“Yes, that’s true. And without light, there isn’t much else to do. I’m exhausted after a day of collecting data. Since I can’t work on my laptop, I figure I might as well go to bed. Now, are you going to be a spoiled brat and throw a temper tantrum, or are you going to come to bed like a good little boy?”
I scowled.
He glared.
I relented.
He grinned.
CHAPTER 4
Marco
Kellen Parsons was at once infuriatingand adorable. Ignorant and cute. A waste of space and a potential way to pass the long, cold night.
Not in that way. You mean he’ll keep the bed warm. You’re not going to make a move on him. Possibly because I’d neglected to mention I was bisexual. Probably because he was likely straight.
Except… I wasn’t getting that vibe from him. At odd moments, though, I thought he was checking me out. Probably not even aware he was doing it.
I changed into my pajamas in the bathroom, then headed right back into the main room.
Where Kellen stood, illuminated by the fire I’d set in the hearth. He was bent over, obviously have just removed his jeans, and was now pulling on the sweatpants I was lending him. They’d be too short—but would definitely be more comfortable than sleeping in shorts, and the temperature was just too damn cold to be sleeping without clothes.
I held myself perfectly still as I watched the firelight dance across his pale skin. His blond hair shone, and I knew the exact shade of those baby-blue eyes. The guy was damn attractive—and likely knew it.You were mean in calling him a waste of space. Sure, but when you run out of food, you’re going to be frustrated with him.
Both of those statements could be true at the same time.
“Oh shit. You scared me.” He pressed his hand to his heart.
“Sorry. I tend to be quiet. Although I suppose around here, it doesn’t make that much difference. Still, better to let the wildlife be—so I’m as silent as I can be.”Not that there’s any wildlife in the cabin…maybe he won’t notice?
“Uh, what wildlife?”
“Coyotes, cougars, hawks, wolves, deer. Bears in the summer as well.”
“Yeah…I don’t remember much about bears when I came out.” He frowned. “I think.”
“They must’ve left you alone. That’s a good thing. When I come out next summer, I’m definitely bringing an air horn.”
He blinked. “Really?”
“Yeah. They’re common around here. Of course, your father might not let me come back if my findings aren’t to his liking.”
“Okay.” He ran his hand through his floppy hair. “It’s hard to read by firelight. Could you, uh, topline the book for me?”
“Humans are a disaster for the planet. We’ve destroyed ecospheres, mucking with Mother Nature and heating the planet with all our pollutants.”
He pursed his lips. “That all sounds really bad.”
“Because it is. Go brush your teeth, and we’ll get into bed.”Which sounds way more promising than it actually is.
“Sure.” He padded to the bathroom in my wool socks, wearing my sweatpants and my favorite henley.You’re going soft.
Was I feeling sorry for the guy? Yeah. I was. Aside from being totally unprepared, he vacillated between arrogant and unsure. Arrogance I wouldn’t tolerate. But the lack of confidence at odd moments spoke to me. I could feel sympathy for him. Maybe even empathy because, at odd moments in my life, I wasn’t so cocksure.
Rare were those moments, though. I was comfortable in who I was and what my role was in the world. Environmentalist suited me. I was headed toward a PhD and a position teaching. I’d be lucky to land a job at the University of British Columbia, but I’d take anywhere on the planet. I just wanted to stimulate young minds—teach them what was possible. And that inevitable destruction of the human race wasn’t guaranteed.
I added a couple of logs to the fire, opened the pullout couch bed, and set about making the bed with the warmed blankets. They’d cool soon enough—given how precipitously the temperature in this room had dropped. The cabin had decent insulation, but the wind blew strong tonight and rattled the window panes. I hustled around to the various windows and closed drapes. The difference would be minimal, but a feeling of intimacy descended. Like Kellen and I were the only two men left in the world.
