Chapter Five
Anya
Any persisting apprehension about being stuck with a man I don’t know from Adam fades away completely as Thane and I chat.
Not only is the man sexy as all get out, but he’s fascinating as well.
I can’t wait to dive into reading his books, but I’m not going to do that until after we’ve exhausted ourselves talking.
Why read about his stories when I can hear them from his own lips?
And what sensual lips they are. I’ve never seen a man with such plump, succulent lips.
They’re framed perfectly by his trim dark beard, and I can only imagine what the combination would feel like as it drags across my body.
The thought of the contradiction of the soft skin and coarse hair has goosebumps forming on my arms.
And that thought has me remembering I still need to take one of the ovulation tests out in my car. When Thane announces he’s going to make some dinner for us, I see my opportunity to go out and get my things since I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.
“I’m going to go grab some of my things from the car,” I holler to him as I slip my feet into my boots and throw on my coat.
“Need any help?”
Gah, the man is sweet. Completely different from my initial impression of him. Make no mistake, the air of danger is still firmly present, but it’s been softened completely after getting to know him more. “Nope. I got it, thanks.”
The snow is now up to my knees as I wade the few feet from the porch to my SUV, which is piled high with snow as well.
I can only imagine how stuck I would be if I had tried to keep going.
I brush off as much as I can before opening the door so I don’t get doused when it does open.
Quickly, I grab my tote and suitcase and lug them back inside with me.
“It’s getting deep out there,” I report once I’m inside and once again peeling off my coat.
“Good thing you’re not out driving in it then, huh?” He winks at me as I enter the kitchen.
My eyes roll of their own accord. “Yeah, yeah. I thought the same thing.”
He tips his chin at the bags in my hands, while he continues to assemble what looks like might be grilled cheese sandwiches on the counter next to the stove in the U-shaped kitchen. “You can put those in the spare room if you’d like. Second door on the right. First one is the bathroom.”
Heading down the hall, I peek into the open doors of his office and bedroom before entering the room indicated.
I heave the suitcase onto the bed, digging through it to find the toiletries bag I stashed the box of tests in.
Once I have it, I proceed into the bathroom.
Peeing on a stick is just as fun as it sounds and twice as hard not to get urine on your hand.
Mission accomplished, I snap the cap back on and wash my hands while I wait the required two minutes for the test to do its thing.
I study the box while I wait. It says if I’m ovulating it should show a blinking smiley face or if I’m at peak ovulation, the face won’t be blinking.
I’m not surprised when a non-blinking smiley face shows up.
No wonder I want to climb Thane like a tree.
I mean, he’s so stinking hot I probably would any other time as well, but right now my body and hormones are craving a virile man.
And there’s no denying the virility of this one.
A thought starts to form in my mind when I’m startled by Thane’s shout. “Take your time, but just letting you know this is ready whenever you are.”
“Be right there.” I shove the test and box into my toiletries pouch on the counter before taking a deep breath and blowing it out in an attempt to clear my mind. Hoping with all I have I don’t walk out with a bright red face.
Exiting the bathroom, I find a stack of grilled sandwiches and two steaming bowls on the small dark wood dining table between the kitchen and living areas.
“Would you like something to drink? There’s beer, milk, water, OJ, or I can make more hot chocolate if you’d like,” Thane asks from where he’s rinsing the pan from the soup.
“Milk would be good, but I can get it if you point me to the glasses.”
He tips his head to the right. “Second cabinet from the sink.”
“Would you like anything?” I ask as I open the indicated cupboard.
His mouth tips up at one corner. “Sure, I’ll take milk too. Thanks.”
I pull down two blue glasses before grabbing the milk jug from the fridge and filling them. I carrying them over to the table before taking a seat, Thane right behind me.
“Hope you like potato soup.” He nods toward the bowls.
“What’s not to like about creamy carbs? If you can’t tell from my large butt, I’m partial to them.”
His eyebrow arches. “Well, if that’s what made it so perfect, then I’ll be sure to cook nothing else while you’re here.”
I shovel a spoonful of soup into my mouth to keep from smiling, but it does nothing to quell the butterflies rioting in my stomach from his words.
“So can I ask why you’re spending Christmas with your friends? Do you not have any family either?”
His question is the equivalent of a bucket of ice water being dumped on me.
As much as I’d rather not talk about my parents, it’s only fair given what he’s shared about his mom.
“Let’s just say my parents and I don’t see eye to eye on anything.
I spent Thanksgiving with them, and that was enough family time to last me for at least another year.
They’ve never been the warm, supportive type.
I was something to cross off their list of accomplishments in life, and once that was done they saw me as a hindrance more than anything. ”
The spoon, which was halfway to his mouth when I started, falls back into his bowl.
He shakes his head. “I’m sorry that’s the relationship you have with them.
I may not have gotten as long as I would’ve liked with Ma, but she more than made up for it with the time we did have together.
I can’t imagine what it would be like not to have a close relationship with one’s parents. ”
I shrug. “I long ago accepted I would never be close to my parents. Becca and Everlee have been amazing at filling any familial void up to this point, and hopefully I’ll have my own family one day.”
Hopefully, it’s one day real soon.