by Holly Jaymes
“That might change when your dad shows up.”
“I’ll protect you from him.”
“Yeah, but who will protect you from him?”
I laughed. “Good point.”
“Let’s get inside. Josh and I restocked this place a few weeks ago. Unless he and Allie depleted it, we should have some food.”
I followed him into the little cabin. It smelled like the woods outside, fresh and piney. The main area was open with a large stone fireplace, a couch and chair in front of it, and a small kitchen with a dining table on the other side.
“Your grandparents lived here? It’s so charming.”
“He built it for her. Then he proposed to her, and they lived here for sixty years or so.” He looked around the place, and I suspect he saw more than charm. He saw a family. He saw love. It made me wish for something like that. I now fully understood why, when my brother came of age, he stopped traveling. He wanted roots. He wanted to belong somewhere. Even when he traveled to perform, he always returned to London, where he had a permanent place to call his own. I felt a pull in my soul to have the same thing.
Chapter 8: Shelter In Place
Wyatt
Unless one of those fucking paparazzi's had four-wheel drive and knew what they were doing, Lily and I were safe from their photo lenses for now. While cell service was spotty in this area, I was able to get a text out to her father about where we were and to let me know when it was safe to bring her down again.
His response was that he was working with her mother to make a plan that would get her to an airport and off to somewhere else. A few days ago, this news would have thrilled me. Now, I was disappointed. I was enjoying spending time with her. I was beginning to realize that she was a woman who’d, for most her life, been ushered along the path. Even now, when she was trying to make decisions for her future, outside forces were impeding her or forcing her in a different direction. But I could see the determination in her eyes. She was going to find her passion and pursue it. I wanted to help her do that.
“I’ll go out and get your sewing stuff, and then I’ll check out the cabin to see what sort of food we have. And cards. I want to use up some of my credits.”
She smiled like she had before when I offered levity. She was so fucking beautiful. I wanted to joke all the time just to see her smile.
“I think you’ve earned a lifetime of credits today.”
“I’m still planning to beat you.” I left the cabin, took a quick look around to make sure no one had found us. I got her sewing machine and the bags of fabric and other items and carried them inside. She was standing by a bookcase that, along with books, had photographs.
“Are these your grandparents?” she asked.
“Yep.” The picture was taken just a few months before my grandmother died. My grandfather followed her a few weeks later. We all agreed he died of a broken heart.
“They look old and yet in their eyes, is such life,” she said. “Whoever took this picture really captured them.”
I grew a foot taller at that. “I took that picture.”
She looked over her shoulder. “I should be worried that you’re such a good photographer.”
“Nah.”
She looked back at the photos. “This is you and Josh as kids?”
I put her stuff down and walked over to the bookcase. “Yes. I was maybe eight, and he was five or so.”
“God, you two were so cute.”
I grinned. “In high school, we were voted best-looking siblings.”
She laughed, but I could see sadness in her eyes too. “I bet you were popular in high school.”
I nodded. “I did alright. You must have too.” I understood that good looking people usually had an easier time through life.
“I didn’t go to high school.”
I frowned. “Never?”
“My mom traveled a lot, so my brother and I had tutors.”
“So, no prom. No graduation?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
Her world was one I didn’t understand. It was a reminder of how different we were.
We settled in waiting for her father to let us know what was going on. The wind picked up, and I looked out the window.
“The snow is picking up. Your dad better decide soon if we’re coming down. The road will be impassible before long.”
“We’ll be stuck?”
I looked at her to see if that bothered or scared her. She actually appeared hopeful.
“We could be. It wouldn’t be for long. Generally, the first snow melts enough away quickly to drive and carry on with life.”
My phone beeped with a text.
Paps are at Pine Rest and local hotels. Shelter in place if you can. The reports say the storm is bigger than thought. Are you prepared for the night?
I looked at her.
“What?”
“Your dad wants us to stay here until tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
I texted back and then switched gears. I didn’t have to worry about getting us back to Pine Rest. Now I needed to make sure we were set for the night. I checked the cupboards and found them fully stocked with nonperishables.
Then I went to bring in wood to the fireplace. The cabin had heat, but if the storm was big enough and it put out the electricity, it would get cold. I found all the flashlights as well.
“Is there something I can do?” she asked as I brought in another load of wood.
“You can check the bedrooms. They should be fine, but you can make sure.”
We spent the evening like we had all our others, and yet there was something different about it. I wasn’t sure if it was because we were so secluded. We were essentially alone in the world. Or maybe it was simply because of the crazy antics we had to get here. All I knew was that my protective instinct and my manly ones were on high alert. The protective instinct was welcomed. My dick’s increased interest as the fire in the fireplace cast a beautiful glow on her face while we played poker on the floor was not welcomed.
We used peanuts as chips. After losing my peanuts and tired from the day, we went to our separate rooms. I grabbed a tissue and dealt with my dick then went to sleep. Or I tried. Between the howling of the wind, and Lily’s smile constantly flashing in my head, it was hard.
“Wyatt?” Lily lightly knocked on my door.
