Don’t do it, Thorne.
Don’t invite her in.
Bad fucking idea.
But then she shivers again, hugging herself against the cold.
“Guess you better come in,” I mutter, the words out before I can stop them.
“Thank you.”
She brushes past me as she enters the cabin—the slightest contact—but it’s enough to make my breath catch. I shut the door and follow her into the living room, already regrettinginviting her in. Being around this girl is making my head spin. Having her on my doorstep was driving me crazy enough…and now she’s in my home. The same home she thinks she has a claim to.
Definitely a bad idea.
I gesture to the fireplace and Aria stands in front of it, warming her hands. My living room is too small for two people, and I feel like the walls are closing in as I face Aria, crossing my arms.
“So…” she says. “Like I said, I’m here to talk through our options.”
“I only invited you inside to warm up for a minute. You’re not staying.”
“But—”
“You want to talk options, princess? Get your lawyer to call me.”
Aria frowns, defiance flashing in her eyes. “Two things. One, I’m not a princess. Two, I don’t need a lawyer to tell you I have a fifty-percent share of this cabin. We both know I do.”
Goddammit, I swear she looks even prettier when she’s all riled up. I shouldn’t notice. She’s too young. But fuck, it’s impossible to ignore Aria’s beauty…even if she’s just a spoiled city girl trying to take my cabin.
“Listen, princess?—”
“Stop calling me?—
“I said listen?—”
“No,youlisten, caveman!” Aria snaps, crossing her arms to mirror me. “See? Nicknames can go both ways.” She sucks in a breath, trying to calm herself. “Like I’ve said a million times, I’m just here to talk. I want us to sit down together and discuss our options.”
I know she’s being reasonable. Sensible. Hell, she’s barely into her twenties, and she’s acting more mature than I am rightnow at forty-two. I should man up. Sit down and talk to her like she asked.
But I can’t.
My resolve is crumbling every time I look at Aria. I can feel my control coming undone, my body aching for her. I’ve never felt this way before. My pulse is thudding in my ears as I look into those pretty brown eyes, clenching my fists to stop myself from reaching out. Pulling her close. Kissing that sweet mouth. Touching her soft curves.
Fuck, this is dangerous.
I need her to leave. Right now. Before I lose my mind completely.
“Thorne?” she asks, still waiting for me to speak.
“I need you to go.”
“But—”
“Get your lawyer to call.”
Aria purses her lips, frowning at me. “I can’t go.”
“Why not?”
