Chapter 20 #2
I turn to check on Mallory. Her eyes widen as they move up and down my body.
Thankfully, she seems unscathed from the slushy spray.
She steps toward me, her mouth agape and hands out in front of her like she wants to help me but doesn’t know what to do.
“We should get you home so you can put on some dry clothes.”
I nod, unable to speak through my chattering teeth.
“Does it feel like it’s getting colder to you?” She shoves her hands in her pockets.
I swallow hard, trying to stop my shivering long enough to speak clearly. “Maybe, but I’m also freezing for obvious reasons.”
Mallory pulls her phone out and grimaces. “It’s only twenty degrees now.”
Snow begins to fall more steadily around us as we walk the remaining distance back to my rental. The short walk feels like miles in my state.
When we’re finally walking up the driveway, Mallory turns to me. “Where are your keys? I can get the door.”
I gesture to my coat pocket with a shaking finger. She uses her fingertips to pinch the edge of it, pull it open, and grab my key ring.
Mallory opens the door for me, and I immediately feel better stepping into the heated house.
“Thanks,” I murmur, shedding the soaked coat and hat and wrinkling my nose.
It needs serious dry-cleaning. I’d take off my wet shirt, too, but I’ll wait until I’m alone for that.
I drop the jacket by the front door; I can worry about mopping later, but I don’t want to drip the dirty water through the rental.
“I think a hot shower should help.” I don’t want Mallory to feel kicked out, but I’m not sure she wants to stay while I shower either. Leaving it up to her seems like the best option.
When she doesn’t answer, I glance over and find her eyes focused on my chest. I can feel my shirt clinging to every contour of my muscles, showing them off to her. I’d like to thank my personal trainer for pushing me so hard in our sessions.
The way her eyes devour my torso warms me right up. When she sees that I noticed her staring, her cheeks warm. “Shower. Right. I’ll let you get to that, then.” She laughs awkwardly. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
I nod. “The only casualty was that I looked like a wet rat in front of you.”
She steps closer, looking earnest. “I don’t think you looked like a wet rat.”
“A sad puppy?”
“More like a hot protector.”
My jaw drops at her calling me hot. My gaze lowers to her lips. I want to kiss her so badly. Just not when I smell like the muddy street. And not until she makes the first move, I remind myself. But it’s getting more difficult to keep that promise when she is looking at me like that.
“I’ll remember that for later, beautiful.” I smile, and her cheeks turn light pink. “Do you want me to walk you out?” I gesture toward my couch. “Or we could eat some food and watch a movie once I no longer smell like dirt?”
“With the way the snow is picking up, I should probably head home.”
My hope deflates like a helium-deprived balloon. Of course, I want her to make it home safely, but I’ll always want to spend more time with Mallory.
“Text me when you make it home?” I open the door for her.
“Yeah, I’ll text you.” She steps outside and wiggles her fingers. “See ya.”
After I close the door behind her, I rip my long-sleeved tee off over my head, adding it to the pile on the floor. It already feels infinitely better not having the sopping material clinging to my body.
I haven’t even made it to my bedroom to take a shower when there’s a knock at the door. My heart pounds in my chest. Maybe Mallory changed her mind and wants to spend more time with me. But that’s probably wishful thinking.
I walk back and open the front door to find Mallory standing there as if I willed it. She stares at my bare chest like it’s God’s personal gift to her. I don’t mind one bit.
“Everything okay?” I ask, trying to keep satisfaction out of my tone.
Her eyes drop to the porch. “Uh, Linda won’t start.”
I’ve never been more grateful that her car hates the cold. “I can call Ted and see if he can come take you home,” I offer, really hoping she doesn’t take me up on it.
She shakes her head. “The snow is starting to stick. I don’t want him to have to drive in this.”
I gesture inside. “You’re welcome to stay here until the snow lets up.”
Or however long you want. The rest of forever would be fine too.
“If you’re sure.” Mallory finally looks at me. Her eyes drag across my stomach, making me glad I did an ab workout this morning. Her eyes are still stuck on my stomach when she gasps.
“What’s wrong?”
She closes the distance between us and lifts my right arm, brushing her cold fingers along my rib cage. I suck in a breath, both because it feels like an ice cube running along my already cold skin, but also because of the flood of attraction that fills me as Mallory’s fingers trace my abdomen.
“What’s this?”
I look down to see where she tapped, spotting the little secret I’ve kept hidden from everyone since I got it over two years ago.
“A tattoo?” There’s no way out of this. She was bound to find out sooner or later, but I was hoping for much, much later.
She rolls her eyes. “I mean, what is it supposed to be?”
My voice is husky, barely above a whisper as I respond, “A to-go cup of hot chocolate.”