“Yes.” I sat up. “Is something wrong?”
She stepped into my room. The moonlight from the window above my bed shone like a spotlight on her. She was still wearing her clothes, but her hair was loose and messy, making her even sexier. “The wind. It’s making a lot of noise. Is that normal?”
I nodded. “Yes. This place has withstood many storms.”
“Okay.” She hesitated for a moment.
My protective instinct kicked in. “Do you want to stay here?” My dick perked up again, damn him, and warning bells went off. This wasn’t a good idea, and yet, I didn’t want her to be afraid. “There’s room. And I’ll sleep on the sheet, so there’s a barrier.”
She smiled shyly. “I’m not worried about you, Wyatt. You’re a Boy Scout.” She walked over to the bed and climbed in next to me.
I was glad she trusted me, but also, annoyed at her Boy Scout comment. If she knew that I’d jacked off to her thirty minutes ago, would she still feel safe?
“I hope my dad is paying you well. You’re definitely earning your pay.”
God, if she only knew.
The next morning, I woke, teetering on the edge of the bed. Throughout the night, Lily had moved closer and closer to me. I wanted to keep her warm, but I didn’t need her knowing that my dick wanted to warm up her insides. So, I kept moving away until another move, and I’d be on the floor. I was able to get out of bed without falling out.
The clock said it was four thirteen, but it was flashing which was a good indication that the power had gone out. The room was chilly but not freezing, so the power couldn’t have been off for long.
I w
ent to the living room and started a new fire. I checked my phone but saw no bars. I went to the window to see what had happened overnight.
I looked out into white. The snow was coming down like it was flowing from a faucet. I opened the door to get a better sense of how much had already fallen. The snow had buried half of my SUV. I guessed we had about three feet overnight, which was a lot for us on the first snow of the year. The ski resorts had to be thrilled. Me? I had a whole new problem. It would take time for me to dig out the SUV, and then there was the road. We were stuck here for a bit, especially since it was still snowing.
“Is everything okay?”
I nodded, wondering how she’d take the news. I remembered she said she’d been to places with snow, but had never really been in snow.
“Here. Put this on.” I gave her my coat. Then I opened the little coat closet and grabbed one of the extra down coats that were kept there and put it on.
I led her through the front door, and she gasped as she looked out. I couldn’t tell at first if the sight scared her or simply surprised her.
Then, that magnificent smile appeared. “It’s so beautiful.”
It sure was, although I wasn’t looking at the snow. I led her outside. “A private winter wonderland.”
The snow had buried the steps, so as she moved to the edge of the porch, I took her arm. “Careful. I don’t want you falling off the steps.”
She reached a hand out and looked up as the snow cascaded down. “It’s really coming down. I never knew it fell like this.”
“Usually, it doesn’t come down so much. This storm is bigger than we’d anticipated.” I waited for a beat. “We’ll be here for a little longer.”
She turned, her eyes were bright, and her cheeks were rosy red. “How long?”
“Few days, at least.” I watched her to gauge her reaction.
“And no one can come here, right?” she asked.
“Right.”
She turned back to the snow and let out a long breath like she was relaxing for the first time. She wasn’t worried about being snowed in. In fact, she almost looked relieved.
I watched her as she took in the snow with childlike delight. A yearning to touch her welled in my chest. I put my hands in my pockets to stop myself. This wasn’t a romantic retreat or a date even. I was here to protect her. Her father chose me because he knew I could be trusted.
But if things were different, I’d reach out to her. I wondered how she’d respond. I wasn’t an actor. I wasn’t well-traveled. I was a regular Joe from a mountain town. I looked down, feeling silly for wanting a woman well out of my league.
A blast of wet, cold snow hit me on the cheek. I looked up, and Lily had a mischievous grin. She’d hit me with a snowball.
“You really want to challenge me to a snowball fight?” This time I did reach for her.
She let out a little yelp and started down the stairs, sinking in the soft snow, slowing her down.
I followed her, getting a hold of her arm before she was hip-deep in snow. I turned her, so she fell back on the snowy stairs. Losing my balance, I fell over her.
She was laughing, and it was like music. Her violet eyes sparkled, and her cheeks were a lovely rosy color. It took all of my will power not to kiss her.
“You win,” she said.
“We’re going to get hypothermia,” I said, forcing myself up. I reached out a hand to help her up and then guided her back inside the house. “I’ll build a fire and check on the electricity.”
She frowned. “Will it be a problem if it’s out?”
“We have wood and food, so it will be an inconvenience, but not a threat,” I assured her.
“An adventure.” She had that same bright smile. She looked like life had come back into her. With it, it felt like life had come back into me as well.
Chapter 9: Freedom
Lily
I felt free. Free for the first time in a long time. Maybe ever. There were no demands. No expectations. I was stuck in a snowstorm, which should have concerned me, but instead, when I realized no one could reach me, and I couldn’t do anything, I felt such relief. I was going to enjoy it while it lasted, starting with pelting Wyatt with a snowball.
