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“So, I’m stuck here with you, I guess?” I asked, vacillating between wanting to sit down on the first seat I came to and wanting to run. I dug into my bag, collected my phone, and found I had no reception out here… of course.
“You’ll struggle to get a signal out here. That’s another reason I didn’t call for an ambulance last night. There’s no signal with all of this snow.”
I raised my head to him as he placed two mugs on the kitchen island.
“Sugar?” he asked.
“I like my coffee black.” Slipping up onto a stool, I remembered my pregnancy, along with an array of things I shouldn’t eat or drink. A list I wasn’t familiar with, but I was pretty sure caffeine was up there. “Sorry, any chance you have some decaf?”
“Sorry, you’re out of luck.” His mouth pulled into a lopsided, disappointed frown. “I have herbal tea if you want something easier?” He was digging through the cupboards and came back with a packet of chamomile and peppermint tea. “Any of these take your fancy?” he said in a light, humored tone, making me think Brick was so much more than this stoic, huge mountain man.
“Let’s go with peppermint,” I answered with a grin, which he didn’t see as he set to boil water for my tea.
It was impossible to resist how gorgeous this man was, even with his brooding personality. If I had to be stuck with someone in a house, it could be worse than this handsome eye candy. What better way to get my mind off Jason?
“Also, I’m really sorry about destroying your mailbox. I’ll pay for all damages. And as soon as the weather lets up, I’ll be out of here.”
He placed three heaping spoonfuls of sugar into his cup before he glanced up with a stoic, nonchalant expression that told me nothing about this man.
“Not needed. I’ll fix it up in no time. I’m sure the snow will stop and melt soon enough. Until then, you can keep warm indoors.”
I nodded, noting his focus on the last word. Was that so I didn’t see all the dead bodies buried around his yard? I might have laughed at my paranoia if a part of me wasn’t worried it might be true.
“How long would it take me to walk to the nearest town?” I asked after I let my phone drop back into my bag.
“A couple of hours, maybe. Unless you slide down, then you have to walk the rest of the way to town. It’s below freezing out there now and will only get colder as the day goes on. That’s the forecast, anyway.”
“Oh.” I couldn’t have sounded more dejected if I’d tried. My gaze darted all over the place, searching for a safe place. “Damn.”
“I’m not holding you here, ma’am. You’re free to leave, but I wouldn’t advise it since you won’t make it far before you freeze to death. You can also try the house phone, but reception up here is sketchy at the best of times and doesn’t work at all during storms.”
He held his hands up again as if to show me I was safe. The frown was back, though, and I wondered if he was mad at me for disturbing his peace and quiet out here in the woods.
He turned to brew
“Okay, cool,” I answered, closing my eyes. I was stuck here with this grumpy giant for the next few days, at least.
He placed my tea in front of me, the peppermint smell swirling over me, soothing me.
“This place you have is something. Everything is immaculate and resembles a cross between a bachelor pad and a mancave out in the woods,” I began, figuring if he was kind enough to let me stay here, I could at least make an effort at a normal conversation. Sure, I’d remain on my guard, but if he wanted to do something, he would have already tied me up and kept me in his basement, right?
That smile returned, igniting a faint flutter of butterflies in my stomach, which left me completely confused. Then I sipped on my hot tea.
“The place has been in the family for a long time, and I’d inherited it. I use it as my escape from life now and then.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t love a place like this for myself when life turned to shit.” I stared at him over the rim of my cup as I took in more of the tea, its warmth sliding all the way down to my belly. He hummed his agreement, his gaze seemingly miles away, while my mind lingered on fuckhead Jason. Being out of phone range might be exactly what I needed. I wouldn’t receive his calls and messages or those from my ex-best friend. Yes, maybe being stuck here came with some benefits.
Once I finished the tea, I asked, “Can I take a shower?”
“Of course, do as you like during your stay here. There are fresh towels in the bathroom.” He nodded toward the room and stood up as he collected my empty cup.
“Thanks for taking me in.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied, though he didn’t sound like he meant it. This guy was a man of few words, but if there was one benefit, the guy wasn’t gorgeous to look at.
Hurrying into the bathroom, holding onto the oversized sweatpants, I could sense his eyes on me the whole time. Fire climbed up my neck and cheeks while my heart raced with worry.
A few days meant I’d spend Christmas here. Breathing heavily, I reminded myself that I could do this. I just had to keep it together.
