Chapter 5
Five
Blair
I can’t believe I just said that to him. It slipped out. It was the truth, but I’ve opened a can of worms. I’m not making good choices. I can blame it on the storm that tried to kill me, but it’s a lot more than that.
Adrian Gallant is the kindest man I’ve ever met. He’s obviously wealthy, but he’s not pretentious. I like to think I’m not pretentious, either, but I probably come off that way. It’s hard to avoid. I was raised with a silver spoon.
I’m still trembling when I finish washing, and I can’t resist leaning back in the tub and soaking in the hot water for a while longer. I can’t seem to fully warm up. It’s like I’m cold all the way to my core.
Eventually, Adrian knocks on the door. “Just making sure you’re okay.”
“I’m alive. Thank you. Just about to get out.”
“No rush, Blair. Take your time. Stay in for as long as you’d like.”
I can’t put my finger on what it is about him that’s so appealing. Sure, it’s his looks. He’s fucking hot. But it’s really his personality. He’s…real. I think that’s it. I want to know how that’s possible since he gives me money vibes.
Was he born wealthy like me? Or did his parents get rich? Or is his wealth from his own doing? If I’d had internet today, I would have looked him up, but as he pointed out, I don’t have cell service here. That isn’t safe. And it certainly wasn’t today.
I use the hose attachment to rinse off my hair, and as the water runs down the drain, I stand and let it rinse my body, too. I’m clean now, but the water in the tub is tinged brown even on the second filling.
There are luxurious, white bath towels on a shelf, and I grab one, dry my body, and wrap it around me. I hate opening Adrian’s drawers. It seems invasive, but I do it anyway in search of a comb.
Luckily, I find one on the second try and work through the tangles in my hair before staring at myself in the mirror. I have no makeup on. My hair is about to be a wavy mess since I don’t even have a hair dryer. I’m pale and gaunt. Not surprising. I’m still cold.
What the hell was I thinking, moving to such a remote spot in the country? Have I made a terrible mistake?
No. I refuse to believe that. I don’t care what it takes, I’m going to rescue my SUV and my belongings as soon as possible and get started making that property my bitch. I’m not going to give up.
After my pep talk, I exit the bathroom to find a pile of clothes on the king-sized bed. I’m certain they’re for me. I approach and lift the top item—a thick sweatshirt. It’s navy and has some sort of company logo on it. When I look closer, I realize it reads “JNG Enterprises.”
I stare at it for a moment before I remember that I know that company name. I have no idea what it stands for, but I’ve seen this logo before. It’s affiliated with several high-tech apps. I think the owners originally developed some sort of early GPS technology that sold millions.
I glance at the door. Is this Adrian’s family business? If so, it’s no wonder he has money.
I quickly remove the towel and pull the sweatshirt over my head.
It reaches my knees, and I have to roll up the sleeves several times to get my hands free.
The other item of clothing on the bed is a pair of sweatpants, but if they’re as large as this shirt, I’ll never be able to keep them up, and they’ll be a foot too long.
I’m fine with the sweatshirt, so I return to hang the towel on a hook in the bathroom and then go in search of my savior.
When I open the bedroom door, I inhale the most delicious scents. More than one. There’s some kind of beef stew or vegetable soup in addition to fresh homemade bread.
My stomach grumbles as I shuffle across the cabin’s living space toward Adrian, who stands with his back to me at the kitchen counter.
I didn’t get a chance to see much of his home when I first entered, so I’m looking around now. It’s breathtaking. Everything is expensive, while also being intentionally rustic-looking. I’d say all the wooden furniture was made by a local artisan, if not by Adrian and his brothers themselves.
He must hear me approaching because he suddenly turns around. He has showered and changed. I assume there’s a guest bathroom I overlooked. He’s wearing a dark, long-sleeved Henley, fresh jeans, and tennis shoes. His neatly cut and styled brown hair is combed back and slightly damp.
The man smiles at me so warmly I nearly melt. “Feel better?”
“Yes. Thank you. I’m so embarrassed.” I rub my hands together in front of me as I approach.
“No need to be.” He points toward the table. “Sit. I’ll dish up some stew. Hope you’re not a vegetarian.”
I chuckle. It comes out sounding a bit sardonic.
He hesitates on his way toward me, a steaming bowl in his hands. His eyes pop wide. “Are you?”
I shake my head. “No, but I figured I’d become one since I’m moving here.”
“Why?” He sets the bowl in front of me. It looks and smells delicious. He sits next to me, turning his chair so he’s facing me very closely.
