Alex rolled over, his elbow brushing her arm. “That is a damn good fire.”
She smiled. “The best I’ve seen.”
“I bet you haven’t seen too many.”
“Nope.” She grew more sleepy by the minute.
“You know, this is the most fun I’ve had in a really long time.” Alex sounded relaxed and happy.
Her eyes drifted shut. “Umm hmm.”
“I think you’re about to fall asleep.” She heard a trace of humor in his voice.
“Umm hmm.”
~ ~ ~
Alex awoke the next morning with a chilly backside, but a warm chest. He leaned toward the source of warmth. His face brushed against a soft head of hair. He opened an eyelid and found Katie curled into a ball against his chest. He grinned.
All the blankets were pushed to the foot of the bed and other than a few dying embers, the fire was out. He resisted the urge to snuggle closer to his little ball of heat. Instead he moved as quietly as possible from the bed to stoke the fire. The bed creaked loudly, but Katie didn’t move a muscle. Heavy sleeper, that one.
The floor felt cold as a meat locker, and his breath turned to wisps of white in the frigid air. A glance out the window revealed the fierce storm still blowing. He removed the metal screen and loaded the fireplace with wood. Sparks flew as the wood caught fire.
He crawled back into the creaky bed and pulled all the blankets up. He spread them over Katie first, tucking them around her face, which he couldn’t actually see because her mane of hair covered her like Cousin It. He stretched out on his side of the bed and covered himself. The room was freezing. He looked over at Katie, the hot mess, fast asleep.
He gave in to his desire for warmth and moved closer to her. As if on cue, she snuggled into him like a newborn kitten. Alex smiled, and even though he knew he shouldn’t, he wrapped his arm around her warm little body and fell back to sleep.
A couple hours later, he woke to a warmer room, a tangle of sheets and Katie sprawled across the bed. Her body stretched against his with one arm extended over her head and her elbow in his face. She’d flung her other arm out, hogging the bed. One leg rested against his.
She started making little noises, like she was eating. Alex muffled his laugh. She wiped her hand over her face, pushing away stray hair.
So this was how the beautiful Katie woke in the morning, like a sloppy, noisy bum. Would she fart next? She started to hum. This time he did laugh.
Katie quieted and he knew she was awake. She turned her head, only to find his face mere inches away. Her eyes widened. She jerked away and scooted back to her side.
“Someone’s a bed hog,” he teased.
“What? No I’m not,” she growled in a low, throaty voice.
“Yes, you are! I didn’t even have room to roll over.”
She tried to get out of bed, but her legs were tangled in the sheets.
“Need some help?” he offered.
She ignored him and kicked the sheets away.
“Oh, looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the hide-a-bed. Literally.”
She aimed daggers at him and kicked the covers away. With her eyes half opened, she stumbled to the bathroom. He heard her mutter, “crap.” She reappeared a second later and pulled two blankets from the pile. She wrapped them around her shoulders and headed for the door. She slipped into his boots and pulled two tissues out of the box as she went out the door.
Sweet, polite Katie was not a morning person. He rolled on his back and laughed.
While she was outside, he put the last of the wood on the fire and placed the pot of water near it to heat. With any luck there would be some coffee in one of the cupboards. When she came back in, he was rifling through the cupboards. “Look what I found.” He held up an almost empty jar of instant coffee.
Katie shivered. “Geez, it’s freezing out there.” She started to kick the boots off.
“As long as you’ve already been outside, you mind getting another pot of snow?”
She shot him the stink eye.
“You’re the one wearing the boots, it makes sense.” He flashed her a bright smile and pushed an empty pot into her hands. “Thanks, you’re the best.”
She pulled the blankets tighter, grumbled and went back into the deep freeze, returning in mere seconds with a heaping pot of snow. She kicked off his boots, took the snow straight to the fireplace and set it to melt. She curled up in the blankets and sat on the hearth.
“Careful you don’t get too close. I’d hate to see you go up in flames.”
