Chapter 4 Mason
Mason
I don’t think twice about stepping out into the snow. It’s the strangest thing, seeing Nova’s home swallowed up by darkness. As frustrating as her decorations are, they don’t leave such an unsettling feeling.
I knew something was wrong the moment I heard her music shut off. Behind my curtains, the lights had gone out too. By the time I worked myself up into getting my boots on, there was a knock at my door.
Nova came for my help.
I’m still vibrating from that. It’s what’s keeping me warm in this hellish weather.
Following the trail she left behind in the snow, I find her generator. Hunching over it, I go into problem-solving mode. I’ve worked on my own over the years, but her model is newer. Foreign. Still, I want to be able to return with an answer to her problem.
The stench of gasoline hits my nose, and I immediately shine my light on the side of the generator. Seeing frost building up on the fuel line, I brush away the snow and see the icy crystals clinging to the surface. Giving it a slight pinch, my nose scrunches at the crack along the frost.
Easy fix. However, it’s not a quick one. Hell, I wouldn’t be able to get my hands on one until after the holidays. Does she have someone to stay with?
Greedily, I want to offer up my own home and see what she says. For one year, I could enjoy the holidays. How long has it been since I had someone next to me? Too long.
Dusting the snow off of me, I grunt at the memory of a distant relationship that turned sour right at this time, only a handful of years ago. Shaking my head, it’s like I can knock the thoughts right out. Too bad it doesn’t work that way.
Fucking cold out. Can’t believe she stepped out in all this without freezing to death.
Especially with her hair wet, of all things.
Doesn’t she realize how easy it is to get sick?
She’s got no one to take care of her if that happens.
What then? All I want to do is scold her for what she’s done.
Once more, she finds herself in trouble without even trying.
Returning to my cabin, I don’t find Nova hovering over the fireplace like I want her to. Instead, she’s stripped herself of her white coat and kicked off her boots. Now, she’s curled up in my recliner, looking so comfortable in her pajamas, watching the flames flicker.
She’s a fan of pink. The two-piece fits her as well as the fabric does against her curves. With the reflection of the flames flickering against her pale skin, she looks breathtaking.
Once more, I catch myself in complete awe. Every time I look her way, she continues to surprise me. Continues to make me want something so far out of my reach.
She must feel a draft because she straightens up and looks at me like a doe caught in headlights. Moving to stand, I stop her mid-jerk.
“Can’t fix your generator tonight.” I shrug off my coat, feeling the weight of her gaze following every movement, but I know it’s my imagination.
A woman like her—all bright eyes and effortless grace—doesn’t look twice at a man like me.
A man whose shirt is a little too snug and whose hair is already streaked with premature gray.
“You have somewhere to go? Friends? Family? Just ‘til I can get the parts.”
The way she glows, she probably has the whole damn town on speed dial. Of course she does.
Nova just tucks herself deeper into my worn armchair, hugging her knees to her chest. A slow shake of her head is her only answer.
“No?” The word escapes, rough with surprise. Oh.
I was braced for a cheerful “yes.” I had the whole script in my head—a stiff nod, a grunted “take care,” the hollow ache of watching her leave. I never prepared for this. The air in my lungs feels suddenly thin.
“I can go back home,” she offers, not moving a muscle.
“I’ll sleep by the fire. Who needs electricity or hot water, anyway?
Can’t move up here without embracing a little rustic hardship, right?
” A sarcastic little laugh escapes her as she untucks her legs and makes a futile reach for her boots, placed just beyond her grasp.
I watch the struggle, my own hands twitching at my sides. Is she doing this on purpose? Her eyes finally flick up to mine, and a flush blooms on her cheeks, the same soft pink as her pajamas.
This is it. If I don’t speak now, this impossible chance will vanish forever.
“You could… stay here.” The offer comes out like gravel, choppy and harsh. “Just until we get that generator fixed, I mean.”
Her smile is instantaneous and blinding. She sinks back into the chair as if claiming a throne, and God, she can have it. She can have it all.
“Thank you, Mason. Seriously.” She stretches, shameless and cat-like, reclaiming every inch of space she occupies. “Your home is so much cooler than mine. I’ve always wondered what it looked like in here.”
She has? The thought short-circuits my brain.
“I won’t be any trouble, I promise. You won’t even know I’m here.” She turns back to the fire, her smile softening.
If only. Her presence is already a physical hum in the air, a shift in the very gravity of the place.
“Stay here,” I mutter, needing to escape before I do something stupid, like smile back. I turn away, moving deeper into the shadows of my home. Doubting she’ll budge, I toss another log on the fire to make sure she’ll stay warm while I’m gone.
The moment I cross into the kitchen, my composure falls apart. I shove both hands through my hair, gripping the strands until my scalp stings.
Okay. Fine. This is fine.
Just don’t touch anything. Don’t stare at her. Pretend the woman I’ve secretly watched for months isn’t currently curled up in my favorite chair. And above all, don’t scare her off.
Easy.
I don’t know if she’s eaten, so I warm up leftovers for her. Throwing a kettle on the stove, I search for something to drink. Pulling out a box of peppermint tea, I prepare a cup. Hiding away in the kitchen is easier than sharing the same space as her.
Unfortunately, it only takes a few minutes for the food to get hot and the kettle to start whistling.
Going out to fetch her, there’s something about seeing the way she’s so fitting that stirs something up in my chest. I don’t know if it’s the light from the fire reflecting against her skin that’s making my blood run hot, or if it’s that she looked like she didn’t want to leave, that’s doing something to me.
Hovering over the back of the chair, she turns her head, noticing me right away. Guess I’m not the quietest around here.
From right here, I could easily reach down and cup her face, leaning down to—
“Something smells delicious.” Leaning away, she even chuckles. “Did you go out of your way for me? At this rate, I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to pay you back.”
Grunting, I rub the back of my neck. “Don’t need anything in return. If you’re hungry, you might as well eat.”
Giving her my back before I let everything show on my face, her feet skim across the floor as she catches up with me.
Reaching my kitchen, she continues to soak up our surroundings. Spotting the food on the table, she comments that there are two chairs despite not owning a couch.
“Never needed one. The recliner is built for two.” Moving to pour her a cup of tea, she groans as the smell of peppermint fills the air.
Letting her delve deep into her food, she strokes my pride by groaning with her first bite.
She looks around, her gaze soft. “You don’t have a single decoration hanging…”
To her, it must be the strangest thing in the world.
“Some of us don’t celebrate.” Watching her bring her next spoonful to her mouth, I linger on her lips for a few seconds too long before clearing my throat. “Some don’t want to knock out their power, either.”
She smiles at my hit and even rewards me with a laugh. Something twists in my chest at the melodic sound, and it leaves me wondering if I can think of any jokes to make her laugh again.
“I may have gone a little overboard…” Sighing under her breath, she steals a sip of her tea and leans back. “You’ve got to admit, it’s a sight for sore eyes. I’ve seen you looking multiple times, thank you.”
Heat licks at my throat at her words. She thinks I was staring at her cabin?
“Just say the word, and I’ll give you some tips.” Oblivious to what’s going on in my head, she enjoys the rest of her food.
While she fills up her stomach, I take the time to decide how the rest of tonight is going to go.