He sat and began rifling through papers on his desk. All he could think of was Abby’s smile. It was one of those beautiful, peaceful smiles that beamed with warmth and happiness as a default. Thinking back on it suddenly warmed him up inside.
There was still no explanation he could find for what happened last night. Whatever it was, it was that filled him with so much courage that he was compelled enough to kiss her. He also could not explain that she had accepted it and returned it in kind. There were no awkward moments, no hesitation, and oh yes, no rational thought, either. All he recalled seeing was that her cheeks were a little pink and her eyes were trained on his. Could she have felt what he was feeling? Was she even single?
He couldn’t imagine recreating those few magical moments in his entire lifetime. It was pretty much a certainty it would not happen again, from his last conversation with her. Maybe he was imagining things, but to him, there was a formal distance. A cold politeness that he guessed meant Abby had come to her senses about what a mistake she had made last night.
He had not even stopped to think about the mark on his arm. She had to have seen it last night, because he had gone into her room without a shirt that second time. Andrew ran his hand along his right forearm, tracing the line from his wrist to his elbow pit, almost touching the base of his biceps. It was the only mark on his body that did not disappear after the change. In his mind, it served a purpose. It reminded him of who he was now, and that he should not even entertain the thought of being with someone.
Abby’s hands on his chest. So warm. So welcoming. The way she shivered as she stared into his eyes. The way her face softened. Maybe he was imagining her enjoyment of it all? It was doubtful. It was not his imagination that pulled him down to the bed. Abby did that, it was her hands that had wrapped tightly around his waist, her body that writhed beneath him as he invaded her sensuous mouth with his tongue. The experience was pleasurable, gratifying, and in many ways, heavenly. How far would they have gone if he had not stopped it dead in its tracks?
Whatever it was going on between them, he needed to clear it from his mind. He had spent a good part of the morning with a raging erection every time he remembered their encounter. The last thing he needed was another set of memories to add to his arsenal of flashbacks.
Chapter Ten
ABBY nodded again.
“Five days?” Barb exclaimed. She had just learned how long it could take to clear local roads after the severe snowstorm.
“Yes,” Abby answered again as Barb repeated the question.
“But…won’t those people who do the plowing come out sooner? I mean, we couldn’t be the only ones stuck in this mess.”
“That’s the point, Barb,” Trina spoke up. “We’re not the only ones needing help. Just think of all of Highway eighty, and the roads to and from Truckee and Lake Tahoe. It’s a lot of ground to cover before anyone gets to us.”
“God, this really sucks.”
“Think about it this way, Barb,” Trina said. “We could have been out in the snow for that long. It puts things into perspective, doesn’t it?”
“Well, yeah, but this place is boring. Nothing works. It’ll be a long five days is all I’m saying.”
“Yes. And it would be the same if we were stuck anywhere else in this storm,” Trina answered with mild annoyance. “You think it would be any better in Truckee? Or home in Reno?”
“Ahhh, whatever. I’m going to check out the games room.” Barb left the rest of the group sitting around the living room.
“I’ll be in the library.” Ruth followed, but stopped and turned back at the door. “Abby, do you want me to find you something to read?”
“Sure. Thanks Ruth.”
“Any preferences?”
“Well, I’m not too sure what kind of books there are to choose from.”
“I’ll surprise you, then,” Ruth said with a wink and left.
Trina and John were cuddling on the sofa.
“We’re going back upstairs now,” Trina stood up and announced.
John followed behind her.
“See you later, guys.”
“Not to worry, Rob,” Trina called from the door. “John and I will do food duty for dinner.”
“Sounds good to me.” Rob turned to Abby. “Well, it’s just you and me, kid. Do you want to help fold laundry?”
“Sure!” Abby said eagerly. “I’m tired of being waited on. At least I’ll be useful for something. Bring it on.”
“Sweet,” Rob said, moving off from where he stood at the fireplace. “I’ve got to check the dryer. Be right back.”
Abby was glad for whatever time alone she could get. She was used to being around people, but the solitude gave her time to think. She couldn’t think about Andrew without smiling or wondering. He’d been so kind and hospitable, considering she and the group were complete strangers. No one could blame him for keeping some distance. One could not be too trusting these days.
Abby’s father, and probably most people living in the outskirts of Sparks would do the same thing that Andrew had done for them. They had done it in the past for many motorists over the years. They lived so close to Highway eighty, people would show up looking for directions, walk to their door with empty gas cans or empty coolant bottles, and the odd few would show up on foot when their vehicles broke down completely. Her father had never turned anyone away.
Even so, they had never had to host anyone overnight. Abby appreciated Andrew’s gesture in opening up his home to them, in particular as he seemed to live such a solitary existence.
How could anyone live alone through the winter down at Lake Tahoe with no neighbors for miles in each direction?
She knew why, deep down, but quickly realized she had no right making post hoc inquiries, when she had not asked him anything last night. Not before, during or after their kiss.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Rob’s question startled her. She hadn’t noticed his return. He took a seat in the sofa beside her chair, and placed the hamper on the side table so she could reach the clothes as well.