“Are you always this chipper in the morning?” she asked in an irritated tone.
“Nope. Only when I’m snowbound in a cabin with a strange girl who snores.”
Her head snapped toward him. “What? I don’t snore!”
He cringed for her benefit and shook his head. “I’m just sayin’.” He loved her look of horror.
Katie stared at the fire, her hair a tangled mess and smudged makeup under her eyes. She mumbled, so quietly he barely heard. “I don’t snore.”
He turned his back and chuckled, then collected a couple mugs, coffee and a metal, camp-style coffee pot. “I bet you’ll feel more human with a little caffeine in your system.”
Chapter 9
Ten minutes later, they held steaming mugs of mediocre coffee as the wind whistled through the tiny cracks in the window frames.
“It’s not Starbucks, but it sure does the trick,” Alex said.
Katie sipped her brew and watched Alex. A hint of beard shadowed his face and made him even better looking, if that was possible. His hair stuck up haphazardly in a sexy sort of way. His expressive, brown eyes were filled with humor, especially when he teased her. He smiled a lot and it was getting under her skin. Did he know the effect he had on girls? On her?
The snow collected in the corners of all the windows, like on the Christmas shows she used to watch as a kid. “I don’t think the storm is going to let up anytime soon. It looks like it’s going to snow over the entire cabin. I wish I could get a message to my mom. I don’t want her worrying when we’re totally fine.”
“By now my parents will definitely be worried. I hate to do that to them. I wonder if the plow has been through on the road. If it has, maybe the driver saw my truck and will report it.”
“I hope so.” She watched the snow accumulate at the corners of the window.
“On the bright side, think how happy they’ll be when we get out of here,” he said.
Katie pictured her mom hugging her and saying how much she loved her. Then her mom would apologize for making Katie come up north for Christmas when they should have stayed home like normal. Katie pictured a fresh start with her mom.
Alex drained his coffee and put the mug by the sink. “I think I’ll go out and get more wood.” He retrieved his boots from where she kicked them off. He put them on, along with his coat and hat. “Back in a few.”
He flashed his sexy eyes at her as he went out the door. Katie’s heart skipped a beat, and then she chastised herself. Stop liking some other girl’s man. Not okay.
She checked her jeans to find them a little stiff, but totally dry. Quick, before Alex came back, she slipped out of the over-sized sweats and into her jeans. They hugged her close and felt much better. Normal. She retrieved her purse and rummaged around for her make-up bag. Spotting her phone first, she gambled on a long shot and checked it for a signal.
Crap. Not only no signal, but the battery was dead.
That was stupid. She should have turned it off. She tossed it back in the bag and pulled out her make-up. She looked in her compact mirror to discover huge smudges of mascara under both eyes.
“Oh my god!” She licked her finger and rubbed it under each eye. Better, but she needed a washcloth. She fetched one from the small bathroom and caught a glimpse of herself in the dark mirror and groaned. Her hair stuck up all over. She’d thought Alex’s hair looked funny. No wonder Alex kept laughing at her. Here she was thinking
how hot he looked, and he must have been looking at her thinking what a train wreck.
She washed her face and combed her hair. A couple minutes later, after she’d brushed her teeth and tossed the water outside, she applied some mascara and a flick of blush. Alex arrived with a load of wood. They repeated the pattern from yesterday where she stacked while he went back and forth. Each time the door opened, she swore the cabin temperature plummeted another ten degrees. She added more pieces to the fire.
Breakfast consisted of watery tomato soup. She wanted to make something better, but was saving the last of the bread for that evening, in case they didn’t get rescued. At the rate the snow kept coming, Alex could be right, and they’d be here another day.
“No pancakes?” Alex asked, slurping his soup.
Katie wrinkled her nose. “Let me just say that the mice left a little something special in the box.”
“I see. Boy, this soup is awesome,” he said. She might have believed him if it weren’t for the twinkle in his gorgeous dark eyes. She focused on her soup instead.
