5. Bones
BONES
We finish eating, and then I clean up while she snoops around the cabin. She opens the door to the bedroom she was in when she woke up, and I grin to myself when she realizes there’s only one bedroom.
“Why is there only one bed in this place?” she calls out, sounding exasperated. “I hope the couch is comfortable because that’s where your ass is sleeping!”
“It’s a very big bed,” I call back, washing the last plate and putting it on the drying rack.
“Not big enough,” I hear her reply, and I shake my head in amusement.
I don’t know what it is about her, but being in her company makes me feel lighter.
I meant what I said, I’d never hurt her.
Yes, I kidnapped her, but I was desperate.
And I thought she might be terrified, cry even, but instead, she’s been giving me attitude and bossing me around.
She’s perfect.
“It’s okay. I’ll fit my whole six-foot-four frame on that small leather couch.” I give in. I mean, I did kidnap her ass.
“How considerate of you,” she replies in a dry tone as she steps out of the bedroom. “I’m going to have a shower. Do you have any clothes for me to wear?”
“Yeah. In the black bag at the front door.”
“And can I have my phone?” she asks, but I shake my head.
“I’ll give it to you when we’re on our way home,” I reply, and she crosses her arms over her chest.
“I’m not going to call the cops,” she snaps, narrowing her beautiful hazel eyes. “I’ve agreed to stay here until Monday when I have to get back to work.”
She’s taken this whole thing a little too well. Maybe she’s the crazy one? But I am not stupid enough to give her phone back.
“I’ll give you your phone on Monday,” I promise. I get the bag of clothes and hand it to her. “Take whatever you want. It will be big for you, but you’ll be comfortable.”
And I get to see you wearing my clothes.
“You’re such an asshole,” she mutters, grabbing the bag and storming off into the bathroom. My gaze drops to her heart-shaped ass, and I smile.
I might be an asshole, but I’m about to be her asshole.
I hope she’s ready for me.
By the time she comes out, wearing one of my black T-shirts and gray sweatpants folded up at the waist, she sits down on the opposite end of the couch and stares at the television. I hand her the beer I got us out of the refrigerator, and she takes a sip. “What are we watching?”
I hand her the remote, and she puts on some show about hot men playing ice hockey. “Do you play ice hockey?” she asks me, and I don’t miss the hope in her tone.
“No,” I reply, scowling. I’m tempted to tell her I’m a biker right now because that’s way hotter than a fucking hockey player.
“Shame,” she mutters, tucking her dark hair back behind her ear. Her gaze roams over my body. “What do you do for work? You never said.”
“I’m a mechanic. My brother and I own our own shop.”
“Your shop’s not open this weekend?” she asks with a cheeky smirk.
“It is, but we have staff that can handle it if both of us aren’t there.”
“Why is your brother not there?”
“He’s away for a few days with his woman,” I reply, not wanting to open up about Natalia just yet.
She nods slowly, as if she’s just pieced something together. “Do you like his woman?”
“Yeah, I do. She’s perfect for him,” I tell her honestly.
“But?”
I tilt my head to the side. “There is no but. She’s an amazing woman.”
“In my office, you said…” She trails off. “You feel left behind because his girlfriend is now his number one instead of you?”
Well, fucking ouch.
“Thanks for the reminder,” I mutter, and she just shakes her head.
“Nothing can ever stay the same, Nate. If it did, no one would have any growth. Your brother finding another person to love doesn’t mean he loves you any less.
And what about when you meet someone? You’ll do the same and put her first, just like you’re meant to.
And she will put you first in return,” she says gently, studying me a little too closely.
“Yeah, I know.” I didn’t think I’d ever meet someone I wanted to be solely mine. Bringing my beer to my lips, I take a drink.
“Just be honest with me. You brought me here to talk, so stop holding back. You can trust me. I’m sitting here on the couch with you, drinking a beer, after you kidnapped me!” she ungracefully reminds me.
If I’m too honest with her, she might not want anything to do with me.
“My brother is my twin,” I admit, and her eyes widen. “Identical twin. We used to do everything together. Now I get to ask you a question… you seeing anyone?”
“No, I’m single,” she replies. I arch my brow at her to give me more, and she sighs. “Two boyfriends. One in high school and one in college. Both ended up being assholes. You?”
“Single. Had a few girlfriends when I was younger, but nothing serious.”
“You’ve had no girlfriends in your adult life, no commitment?” she asks, a speculative look now etched on her face.
“Nope, just casual,” I say, clearing my throat.
“Interesting,” she muses, and I regret giving her that bit of information. “Scared of commitment?”
“No, just never felt that connected to someone to offer it.”
“Because the only person you’ve ever felt so connected to is your twin,” she says quietly, her eyes going back to the screen.
“I mean, I have close friends who are more like brothers. But my twin, we’ve been through everything together. You know?”
“Womb mates.” She grins, and I laugh.
“Exactly.”
She glances down at her beer, then back up to me. “I’m safe here?”
“You have my word.”
“What else do you have to drink?”
Smiling, I stand up and head into the kitchen.