Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 414(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
But he did break it off. It was probably the smart thing to do. He’s my boss, after all, and I’m going home today.
“Amber weather warning,” he says. His voice is deep and authoritative.
“Amber what?”
“It’s going to snow later. I’m getting wood in. We’re pretty cut off here and this place can get snowed in apparently. We need to get prepared and make sure we’ve got plenty of wood from the storage barn.”
I need a lift to the ferry. Is he saying he doesn’t have time to take me? “Shall I try calling a cab to get a lift?”
“There are no ferries today, Ellie.”
His words hit me with a force and I step back into the arm of the sofa and sit. “No ferries. Shit.” I should never have come here. What was I thinking? “I’m so sorry. This is such a shit show.”
He dumps the wood by the fire, turns, and leans over me, one hand either side of my thighs. “Listen to me. I’m grateful you brought the package. I like having you here.” He pauses, eyes dipping to my mouth and then back to meet my gaze. “We need to prepare.” He presses a kiss to my lips like it’s nothing and then stands. “Let’s go get some food. There’s a chance the warning will turn red and there’s no telling when we’ll next be able to get out to buy supplies.”
I can still feel the press of his kiss, but I stand and pull my boots on.
“It’s already windy,” he warns as he hands me a hat. “Hence the door slamming shut. I’ve been trying not to wake you.”
“I want you to wake me,” I say and feel my cheeks redden. I know I’m responding to an emergency, but even if there wasn’t a weather warning, I’d still want him to wake me. “You want to stay here and get the wood in and I can go to get supplies?”
“No,” he says. “We’ll do it together. I don’t want us splitting up.”
I don’t know if it’s his tone or the authority in his voice, but there’s something about him that makes me feel safe. I never realized it was missing, but I never felt that with Shane. Not once.
“I need to get a list together.”
“I’ll give you ten minutes. I’ll set up my work stuff in the bedroom for when we’re back.”
“Let’s go, then.”
We drive slowly into the small village and park right outside the main general shop. It is in no way a supermarket. It’s tiny. But it’s a shop and they have food. “How long is this weather going to last? How much do we need to buy?” I ask as I step out of the car.
“No idea. A few days?” he suggests.
“A few?” I try and control the hysteria rising in my stomach. “I didn’t bring enough knickers.”
He shoots me a grin but doesn’t say anything.
“Do you have a freezer?”
“Yeah, there’s a freezer.”
“I can make soup and curry…” I mumble to myself. If I’d had more time, I could have planned out some menus.
“Can we get some stuff so you can make that bread again? It was incredible.”
I press my palm against my reddened cheek. If someone calls my food incredible, there’s not much I wouldn’t do for them.
The door to the shop opens inward and he holds it open as I pass by, our bodies brushing against each other. I glance up at him. He feels that buzz when we touch, I can tell he does. We’re going to be stuck in the same house together for days? The energy between us is already simmering, but I’m not sure I know how to turn down the heat.
“Okay, so let’s get some flour,” I say. “I might even do some socca.” I remember from last time where the baking ingredients are, so I grab a basket and head left.
As I stop in front of the flour selection, Zach takes the basket from me. “Load me up.” He grins at me like we’re in the middle of some kind of supermarket sweep gameshow. He always seems so...unhappy in London.
Gorgeous, but glum.
This playful side of him is much better and sexy as hell.
The shop is small but its shelves are packed floor to ceiling with provisions. There are various sets of step ladders that have rails either side and wheels one end that can be moved about so people can reach the stuff near the ceiling. I spot some oats and go grab a set of ladders.
“Wait,” Zach says.
“I’m good,” I say as I start to climb.
“You sure? I can—”
“I’m sure.”
He doesn’t make a fuss about my refusal and it’s clear his offer is about helping me and not protecting his delicate ego by having a woman climb a set of ladders in front of him. It’s refreshing. And more than a little sexy.