Page 6 of Losing Hope

When he’d turned to find her standing there with the lamp, it was the first time he got a really good look at her and noticed what an attractive woman she was. She was wearing what he was sure was some expensive designer dress, in a dark color that offset the pale color of her skin. It was belted tightly around her small waist, accenting the curve of her hips. The back of the dress had a slit that allowed him to see her long legs as she walked away. Her blonde hair was wrapped up in a ball at the base of her neck, but he would bet when it was undone, it was long. She was definitely in a different league thanhim.

After finally peeling his jeans off, he hung them and his dripping shirt on the hooks behind the door. He placed one of the towels under the dripping clothes to capture the water then took the other and wrapped it around his waist, securing it tightly. Walking over to the lamp, he picked it up and wandered down the hallway. He stopped in amazement at the space that lay beforehim.

It was a huge open room that was filled with big comfy couches, bookcases, and an enormous stone fireplace. Off to the left was a kitchen that looked like it could cook for an army if required. But it was the wall of windows that captured his attention. Even though it was dark, he could see the lake on the other side of the glass, rain splattering the water and waves crashing into the shore. He imagined it must be beautiful on a day when the sun was shining. The sound of pattering feet had him turning back around to see her as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

“Oh!” She seemed startled to see him in the living room. “Sorry, I didn’t expect to see you inhere.”

“Did you want me to wait in the hallway like a dog?” he asked her jokingly.

“No, of course not.” He couldn’t help notice how she stared at his chiseled chest and stomach, a dusting of light brown hair covering his pecs leading down to what he knew was a well-defined waist. He had that V thing women seemed to love, that started at his hips and dipped below the edge of his towel, and his tattoos were on display. He had a large Celtic cross on his upper left arm and, on his right side, a tribal tattoo that started on the back side and wrapped around his shoulder and down part of his arm. The word Faith was written over his heart, too, but with the angle he was standing, he doubted she could see it clear enough to make itout.

She held out the clothes she had taken from her brother’s room. “Here you go. It’s just a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, but they’redry.”

He walked forward and took them from her. He pulled the t-shirt over his head and thought he heard her groan. Grabbing the sweats, he started pulling them on under the towel.

“Whoa! What are you doing?” She held out her hands and then turned around, trying to cover her eyes with her freehand.

“What?” He looked up in surprise, saw her embarrassment, and laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not taking the towel off until I’m covered.”

She stammered, “I barely knowyou!”

“Which is why I’m putting some clothes back on. I do believe I made a promise not to rape or murderyou.”

She spun around at that, looking relieved to see he was dressed again. “Not funny.”

He laughed out loud. “You’re a skittish thing, aren’tyou?”

“No, I’m not.” She put her hands on her hips and stuck her chest out defiantly. “But you are a complete stranger to me. I’m not used to strange men getting naked in front ofme.”

“I wasn’t naked.” He smiled again. “Thank you very much for the dry clothes. Phone?”

She looked at him and gave him an apologetic frown. “Out. Sorry, no power means no phone, and without power, I can’t charge my cell phone. Did you check to see if yours has reception?”

“Yeah, I checked when you were getting me the clothes. Not a singlebar.”

Her eyes narrowed, and a small frown fell on her lips. “Okay, not a rapist or murderer, right?”

“Right. Still ano.”

“Okay, well, I can’t very well throw you out in the storm, and there is no way I’m driving you all the way back to town. So, I guess you’re staying here for the night.”

Looking her in the eye and nodding slowly, Gage asked, “You sure you’re okay withthat?”

“I’ve got a lock on my door, and I’ll sleep with a knife under my pillow, too.” She winked at him as she saidthis.

A wide grin broke across his face. “Thanks. Really, I appreciatethis.”

She held up her hands in defeat and shrugged. “Well, there’s not much else we can do, so it is what it is. Plus, you rescued me in the end with the whole tree mess, so who really ended up being the herohere?”

He pretended to puff out his chest. “Course I did. That’s what us heroesdo.”

They both laughed. She walked over to the counter and grabbed one of the oil lamps. “I’m going to go change. The kitchen was stocked this morning, so you should be able to find anything you need in the fridge. I don’t know how long the power’s been out, though, so just be careful, I guess. The pantry has wine, too, if you want a glass.”

She started walking toward the stairs and then turned around. “Do you know how to light afire?”

“Yep.” He grinned broadly. “Earned my boy scout badge for it and everything.”

“Wonderful. Would you mind starting one for us? The furnace is gas, but it still needs electricity to run, and it might help to keep the house warm for us tonight.”

“No problem.” He walked toward the huge fireplace.

“Kindling, matches, and wood should all be stocked over there. Thanks so much.” With that, she walked up the stairs.

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