Chapter 5
RUBY
I watch as Ivan dabs some wood glue into the holes in the window.
Then he grabs a screwdriver from his tool belt, leaning over the counter to reattach the latch.
I should give him space to work, but I can’t stop staring.
There’s something insanely hot about watching him fix stuff.
His flannel sleeves are rolled up to reveal his powerful forearms, those giant hands moving effortlessly as he screws the latch into place.
I’m officially losing my mind over a man twisting a screwdriver.
This can’t be good.
As I watch Ivan test the window, his brow furrowed in concentration, I can’t help wondering about this mysterious mountain man.
What’s his story? Why does he live in the forest, isolated from the world?
My brother moved to Cherry Mountain to hide from the past. Could it be the same for Ivan?
Did something drive him out here? Or does he just… really like trees?
So many questions.
Ivan straightens up and turns to face me. My heart stutters, just like it does every time he fixes me with those dark green eyes.
“Done,” he says. “The glue should hold it.”
“Awesome. Thank you, Ivan.”
I smile up at him, trying to look casual.
But it feels like there’s a snowstorm raging in my chest. It’s hard to think straight with this handsome giant looming over me, his head almost brushing the ceiling of the kitchen.
The room feels stupidly tiny with him in it—like a giant in a dollhouse.
He must be almost a foot and a half taller than I am.
Heck, the top of my head barely reaches his shoulders, and I have to crook my neck to look at him.
“Anything else need doing?” he asks, that deep voice making me shiver.
Yes. Me. I need doing.
The thought burns my cheeks. I’m used to reading filthy things about book characters, not thinking them about real people.
Heck, I’m still a virgin at twenty-four—not exactly the queen of seduction.
But with Ivan, I can’t help but want him.
Desire pools between my thighs as he looks at me, waiting for my answer.
Our gaze holds for a beat too long. The walls narrow around us, and for a moment, I swear his gaze flits to my lips.
If I took a single step forward, I’d be flush against him.
Our bodies would press together—his hard muscles against my plump curves—those burly arms wrapping around me…
“N-no,” I finally stammer. “Thank you. That’s everything.”
Ivan nods curtly. He follows me back into the living room, where North is sniffing around the furniture.
“We’d better get going,” he says.
But as he reaches for the door, I know I’m not ready for him to go. Now that he’s fixed the window, I’m all out of excuses for him to come over. This could be the last time I see him before I go back to Miami.
“Hey,” I say a little too brightly, “maybe you should warm yourselves up a little before you go back out there. I know the cookies are a no-go, but at least let me make you some hot chocolate.”
Ivan nods slowly. It’s impossible to tell if he’s happy about staying or not—those thick brows are always scowling.
But he lets out a low growl of thanks and takes the armchair I offer him.
North settles down at his feet, and I leave them sitting by the fire, whipping up two hot chocolates in the kitchen.
I make them the way my brother used to, topping them with cream and marshmallows I bought from the grocery store earlier.
Then I fill up a bowl of water and carry everything through.
“Thanks,” Ivan says as I pass him a steaming mug. “Looks good.”
I set down the water bowl in front of North, then take a sip of my hot chocolate.
It’s sweet and creamy, the marshmallows melting on my tongue as I sit opposite Ivan.
For a moment, we sit in silence. The fire crackles merrily in the hearth.
Outside, the wind whistles, snowflakes dancing over the treetops surrounding the cabin.
“This place is magical,” I murmur, smiling at the view. “Have you always lived out here?”
“Pretty much. Grew up in Cherry Hollow.” Ivan sets down his mug. “What about you, Candy Cane? Always lived in Florida?”
He grunts the nickname like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and I melt all over again. There’s something special about this grumpy Grinch giving me a cute, festive nickname. It feels almost intimate.
“Yep,” I say. “I grew up in a small town near Miami, then made the move to the city after high school.”
I don’t look like a stereotypical Floridian. My pale skin really isn’t built for long Miami summers, and I usually end up looking like a lobster for months on end. Until my trip to Cherry Mountain, I’d barely even left my home state.
“What do you do in Miami?” Ivan asks.
“I’m an event photographer. Freelance. I take photos at parties, corporate events, concerts…but it’s mostly weddings.” I segue into my next question as casually as possible. “Are you married?”
“No.” I’d assumed as much from his empty ring finger, but I still feel a flicker of relief. Then Ivan looks at me, his eyes flashing with something I can’t decipher as he asks, “You? Got a husband…a boyfriend?”
