Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17473 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 87(@200wpm)___ 70(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17473 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 87(@200wpm)___ 70(@250wpm)___ 58(@300wpm)
I turn in his arms, but he doesn’t loosen his hold. “Did you know this was going to happen?”
He shrugs, but his gaze never wavers. “I had hoped maybe, but the last report I heard was for after Christmas.”
“So...” I start, not sure how to finish the sentence. I should tell him to take me back to the lodge.
“So... your choices are for me to take you back to the lodge... or you can stay here with me.”
“You want me to stay here... with you?”
He nods, and his hands flatten against my lower back, pulling me in flush against his body. There’s no mistaking the desire he has for me, and I can’t ignore the pull in my lower belly.
He lowers his head so we’re at the same level. “Yes, I would love to have you stay with me.”
I tense in his arms. Did he not hear my speech earlier? Why would he want me to stay here... I’m not a sure thing. If anything, this will probably end in a disaster, and he’ll end up hating me. “I want to stay... but it’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
I roll my eyes. “You know why.”
He leans his forehead against mine. “Because of the s-e-x.”
I roll my eyes. “What are you? Twelve?”
He doesn’t laugh. He strokes his finger along my cheek. I couldn’t look away from him if I tried. His voice is deep and thoughtful. “I’m not going to pressure you. We don’t have to make love... I just want to spend time with you.”
“Why?” I ask him, still not believing this is happening.
He doesn’t hesitate. “Because I like you.”
“And after everything I told you, you still want me to stay?”
He nods. “Yes.”
I can feel myself wavering. “I don’t have any clothes.”
“You can wear mine.”
“They probably won’t fit.”
He smiles. “Yes, they will.”
“I don’t have a toothbrush or my makeup...”
His hands move to my waist, and he squeezes. “I have extra toothbrushes. You don’t need makeup, and any other excuse you come up with, I’m going to argue with. Stay with me. I know this is out of the norm for you, and I know it’s scary because we just met. But I’m scared too.”
I lean back and search his face. “You’re scared?” What does he think, I’m a femme fatale or something? Why would he ask me to stay?
He nods. “Yeah, I’m scared because I’ve never felt this instant attraction to a woman in my life. I’m scared that you won’t give us a chance. I’m scared that I’m going to have to let you walk away, and that’s the last thing I want to do.”
He means it. I’m watching him closely, waiting for some sign that this is a joke or he’s just trying to get in my pants, but I don’t see it. What I see is a man that really truly wants me. I’m not sure why, or for how long—maybe I’m just here to make the time go by—but I know if I leave, I’ll regret it.
“I’ll stay.”
His arms come around me in a fierce hug. “You’ll stay?”
My face is buried in his neck, and I inhale his manly scent. “Yeah, I’ll stay.” I let myself soak in his warmth and strength and then pull away to look into his eyes. “I can’t let you spend Christmas by yourself.”
His eyes light up. “Yes, tomorrow is Christmas. The day miracles can happen.”
Chapter 10
Levi
I’ve kept my promise to myself. It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, and I’m pretty sure that today is going to be harder.
I kept my hands off her. Besides a kiss before I sent her off to my bedroom, I kept my hands off her all night. I keep telling myself that I need to give her time and space, but it’s killing me in the process.
I gave her the bed, and I slept—if you want to call it that—on the couch. All night, I thought about her wearing my T-shirt, wrapped in my covers, and I couldn’t get the image from my mind.
I woke up this morning to a hard cock, the blistering cold, and a full-on blizzard outside. I’m not worried. This is not my first blizzard, and I’m sure it won’t be my last. I have everything prepared, plenty of food and firewood, and a generator in case we lose power. I shouldn’t be tense... but I am.
I flip the bacon that is sizzling on the stove when I hear Gina clear her throat behind me. “Good morning.”
I smile at the sound of her voice. “Morning.” I turn, and my mouth drops open. She’s still in my shirt that reaches mid-thigh. Her hair is tousled, and she looks so beautiful it makes my heart skip a beat.
I lay down the spatula and move toward her. How could I not? She’s a fuckin’ wet dream, and she’s right here, standing in my kitchen. “Merry Christmas,” I mumble to her, barely holding on to my restraint.