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“Did you?”
I stare toward Bodie, trying to swallow down the dry lump in my throat. “No, but that’s not the point.”
“What’s the point, then?”
I blow out a heavy breath and turn away, crossing my arms over one another. It’s not particularly freezing tonight, but it’s not warm either. “What’s the point of what?”
“Your attitude! You’ve always got one. Cut it out.”
I laugh and twist back toward him. “I’m sorry, what?”
“You heard me, knock it off. You’ve had an attitude with me forever and I’m tired of it.”
“Is that right?” I step toward him, my gaze locked on his. “And what are you going to do about it if I don’t?”
Bodie straightens his back. He’s so big. So, so big. He towers over me and the width of him is easily two of me combined, maybe two and a half.
I swallow hard, desperate for him to teach me every lesson I’veneverbeen taught.
His fingertip lands under my chin and he holds me there in place. “You wouldn’t want the kind of punishments I give, little one.”
My chest tightens and I’m lost, speechless, void of all communicative ways. Words are no longer an option and even thoughts are fleeting.
Little one?Why does that sound so provocative? It’s probably because I’m a sick person. Maybe I heard him wrong. I hitch my hand up on my hip and roll my eyes toward him.
“You’re giving me punishments now? What are you… my dad?”
His gaze flickers and I swear he leans in.
“Everyone is opening gifts if you two want to join.” Aunt Linda pokes her head out the back door. “Everything okay?”
Why do people keep interrupting us?It’s probably for the best. If that had been Wayne again, he’d for sure think something was up.
I blow out a heavy breath and move past Bodie, glancing up at him quickly. I realize I don’t have all my faculties, but I’m pretty sure I was just flirting. Anymore of that and I’ll be humiliated come morning.
“Wait. What’s wrong?” He’s so intense.
“Nothing. My stomach, and I’m tired. I shouldn’t have drunk that tequila.”
“Which is why you can’t go. You’ve been drinking.”
“Adam will drive me home.”
“I’m not letting Adam drive you home in this storm.”
“What storm? It’s perfectly clear.”
“It’s winter on a mountain. There’s always a storm coming.” He says the words as though they make perfect sense.
“Okay, so everyone has been drinking and there’s an imaginary storm coming. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you wanted me to stay.”
He glances away and back again, scrubbing his hand over his salt and pepper beard. “I want you to be safe. It’s dark, there’s some massive bear running around the mountain, there’s ice everywhere, and you’ve been drinking. I’m just saying… go upstairs and take a breather before you go anywhere.”
“No! I want to leave. I want to go back to my cozy little cabin and read.”
“There are books on the shelf in the hallway. Grab one and go upstairs.”
“Oh, is that right? How have I gotten along so well without you all these years?” I turn toward the back door, but he holds me in place, his big hand on my arm. God, I’d stay here forever if I could. Him bossing me, me denying it all like a little brat who’s desperate to be put in place.
