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“I wasn’t expecting anyone to be here.” With a frown, he kicked the door shut behind him, shrugged out of his coat, and hung it on the rack by the door.
“I wasn’t either.” She crossed her arms as a shiver rippled through her. “Um, how long were you standing there?”
“Long enough.” A touch of amusement threaded his voice, and he shot her a look that she somehow felt clear down to her toes.
Heat rose to her cheeks. “Well, you shouldn’t be here. I’m staying in this cabin for the next ten days.”
“What are you talking about?” He frowned. “Irented this cabin.”
“How could you…” She stared at him. “Aria and Hunter paid the deposit in early December. Then they changed their plans, so they offered the cabin to me instead.”
“I’ve rented this cabin from Felix half a dozen times in the past year.” He spread his arms out, as if taking up more space would establish his domain. “I paid the full rent before Thanksgiving.”
Her heart sank. “Well, clearly there was some sort of booking error.”
“Clearly.” With a muttered curse, he planted one foot on a bench and began to unlace his left boot.
The movement caused his jeans to stretch over his thighs. Not for the first time—in fact, probably for the thousandth time—Brooke wondered how, exactly, a lackadaisical bookstore owner had crafted such a strikingly perfect male physique. Genetics could only go so far, and he was just so…powerful.
He pulled off his other boot and straightened. She jerked her gaze away. Her breathing was still a little short. Must be the lingering adrenaline rush because, as she’d told herself time and again, Sam Donovan was not her type.
She appreciated the sexy hunk fantasy as much as the next woman, but that was the point. Men who looked like Sam were afantasy, not Brooke’s reality. She wasn’t interested in men who were unkempt, reticent, and glowered more often than they smiled.
He was glowering right now, his fists planted on his hips and his messy hair falling over his forehead.
“You really shouldn’t take your boots off.” Since she was still holding the unicorn pillow, she rested her left fist on her hip to match his power stance. “It would be best if you leave before it starts snowing any harder.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He stalked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cupboard.
Neither was she. Brooke bit her lip and tossed the pillow back on the sofa. “You can’t stay here.”
“There was supposed to be a three-inch snow accumulation by tomorrow morning, and there’s already at least a foot out there.” He twisted the faucet to fill the glass with water. “Even with a four-wheel-drive truck, it took me an hour longer than usual to drive up the mountain. When did you get here?”
“A couple of hours ago.”
“In that toy car of yours?” He snapped the faucet shut and opened another cupboard.
“I don’t have a four-wheel-drive truck hidden in the loft, if that’s what you’re asking.” Tension threaded her spine at the way he was marching around like he owned the place. She’d better figure out how to stake her own claim sooner rather than later.
“Look, you can’t stay here,” she repeated.
Yeah, that would do it.
He lifted the glass to his mouth and drank, his throat muscles rippling. Brooke swallowed hard and curled her fingers into her palms. She had to get him out of here, not get captivated by his hotness.
She hoped he didn’t start eating another apple.
“No other cabins in a twenty-mile radius, as far as I know.” Lowering the glass, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve, raking his gaze over her.
Goosebumps prickled her skin. She was still only wearing her pajama pants and tank-top printed with the sparkly phraseThe Snuggle is Real. She brought her arms up over her breasts, sharply aware that her nipples were pebbled against her shirt. Must be from the freezing cold air Sam had let into the cabin upon his unexpected entrance.
Clearing her throat, she turned away and picked up her cell phone. “I’m sure this can all be sorted out with a quick call to the rental office.”
“You didn’t talk to Felix directly?”
“No, he’s visiting his daughter up in Mendocino. Or he was. I think he got back to Bliss Cove today. Anyway, I sent my information to the rental company through the website.” She swiped her phone screen. “I’m sure they can find alternative accommodations for you.”
“There’s no cell service up here.”
