It didn’t even take him long to figure that out.
“I’m not.” I scowl, trying to defend myself, even though I know he’s right.
Nash doesn’t notice my discomfort as he continues, “That was a compliment.” He chuckles and reaches out to cup my cheek, but I snap at his hand, unwilling to get mine from under the blanket to push him away. “Don’t bite the hand that fingers you, or whatever saying that is.” He grins.
Oh my God.
At least the blush I’m sporting now is warming my cheeks.
North coughs and Saylor outright laughs, but I’m rescued by Hunter once more when he returns with a tray of three mugs. He puts the tray down but reaches a hand out to me, which I take, and he gets me to my feet.
“Come on, get your bag. I’ll show you your room.”
I turn to look at North and mutter, “Thank you for letting me stay here tonight,” but I don’t wait for a reply and just walk out and back to the coatrack to get my bag and pillow.
Hunter waits for me in the hallway and guides me to the back of the house. It’s old but big. “The first room is a bathroom, then we have a guestroom, which is going to be yours. The room next to yours is Lio’s, then comes mine and…” He trails off, but Saylor answers for him.
“Mine.”
“Nash and North’s rooms are upstairs, as are the other two guest rooms we have, but I guessed you’d prefer to stay as far away from those two as possible.” He chuckles, and I smile at him.
He opens the door to the room he said I could have and gestures for me to go in. I drop my bag inside and put the pillow on the bed, turning around to take in everything. It’s a spacious room, much larger than the van, with a double bed, desk, dresser, and bookshelf. It’s decorated in soft beige tones, impersonal but welcoming.
“This is amazing. Thank you for letting me stay… and everything,” I say, turning to face him.
He’s still holding my hot chocolate, so I put the blanket on the bed and step back in front of him, taking the mug and putting it on the desk.
The two hoodies and three socks are getting a little too warm now. So, I start taking off my socks, planning to take off two pairs.
The room is toasty.
“Make yourself at home. The bathroom beside yours is only for you and Lio. You can go to the kitchen and help yourself to whatever you…” He trails off when I pull Nash’s hoodie over my head, but somehow, it’s gotten stuck and takes the second one with it. When I finally get them both pulled over my head, Hunter’s gaze is fixed on my chest. I’m still wearing a white top, but it’s quite sheer, and I don’t wear a bra, so he can definitely see how the cold has affected my nipples.
“Earth to Hunter,” Saylor teases him from the bed, where he’s already lounging while Hunter is still staring.
“That’s nice of you, but I don’t need anything more. You’ve already done more than enough, and I’m very grateful for it,” I offer, hugging the two tangled hoodies to my chest, effectively covering myself again.
Hunter blinks a few times before stuttering, “S-sure, of course, you’re welcome. Have a good night. I’m two rooms down if you need anything,” he presses while blushing and turns to leave.
“You already told her that, bro. Are you hoping for a late-night visit?” Saylor’s rolling his eyes in my peripheral vision.
“Night,” I mumble, but Hunter has already closed the door.
I sink into the soft bed, the warmth a stark contrast to the frigid air that had encased me in my van. Saylor’s presence is both a comfort and a reminder to keep my guard up.
“You okay?” Saylor asks, leaning over to look at me.
“Shh,” I shush him, making him chuckle.
I strain my ears, listening for any sign our conversation might carry beyond these walls. The fear of being overheard is irrational—Saylor’s voice is for me alone—but old habits claw at the edges of my mind. Paranoia, a constant companion from a past I can’t seem to escape, whispers that carelessness is a luxury I can’t afford.
They mustn’t hear me talking to him.
“I’m fine, but you don’t have to be a dick to him. I would still be freezing to death if he hadn’t come for me.” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
“True,” Saylor muses. “I’d still prefer you staying in your own bed tonight.”
As the silence stretches, I pull the blanket up to my chin, the fabric a barrier against more than just the cold. My gaze flicks to the door, and a shiver that has nothing to do with the temperature runs down my spine.
