Page 14 of Girl in the Snow
Deanna grabbed her things and headed upstairs to find the bathroom.Okay, maybe she was snooping too, because she opened the door on the left of the landing to find a master bedroom that was obviously Cal’s.
Deanna stuck her head inside to check it out.The dark blue quilt and navy and white striped sheets on the massive king-sized bed were masculine.There was a neatness about the place that seemed like him.Then there was the collection of sci-fi novels and IT and computer coding textbooks on the dark wood bookcases.Framed photographs caught her eye – city scenes of New York, London and Paris.Cal was pictured in a few of them.He was a traveller, like her.Two pairs of shoes were lined up by the door – Ugg boots and some leather work boots.
The doorway at the back of the room must lead to his ensuite, and it was calling her as if it was a portal to Narnia.Was it weird that she was poking around in here without permission?Absolutely.Was she doing it anyway?Absolutely, yes.
When she entered the bathroom, Deanna found a large glass-framed shower that was the answer to her wishes.She popped her things on the bathroom vanity and went to turn on the shower, only now hoping that the lodge didn’t rely on electric hot water.But luckily the water was hot.She let it run for a few seconds as she stripped off, shivering in the cold room.
As she ducked under the shower, she heard a thud of a door closing downstairs.At least, that’s what she hoped.It was probably Cal coming back from wherever he’d been, and not an axe murderer or random weirdo barging in while she was in the buff.
“Deanna?”Cal’s deep voice was unmistakable, even muffled, coming from downstairs and with the water falling around her.
“In the shower!”she yelled, then her face heated as she imagined him barging in on her.She also flushed at the idea that she’d invited him in without meaning to.
She rinsed quickly, using Cal’s herbal shower gel.A knock on the bathroom door had her tensing.But then, it was his house.And he’d already seen everything, or close enough.
“Come in if you like.The water’s fine.”Deanna pressed her lips together, but a giggle escaped anyway.
Next thing she knew, Cal was there, just outside the shower.She heard his groan, and Deanna looked over her shoulder since she had her back to him.Her skin tingled, liking his attention, the way his gaze was fixed on her.
Dark eyes smouldered at her, making her more confident that he wasn’t going to kick her out and send her packing.
“Pretty as a picture.”He cleared his throat and a crease appeared on his forehead.“I um, let you sleep-in when I woke up at five.I’ve been into town and the power’s still out.The main road out of town is still blocked off too.Lots of snowfall last night.”
She turned around to face him.Water ran down her back and splashed over her breasts too.“Okay.I wondered if you were trying to get rid of me when I saw my suitcases downstairs.But I hope not.”
Cal’s gaze roved over her body and his gorgeous, full lips parted.“Deanna, I–” He ran a hand through his hair, ruffling the waves adorably.“I won’t ask you to leave.I want you… I want you to stay.As long as you wish.”
“Good.”She shrugged, playing at being unbothered.
Actually, the heat in her belly was cranked up to almost inferno level.His eyes on her, his unguarded expression full of want, was enough to get her going.
“I don’t have anywhere urgent to be.I wanted a vacation.”She shot him the type of smile that used to make her mum call her a ‘cheeky rascal’.
Then a shrill ring made them both startle.
Cal’s face fell.“Ah, I guess the phone is still working.I’d better get that.”He pointed behind him, out the door.
“Okay.”Deanna spoke mainly to herself.The conversation was obviously to be continued.
A few minutes later, Deanna emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed in her fresh clothes with a towel wrapped around her wet hair.
Cal was still on the phone, sitting on the edge of the bed with the receiver pressed to his ear.“Absolutely.I’ll bring some of the honey you like from the farmer’s market.”He nodded to whoever was on the other end of the phone.“Er, there was something else.Would you mind if I bring a guest to your place?In a few days.I have a friend staying here.”
Even from where she was sitting, Deanna heard excited babbling from the other end of the phone.
Cal laughed, low and throaty.“How did you know Deanna would be here, Mum?What the hell?”
Cal glanced across at Deanna, pointing at the phone, then at her.He placed the receiver against his chest.“My mother wants to speak to you.”
“To me?”She blinked and sat down on the bed, close beside Cal.
He passed her the receiver with a puzzled expression on his face, no doubt matching her own.She brushed her fingertips against his, sending sparks flying.Everywhere.
Deanna regained her wits enough to press the receiver to her ear and speak.“Hi Priya.”
Priya’s high-pitched squeal from the other end of the line had her raising her eyebrows.“You’re really there?Hello, my darling.”
“Um, yes?It’s nice to hear from you.”Baffled.She had absolutely no idea what was happening.