“Nope. Nothing like that.”
Maybe I’m just imagining it—seeing what I want to see—but I swear Ivan’s shoulders relax a little.
He says nothing. Just contemplates me, his gaze fixed on mine like I’m a puzzle he can’t figure out.
The silence feels charged, thickening around me until I feel my breath catch.
Then North lets out a loud yawn, and the moment is gone.
“Does it ever get…lonely out here?” I ask. “Living by yourself in the woods?”
Ivan shrugs, rubbing a hand over his beard. “Guess I’m used to it. Got North for company.”
“How long have you had him?”
“About five years. He was a stray. Used to leave out food and water for him. Took him a while to trust me, but we got there eventually.” Ivan’s grumpy facade seems to melt as he reaches down to pet North.
It’s kind of adorable. Even his permanent scowl softens a little as he adds, “He’s a good boy. Good company.”
“That’s so sweet. I’m happy you found each other.”
I reach for North’s fluffy white head, and he pants delightedly as Ivan and I pet him. Then Ivan’s fingers brush mine. Electricity bolts up my arm, every nerve twitching. It’s the slightest touch, but it feels like my skin is burning as I pull my hand away and settle back in my chair.
God, I wish I could act normal around this man for five seconds.
“So, when you heading back to Miami?” Ivan asks. His eyes seem to darken despite the glow of the firelight. “Saw you’re checking out of here on Christmas morning.”
“Yep, I’m going to my brother’s for the day. My flight leaves on the 26th, so I’ll just crash on his couch.” Ivan makes a noise in his throat but doesn’t say anything, so I continue, “What about you? I know you’re a self-proclaimed Grinch, but…do you have any plans? Any family coming to visit?”
“No.”
My stomach sinks. I know Ivan’s not a fan of the holidays, but I was hoping he’d have some family to spend them with all the same.
“So, you’re going to be alone for Christmas?”
“Yeah.” Ivan shrugs, dropping his gaze to the fire. “Doesn’t matter. It’s just a regular day to me.”
I bite my lip. Ivan might think it doesn’t matter, but it still makes my heart ache.
“You’d be very welcome to spend Christmas with me and my brother,” I say. “We’re not doing anything fancy, just eating some food and maybe watching a few Christmas movies. It will be fun! And North can come too, of course.”
I know he’s going to decline before I’m even done speaking. I can see it written all over his face, but I still feel a stab of disappointment when he says, “It’s real sweet of you to offer. But the holidays aren’t for me, Candy Cane. I’ll be fine.”
Before I can protest, he’s already shifting in his chair, ready to leave. As he pushes himself to his feet, he winces, his face contorting in pain.
“Ivan? Are you okay?”
“Fine.” He grits out the words. “Just an old injury. Flares up sometimes. Anyway, I’ll get out of your hair.”
He pats his leg, calling North’s name, and the dog reluctantly gets up, leaving his place by the fire.
“Thanks for coming over,” I say, getting up to join them.
“No problem. Thanks for the hot chocolate.”
Ivan isn’t looking at me. It suddenly feels like a sheet of ice has risen between us.
Maybe I freaked him out by inviting him to my brother’s.
“Well…goodbye, Ivan.” I force myself to sound cheery as I add, “I hope you have a merry Christmas.”
“Yeah. You too, Candy Cane.”
He finally meets my gaze. It’s like there’s a storm raging in his eyes, some internal battle that I can’t understand.
But before I can fathom it, he opens the door and disappears outside with North at his tail.
I poke my head out to watch as they descend the stairs.
Then the trees swallow them both, and Ivan is gone without so much as a backward glance.
With a sigh, I shut the door. I take the empty mugs into the kitchen and lean back against the counter, closing my eyes. The burning smell has mostly faded, but I can still make out Ivan’s lingering scent—pine and peppermint.
That was it…
That was the last time I’ll see him.
It shouldn’t bother me this much. It shouldn’t hurt.
I barely know Ivan, and he’s made it clear he wants to be left alone.
Heck, after I invited him to my brother’s for Christmas, it was like he couldn’t get out of here fast enough.
I need to stop bothering him. No more burned cookies or broken latches.
It’s time to stop getting swept up in crazy fantasies and accept that Ivan is a middle-aged man, a lone wolf who doesn’t want to be around an annoying holiday-obsessed twenty-something like me.
Heck, I guess that will be my Christmas gift to Ivan.
Leaving him alone.