Chapter 5
Chapter Five
TEDDY
Hope blooms in my chest that I can still make this all work.
It actually might be better. Tristan never takes Lily with him on his trips.
This one might get him to pull his head out of his own ass.
Lily might not believe it and find it laughable, but I think he's in love with her.
I can't blame him; Lily is easy to love.
She's a saint. I don't know why she deals with me and Tristan.
That sounds exhausting. I'm me, and I exhaust myself.
"So?” I nudge him along for an answer. Wait, I don't know his name. I only knew that a car was coming from the company I had contacted.
"That does sound fun."
"Really? Fun means being stuck with me for a few days? Trapped in a tiny space." I might as well get that out there now.
"I won't mind being stuck with you."
"Promise?" I don't want him to do this because he feels obligated. He's been so kind, and I don't want to take advantage. It sucks when people do. I know from experience.
"Promise." He gives one stiff nod as he says it.
"Oh my gosh!" I bounce in my seat. "This is going to be so fun. There are so many places we could stop along the way. One is a cheese museum!"
"I like cheese." His tone is flat; he doesn't sound like he does.
"I don't like cheese; I love it. Never met a cheese I didn't like."
"What else do you have in mind?"
Wow, he sounds really into this. "I don't know your name." I laugh. "That's crazy, right? I'm going to travel across the country with you, and I don't know your name."
"It's Killian."
"Really?" Killian sounds dangerous. He may be large, but I wouldn't describe him as looking dangerous. If he were any other person, he would have gagged me already so I'd stop talking. I think I’m in the clear.
The thought of being tied up and bound by him flashes through my mind, making heat flood me. Where did that thought come from? Oh my God, I'm a total pervert. My mind just skipped past normal sex. It's those dirty books. I know it.
"That's what I've been told."
I snort a laugh. "It's just a scary-sounding name. You'd be better suited with my name. A big teddy bear."
"A teddy bear," he repeats with a slight shake of his head no.
"Oh sorry, is that a bad thing?" Did I insult him? Lily is always talking about Tristan's ego. I might have dented Killian’s. "Did I hurt your ego?"
A bark of laughter leaves him, surprising me. I jump back a little. The sound is warm and deep. It feels like it courses through my body, settling right between my thighs. I feel my cheeks heat because for some reason I can’t stop having these thoughts about him.
“You did not hurt anything.”
“Okay, phew. I got worried. I know what it’s like when people say mean things or judge you before giving you a chance.”
“This happened to you?” He sounds a little angry. I can’t help but smile. Killian is a total sweetheart. Actually, his name might fit him. It’s like when people call tall people shorty. It’s the antithesis.
"I was picked on in school. It's why Grams did homeschooling for me. She couldn't take me coming home crying every day."
"They made you cry," he grumbles. "What are their names?"
"Are you going to track them down?" I laugh and smack his shoulder. He shrugs, pretending like he actually might. Sweet and funny.
Lily says all men are dicks except Roland. I think Killian can get on that list too. "Sorry." I rub the spot I smacked. I wave my hands around. "I'm a touch person."
"You're fine. I am too." I smile at his response until it settles in more. Who is he touchy with? I'm only around Roland and other staff at home. They have been with me for years, often feeling more like family.
"So you're like a cuddler, then. Who did you cuddle with last night?" I glance out the window, like this is a normal question. Not one laced with jealousy that I shouldn’t be feeling.
"A pillow."
"Oh. I was with Minnie." I peek over at him. "You just have a pillow. No one at home waiting for you?"
"I wouldn't leave my girl at home while I went on a trip with another."
"I get that." I nod along, totally playing this cool. Just two people talking about normal people things. "When was your last girlfriend?"
"Never had one." My mouth drops open. He must notice my shock. "I'm always on the road. That makes it difficult to date." The word sounds foreign to him. "People tend to avoid me."
"I've never dated either. No boyfriends, no nothing." I hear a creak and glance around, wondering where it came from. "What was that?"
"The steering wheel is fine." I’m not sure it’s fine, but what do I know about cars? Zip, zero, nada.
"I'm sorry people avoid you. It's better than them picking on you." I try to find the silver lining for him, but I don't think anyone would pick on him.
He's sweet and all, but his size alone would stop insults. He could simply swipe his arm and take everyone out around him. He and Minnie could have had a real wrestling match.
“It doesn’t bother me. I enjoy it for the most part.”
“Oh.” I sink back in my seat. He enjoys the solitude. I keep my lips pressed together so I don’t keep rambling and he changes his mind about this trip. The thought of him now dropping me off at a hotel near the airport sounds terrible.
“You okay?” He glances over at me. I nod a yes at him. “You’ve gone quiet on me.” Wait, does he sound not happy about that?
“If you enjoy being alone, I thought that meant you like the quiet. I hate it. I tend to ramble, and it’s annoying. I even talk to myself. I’m not the worst company. I mean, I hang out with myself all the time.”
“I'm enjoying your company. Don't stop talking now.”
I eye him. "Are you only saying that to be nice?"
"No." He glances over at me again. "Promise."
“Well, if you insist. I wouldn’t want you to think I was rude.” I smile at him. “But remember, you asked for it.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
He knows not what he asks for, but his wish is my command. Let’s be honest; there was no way I was keeping quiet for more than five minutes at a time anyway.
“So now what?” I ask.
"We get back down the mountains and onto the highway. Get distance between us and—"
"The snowstorm! Right." How did I forget? That's what he said already. We need to beat it out. I glance at him for confirmation.
"Right," he agrees. "From the snowstorm."
I have to fight to keep myself from bouncing in my seat. I'm way more excited than I should be. My plans have been derailed, but thankfully I found Killian. I know I'm in safe hands with a man as sweet and charming as him.
I hope that my evil plans to ruin Tristan's life don’t make him see me in a terrible light.