I don’t lean away because, for some odd reason, I like him being in my space. If he were any other man—or perhaps even a woman—I would growl and move away. But this is Adrian. I’m drawn to him. He’s seen me naked.
I shrug. “I don’t think I’ll be capable of killing what I eat,” I admit. “I’ve read about traps and bunnies and shooting Bambi, and it’s just not for me.” I shudder.
He tips his head back and laughs. I should probably be insulted, but I’m not.
He’s not laughing at me. He’s just humored.
When he rights himself, he grins and leans in closer to whisper as if he’s sharing a secret and doesn’t want any of the other dozens of people around to overhear.
“Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve never killed an animal, either, princess.
I might lose my mountain man card, but hunting is not my thing.
I get my beef, chicken, and pork from the supermarket in the city. ”
I slowly smile, feeling a bit foolish. “Right. Of course.” Somehow, I hadn’t envisioned heading to the city that often, or even the nearby town.
“We do have electricity in the mountains, princess. We have a giant deep freezer in the main house. And we have generators for when a storm knocks out our electricity.”
I look past him toward the window. “Speaking of storms…” It’s still raining hard. It’s beating against the roof. The wind is howling, and even though this cabin is obviously well-built, it creaks every now and then from a giant gust of wind.
Adrian sets his hand over mine. “We’ll be fine in here. I promise. We built these cabins to be tiny fortresses. There’s also a safe room if we need it for any reason. And the main house has what amounts to a bunker.”
I gasp. “Seriously?” I bend my head and point to the logo on my sweatshirt. “So, I’m right about the company logo. JNG Enterprises is your family business. Technological developments.”
He winks. “Nothing gets by you.”
I smirk and roll my eyes.
“In the interest of disclosure, I looked you up today after I met you. You’re not from poverty either, princess.”
I sigh. “Great. I’m here for one day, and already someone recognizes me.”
He shakes his head. “Didn’t recognize you, Blair. Just your name. Not sure most of the folks in town know anything about pharmaceuticals. You’ll probably fly under the radar. What I want to know is why?” He points at my cooling stew. “But first, let’s eat.”
I grab my fork and take a bite, moaning around the flavor. “Oh, man… That’s delicious. Did you make this?”
He leans back and crosses his arms as if he’s offended.
Or feigning offense. “No, but only because it wasn’t my night to cook.
We have a system around here. Each household takes its turn making dinner for the group.
A huge meal that we all divvy up. Tonight was a bit different because of the incoming storm.
My brothers’ wives decided to cook ahead in the main house today.
They made three large meals in case the storm keeps us trapped for a few days.
Even if it clears out by morning, as it should, we’re sometimes left with washed-out roads and debris covering them. ”
Adrian cuts off a thick slice of bread and butters it generously before handing it to me. “Try their bread. I’m telling you, those gals have baking down to a science.”
I moan again as I chew and swallow. It really is the best bread I’ve ever eaten.
He lifts a brow. “Yeah?”
“Delicious.” I continue eating, well aware that Adrian is watching me. He doesn’t interrupt me again until I’m finished.
“More?”
“No. Thank you. That was the best meal I’ve had in days.”
He beams. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I think tomorrow is lasagna day.”
As yummy as that sounds, I wave a hand between us. “I’m sure I’ll be able to go back to my property in the morning and get out of your hair. I really appreciate you rescuing me tonight, though.”
Adrian rises and takes my plate and utensils to the sink.
I jump up to carry the bread and knife, following him. “I can do that. You don’t have to clean up after me.”
He shrugs and leans down to load the dishwasher. “I don’t mind. It’s no big deal.”
I don’t come from a world where men serve women or clean up after them. Hell, I don’t live in a world where the owners of the house lift a finger at all—man or woman. I don’t think my mother has ever cooked or cleaned a day in her life. My father certainly hasn’t.
“Do you enjoy cooking?” I ask him, curious.
He shuts the dishwasher and turns it on. “I don’t mind it. Our mother believed that boys should learn to do everything around the house. Granted, that might have been caused by the fact that she had six sons and no daughters.” He chuckles.
I smile. “That could do it. Smart woman, though. Where is she? And your dad?”
Adrian’s face falls. “Long story.” He nods toward the living room. “There’s a fire going. If you sit by it, you’ll continue to thaw out. Do you want something to drink?”
I had water with dinner. I wonder what he’s referring to.
“Wine? I have a nice Merlot.”