Chapter 3
Magnus
I just want to be left alone. I’ve been living up here in the cabin for the past five years. Ever since my life fell apart. I have a mother and a sister who are always on at me to move back to town.
“You can’t just sit up here alone, wallowing and letting life pass you by.”
Well, what do they know about the pain I’ve been through?
They weren’t betrayed by their wife. They didn’t have their perfect, happy life ripped away.
I’m fine on my own. I prefer it. I’ve got food and nature.
I’ve got everything I need. I’m just fine on my own.
If there is nobody here then there is nobody to betray my trust.
When I opened the door to find Ginny standing there looking like a drowned librarian, my first thought was that maybe she was sent here by my family. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt an instant attraction to a woman.
Maybe it was the fact that her clothes are plastered to her body, showing off some amazing curves.
Or it is the way she stares me down when most people run a mile from my dark frown.
Or it’s something about the cardigan, the glasses, and the way she is clutching her bag full of books that is giving sexy liberian vibes but one who is drenched from the rain.
I find her so adorable that my first impulse is to want to get away from her. If it wasn’t storming I would send her on her way. But I’m not a monster. And I get a strange feeling at the thought of her driving these roads in the rain. Like someone with a tight grip squeezing at my heart.
So she is staying. But we don’t have to talk.
I don’t want to get to know her. I don’t want these feelings to grow into anything.
I’ll keep my distance. I’m keeping my walls firmly in place.
Of course, I get her a change of clothes.
And I want her to be warm. And I’ll make a hot meal for us.
But as soon as the rain eases off she is out of here.
My plan to shut my feelings down is immediately tested when I walked out to see her stuck, trying to get her cardigan off.
She has the wet woolen garment half way down her arms but now she appears to be stuck.
Turning in circles in front of the fire, giving me a view of her t-shirt plastered to her breasts, the outline of her bra clear through the cotton, I can even see her nipples poking out as extra temptation.
I feel a strange mix of emotions of wanting to laugh at the sight of her struggling to get her wet cardigan off while feeling arousal and attraction for the first time in a long time. Holy Mountains, I am in deep trouble here. I keep my eyes off her body as I walk towards her.
“Need some help?” I ask.
“I’m stuck.” She laughs, her bright eyes shining up at me.
Keeping my frown firmly in place, and trying my best not to actually touch her, I peel off her wet cardigan. But being this close, I can smell the scent of her hair conditioner. It smells like a meadow of flowers. Like sunshine. Warm and happy, like her. Damn it, now I’m writing fancy poetry.
I refuse to fall under her spell. Keeping my eyes off her, I turn to pick up the sweater and t-shirt I’ve fetched for her.
But turning back to hand her the warm and dry clothes.
Our hands touch. And our eyes meet. God, she is beautiful.
Not a classical beauty. Nothing like my ex-wife who hurt me so badly.
Ginny has a natural beauty that seems to shine out from within her.
Big blue, gray eyes framed by thick lashes.
Her face is pale from the cold. Her lips formed into a smile and something of a sexy glint in her eyes.
I wonder what it would be like to kiss her. To feel her soft body against mine.
“Are these for me to borrow?” She asks.
Looking down, I realize we are both holding onto the folded clothes. God, I'm an idiot. How long have I been staring at her? I give a curt nod and step back, awkwardly running a hand through my hair. “You can change in the bathroom.” I nod towards a door off the kitchen.
And then I find myself watching her walk towards the other side of the cabin, admiring her curves, even as I tell myself that I am not attracted to her.
I do not want her to stay here. I do not want to get to know her or let her get to know me.
I’m perfectly happy with my life just as it is.
And now I am determined not to think about the fact this beautiful stranger is getting undressed in my bathroom.