MeK is in the process of pulling up the hood on the heavy jacket Lacie wore over here when she turns toward me. “Now that I know you’re okay, we’ll yell at each other in the morning. Briar, I’m assuming you guys are going to your pod once you’ve stopped by BuK’s shelter?”
“As far as I know, that’s the plan.”
Lacie hugs me quickly before following MeK out. The cold air suddenly surrounds us as they open the door, making me shiver. “Here, MeK brought you a coat to match Lacie’s. He said he knew you would hate the cold as much as she does.”
“Well, he got that part right.” BuK holds the coat out and I quickly put it on, smiling when he bends down to seal up the central seam on the front for me. “What about you? Aren’t you cold? What’s the temperature now?”
“It is in the thirties now and rising quickly, and it is chilly, but I am not cold. Are you ready to head out?”
“Not really! As far as I’m concerned, if I never set foot in or even see snow again, that would be fine with me. One life-or-death moment is enough to last me a lifetime, and I’m already over my limit.”
He gently grabs my hand in his much larger, warmer one, and the contrast is extreme. “Just think, the quicker we grab my things, the sooner we can be snuggled up on that huge couch of yours.”
“Are we going to snuggle naked?”
BuK is pulling me out the door before I can say another word, practically dragging me behind him with a huge smile on his face. “Slow down, you’re gonna pull my arm off, you brute.”
The next second, I’m in his arms, cradled against his chest. “Your legs are too short, and I want to get to the naked part.”
“I have created a monster.”
CHAPTER 17
BRIAR
I gasp when I see the small tent BuK has been staying in all this time. “BuK, honey, my closet is bigger than that thing.”
“I do not need much, just a place to put my things and to sleep. Be careful, it looks like one of the poles has snapped, and the other one is barely holding the back side up I do not want to have to dig you out if it collapses on us.”
BuK sits me down by the front flap. “Stay here a tic, I will see if I can get some of the snow off before we head in.”
BuK ducks inside, pushing the walls outward, and the snow starts falling off the sides. I duck inside when he yells for me to come in, and when I do, I stop two steps in. Not only is there no room for both of us, but it’s sad. Here’s a guy who says he has money but is living like he’s homeless. There is nothing in here but a cot, a thin blanket, and two large packs.
“Okay BuK, this is bullshit! I am not excusing myself here either, as I should have asked or paid more attention, but did your dad know you were living like this?”
“This is the normal setup when we go from planet to planet on jobs or missions. I mean, do not get me wrong, I like a nicer dwelling, but I always knew this was temporary, and honestly, I would have stayed in it forever to be close to you.”
BuK pulls the biggest pack up on his back before picking up the other. I am still standing here with my hands on my hips, pissed, but not sure who to take it out on. When I reach for the smaller one, he moves it out of my reach.
“It is heavier than it looks, and the paths are still slick.”
My feet and hands are cold by the time we make it back to my pod, and I will admit the warm air that hits me when the lower door opens is welcomed. BuK sits both packs on the lift and we both head up the stairs.
The smell and comforts I’ve added to this space instantly relax my shoulders. Taking off my coat, I let it fall to the ground. “Would you like to join me in the ionizer? I need to get warm, and I’m hungry.” When I turn, I see BuK standing there somewhat stiffly. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“You are alright with me being here, in your space?”
“Look, I don’t take returns … I’m not Walmart. You are mine and I’m keeping you, so you do whatever it takes to make this place as much yours as it is mine.”
“Briar, those words made no sense.”
“They did in my world, so get naked and join me in the bathroom. After we rub bellies, we’ll grab one of those thick ass robes out of the closet and raid the kitchen. Then I want to sleep for a week, so keep that anaconda of yours under control for a few hours, as I am sore as hell.”
His laughter surrounds me right before his hands grasp my hips, lifting me straight up off the ground, twirling me around, before heading toward the bathroom.
The next thing I know, we’re curled up on the couch, snacking on some of my favorite things out of the replicator, watching as huge chunks of snow and ice fall off the cliffs into the ocean … lake, through the patio glass.
“Your pod is much nicer than I realized.”