“I was thinking we should check out the rest of the cabin to see if there’s anything else we can use,” Alex said.
“Like a hidden snow plow?”
“It is Christmas. Aren’t wishes supposed to come true?” He set his empty bowl on the coffee table.
“I don’t know, were you a good boy or a bad boy?” she asked.
“Let me assure you, I am a very good boy.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her in a naughty sort of way.
Katie knew she’d walked right into that one. “I bet you are,” she responded, pretending he didn’t affect her.
After swishing their dishes clean in some warm water, they checked out the two closets off the hallway. The first one held towels, extra sheets and blankets, and a few games. Alex dug through the other closet.
“This might be our lucky day!” he called over his shoulder.
“What?” Katie tried to peek past him, but couldn’t see anything beyond broom handles and trash bags.
“Look.” He held out a black snowsuit with reflector tape strategically placed.
She eyed it with skepticism. “And how, exactly, does that make this our lucky day?”
“Wait for it...” He reached back in the closet, bending down to pick something off the floor. She couldn’t help but notice how nicely his jeans hugged his backside. Alex looked so fine she was actually jealous of denim. He turned and showed off a large helmet.
She looked at the helmet and then at Alex. “Sorry, you lost me.”
“It’s a snowmobile suit and helmet. As in, there must be a snowmobile in the shed outside. We can get out of here and I can have you delivered to your mom and Not the Boyfriend in time for Christmas Eve dinner.”
“You think so? That would be great!” Sort of. Although Katie really wanted to see her mom, she liked hanging out with Alex and hated to see it end.
“Want to see if there is a snowmobile out there?” he asked.
The eager look on his face was infectious. She grinned. “Totally.”
Outside, they struggled through the drifts. The wind still whipped, but it didn’t seem like new snow—more like last night’s snow blowing around. The door to the shed was snowed shut. They worked together sweeping snow away with their hands, and then Alex used his boot to clear the snow closer to the ground. Katie wished she’d worn the musty old snowmobile suit. Her jeans were already snow covered. Her scarf kept blowing off, sending an extra chill through her.
Alex pulled on the metal door handle, opening the wooden door only a couple inches. Katie fell to her knees and scooped more snow out of the way. Within a couple minutes, Alex opened the door wide enough for them to squeeze inside.
It took a moment to adjust to the dim light. A small window on each side of the shed allowed the limited light.
They turned to each other at the same moment.
“There it is. I knew it!” he said.
“Oh my god, we’re getting out of here?” She squealed at the sight of the snowmobile.
Alex held out his arms and, without thinking, Katie bounded into them, receiving his excited bear hug. His strong arms wrapped around her, holding her to his strong, muscled chest.
Despite them both wearing thick winter coats, the hug seemed a little too personal, like she should have a much closer relationship with him than carpool companion. But Katie didn’t care. She squeezed him back, and the side of her head brushed his chin. He released her and she stepped away, pretending his touch hadn’t affected her.
He peered closer at the big machine. The enthusiasm in his voice dropped. His forehead wrinkled. “We have a problem. I don’t see any keys.”
“They must be here some place.” She scanned the walls of the shed looking for a nail they might be hung on. No luck.
Alex moved some lawn chairs. “Sometimes cabin owners hide the keys of things they don’t want stolen. If the robber can’t find the keys, it’s a lot harder to steal something.”
Together they lifted rakes and shovels and buckets looking for the elusive keys.
“Their plan is working.” She couldn’t believe they’d come so close to getting out of here only to have to solve a hidden key mystery.
Alex rolled a small lawn mower out of the way. Nothing. Katie tried to move a large pot filled with soil and a shriveled up plant.
“Need a hand?” He squatted next to her.
“I think I’ve got it.” She gave it a heave and fell back on her butt. “Maybe not.” She laughed.
“Let me give it a shot.” Alex grabbed the side of the clay pot and strained hard to move it. He fell, knocking her onto her back. He held a piece of the pot in his hands. “Oops.”
