Page 91 of Snowed In

“Yes, but, Owen, you can’t?—”

“Great.” He nodded. “That’s all in my calendar.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Owen. You can’t,”

“Again—” He pulled my hand away from my face as he spoke softly. “—I think you’ll find I can.”

Chapter Six

Owen

An hour later, I was crammed onto Rory’s tiny sofa. It was so small that I was forced to lie on my side, my knees practically tucked to my chest. Several springs had made their home in my ribs, making it possibly the most uncomfortable place I’d ever slept.

Rory had offered to share his bed or for him to take the sofa. I’d said no to both. As my cute barista was learning, my stubbornness was unmatched. Once I’d put my mind to something, there was nothing anyone could do to change it.

Now though, I kind of wished I’d caved. I could be in Rory’s bed right now, snugly tucked in with the man of my dreams mere feet away.

And that right there is exactly why you’re not.

It had been a revelation to learn that, not only did I not make Rory uncomfortable, but he thought the same about me. It gave me hope. A secret and possibly quite foolish one.

Was Rory nervous around me because he had feelings for me? Or, at the very least, found me attractive?

If that was true, why hadn’t he accepted my invitation to dinner?

I lifted the blanket slightly higher, trying to will my body to stopshivering. It wasn’t Rory’s fault; he’d given me several thick blankets. The problem was the snow. It was piling up high against the house now, the icy chill finding its way in through every crack and crevice. I was willing to bet an entire month’s pay that the landlord hadn’t had the windows in this place upgraded in at least two decades. At this point, I’d be amazed if they were even double glazed.

Soft footsteps sounded on the staircase a few seconds before a rumpled Rory appeared in the doorway. He was wearing flannel pyjama bottoms and a long-sleeved sleep shirt. Arms folded over his chest, he bounced on his toes to try and ward off the cold. The whole picture he presented had my heart aching. What would it be like to tuck him into my arms and keep him warm?

“Come on,” he said simply, jerking his head towards the stairs. “I can hear your teeth chattering from upstairs. You’re going to share my bed.”

“Am not.”

Rory studied me for a second before shrugging. “Suit yourself.”

He strode across the room, snagging a blanket from the basket and dropping into the armchair. My eyes widened. Not only was it far too small for a man Rory’s height, but it looked in even worse condition than the sofa. “Umm…what are you doing?”

“Sleeping here.” He wriggled in the chair, trying to get comfy. “If you’re going to be stubborn about sharing a bed with me, I’ll sleep here. You can either go get in it and I’ll take the sofa, or we can both stay down here and be miserable.”

Game, set, and match to Rory.

I smiled despite myself. “And I thought I was stubborn.”

“I’m not stubborn, I’m practical. If you sleep down here, you’ll be practically frozen by the morning.”

“Fine,” I grumbled, getting to my feet and wincing as my muscles protested. Not a single part of my body had liked being wedged in like that. “Don’t know how I didn’t pick up on your stubborn streak. I should’ve realised you shared that trait with me when you tried to insist on paying me or continuing to walk to and from work.”

I held out a hand, praying he’d take it. He hesitated a moment before sliding his smaller one into mine. Warmth spread from where our skin touched, igniting a fire inside me that even the snow outside couldn’t dampen.

“Again, I say practical, not stubborn.” Was it just my imagination, or did Rory sound a little breathless?

He didn’t release my hand, using it to lead me up the stairs and into his bedroom. My heart began to race in my chest, my mouth drying out.

Nothing is happening,I told myself sternly.You’re sharing a bed out of convenience. That’s all.

Rory didn’t drop my hand until we stepped into the bedroom. “Ah, sorry.”

“It’s fine.” My voice came out huskier than I’d intended. “I’m not bothered by you touching me, Rory.”

---