folks, so it’s possible.
Then I see in tiny print below the address: Z Lawless.
He did this.
That grump of a man who hates New Yorkers and vegetarians.
My heart does a little flip.
My crush has slowly roasted into this new thing… and I’ve only just spent a night here. Not that I even saw Zane because he came in late, well after I’d showered and gone to bed. His room is at the other end of the hall anyway, and our paths never crossed in the morning either because he’d already left for the day.
Desire sweeps over me when I think about all the sweet things he’s done, while still maintaining that gruff exterior.
He’s so grumpy with everyone, but then I find out he donates half the profits leading up to Christmas week to the children’s hospital. He never says no to anyone who needs a hand, including the Christmas light wars. I was also surprised to hear he steps in to play Santa so the kids who can’t make the town Christmas party don’t feel left out. Is this man just misunderstood?
When he steps into the office, I jump in surprise. The man is never quiet, so I don’t know how I didn’t hear his boots on the wooden floor. Then Maisie runs ahead, bounding up to me as she wiggles her head between my legs, and I scruff her neck, telling her she’s a good girl.
“Zane?” I say, before he can stomp by.
His brow lifts. “Mornin’.”
Oh, right. Shit. “Sorry, good morning.”
“Did you sleep okay?”
I don’t know why my cheeks flush, it’s an innocent enough question, but they do. We’re under the same roof now.
“Yes, perfect, thank you.” Like a baby, but of course I don’t say that. “I was just a little… uh, taken aback by the box of mittens. I thought I’d drunkenly made another Amazon order without realizing.”
Maisie nudges me when I stop petting her, so I continue.
He raises one brow in that extremely sexy way he does. “You’ve lost four pairs already, someone had to step in and save those fingers from frostbite.”
“Fingers are necessary,” I agree. “And thank you. I’m not sure fifteen pairs weren’t a little overkill, but the thought was kind. I really appreciate it.”
“And people say I’m an ogre.” He stomps past into his office, leaving a trail of snow behind him. I’m used to Zane in this short space of time, and I also don’t even mind the way he gruffs. Maisie doesn’t bother following him, instead, she curls up below my feet in a bed I put there because she’s a princess when she’s around me.
“I can’t think why,” I whisper, giggling under my breath…
Now, as I stand outside my parents’ home in Colorado with Bailey, I feel a sense of warmth come over me. The fact I can drive here — albeit in Bailey’s car — is because Zane forbade me to take the truck off the property, deeming it unsafe to be driven out of the state. Another cute thing he does is worry about me. It’s not overbearing, it’s subtle. I don’t even think he knows he’s doing it.
“Are you gonna do the honors?” Bailey asks.
I nod. “Yep.” I knock on the door, waiting until I hear Harry, their little spotted dachshund, barking as he runs up the hallway. I don’t wait for Mom or Dad to answer, I try the handleand it’s unlocked. Swinging the door open, I scoop Harry up into my arms and yell, “Mom, Dad?”
I hear Mom scurrying from the kitchen. “Sadie?”
“Hi Mom!” I wave Harry’s paw at her and she rushes toward me, yelling, “Elliott!”
