“I’ve got it.” She shakes her head in refusal and retrieves her suitcase from the trunk.
I notice the ice chest on the back seat, along with what’s got to be a week’s worth of groceries and a case of wine. Yeah, no. My momma raised me better. I’m not gonna sit back and watch her do all the heavy lifting.
Taking the suitcase from her hands and ignoring her gasp of annoyance, I press my free hand to the small of her back. “Come on, darlin’. Let’s get you settled so I can get back to work.” I tip my chin toward the front door.
“You don’t have to do this,” she grumbles, but quickens her steps and doesn’t turn around until she reaches the front door.
I set down her bag and reach into my pocket to retrieve my keys.
“I’m surprised you lock your door.” She removes her sunglasses and busies herself with placing them into the case inside her purse.
“Now, why’s that?” I chuckle as I twist the key in the lock and push open the door. “You implying I’ve got nothin’ worth stealing?”
“No.” Her eyes briefly meet mine as she passes by, stepping inside while I hold the door. “But I can’t imagine anyone could find this place unless they knew it was here.”
My cabin is set the farthest from the main roads on our familyproperty, and she’s right. There’s little to no chance of random traffic. “I lock it to keep the bears out.”
“Bears?” She looks around, her expression concerned. I bite back laughter, schooling my features.
“And other critters.”
“Critters?” She blanches and her body shakes, as if a shiver runs down her spine.
“Don’t tell me you’re scared of wildlife?” I can’t help but laugh. “You do realize you live in Wilder Valley? A mountain town in northern Arizona?”
“I know where I am,” she snaps. “But I live closer to town, and I’m not trying to get maimed by a bear.”
“Don’t worry, darlin’. I’ll protect you.”
“Okay.” She rolls her eyes.
“They don’t come in the house,” I reassure her, but can’t help but tease. “Mostly.”
“Well, I won’t be leaving this building.”
She glances around, her gaze taking in my living room. I might be wrong, but she almost appears impressed. That’s right, I might be a bachelor, but I don’t live like a slob. I take pride in my home. And yeah, I might have recently gotten a little design help from my sister-in-law. She offered her expertise, and I did all the work to bring her vision to fruition.
“You redecorated,” Rosalie states.
“Yeah, you like it?”
Her eyes dart to the lush, oversized chair next to the fireplace and she stares longingly. “It’ll suffice.”
“Do you remember where my room is?” I ask, handing over her bag.
Her brows dart up. “What?”
“If you need me to remind you, I can.” I smirk, knowing I caught her off guard with my question. She remembers exactly where we fucked.
“I’m not taking your room.”
“Sure you are.”
“Don’t you have a guest room?” She glances around.
“Technically, yeah. But there’s no bed.”
Her mouth falls open. “Then, where are you going to sleep?”
