6
Him
I stilled as she jumped up, eyes wide and a hand to her mouth.
“I know you.”
“No you don’t,” I said.
I didn’t recognize the deep grumbly response that came out of me. She also seemed shocked at my instant rebuttal. It felt imperative for her tonotknow me, though I could not remember why at this exact moment. Not under the scrutiny of a roomful of judgmental stares and a throbbing head.
“Yes. I do . . .” She stood up to pace. “I just can’t remember how at the moment.”
I shifted to sit up. My brain throbbed at the action. She turned and grabbed a fire poker to thrust it in my direction. “Not so fast, mister.”
“This position is hurting. I need to adjust.” I held my hands up and wiggled slowly upright. I started to scoot with my hands where she could see them but the action caused the blanket on my body to start to slide off. Wiggle. Slip. Wiggle. Slip. I watched her closely. Her gaze followed my flexing muscles to my face, then back down to my now exposed thighs and abdomen. Soon the blanket would reveal the parts of me she pretended not to study earlier.Interesting. Was this woman so cranky because she needed relief in the form of an orgasm? I have heard that can sometimes happen. I watched her closely as the blanket slid completely off my lap.
“Oh my god.” She turned around sharply, then perhaps remembering not to show her back to a potential enemy, she swung back around still wielding the weapon. Her eyes were closed and she overcalculated her distance. A vase on the mantle fell with a crash and a puff of grey. “Oh god, that’s my grandmother!” her eyes widened and contorted with sadness.
I must comfort her. I stood, fighting a whoosh of dizziness.
“You. Stay.” She pointed the poker at me.
“I will not hurt you. I swear it on my life.” I placed a hand over where my human heart would be.Would be?I didn’t have time to overanalyze that fleeting thought because she thrust the poker into my naked chest.
She was beautiful in all her ferocity. Her large round eyes watched me with suspicion and curiosity. Her small frame was damp from the snow that fell, and her delicious figure was visible through the meager clothing she wore. She shivered.
“Take off your clothes,” I said.
Her eyes widened even more. “I don’t know who the hell—“
“You are cold.” I thrust the blanket toward her, desperate to ease any discomfort. It was an urge I couldn’t understand but was imperative. The cool air tickled my naked skin.
A dog barked. A bird swore. I glared at it, not trusting it instantly. Three cats licked themselves before dashing up the stairs.
Her eyes widened but stayed locked on mine. Until they lowered for just a second.
“I said stay back.” Her glare was fierce as she gripped her weapon harder. Pride swelled in my chest at her bravado.
I fell back into the couch with a grunt. “Technically you said, ‘You. Stay.’ But I will honor the sentiment nonetheless.”
She frowned at the pile of ash on the ground. “You broke my grandmother’s urn.”
I did not understand how I was responsible but I knew well enough that it was best not to argue with women. It is better to apologize first, and ask what for later when they are not glaring with such ferocity.
“I am sorry,” I said in my most deep and soothing voice, tilting my chin down for added remorse.
Her eyelashes fluttered before her mask of anger fell back in place. “And for crying out loud, cover yourself.” Her gaze flicked over my form and back to my face and then back down. I flexed my muscles as a satisfying flush returned to her cheeks. “Oh my God, are you for real?” she muttered.
“Not to be pedantic, but am I to cover myself or to stay unmoving? I am confused by your mixed messages.”
Her brow furrowed and I thought best to apologize again.
“I am sorry.” I paired it with a grin I had practiced many times, specifically angled to appear genuine and also alluring. I scored very high in this category.
“Just—just cover yourself so I can think.” She gestured to the blanket and I wrapped it over my chest and tied it behind my neck in traditional fashion.
“Um, lower,” she said.
