Page 24 of A Very Merry Mistake

He puts his large hand on her back and pets her smoky-gray fur. “No cattitude allowed.”

He adjusts his body, moving her to the side of him as he stands. Tinsel growls, then hops on the floor and lies on the rug.

“I grabbed some spare blankets for you. That’s a quilt my mawmaw made.”

I glance at the carefully cut and sewn squares, a collage of different red-and-white Christmas-themed patterns. A yawn escapes me, and he notices. Most would just ignore the gesture, because the people I’m surrounded by at home are high on caffeine, trying to ignore their own exhaustion.

Jake grabs a sheet and places it on the cushions, tucking it into the couch, then spreads the beautiful quilt on top before placing a pillow that came from his bedroom at the end.

“Your bed awaits you, milady,” he states, presenting it to me.

I try to hold back a smile as I take a few steps toward it and slide inside. When I glance over, I see Tinsel staring. Her tail flicks a few times, but her stony gaze doesn’t falter.

“Does she look at everyone like that? Like she wants to murder them?”

“My sweet girl would never,” he says as he looks at her with a fond smile, and she blinks slowly, that tail still whipping around like she’s agitated. Then he brings his attention back to me. “Need me to leave a light on? Or close the curtains?”

I have the perfect view of the moonlit land surrounding his sanctuary in the woods. “No. I don’t need any special treatment. You’ve done enough already.”

“If you change your mind, you know where my room is. I’ll be in there. Okay?”

“Thanks. Good night, Jake.”

“Night, CeCe.”

I smile, sinking deeper into the cushions. “Your couch is much better than the sidewalk.”

“I’m not sure how high a compliment that is, but it’s yours for as long as you need it. Even if that means five weeks.”

“I couldn’t impose.” I yawn, not able to hold back a smile. We’ve just met, but I feel like I’ve known this man for years.

“Never say never.” The overhead light turns off, and the flame from the fire casts a warm glow in the room.

I hear Jake’s door open, followed by the sound of Tinsel’s collar jingling as she trots down the hall. The soft click of it closing is the last thing I remember as I drift off to sleep.

* * *

When I wake, I’m not sure what time it is, but it’s still dark outside. I blink a few times and realize I’m parched. After traveling all day and dealing with the catastrophe I call life, I know I’m not hydrated.

The logs in the fire are glowing red, and there is a tiny flicker of a flame, but it’s mostly out.

As I sit up to go to the kitchen for some water, I see movement outside. Immediately, my heart races as a long shadow dances across the ground. I’m scared, so scared that I rush to Jake’s room. When I open the door, I see him sprawled across the bed with Tinsel curled up against his shirtless torso. There’s a lit Christmas tree in the corner and then I notice his bed. Red sheets with a white comforter.

“Jake,” I whisper. He doesn’t respond. “Jake.” I use my full voice but don’t want to startle him, so I focus on controlling my volume even though my anxiety is creeping up.

His eyes bolt open. “What’s wrong?”

“I think I saw someone outside,” I admit.

He slips out from under the blankets and puts on a pair of black-framed glasses that complements his strong jawline.

Nerdy but confident men are my weakness. He moves toward me, muscles cascading down his hard body as his joggers ride low on his hips. I can’t find my words.

Gently, Jake rests his hands on my shoulders while studying me.

The moonlight shines enough for me to see his full expression.

He smells like cedar and mint and man.

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