AllFreeNovel
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“How’s that?” He reaches for a Cheeto, and I slap his hand away.
“When I was hiking down to the wreck, I saw a shadow up on the ridge opposite me. At first, I thought it was Leonard, but now …” I tap my fingers on the counter. “Now I think there might be more to it.”
“One of our enemies?” He sighs.
I flip the coffeemaker on and set it to brew. “Could be. Not sure yet. But keep an eye open, all right? I don’t want any surprises.”
“You’ve already gotten the biggest one of your life.” He jerks his chin toward the sandwich.
He’s right about that. I never saw Clover coming, but from the moment I glimpsed her, I can’t seem to think of anything else. I want to know every single thing about her, and I’m aiming to start now. When will it end? I hope the answer to that question is ‘never.’
Smitten.I chuckle to myself.
“Get going. She’s waiting. And I want to see how all this plays out.” He grins, then turns to leave. “I’ll check all the cameras and do a stroll around the lodge.” He points to the window. “Weather’s perfect for a stroll.”
I look, but I don’t see a thing. Complete white-out. Snow, snow, and more snow. If my gut is right—and I always trust it—there was someone out there. But I don’t see how they could survive this onslaught. Not unless they came prepared.
Despite that niggling feeling, I grab up the plate and some bottles of water from the fridge before returning to my section of the lodge.
“Hi.” Clover is wrapped in a warm blanket as she sits in my favorite leather chair and watches the snow cover the last visible branches of the fur tree just outside.
“Here.” I hand her the plate.
Her eyes widen. “That looks so good.”
“Ham and swiss. And here’s a water. And a coffee.” I set both drinks down on the little table next to her, then pull over a chair to sit beside her.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” She takes a bite of the sandwich, seemingly unable to stop herself, and when she moans, my cock presses against the seam of my pants.
“I’m good. I want to make sure you’re comfortable.” I scoot closer. “Warm enough?” I pull the blanket up higher, then when fabric opens a little, I see she’s still naked underneath. My cock goes off again like a fucking egg timer, and I have to take a deep breath just to concentrate.
“This place is wonderful.” She takes another bite, which pleases me to no end. “We’ve been traveling for so long, it feels amazing to just be somewhere, you know? Just to sit here.” She smiles and sips the coffee. “And eat and drink and not worry about logistics, and set lists, and crowd control, and the million little things my life has turned into over the past few years.” She catches my gaze again. “Sorry, I’m rambling.”
“Don’t stop. I want to know you, Clover. All of you. A last name might be nice, too.”
Her cheeks flame up into a peachy pink. “It’s Lane, and you already know more of me than anyone ever has.”
I take her free hand and kiss the back. “Thank you for trusting me with that.”
She pulls my hand to her mouth and kisses it. “Thank you for treating me right, and for saving us from the snow, and for the food, and for being the mountain man I never knew I needed.” She rests my palm in her lap and plucks up a Cheeto, eating it with crunchy gusto.
I used to watch cartoons when I was a kid. The old school hand-drawn ones. Not digital crap. And right at this moment? I’m the skunk who sees the perfect cat and gets big heart-eyes. I never knew I was a sentimental sucker, but here I am, staring at this woman like she’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted. And maybe she is.
“Normal childhood, boring time at college, but then I met Aurora. And when her career took off, so did I. I make sure she stays on track and stays safe. And I handle all the details.”
“So she’s a big pop star?”
“You’ve really never heard of Aurora?” She finishes off her sandwich and follows it with half the bottle of water. “‘Love Tang,’ ‘Sweet Rain,’ ‘Stuffie Sweetheart’?” She gawks, then finishes the water.
“Those all sound like great songs, but no, I’ve never heard of them.” I offer her another water.
She shakes her head, so I bring a Cheeto to her lips, which she accepts. I rub up her arm, just enjoying the feel of her skin, the warmth.
“I could do this forever.” I don’t realize I said it out loud until a smile spreads across her angelic face. I clear my throat.
Her smile spreads wider, and she continues, “We’re planning on putting out an emo record next year. Like going deeper, you know?” She smiles and takes another, larger draw from the coffee. She shrugs. “Anyway, tell me what you’ve been doing--other than not listening to the radio--out here. Are you a lumberjack?”
I smile and look down at that. A lumberjack. Maybe in another life. I should lie to her, tell her some fantasy story about a background I could be proud of. But when I meet her eyes again, I realize that I just can’t do it.
