Page 3 of His Cabin Obsession

I’m about to agree when I look over at Olivia and hesitate. She’s beautiful – just stunning. I’m here in this remote cabin, an angel walks right in by coincidence, and I’m going to send her away? That doesn’t sound smart.

She’s exactly the kind of girl I’ve been looking for, for a long time. Perfect in every way. I picture running my hands over her curvy hips and thighs, stripping that innocent white dress away so I can admire her body, and a shiver runs through me.

Maybe we don’t have to go to separate cabins after all. Maybe she could stay here and I could make her mine. Wouldn’t that be a better use of my week away from civilization?

I turn my head away from Olivia, lowering my voice. “What about a discount?”

“As well as a move to the new cabin?” the woman on the other end of the line asks, sounding a little tense. I guess she knows she’ll have to give us more if we ask for it, to uphold their reputation, but the car will probably already cost a lot. It would be a big hit to their bottom line. I can work with this.

I cross the length of the cabin in a few strides and dodge Olivia’s bags, still in the doorway, to head outside. I don’t want her to hear the conversation. I want her to think I’m going out to yell or give the booking agent some harsh words, so she’ll believe that I fought hard for a solution.

“Instead of,” I say, keeping my words short and vague just in case Olivia can still hear.

“Instead of moving cabins?” the woman says, sounding surprised. “You’d want to share the cabin?”

“I think we can make it work,” I say evenly. “But we’ll need compensation for the screw-up, obviously.”

There’s a pause, then the woman slowly says, “I’ve been authorized to give you half off your stay, each.”

I consider that. I don’t need the money, and I’m getting a benefit out of this anyway. “Were the bookings the same price?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Then refund Olivia in full. I’ll take the hit.”

“Are you sure?”

I can hear the doubt in her voice, but I press on. She doesn’t need an explanation – she just needs to know how to make this right for her customers. “I’m sure. Send the refund as soon as possible.”

I end the call without giving her a chance to argue again. I pause for a moment, looking out at the trees with a sly smile beginning to curve my lips.

This is shaping up to be a very interesting week – much more so than I expected.

Chapter Three

Olivia

I look up expectantly as Aaron comes back into the cabin. I like the way he immediately took charge of the situation, taking the responsibility of making the call so that we can sort everything out. I could barely think of what to do next, so I’m grateful he took over. Now I just hope I’m not going to lose out on my dream week of writing.

Aaron’s forehead is furrowed with a frown that has me catching my breath. It doesn’t look like good news. He shakes his head at me, then shrugs his shoulders up and down apologetically. “It looks like they really did double-book us by accident,” he says. “I tried to get another cabin, but they’re fully booked. Apparently, it’s a popular time of year.”

“Oh, no.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Does this mean I have to turn around and go straight back home?

“The good news is, they’ve agreed to a full refund.” Aaron sits down on the couch next to me, at the far end so the distance between us is not too close. “You should have all your money back in your account within the next few days.”

I feel like bursting into tears. I’ve been looking forward to this for so long, and now it’s over before it’s even begun? “I really wanted to stay here,” I say. “I can pay you to cover your booking. I know you were here first, but if you’d consider it…”

Aaron laughs, a startling sound that almost makes me jump. “Don’t worry, I’m not kicking you out,” he says. “We can both stay. The company just gave out the refund for the mix-up. I don’t mind, if you don’t.”

I think about it. This was supposed to be about total isolation – living just with myself for a week, communing with nature, whatever it is that big writers do to get the really juicy stories flowing. But I suppose it won’t be so bad if I have to share the space with someone else. After all, he’s a stranger – a tall, dark, and handsome one, at that – and he might give me some inspiration.

“I guess it could work out,” I say slowly. “It’s good to get the refund. I could do with the money for college.”

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