Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Ford
Knock! Knock!
I sat up higher on the couch and reached for the remote, hitting pause on the documentary.
Is someone knocking on my door or is that the wind?
But then I heard it again, a soft rapping noise.
My gray cat, Smokey, lifted his head then rested it again, curling his body into a tighter knot.
“Guess I'll go see who it is.” I grumbled. I hated company. It was why I lived so remotely, hardly a neighbor in sight.
Yet someone found me anyway.
When I made it to the door, I looked through the peephole.
It was a woman.
I swallowed hard.
A very beautiful woman.
I sighed and leaned against the door, pressing my forehead into the solid wood. I didn't want to deal with it.
If it were up to me, I'd never talk to another person again. I was a loner through and through and I liked it that way.
Even at my job as a mountain ranger, I kept to myself, focusing on keeping the trails clean and maintained rather than helping others.
And maybe that's why a rage burned inside me. Because life burned me so bad I was always grumbling and I didn’t trust a soul. Not anymore.
With a deep shaky breath I pulled the door open, not hesitating to mask my annoyance.
“Um hi.”
A melody, soft and sweet, and my heart jolted to life.
“I know this is really weird. Hell, probably dangerous. But I'm kind of desperate.”
She looked wet and cold, water dripping from her jacket hood. The rain still came down with a vengeance, the wind blowing through the trees.
“You really shouldn't be out in weather like this,” I scolded her despite the intense urge to wrap her in my arms and kiss her.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Like I said, I'm desperate.” She folded her arms across her chest but still held onto a smile. “The cabin I'm staying in lost power and apparently there's a backup generator, but it's not working. I'm freezing and my phone was dead. So I was hoping—”
“Have you never seen a horror movie before?” I have her more shit, unable to stop it. It took balls to approach a stranger’s home, never mind asking to come in and warm up.
A burning sensation stirred in my stomach. I wanted to kiss her as much as I wanted to yell at her like she was my child.
She smacked her lips together and my dick stirred. What a traitor it was.
“You think I want to be doing this? No. I have no choice. I'd rather leave this stupid mountain, but it won't stop fucking raining!” She took a step back. “Will you help me or not?”
Close the door. Close the door and forget this ever happened.
But how could I?
As much as I didn't want to entertain anyone, I couldn't leave her out in the cold rain. So I stepped to the side and opened the door further. “Come in.”
“Thank you.” Her shoulders fell as a huge smile took over her face. “Thank you so much.”
As soon as she walked inside, she began peeling her wet jacket off. Her clothes weren't as wet but still looked damp and she offered me a sheepish smile as her hair dripped.
“I can run you a hot bath if you'd like.” I grumbled. It wasn't easy being nice.
“That would be amazing. Do you mind if I charge my phone as well?”
I shook my head and held my hand out. She pressed her phone and charger into my hand, her small fingers brushing against my palm.
The burning in my stomach intensified. I raked my empty hand through my hair and tugged at the strands. What was this woman doing to me?
“I’ll show you around.” I grunted and led her through the entryway. In the living room, I plugged her phone in and introduced her to Smokey.
“He's adorable. I'm Posey by the way.” Her hazel eyes melted into mine, and my heart quickened its pace again.
“Ford.” I grunted.
“Ford? I like it,” Posey grinned before petting Smokey once more.
The downstairs was just an open living room and large eat in kitchen with a back staircase leading to the upstairs. There were two bedrooms and one full bathroom.
After starting the bath and showing her where the towels were, I grabbed a pair of sweatpants, a t-shirt, and a hoodie along with a pair of socks. I left them out for her in the second bedroom.
Back downstairs, I put the kettle on and prepared for dinner. I might as well make a good meal now that I had someone to share it with.
As I cooked a batch of lasagna soup and toasted some garlic bread, I couldn't stop thinking about the woman in my tub.
She was literally naked in my tub, and I was down here peeling onions.
It didn't matter. It wasn't like I was going to hit on her. She was definitely younger than me for one and for two, I barely knew her. Why was I even thinking this way?
Because she's gorgeous and you know it.
You’re lonely just admit it…
No.
People equaled problems. Nothing but problems.
Yet there was something about her…
No, no, there wasn't.
“Thank you. I feel much better.” Posey’s voice drifted into the kitchen and I froze, my spoon stopping mid stir.
When I turned around, she stood in the doorway, my clothes hugging her curves in such a sexy way my dick twitched.
Fresh faced and pink from the shower, my God, she looked like a snack.
Where the hell did she come from?
“I'm making soup if you want some. There's also tea and water if you're thirsty.” My voice was rough, but this time it came off different. Needy. Urgent. I cleared my throat. Fuck.
This woman was totally my undoing.
Every breath. Every stare. Every touch.
“You know you're pretty hospitable for such a grumpy guy.”
I said nothing as I retrieved the bowls from the cabinets and the garlic bread from the oven. As I served us dinner, she poured our glasses of water and two mugs of tea.
We said nothing as we ate, her soft mumbles of how delicious it was such a turn on.
I loved watching her enjoy my food. Her smiles, her pleasure, fuck what was happening to me?
When I opened my door, there she stood, wet, cold, and in desperate need of my help. Part of me wanted to slam the door in her face.
The other part wanted her in my bed.
And I had a feeling I wouldn't be able to resist for much longer.