“Nothing major. Just thinking how lucky we are.”
“We really are.”
“Did you get hold of your mom?” Abby was ready to drop the subject. She pulled out the t-shirts and sweaters one by one, folding each neatly and putting them in one of three piles. There was no way to know which belonged to whom, so she also separated the girls’ pieces from the boys’, and set her own items to the side.
“Yes, I did for a minute or so.” Rob pulled out the jeans and leggings when he noticed her working on the tops. “I told her to let your dad know too, just in case we lost the signal again.”
“Oh that’s great. Thanks, Rob. What did she say the weather was like there?”
“Almost as bad as we have here. And Truckee got a massive dumping of snow, just like here. They had to close down a long stretch of Highway eighty too.”
“I guess we could have been hit going that route too. We should tell Ruth. She felt so badly about bringing us this way.”
“She knows. She was there when I got through to Mom. She feels a lot better now.”
“Good. Should we get the towels from the bathrooms to wash? We should probably do our best not to give Andrew any extra work.”
“I’m way ahead of you,” Rob answered proudly. “There’s a load in the dryer. See? All those years as a summer sports camp counselor have been useful after all.”
“I guess they have,” she giggled. For years during high school, the two had worked at Camp SportsQuest Reno-Tahoe.
“Except thankfully this time, there aren’t smelly socks or grimy kids’ clothes to handle.” He laughed and stood up. “Okay, these are pretty much done. I’ll go check on the towels.”
As Rob was leaving, Ruth re-entered the living room with a small pile of magazines and books. Abby noticed him give Ruth a nod and a warm smile. Maybe he was finally coming around to her.
“So I raided his library, but it’s packe
d to the rafters with mostly medical journals and business magazines.”
“That’s no problem,” Abby answered. “I’m a nurse, remember? I can handle it. What did you end up bringing?”
“I found this small stack of sci-fi novels.” Ruth showed her. “It beats complete boredom, right?”
“I’m sure whatever you brought is fine. Thanks, Ruth.”
Thinking the timing may be ideal for Rob and Ruth to spend a little time getting to know each other, Abby made a suggestion.
“Hey, Ruth. I’m going to head back to my room to relax while I read. There’s all this folded laundry here to distribute. Want to do the honors? And when Rob comes back with the towels, maybe you can help him?”
“Um, sure. If he doesn’t mind, I don’t either.”
“He won’t.”
“Who won’t?” Rob asked, walking back in with a second hamper filled with towels.
“You won’t mind if Ruth takes over from me, will you?”
“Um, I guess not,” Rob said. “What are you up to?”
“I think I’ll need a little nap to go with this novel.” Abby raised her copy of Asimov’s The Foundation Trilogy for Rob to see.
“I hear you.” He chuckled and set down the hamper. “How about I help you to your room first? Ruth, do you want to take this finished hamper upstairs and I’ll meet you back here in five?”
“Sure.”
Rob helped Abby up. She placed her clothes over her left forearm, held the novel in the same hand, and rested her right arm on his shoulder to limp to her room. She settled into bed when Rob left, and just as she expected, The Kiss made its way back to her thoughts. She let out a sigh and opened the book to read. It took a few minutes, but she was eventually drawn into the story. It was a surprise that she found a science fiction story this engaging. She had only ever read romance novels, if she wasn’t studying her nursing manuals and journals. Perhaps it was this story, and not necessarily all of science fiction. She instantly related to the character named Gaal, and how he felt out of place in Trantor. It reminded her of how she felt when she first moved to San Francisco—small and insignificant in such a large city.
As interesting as the novel was, within less than half-hour, Abby was drowsy, and soon after that, she slept.
* * *
“Hi there, sleepyhead,” Abby heard Ruth call out, leaning against her bedroom door frame.
Luckily, she hadn’t fallen into a deep sleep.
“Hey.” She was still in a mild haze from the nap. “What’s up?”
“We’re going outside to check out Andrew’s hot tub in the guesthouse. Want to come with?”
“Outside? Probably not. Wait a minute. Isn’t it still snowing out? How did you guys swing that?”
“Well, yes, it’s still snowing, but we’re a bit bored. Rob was talking to Andrew, and he offered. The place has a steam room, a massive hot tub, and a sauna. You should come.”
“Sounds great, but with this ankle, I’ll have to pass. I’m not sure I can make it down those porch steps. What time is it?”
“After six,” Ruth answered.
“Wow, I was sleeping that long, huh?”
“Yep. I tried to wake you but you were really deep in sleep. You missed dinner too, but we left you a plate. Trina and John made pasta. Do you want me to bring it in here?”
“No, I’ll come out to the living room.” Abby sat up and stretched out her arms while she yawned. “It’s better if I don’t hide out in here all day.”
Ruth helped her get to the living room.
“So what are you all wearing for your hot tub adventure?” Abby asked.
“Underwear, I guess.” Ruth’s eyebrows were raised high on her forehead.
“Oh. Thank kind of party, huh? You kids try to stay warm out there.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay in with you?”