He rolled next to her on the frozen ground. “Sorry about that. You okay?”
She edged up onto her elbows. “Aw, come on. A strong guy like you should be able to lift it.”
“Is that so?” He leaned on an elbow, his face mere inches away. Katie didn’t dare move. She was afraid to breathe. Alex gazed into her eyes, a playful smile on his face. And suddenly, his gaze wasn’t playful. It shifted to something else. He looked at her mouth and before she could process what was happening, he lowered his mouth to hers.
Chapter 10
His lips were cold, but his breath felt warm. He kissed her tentatively, softly. He pulled away for an instant, as if considering his actions, but returned. His kisses were soft, short, leisurely. She was trapped on her elbows, not wanting him to stop, but knowing it was wrong. She didn’t care. At least not at that moment. His mouth felt firm and sexy and eager for more.
A million thoughts shot through her brain like fireworks. But only one emotion won out. She didn’t want this to end. She couldn’t tell him to stop. She didn’t want to. It was as if he lowered a shield of desire over them and she’d become helpless to his kisses. And she liked it. Too much.
He lifted his mouth. She sighed as cool air separated them. His dark brown eyes gazed deep into hers. She recognized the desire that mirrored her own. But he didn’t belong to her. He belonged to Trina. He was engaged to Trina. And he saw it the minute her emotions shifted from want to guilt, and he pulled away.
Logic flooded back. “You’re engaged,” she accused.
“I know.” He sat back.
“What kind of guy kisses someone they’ve known for less than twenty-four hours when he’s getting married?” She sat up and touched her mouth, meaning to wipe away his kisses, but instead touching her lips as if to make sure they had really happened.
“I shouldn’t have done that. I couldn’t help it.” His head drooped.
Did she hear him right? “You couldn’t help it? Oh my god! Do you cheat on her all the time? You are… you are… horrible.” She scrambled to her feet and stepped away from him.
“No, it’s not like that. It’s complicated.”
Thoughts of her parents’ comments crashed in. It’s complicated, her dad had said when Katie asked if he cheated on her mother.
“You think that by saying your life is complicated it makes it okay to cheat on your fiancée? I thought you were a really nice guy. I can’t believe I was actually jealous of her. Now I feel sorry for her.”
Katie pushed the door open and left Alex alone in the shed with the snowmobile they couldn’t drive.
Why did this funny, gorgeous guy, who was off the dating market, have to turn her world upside down by kissing her? He took advantage of her, and he had no right. Katie deserved better. It was shades of her home life playing over again, only dragging her into it as a main character. People were misbehaving and she was stuck in the middle. She stormed her way back to the cabin.
~ ~ ~
“Aw shit.” Alex pushed a hand through his hair. What the hell was he doing?
But he did know. Katie was so damned beautiful and smart and playful. She was everything that Trina wasn’t.
He looked at the spot she’d vacated. Her red scarf lay all bright and cheery on the cold, hard floor. He lifted it to his face. The soft fabric caught on his unshaven chin. The smell of something fruity wafted from the scarf. Her shampoo, maybe. He inhaled deeply and then stuffed the garment in his pocket.
Kissing Katie was a stupid move, but he didn’t regret it. Granted, he’d screwed everything up with her, and he’d have to explain the whole sordid Trina mess. He really wanted to put that whole nightmare behind him. What he needed to do was put his foot down with Trina and prove he meant what he said when he broke up with her. Easier said than done.
After searching the shed a while longer for keys, with no luck, he hoped he might find them in the cabin somewhere. But then he discovered an empty gas can and realized he better check the snowmobile’s fuel level. The gauge read empty.
Great. They were screwed.
He knew the only thing Katie wanted was to get away from him, and he didn’t blame her. But then again, Katie did say she’d been jealous of Trina. Did that mean she was interested in him? At least interested before he kissed her and created another mess.
Snowed Over (A Christmas Novella) Page 6