Page 6 of Snowed in at Santa's Lodge
I held my breath as he padded in my direction, only to veer off at the last moment and head into the bathroom. The door closed with a soft click. I’d been foolish to hope. We still had time, though.
A few moments later, I heard the toilet flush and running water in the sink. With the idea of not embarrassing him, I pretended to be asleep, so when the opposite side of the bed dipped, it was all I could do not to flip over and reach for him.
But how would that be? He’d offered me no invitation, no consent, and I would have to be grateful to have him so close to me. It wasn’t hard to be thankful for that. Just the previous day, I’d been so sure I had no fated or at least none likely to come into my life soon, and bam! Here he was, lying down on the bed, just a couple of feet away from me, pulling the covers up around his shoulders, and settling in.
He moved very little, at first I thought because he didn’t want to wake me, but then I realized he had fallen asleep. Unlike on the floor, he was peaceful, long smooth breaths making me happy to be alive. I was drifting off myself when he rolled over and came to settle against my side. Asleep, relaxed, and exactly where he should be.
Now to figure out a way to keep him there.
Chapter Six
Aspen
I felt awful for sneaking into his bed. At least, I had a guilty conscience about it. It didn’t feel awful next to him. But it was an invasion. I was a stranger to him. A stranger he’d been kind to, kinder than necessary, and there I was, invading his personal space, spooning him like I belonged there. Damn it. It felt like I belonged there—in his bed. Next to him. Listening to his heart beat and feeling his body breathe in that soothing rhythm. In his sleep, he tossed his blanket to the side and it covered me in the process. It almost seemed like he did it on purpose, but I knew better. He didn’t even know I was next to him.
Either that, or he was the most silent, stillest sleeper on the planet. And he was letting me sleep next to him?
It took everything in me to tear myself from the warmth he provided, but I also wanted to get up and make it up to him. I pulled my legs away first and then my torso, covering him with the blanket as I did so he didn’t notice the change in temperature as I got up. It was time for me to do something for him. If it weren’t for Ragnar and this place, I didn’t even want to think about where I’d be or what would’ve happened to me.
I could begin to show my gratitude by making breakfast. That said thank you, I thought. Everyone loved breakfast and, with those muscles, I was sure the big guy ate a lot. Not that it was a bad thing. A mountain like him needed fuel.
After brushing my teeth and splashing water on my face, I rummaged through the kitchen cabinets and found add-water-only pancake mix and then discovered some thick slices of ham in the fridge and mixed berries in the freezer. That would make a perfect breakfast. I hoped Ragnar liked pancakes. I mean, obviously he did if he had them in his pantry. But a twinge ofnervousness shot through me. Maybe it was his mate or partner who liked pancakes? The place wasn’t very large, but he could have someone who shared that big, comfortable bed and then had to leave to work or something.
I really needed to ask these questions before climbing into bed with someone. Totally clothed and nothing good happened but still. I would ask this morning if I gathered the courage.
The pancakes were almost done and the ham sizzling away when I heard his heavy footsteps come into the room. I was sure I’d woken him with all my bustling about the kitchen, but it couldn’t be helped with this tiny apartment. Cozy and warm but tiny.
“Good morning,” Ragnar said, walking over to stand next to me. “You didn’t have to do this, but it all smells amazing.”
“I did have to do this. As a thank-you for yesterday and last night and…”
“I’m actually starving this morning. So, thank you. I love berry pancakes.”
I let out a breath of relief, letting my shoulders relax. “I’m glad. I threw some logs onto the fire. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course it is. I told you to make yourself at home, and I meant it. I’ll put on the coffee,” he said, sneaking past me. His hand brushed my lower back, and it took all my discipline not to push my ass back and keep him there. I remembered how warm he was while we slept and I craved more of that—of him.
“Thank you. I-I didn’t even think about coffee,” I stammered. “I also made this breakfast to apologize.”
He snorted. “Apologize? For what, Aspen? You’ve been here less than a day. What could you possibly have done?”
I bit down on my bottom lip. I had to tell him. “I couldn’t take the floor. It was hard and cold. I-I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I snuck into bed with you. I’m so sorry. I violated your trust and your privacy and your personal space and I don’t evenknow if you have a mate and a partner and I…” I nearly burned the ham in my apology, that and my pride.
“Hey,” he said, putting his hand on my arm. Tingles exploded along my skin. “It’s okay. I offered, remember? Tonight, just start there instead of torturing yourself for hours. And about the other part…I don’t have a mate. I never have.”
I gasped. He wasn’t offended or mad. I tucked the last bit of information away, happy he didn’t. “You knew?”
He nodded. “I did. And I didn’t mind one bit. In fact…” He winked at me, making my knees wobble. “It was nice. It’s been a long, long time since someone was in my bed. I didn’t realize how lonely it was until last night.”
“Oh. Okay.”
We sat at his table for two and had breakfast. I noticed he waited for me to start eating before he did. A gentleman. Imagine that. He brought out not only maple syrup but whipped cinnamon honey to go on our pancakes. He had one pancake topped with each and, when I said I was done eating, he took the last two pancakes and ate them as well. I knew a man that large had a huge appetite. Watching him eat my food made me happy.
Coffee also tasted better when someone else made it.
“That was fantastic,” he said, sitting back and patting his stomach. “I, um, wanted to tell you, I have Wi-Fi out here but it’s spotty especially in a storm. There’s a library on the second floor but it’s still not finished. I can show it to you once you’re ready to venture out.”
This perfect man lived in a Santa lodge, had a library, and was sexy as hell? Maybe I had died on the road and this was my heaven. It was stacking up to be just that and more.