Abby sat in what was becoming her usual chair, closest to the fireplace. “Positive.”
“What about dinner?”
“I’m not too hungry yet. You go ahead. Have a good time.”
Abby watched as Ruth threw on her winter coat and boots to head out the front door. The snow was still falling, but the wind had died down.
Only a hot tub can get people to charge through the driving snow for enjoyment.
She smiled and turned back toward the warm fireplace. Soaking up some of its warmth, she opened her book to continue reading.
“Are you doing okay?” Andrew’s voice came from the doorway.
“Oh, hi Andrew.” Her breath caught, just from the sight at him. “I thought you were out there with my friends.”
“No,” he answered, still fixed at the door. “I’m not a group activity kind of guy.”
“I can relate,” Abby agreed.
“So how are you making out with Asimov?”
“Good so far.” She hoped he would stay awhile. “I’m on chapter three. I never thought I could get into science fiction, but it’s pretty intriguing. Do you read a lot of sci-fi?”
“When I’m not poring over paperwork or journals, yes.”
“Okay, then, what does Seldon mean in this chapter when he talks about the psychohistory formula sample?”
“Oh that. It’s supposed to be a mathematical formula that predicts the future. Except it can only offer more accuracy in predictions on a macro level, where the sample size is large.”
“So it can tell the future of an entire city but not one resident?”
She smiled when he took a seat in the chair opposite hers. He smiled back, and her breath hitched again. This man had an effect on her like she had not ever experienced.
“Something like that, but I can’t tell you more, unless you like spoilers.”
“Not normally,” she laughed.
Andrew paused for a moment, gazing at her before he spoke again. “So how’s your ankle coming along?”
“It’s still a little stiff.” She reached down to her leg instinctively.
“Do you need a change of that ice pack?” He stood up to leave.
“Sure. Thanks.”
“Wait a minute. Have you eaten?” He looked back at her, and Abby did her best to keep her composure.
“Not since earlier. I think they left me some dinner in the kitchen.”
“Okay, I’ll grab that too.”
“Thanks. I feel so helpless, having people do everything for me like this.”
“It’s no problem,” he said from the doorway. “You know, every health care practitioner I’ve ever known has become that much more effective in caring for patients after an injury or illness. Wouldn’t you do the same for your friends outside?”
“Of course.” She looked up at him, and got his point loud and clear.
“I’ll be right back.”
Abby couldn’t help appreciating his tight, muscular ass under his jeans as he left the room.
You held on to those puppies last night.
Chapter Eleven
ANDREW smiled when he got to the kitchen and saw two covered plates on the stove. That was the one upside of having able-bodied and willing guests. He didn’t have to prepare every meal. His father had insisted on hiring a live-in housekeeper, but Andrew had refused. He did not want anyone waiting on him hand and foot when he had retreated to Lake Tahoe. It was simpler when he didn’t have to face anyone daily.
So why am I enjoying having these people here? Well, most of them.
For the first time since that night, he didn’t mind this slightly more social existence. He warmed one plate in the microwave and switched the cooled ice pack for a chilled one in the freezer. It dawned on him that Abby might want a change of scenery from the living room. He replaced the fresh ice pack and went back to the living room.
“Hey again. Dinner’s warming up in the microwave. I was going to ask, would you like a glass of wine, or a drink?”
I promise not to take advantage of you. Unless you want me to.
“Sure,” she answered. “Wh
ite wine would be great.”
“Great. While I’m at it, how about we actually eat in the dining room? You’ll probably find eating at a table a lot more comfortable, even with the sprained ankle.”
“Okay, I’m game. I’ll just need a hand. Well, you know the drill.”
“Of course.”
“But no more carrying me,” she pointed out with a short nervous giggle as she got to her feet to take his arm.
“Definitely.”
He looked down at her wide eyes and warm, cheerful smile. It felt a bit like he was going on a date. A pretty woman on his arm, a bottle of wine, and a nice meal. Maybe some good conversation. Except she had no choice but to walk with his assistance, she probably wanted wine to dull the pain, and who knew how that pasta would taste. College kids made it, so it could end up tasting no different from Kraft dinner.
Andrew was painfully aware of how much he doubted himself. Still, he was looking forward to getting to know more about Abby. Just being around her now—feeling her hand gripping his forearm tightly for support—made a heat radiate through his own body. He had to make a point of finding out if she was single.
“Care to sit here?” he asked when they made it through the kitchen to the formal dining room. He pointed at the large table.
“Sure. Thank you.”
He pulled out the chair beside her on her injured side, and turned it slightly so she could elevate the leg while seated.
“There you go.” He helped her sit before handing over the fresh ice pack.
“Thanks so much.” She accepted it and eased it onto her exposed ankle.
“I’ll grab the wine while the food is warming up.”
Within a few minutes, Andrew had opened the bottle and served a glass of wine. Dinner was also warmed and on the table.
Cabin Bear Heat Box Set: A Paranormal Fantasy Bear Shifter Romance (A Bear Shifter Romance Retelling of the Billionaire Redemption Series Book 2) Page 8