10. Alexandra #2
James shrugs. “I would have called in the name you registered with, but I guess that wouldn’t have helped since it didn’t say Alexandra.” He gives me a pointed stare. “Where the hell does Janise come from?”
I groan, feeling like an idiot, and also what in the actual fuck is happening?
I hide my face in my hands. “I use my middle name when booking things because I watch too many documentaries about serial killers, okay? Sue me! How is this your rental? How many fucking jobs do you have!” I literally just quit mine and have no clue what I’m going to do and this guy has like twenty jobs going at the same time.
I watch his face as he processes my reaction. He blinks a few times then shrugs. “I like to stay busy. I’m going to grab your bag and bring it in.” He slides out the front door and is back within a minute with my snow covered suitcase by his side. Shit.
James reaches into the entryway closet, grabs a towel, and lays it on the floor before placing my wet bag on top.
I watch him glimpse at me huddled by the fire before he makes his way to the kitchen in the corner.
“I made some coffee and hot chocolate. I wasn’t sure which you would prefer after your drive. ”
I almost melt, thinking about the warm drinks, my irritation mostly forgotten. “Half of each, together, actually sounds amazing. Thank you.”
“Odd, but I’ll allow it.”
He gets to work filling a mug while I stare into the flames and slowly defrost.
When he hands me the mug, I smile. The giant pile of whipped cream on top makes me giddy and the chocolatey aroma lights me up from the inside.
James sits on the two-seater sofa across from me before continuing, “This cabin has been in the family for generations. I don’t like the idea of letting it sit empty over the winter, so I rent it out occasionally.
Although not a lot of people like to book a cabin in the woods with no Wi-Fi, so it’s not very busy.
” He crosses his arms and leans back. “Why did you book a cabin in the woods with no Wi-Fi?”
I tentatively take a sip of my warm concoction and let out a light moan.
“Sooo good.” I lick the layer of cream off my top lip and I peer through my lashes at him.
His eyebrows are raised as he zones in on my mouth.
“Oops.” I look back at the fire as I feel my cheeks flush from my inappropriate mouth.
“Anywho. I needed some space to think, to paint, to just breathe without anything interrupting me. I need to figure out what I’m doing next, since I quit my job last wee?—. ”
Fuck. I wasn’t going to tell him that. Why did I tell him that? Fucking fireplace and amazing coffee-cocoa. I blame you.
He nods as if I’m not a total nut-case. “Well, the place is yours. I’m going to try to get out of here before I’m stuck for good.
There’s a master bedroom down the hall with a large claw foot tub that I’m sure you will enjoy after the cold.
” He stands and goes to the door, putting on his coat and boots, since he was apparently smart enough to dress for the weather, unlike me .
I fumble to stand, my legs groaning in my wet pants.
I collect myself before he can notice my wince and make my way over.
“Thank you for everything, really. I can’t believe you own this place, but I’m glad it’s you and not some creep.
” He smirks, making me blush again as I mumble.
“Be safe out there, it wasn’t great on my way in. ”
“I’ll be fine. I grew up here, so I’m used to it.” He flashes a full smile at me before heading out the door.
I deflate my body. Everything is aching as I make my way to the end of the hall with my suitcase.
I open the door and let out a quiet squeal.
The king-size bed in the center of the room with a cream-colored comforter and enough pillows to swim in looks like heaven.
There’s a long bench seat against windows that climb the entire length of the wall to the ceiling, showcasing the woods out back with its fresh snowfall.
It’s beautiful. I wheel my bag by the closet and make my way to the master bathroom.
Opening the door, a gasp leaves my lips.
He wasn’t kidding. The bathtub is huge. It could easily fit two or even three people inside.
The smell of freshly washed towels slaps me in the face, but I love the lavender smell mixed with pine in the air. I take in the fluffy robes and folded towels draped next to the large claw foot tub with a tray off to the side to hold whatever I would want with me.
My fingers brush over the buttery soft material as my eyes catch on a plate of products.
“What’s this?” I reach over and pick up a few.
Winter scent bubble bath, Vanilla scent bubble bath, soaps, shampoos, conditioner, oils…
the list goes on with more next to the sink that I will have to investigate later.
I open the winter scent and bring it to my nose, the light aroma of pine trees in the chilly fall air when snow is just about to fall surrounds me.
My favorite. I reach over and turn the hot water knob on the tub and put a few scoops of bubble bath in.
While I wait for that to fill, I go into the bedroom to unpack my limited clothing.
I hang my inappropriate clothing that’s not suited for the current weather raging outside and stuff my bag in the bottom of the closet.
I grab my phone off the bed and start my soothing playlist. A notification from Mom lights up my screen.
I peek in at the tub and rush to turn it off before reading my latest message.
Mom: Be safe. Try to meet someone! I’m not getting any younger and neither are you. Love you.
“Great.” I swipe the messages closed and notice the corner of my phone flashing. “Oh, look, one bar, barely. ”
I set my phone to airplane mode. I don’t need it to die mid bath while it searches for more bars, plus I need a full break. No more messages from mom. I need my music to float around me while I blissfully ignore all my life choices.
