CALLIE
I’m still half asleep when I reach down to scratch Honey Bunny’s head, but when I go to stroke his long ears, I find them… short.
My eyes fly open, and I prop myself up on my elbows. Where the fuck am I? A black cat is lying along my side and while I’m watching, he stands, arching his back with a big stretch and yawning so wide I can see down his throat.
Oh my god.
I shoot to a full sitting position, and the cozy fleece blanket I’m under falls down. And what the flying fuck am I wearing? It’s an old oversized concert t-shirt for—I pull out the front so I can examine it… Gin Blossoms?—and my underwear. That’s it. Where are my clothes? Where the fuck are my pants?
I’m in a strange bed.
In a strange room.
In a strange cabin… oh.
I leap onto my feet, the blanket tangling in my legs and almost bringing me down onto the cool woodenfloor. The cat hops down gracefully and casually strolls out the partially open door.
My heart’s racing, and I take a second to get my bearings. The room is pretty stark, just a queen-sized bed, one tall dresser, and a desk that doesn’t look like it gets used very much. On the wall there are paintings of… pies? The radiator along the wall turns on with a few loud ticks and I startle.
Then a man’s voice sounds from the other side of the door.
“Would you like breakfast, Sir Fluffy?”
Sir Flu—again, what the fuck.
I place my hand on my thumping chest as everything comes back to me.
Standing outside Maine Coffee Co. Making the highly questionable decision to follow Wes to his cabin. Crouching behind a tree in the snow flurries and passing out. Warm fire. Zip ties. Capable hands helping me to the couch. Hot chocolate.
Oh. Hot chocolate? Is that why I don’t remember the end of last night, or why I’m in a strange t-shirt and underwear? The drink tasted like heaven, and we were discussing finding Shane.
Then nothing.
I don’t remember getting changed into this shirt or going to bed. I don’t remember agreeing to sleep here. I dash to the window and push aside the curtains. I’m blinded by the bright sun. I’m looking out at the side of the cabin, with a partial view of the frozen lake. The sun is shining on a fresh layer of snow on the ice, and it glistens like a billion diamonds. If I had to guess, there’s a foot of snow on the ground. I really didn’t have a choice about staying here, unless I was going to snowshoe home or sleep in my car, both of which would’ve probably landed me in the morgue.
But he didn’t have to fucking drug me.
“There you go, kitty. I’m going to go check on our guest.”
Oh, fuck. My eyes dart around for pants. Nothing.
There’s a light knock on the door.
“Callie?”
I dash over and reach for the fleece blanket, wrapping it around my waist like I’m a dude who just got out of the shower. Only a squeak escapes my throat. I stare at the door and watch in horror as it slowly swings open.
Wes sees me by the window and a wide smile crosses his face. He looks aggravatingly hot. Stupidly attractive in a fresh blue hoodie and the same gray sweatpants from last night. The hoodie hugs his broad shoulders just snug enough that I wonder if it’s even comfortable. While I’m watching, he takes his hand, pushes up his sweatshirt, and scratches his abdomen.
My jaw drops at the brief sight of his chiseled muscles. I swallow the lump in my throat.
No. I am not hot for my kidnapper. Definitely not.
“Did you sleep okay?” he asks in a gravelly voice. “How do you take your coffee?”
I dart my eyes back up to his face, the one with a jawline that could cut glass and those crystal blue light eyes, and he’s still smiling at me like this is a completely normal situation and I’m an invited guest in his house.
I want to strangle him. And fuck him? It’s confusing.
