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CHAPTER9
What in the hell possessed him to kiss her? Today, she’d been happier, even laughing on the back of his snowmobile, but when he’d stared down at her sapphire eyes twinkling at him, he’d been unable to resist her mouth.
Her sweet, tasty full lips had beckoned him and he’d let his passion overrule his senses and he’d enjoyed every second of her luscious mouth.
And when he’d kissed her, he’d completely forgotten where they were. It was like he’d been transported to a world where all he wanted to do was linger in her embrace. His cold body had warmed to the point that he’d wanted to push her inside her car and take her right there. But Olivia deserved more. She merited better, and he was not going to cheapen the attraction he felt growing between them.
And if today’s kiss was an example of what was between them, he was in so much trouble. A good kind of trouble.
In fact, she’d even smiled at him after the kiss when he wanted to apologize. And he’d liked her response, because though he would tell her he was sorry, he really wasn’t. Those full lips of hers had haunted him since last night.
Never had he had such an instant attraction to someone.
As soon as they returned to the house, she’d gone inside while he’d put away the mobile. The skies had darkened and the snow was coming down once again.
How was he going to survive being inside the house with her all day and keep his hands to himself? If he had his way, he would pick her up and carry her to the bedroom. Carry her in and worship every inch of her body. Worship her like she deserved.
It had been a year since he’d been with a woman and this one looked amazing. So amazing, he couldn’t help but wonder if fate had not delivered him someone to spend the rest of his life with. No, it was too early. It had been fewer than twenty-four hours and you didn’t make those kinds of decisions that quickly. And yet, he was not thinking of just one night, but the rest of his life.
Just inside the back door, he removed his snowshoes. He left them where he could find them and stepped into the house proper.
During the winter, this room was where he removed the layers and he always had a pair of house shoes there for him to slip on.
This morning, he’d checked the generator, which was humming along, and the propane levels knowing the truck could not reach him for days. They still had plenty of fuel. In some ways, he was disappointed because that might have drawn her into his bed, seeking to share their body warmth.
It was late afternoon and he was feeling a little hungry. He went into the kitchen finding Olivia in fresh clothes a smile on her face. “I hope you don’t mind, but I made us some grilled cheese sandwiches.”
“Great,” he said unable to contain his smile. “I’m so hungry.” For more than food. But food was a good place to start.
“I’m not a great cook, but I thought it was the least I could do after we went to see the car and get my suitcase. Thank you, Lucas.”
She handed him a plate. On the side, she’d put some pickles, peppers, and even a sliced canned peach. He’d forgotten all about those peaches still being in the refrigerator.
“This looks yummy,” he said.
Sitting across from him, she took a bite. “I love grilled cheese with some tomato soup. Especially on a cold day.”
A groan came from him. “We had some in the cabinet.”
“I didn’t want to search your cabinets without you being here, and I found a pan pretty easy,” she said.
“If you cook for me, search everywhere. I’ve got nothing to hide,” he said.
The thought of his parents came to his mind. It wasn’t that he was hiding what happened to them, he just didn’t like to talk about it. Because talking about their deaths always left him hurting. Even now just thinking about them, his chest ached.
Losing everyone had been the hardest thing he’d ever experienced.
“Look at it snowing out there,” she said. “At this rate, I’ll never get home in time for Christmas.”
“Does your family have a big Christmas get-together every year?”
Her brows drew together. “Not normally. Sometimes I go home, sometimes I don’t, depending on school. But this year, my mother, specifically said she wanted all of us to come home. That there is something we need to talk about and she refused to do it over the phone.
“Stupid me, I thought my then-boyfriend had spoken to my family and was going to ask me to marry him in front of them with their blessing. But that’s not happening. So now I’m wondering what’s going on. And if it’s something horrible. I just don’t know.”
She really needed to get to Whitefish, and yet she had no way there. And the thought of spending another Christmas alone was overwhelming. But he couldn’t invite himself to her family Christmas. That wouldn’t be right. But he could take her if the weather cleared. If she wanted him to. And he would do whatever she needed. There was no point in someone else’s Christmas being ruined.
“Who do you spend Christmas with? It’s obvious someone decorated the house.”
