Page 33 of Never In My Wildest Dreams

“Are you sure? Because Macaron Dream’s delicious, too.”

He recoiled as if he’d just touched squirrel poop.

She was grinning so hard it hurt. “Oh, wait. I’ve got one you’re going to love. Caramel Vanilla Delight.” She grabbed the pod and waved it at him.

As he sat on the hearth untying his boots, he gave her a slight shake of his head. “No. Thank you.”

“I’ve never heard a thank you sound that painful. Like you’re having your wisdom teeth extracted.” She finally released her laughter. “I’m kidding, Slick. Hang on.” At the bottom of the basket, she found several labeled Deep Roast.That’s close enough.She popped the pod into the machine and hit the switch. “No cream or sugar, right?” she called.

“Nope.”

While it gurgled, she faced him. “I didn’t mean it like that, you know. I know this is awful for you, and I don’t think for one second we’re playing house and having a merry Christmas together.”

He pulled off his boots and set them by the fire. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“When I said we can see the tree when we come out of the bedroom, I didn’t mean it like we’re a couple.”

“I wasn’t thinking anything like that.”

“You made a funny face, so I know you were thinking something.”

He looked her right in the eyes. “I was thinking about what happens in the bedroom before a couple comes out of it.”

“Oh.” Heat rushed up her neck. “Right.” There was no mistaking his darkly sensual look, and it sent a hot burst of desire spiraling through her.

But I’m not his type. He’d said that last night.

“Coffee’s ready.” He tipped his head toward the counter as he peeled off his socks.

She pulled down another mug for herself and dropped her caramel pod into the machine. This man confused her, aroused her, and thrilled her. Yet if she’d met him outside this cabin, would she have even given him the time of day?

He was assertive, blunt, and unapologetically himself. And she liked it because he knew his own mind. His powerful presence made her feel safe. Like if they were on a sinking boat, she could cling to him because he’d be the one to survive.

And boy, did she need that. Not the saving. Just the clinging part. She lowered her head as a wave of emotion crashed over her. She wanted to step into his arms, be enveloped in his strength, and have him whisper,You got this.

But he was a stranger who didn’t want her in his cabin. He’d come here for some time alone. Not to babysit or offer therapy to a pop singer who’d lost her identity.

“You okay?” he asked in that deep, rumbly voice.

“Yeah, of course.” She forced a smile.

“One thing about me. I don’t like bullshit.” He washed his hands in the sink and then dried them on a dishtowel. “I’m not that guy who gets upset when women cry. I’m not put off by shows of emotion. So, if you’re having a hard time, you can tell me about it. I won’t freak out.” He reached around her for the coffee, cupped both hands around the mug, and took a swig. Lifting it, he grimaced. “Thanks.”

She laughed. “You hate it.”

“It’s not as strong as I like my coffee, but that doesn’t matter. It’s hot. Now, come on.” He pulled scissors from a drawer. “You can tell me what’s on your mind while we make some decorations.”

She watched him grab a few bags of popcorn from a cabinet, peel off the plastic, and drop one into the microwave. “Garlands?”

“Yep.” He pulled fishing line from a cabinet in the laundry room.

“Hang on. I’ve got something fun for them.” She grabbed the bags of pastel-colored marshmallows that had come in a basket. On her way to the fireplace, she looked around the room to see what other supplies they might have. Her gaze landed on the stack of boxes. “How about you handle the garlands, and I’ll make some paper snowflakes?”

“Sounds good.” He grabbed some kindling, and in a matter of seconds, had fastened fishing line around the sticks to create a star. He held it up. “The tree topper.”

She broke into a smile. “I love it.” As she headed to the table, the microwave beeped. She pulled out one bag and threw in another. “How many do you think we’ll need?”

“I don’t know. Five? Six?” He settled the ornament on top of the tree.

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