Page 11 of The Pucking Girl Next Door

"What movie did you pick out?" she asks me bringing my thoughts back to the gorgeous woman in front of me.

Of course, I realize that she's changed the subject and is completely ignoring our conversation from upstairs. I try to make eye contact, to tell if I can see what she's thinking, but she refuses to look at me. I know it's because I've come on strong, so for now, I let it go.

"I thought we could watch Men in Black," I reply, grabbing the remote from the table and pressing play.

"That sounds great. I used to love that movie as a kid."

Wanting her to know that I still remember everything about her, I sit back on the couch and reply, "I remember."

She says nothing, just looks at me for a beat with her jaw hanging open, but quickly recovers when she grabs a blanket and looks away from me. I'm sure she thought I just forgot about her when she moved away, and even though I tried, I never forgot about the only girl I was ever drawn to.

Stretching my arms out, I watch her sit down on the other side of the large sectional, forcing a chuckle from me. She glares up at me as she fixes her blanket, and I can't help but keep grinning because this woman is something else. She pulls her feet up under herself in a tiny ball, keeping clear of any place that could accidentally touch me.

Once she's situated and comfortable, I turn my head back toward the television, trying to focus on the movie but I can't stop myself from stealing glances at her. We continue to watch the movie in silence, except for a laugh here and there. When the credits roll, I glance over at Annabelle and she's sound asleep. A smile graces my face when I hear her little snores.

Getting up off the couch, I go over to where she’s sleeping. I put my hands under her body and pull her into mine, cradling her just right so I don't wake her up. With her warm body pressed up against me, I've never been more grateful for my hockey workout routine. Slowly, I walk up the stairs toward the guest room I'm staying in, making sure that I don't jostle her too much.

When I get to the doorway, she makes a cute mewl, and even though I know I shouldn't do it, I lay her down on the bed I've been sleeping in. Knowing that I should walk away and sleep on the couch, especially after the way she refused to talk about being in a relationship, I can't seem to force myself to walk away.

I pull my shirt and pants off, leaving me in just my boxers. Grabbing the comforter, I pull it back, making sure I tuck her body underneath them before I crawl into bed with her. I'm sure she'll yell at me for being in the bed with her, but I can't seem to find it in me to care about it.

Watching her sleep, I vow to myself that even though she might be sad that her family isn't here, this Christmas, I'm going to show her how good the holidays can be with me.

Chapter 10

Annabelle

Waking up this morning, I felt really warm. I can feel every drop of sweat that is rolling down my back. Maybe I left the heat on too high last night. I need to get up and check to see what the thermostat is set to. Rolling over, I feel a hard lump next to me, causing my eyes to shoot open.

Then a rush of memories play out in my mind from yesterday the snowstorm, checking out my parents' house, finding Smith at their house, Frannie calling me last night and realizing that I'll be spending my first Christmas away from my family. Sadness tries to creep into my bones once again, but an enormous arm comes across my torso, distracting me.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see Smith lying next to me, snuggling into my pillow. What the hell is he doing sleeping next to me? I glance around the room and realize that we're in one of the guests rooms. Rolling away, I try to extract myself from him. Once I'm successful, I place both feet on the floor.

I don't even remember falling asleep, the last thing I remember is watching a movie. Stretching my arms above myhead, I let out a small groan as my body tries to loosen up. Before I even stand up to use the restroom, I can already feel him looking at me I guess he's awake too.

Not ready to face anything, especially any feelings that were brought up last night, I keep my eyes cast down not looking at Smith. I just push off the bed and head toward the attached bathroom, closing and locking the door.

Plopping down on the toilet, I relieve myself, but I also drop my head into my hands as I sit there wallowing in my feelings. What the hell am I going to do about all of this? It's just too much. Maybe if I don't bring anything up he'll take a hint and give me space, because I need it to keep my head on straight.

Ever since I was a young girl, I wanted nothing more than for Smith to notice me, but he never did. The only time he seemed to notice anything about me is when he would join Steve in keeping other kids away from me. Even after we moved away, I would secretly imagine what it would be like for Smith to show up here and declare his feelings for me.

By the time I graduated from high school, I had already learned about the many dalliances that Smith had through my brother. I just knew deep down in my gut that he would never be mine. Smith just isn't that type of guy.

But last night when he said we were more than friends, the feminist and rational adult in me knew I needed to shut it all down. But the teenage girl in me shouted with glee.

A knock on the door reminds me I need to get up and stop worrying about Smith and me. Because there is not an us, we don't even know each other anymore. How does he even know he likes me? We haven't seen each other in years.

"Annabelle. Are you okay? " His deep masculine voice breaks through my thoughts and the door.

"I'm fine, be out in a minute," I shout while washing my hands, the whole time contemplating the situation, I seem tohave found myself in. I mean, we grew up together and he is my brother's best friend, so we know each other on one level, but we also have so much to learn.

I rip open the door and come face to face with a shirtless Smith. My mouth waters as I take in his muscular pecs. Yesterday I saw he had a tattoo quickly but didn't get a good look at it. Today I can see it's some type of tribal image that wraps around his shoulder. When I come eye to eye with him, he is staring at me with his sexy smirk and I know he caught me checking him out.

Not wanting to deal with what he might say, I push past him before he can open his stupid, gorgeous mouth. But because he is him, he doesn't let me get away without saying something. "I'll make breakfast for us in a few minutes."

I don't even acknowledge what he said, I head straight toward my parents' room, not just to borrow clothes from my mom, but to put some space between us. I need to make sure I keep my head on straight.

I was so distracted by the appearance of Smith yesterday I didn't think about going back to my cottage and grabbing a load of clothes to bring back up here to the main house. That'll be the first thing I do after I grab clothes from my mom. She won't mind.

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