Page 23 of Never In My Wildest Dreams

“I appreciate that. Because if you hadn’t opened the flue, you’d have had some problems.” He reached inside for the lever. “See this?” When she came closer, he got walloped by her scent.

It was powdery, feminine, and sweet, and it kicked his arousal into gear.

Fucking hell.

“What’s a flue?” She peered up the chimney, completely unaware that his body had gone haywire from her proximity.

“It’s a duct that brings in oxygen to feed the fire and removes smoke and gasses.” He’d turned brusque. Almost rude. But he couldn’t help it.

Those pink lips parted as she looked up, and her tongue peeked out to lick the bottom one.

Desire churned, heating his blood and making his skin tingle.

His body’s reaction didn’t make sense. Usually, he hooked up with professional women who wore high heels that showcased toned legs and silky blouses and tight skirts that accentuated curves.

But Hellcat wasn’t wearing makeup. Her body was covered with a puffy robe and baggy sweatpants. And she wasn’t telegraphing a sultry invitation.

She sat back on the stone bench. “Show me how you do it?” A hint of chocolate scented her breath.

He shifted the lever, opening the flue. “I hope you prefer dark.” Had she dug through his grocery bags?

“Dark?” When her gaze snapped over to him, she must’ve realized how close they were. She looked a little surprised, but also…her eyelids went a little lazy. Her mouth softened. “Are you talking about the flue?”

“No.” He laughed. “Dark chocolate. I didn’t have time to look through the flavors. All I know is I don’t like milk or white.”

“Oh.” Pink flooded her cheeks, and she wiped the corners of her mouth. “Sorry. I was so hungry. I’ll order you more.”

“Of all the things you found in my grocery bags, you chose the European chocolate caramel bar because you were starving? Why not the eggs? The bread?”

“Well, because I’m not stupid. That was some good stuff.”

That smile tilting the corners of her mouth sent a rush of want through him. It knocked him sideways.Make the fucking fire.“Do you have newspapers or something?”

“Um, no.” She glanced around the living room, her gaze landing on the dining room table. “But I have cardboard boxes.”

He hadn’t noticed before, but it was covered in cellophane-wrapped baskets. “What’s all that?” A stack of boxes lined up against the wall.

“It’s what I’ve been living on.” She said it like she thought it was hilarious, but he could tell it embarrassed her.

“Gift baskets?” The cabin was outside the range for most restaurant and grocery delivery services, but she could easily drive into town for takeaway or weekly shopping.

“Yeah.” She still wouldn’t look at him. “I don’t cook, so… Anyhow, the baskets have been fun.”

“There’s a gourmet store in town. Harley and Lu’s. They have prepared foods.”

She rallied with a smile. “They don’t deliver this far, and I don’t have a car. But also, I’ve had a strict diet most of my life, and I used to watch people eat decadent and fattening foods and wonder what it would be like to have no rules. I mean, to be able to eat whatever I want? Just gorge myself? How fun is that?”

So…religious background? Pageant girl? “I get that. I’m pretty strict, too.” For him, though, it was a habit left over from his hockey days. “Well, I’ve got groceries, so I’ll make us eggs, toast, and bacon.”

“That would be amazing. I mean, some of those are fruit baskets, but mostly, it’s just crackers and olive tapenade. Salami. Cookies. So, the idea of fresh eggs…yum.” She had a dreamy expression that got his attention.

Because it made him think of sex. How she would look if he was licking her?—

You gotta cut this shit out. He got up abruptly to grab some boxes. After stomping them flat, he tore off some pieces and headed back to the stone hearth. “The paper goes under the grate.” He kept a pile of kindling branches in a big basket, so he grabbed some of those. “These go on top.” Against the wall, he’d stacked a mountain of logs. “And then, these.”

She nodded like she was taking mental notes. “So, it’s a whole system. I would’ve just put the logs on and then tried to light them.” She gestured to the stack. “Looks like we’re good through the apocalypse.”

“I like chopping wood. It’s good exercise out here in the middle of nowhere. But yeah, it’ll keep us warm for a few days.”Wait—a few days?That’s not going to happen.She wouldn’t be here that long, and he had to get back to New York. At least, get into town where he had Wi-Fi. He couldn’t think with her in his space…dancing…laughing…smelling all powdery and shit.

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