I’m angry.
Not at her exactly, but what was she thinking going out in this weather? In that deathtrap she calls a car, nonetheless! Does she have any idea of what could have happened? Why the hell didn’t Eli insist on her driving the bakery truck to and from work! He should know better, too. And I’ll be giving him a piece of my mind soon enough.
I carry her out of her car, and the moment I stand to my full height, she cuddles into me, and I swear to god, my feet falter below me. I’ve never had this close to me outside of my dreams. My steps stutter to a halt at her wrapped up in my arms. The wind starts to pick up, and the snow feels like it’s starting to fall harder. Heavier. Snowflakes land on her dark hair and stand out against the chocolate background of her tresses. I should have brought a blanket to cover her up.She doesn’t even have a hoodie on.
“I got you, baby,” I whisper to the top of her head, shielding her body as much as possible with my own, as I make my way to my truck.
Relief starts to flow freely in my veins with every careful step I take. The last thing she needs is for me to slip in this snow. Thankfully, it’s still fresh and hasn’t turned icy yet. I finally reach the passenger side of my truck, and even though I hate theidea of letting her out of my arms, I know she needs to warm up. And fast.
“Th-tha-thank y-you, Ow-Oww-Owen.” She’s trembling, her voice whisper soft.
I nod, not moving from blocking the wind as I reach for a spare blanket in the backseat of the cab. Without a word, her eyes trained on me with every second that ticks away, I cover her up with the small throw. But I know it won’t be enough. So, I take off my flannel and wrap it around her.
“What are you…?” I shoot her a look that has her shutting up. It’s fucking cold as balls, but I woud rather freeze mine off that risk Tessa even catching a whiff of a cold. Her soft warm browns meet mine as she smiles. I want to lean in and kiss her.
But I don’t.
She’s still trembling and freezing. The last thing she needs is me pawing at her. I slam the door and walk my half-naked ass around my truck to get into the driver’s side. The heater is on full blast. It feels good against my cold skin.
“Warm enough?” I rasp as I look at her. She nods. I put the truck inDriveand get going. I’m going slower than I usually do, but that is to be expected.
I have precious cargo in my truck after all.
4
TESSA
When we arrive at his place, he growls for me to stay.
As if I am a dog! The nerve of him!
He’s lucky I’m still too cold to hop out. Not to mention my brain is still trying to recuperate from the fact he took off his flannel shirt in the middle of a snowstorn and wrapped me up in it.
Leaving him bare chested. Something I was only ever privy to if it was the peak of summer and we all went swimming.Bronze, inked-up skin bared to the elements. His scent filled the cab the second he got into the truck, and it has been impossible to sneak glances at him and his muscular beauty as he drove. Who am I kidding? I haven’t even tried to be subtle. I sniff at the yellow and black shirt the moment he hops out and rounds the front of the truck.
Still shirtless.
Owen’s body is a piece of art. I’m tempted to take a picture of him. All that muscular body against the snow would sell better than Eli’s banana bread. Not that I would ever share the image.
I am too selfish for something like that.
He isn’t mine. No matter how long I have been mooning over him. I have always wanted him, though. He has been the only man who ever made me yearn. And sometimes wonder if I stayed friends with Eli all these years just to catch glimpses of his brother.
The man of my dreams.Literally.
Reasonably, I know it’s not the only reason. Eli is like the brother I never wanted. In a good way. But maybe, a tiny bit of truth holds merit when it comes to Owen. I watch as he walks up to my door, still bewildered by the sheer size of him. Looking at him always does this to me.Why did Eli have to send him?I wonder for the millionth time.
It makes sense.
I got stuck so close to his place, and Eli was probably all snuggled up and cozy with Stella. As happy as I am for the two of them, I kinda envy them. They found their way to one another. I want that. Too bad the only person who pulls on my heart strings doesn’t seem to even notice me.
“You okay?” his deep voices asks, and I blink, slightly embarrassed for having zoned out. His body moves into the space between the door and me, unknowingly shielding me from the wind that seems to have picked up.
“I’m okay,” I respond quietly.
“It’s colder now.” He mutters roughly, almost angry and who could blame him. I know what he sees when he looks at me.
I’m Eli’s annoying way-too-much and out-there bestie. One who got stuck in the snow and had to come out and save. It’s no wonder the guy can hardly stand me. I’m an incinvinence to him. Always have been. I remember how his mom would make him drive me home after hanging out way too late at their place in high school when my dad was too drunk to even answer the phone.