I’d never made or threw one before. It was cold in my hand. It splatted on his cheek, and he looked at me in shock and then a mischievous grin. I loved how Wyatt could go from protector to playful. Of course, never being in snow, I didn’t realize how tough it would be to escape his pursuit. I sank into the snow as I tried to get away. He took my arm and maneuvered me back. I fell back on the stairs and he landed on top of me.
My breath whooshed out but not from the fall. It was from Wyatt, and his warm, hard body. As cold as it was outside, the head of his body over mine sent a hot flame through me. His blue eyes stared down on me and seemed to linger along with mine. For a second, I thought he might kiss me. But then he was standing and helping me up. Disappointment filled me. Was it because I was a job to him that he didn’t kiss me? Was he being professional? Maybe he was worried about my father. Or maybe, I was wrong, and he didn’t find me attractive.
Once inside, I realized I didn’t have any other clothes, and these were now wet.
“I’ll get the fire started.” He looked at me as I shivered.
“We have extra clothes if you want to change, and we can hang these by the fire.” He led me back to the bedroom. Again, my body heated at the memory of laying by his side through the night. He was warm and smelled good. I wanted to snuggle against him, although I tried to fight that urge.
He opened a dresser drawer. “It’s mostly sweatpants, but it should keep you warm. Take any you want.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll go see to the fire and breakfast.”
I watched him leave and then went through the drawer. I found a pair of dark gray sweats, a long-sleeved T-shirt with Eden Lake on it, and a light gray sweatshirt. I went to the bathroom and laughed at how unkempt I looked. At the same time, I looked happy, like I felt. I gathered my hair up and found a hair tie in my purse to put it back. I washed my face. I wondered what Wyatt would think about me without any makeup. There was a tube of toothpaste and a packaged toothbrush left on the sink. He really did think of everything, like a Boy Scout.
I wondered if he was like that in bed? Or did his interests there turn a little bit naughtier? I laughed at myself for my carnal thoughts. I was a silly teenager.
I was just wiping my mouth when there was a flicker, and then lights came on. We had power.
When I entered the kitchen, Wyatt was boiling water.
“I hope you like oatmeal. We don’t have eggs or bacon. We pretty much only keep what’s nonperishable up here.”
“Oatmeal is fine. Will the power stay on, do you think?”
He shrugged. “Depends. If the snow lightens up, probably. But it could go off again. Anything you want to do that requires power, I’d do it now.”
“I wanted to check out my new sewing machine.”
He pointed with a spoon toward the living area. “I set it up on a table near the fireplace.”
I looked, and sure enough, he had set up a folding table with the sewing machine and my bags of fabric. I turned to him again.
His eyes narrowed. “What?”
“You’re very good to me.”
He turned away, almost like he couldn’t take the compliment. “I just want you to be comfortable.”
I reached out and put my hand on his shoulder. He flinched slightly, so I pulled away.
“Thank you.” I turned away. His reaction hurt me, but I couldn’t blame him. I was a job. He was sweet, and I couldn’t be hurt by someone just because he wasn’t attracted to me.
“Lily.”
I turned back, and his expression was apologetic. He looked down, and when his gaze returned, he had a smile. “If you behave, maybe we’ll have hot cocoa too.”
I smiled. “I’ll be good.”
I went to the table and began unpacking my
new sewing machine. I didn’t have my sketches with me, but I found paper and a pen in my purse and started working out what I wanted to attempt.
“Breakfast,” Wyatt called.
I left my work and went to the dining table in the kitchen area. He’d set bowls of oatmeal and coffee on it.
“I figured we could save the cocoa for later. Let's have coffee first. It’s instant, so it sucks, but it will ward off the headache that comes from a lack of caffeine.”
“You think of everything.”
“Only because I don’t want a headache.”
I sat across from him.
“That outfit looks good on you,” he said as he scooped up some oatmeal.
I arched a brow, wondering if he was teasing me.
“You look rustic. Like you’re snowed in.”
I looked down at the gray sweatsuit outfit.
“Then again, you could wear a potato sack and make it nice.”
“I didn’t know you noticed fashion.”
He shrugged. “I notice…things.”
My cheeks heated as I took his meaning to mean me as a woman. “I notice…things too, Wyatt.”
Both his brows rose. “Is that so?”
I took a bite of the oatmeal. It was sticky, but hot and warmed me from the inside out. Or maybe that was Wyatt.
“I’m not blind,” I said in response to him.
He looked down, and again, I got the feeling that he was uncomfortable. “But you’ve found what you need. The toothbrush?”
“I did. Thank you.” We ate in silence for a moment. “So, did you and your family spend a lot of time here?”
“A fair amount. Eden Lake isn’t that big, but especially in tourist season, which is nearly all year, it can be nice to get away from everyone.”
“I bet you have many happy family memories here.”
He nodded. “Josh and I know this mountain better than anyone.”
I had a little pang of envy. I loved my parents, but I missed out on having a stable, intact family.
“Are you alright?”
I realized I must have been frowning. “I was just thinking about how lovely your childhood was.”
