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“I’ll be fine, Ryan.”
“No. I’m going to drive you over to stay with Jake and Ally.”
“I don’t need babysitters,” I tell him, narrowing my eyes.
“I know you don’t. But it’ll make me feel better knowing you’re not alone out here without power. It could be a few days before it’s back on.”
“A few days?” I practically shout, my eyes widening.
“Yeah.” He shrugs, like it’s such a normal thing to be without power for days on end.
“I can’t go days without heat, hot water, or food. And my car is snowed in.” Rubbing my forehead, I sip my tea and try and let the hot liquid calm my nerves.
“That’s why you’re not staying here.”
Looking up at him, I see the matter-of-fact declaration in his eyes, and I narrow mine again. “Are you telling me what to do, sheriff?”
“Yes,” he says, flashing me a satisfied grin.
“You can’t,” I tell him. “And I’d rather stay out here alone than with the couple who can’t keep their hands off of each other. I don’t need to see, or hear, that shit.”
Laughing, Ryan pours himself a cup of tea, and adds a little sugar before taking a sip. Grimacing, he puts the cup back down and pushes it away.
“Not a fan of tea?” I smirk.
“No. I thought I’d try it, but I need coffee.”
“Well, me too.”
“Alright. Go pack your bags and I’ll take you for the good stuff.”
“Thank God.” Standing up, I head back down the hall. “But why do I need my bags?” I call out behind me.
“Because you’re staying with me,” I hear him say back, and I stop mid step before entering the bedroom.
Spinning around, I march back down the hall. “What did you just say?”
Smiling, he leans back in the chair and crosses his arms over his chest, making the sleeves of his t-shirt stretch tight against his perfectly sculpted arms.
“You heard me, sweetheart.”
“Stop calling me that. I’m not your sweetheart. And I’m sure as hell not staying with you.”
“You are.” He smirks. “Go get your bags.”
“Ryan,” I say sternly, my hands on my hips.
“Ashley,” he says right back, his tone lower and more threatening. “You’re not staying here, and you don’t want to stay at Jake’s. So that leaves me. What’re you afraid of?” he asks, tilting his head to the side, studying me.
“I’m not afraid,” I shoot back, but I shift from foot to foot, giving away my nerves. “Whatever,” I say, throwing my hands up. “Just don’t expect anything to happen.”
Walking back down the hall, I think I hear him mumble something after me like ‘we’ll see,’ but I can’t be sure. Yeah,wewillsee.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, I pull out leggings and an oversized sweater from my suitcase, and change quickly. Shoving the clothes I had on back inside the suitcase, I pull on a pair of thick wool socks and my winter boots.
Poking my head out into the hall, I yell down to Ryan, “If you’re forcing me to stay with you, then you can carry my bags, sheriff.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replies, sauntering down the hall towards me. “I’m at your service.”