Twisting my hair on top of my head, I strip and slide under the scalding water. “This is already the best trip I’ve been on. A whole week of this is just what I need. ”
I don’t turn off the nozzle until the water is above my shoulders.
My body is completely covered in warmth, the scent of trees wrapping around me.
I hear a dull thud from far away, but I’m sure it’s just the logs from the fireplace settling.
I brush it off as I relax into the heat and close my eyes.
After being in the tub for an hour and refilling it twice, I slip from the water and slide the fluffy robe over my body.
Next step, find my cozy socks, get a bottle of wine, and relax by the fire.
I was able to stuff every pair of fluffy socks I own in my bag without Ashlyn noticing.
I hate having cold feet. Sweat drips down my back and chest from staying in water so hot it turned my skin pink.
I slide the sides of my robe open to let in a little breeze, the tie barely holding it all together. That’s better.
The listing said the cabin came stocked with limited wine and beer, so I leave the few bottles I packed on the dresser and open the bedroom door.
The warm scent of blueberry muffins and coffee wafts through the air.
“Mmmm, I could definitely get used to this.” Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, letting the aroma lift me up. A memory rushes to the surface.
Ten-year-old me stands in the kitchen at my grandma’s house. Fresh coffee drips into the pot as Grandma reaches for a mug. “Alexandra, would you like a cup?”
I lift my face away from the strawberries and powdered sugar I’m eating, my brown eyes wide. “Um, yes!” I squeal, bouncing in my seat. Mom would never allow me coffee.
My grandma laughs and pours me half a cup, then pulls out the milk and sugar and sets it next to my mug. I rush over to look inside. “It will be hot. Add some milk.” My grandma smiles as she takes her own cup, full and black, sipping and watching me.
I dump milk in, filling the cup almost to the top, and take a big sip. “Ew. I don’t like it.” I scrunch my nose in disgust and set it down.
She laughs again and slides the sugar to me with a spoon, nodding to my cup.
I add three large spoonfuls, stir, and sip again. My nose scrunches again, but now I’m determined. It’s getting better but still not great. I add four more scoops, stir, and sip. A slow smile spreads across my little face. Grandma smiles back and waves me over. “Okay. Let’s make blueberry muffins.”
I slowly walk over to the bowl, watching my coffee cup closely so it doesn’t slosh all over the floor, and set it next to the mixing bowl .
A man’s throat clearing snaps me out of my memory. “I definitely could, too.” I jump as James’s eyes bore into mine, searing my soul before he looks back at the oven and turns the timer off before it can beep. He pulls out the tray of muffins as I stare, trying to get my mind to catch up.
“Umm…what are you still doing here?” My breathing is erratic as I watch the muscles on his forearms flex where his sleeves are rolled up.
He slides his hands slowly into the front pockets of his jeans, which are hugging everything perfectly, and I mean everything as he leans against the counter. Did it get hotter in here?
I run my hand over my neck as my eyes travel back up to his face.
Those eyes simmer with a hunger I haven’t seen…
in, well…a long time. I glance down to see what he’s looking at and see the curve of my breasts breaking out from where the robe hangs open.
Oops . I slowly slide the sides together and pull the tie tight, suddenly suffocating again.
James keeps his eyes glued to mine. “It’s worse than I initially thought out there.
Your car is also stuck in the middle of the driveway, so I will have to clear it out in the morning when I can see better.
” He places a muffin and a full cup of coffee-cocoa in front of me.
“I’ll sleep on the couch, so I won’t bother you.
But unfortunately, you’re stuck with me tonight. ”
My cheeks flush even further knowing I’m part of the reason he’s stuck with me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think anyone would be here, and I couldn’t see where to park… Not that my car was going much further, stupid thing gets stuck in the smallest amount of snow…”
I’m rambling. I didn’t expect him to be here when I arrived, let alone hours later, and now , he’s staying the night.
This is a complete disaster . Hopefully my trip of reflection won’t be completely ruined and James can get back to his life soon.
“Alex?” My head snaps up. James’s eyes are still trying to sear through to my soul.
Shit. I’m in my head again. “Uh, yeah. That’s fine. I mean, what else are you going to do with this weird storm?” I shrug and shove part of the hot muffin in my mouth. There’s nothing better than a muffin straight out of the oven.
This is totally the most normal thing that could happen to two people that are basically strangers-slash-fake dating to certain people. I’m not nervous at all to have a very sexy man that happens to be an amazing kisser snowed in with me.
He nods and glances behind me. “Would you like to sit by the fire with your snack?”
I agree on reflex as he collects the plate of muffins and his coffee before heading to the table in the living room.
I inhale a shaky breath, gathering myself before turning to follow him. I should have put clothes on. Fucking idiot. Too late now, I guess.
I scurry to the chair across from him. I set my mug down and grab a fuzzy blanket from the basket in the corner and wrap it around my body.
It’s already warm by the fire and under this robe, but I really don’t need to flash James…
again. Honestly, the amount of dumb shit he’s witnessed from me at this point is astonishing and should show him enough red flags to run for the hills.