Page 12 of His One True Wish

“ … I was taking a bubble bath.”

The image stunned me. “A bubble bath?”

“That’s what I said.”

“Like in a tub.” I knew how small the bathtub was in the cabin’s tiny bathroom.

“Like in a tub,” he repeated.

“You’re just so tall,” I said, gesturing to his body. “How does all that fit into Gran’s tiny tub.” Without thinking, my eyes traveled down his body, once again taking in his damp, dark hair, trimmed beard, broad shoulders, and chiseled chest. He turned, revealing a tattoo on his left arm that looked like a military emblem of some sort. Icoughed to clear my head and focused on glaring into his beautiful, green eyes.

“I fit,” he said. “In fact, it was quite relaxing until I heard banging in the kitchen. I figured raccoons had gotten inside. So, I grabbed the poker.”

“I know you grabbed the poker. I was here to see it. Remember? You held it over your head, all scary.”

“I am sorry I scared you, but this is probably about the timeyoushould apologize tome,” he said.

“For what?”

“For breaking intomyhome.”

“I’m not apologizing. And maybe you should be thanking me for bringing your dog inside.”

“Oh, yeah. Thank you, though she was fine,” he said, giving me another maddeningly wicked grin. “She’s got a fur coat.”

“Well, she seemed pretty cold to me.” I glanced out the window from my perch on the countertop next to the fridge. Heavy snowflakes blanketed the sky. This wasn’t a flurry. It was a storm. I was supposed to be halfway done emptying out the truck and enjoying a hot toddy in the process. Instead, I was trapped in Gran’s kitchen by a naked Adonis like a treed cat in the woods.

I put down my bottle of Baileys, exhaled, and dropped my hands on my knees in defeat. I leaned against the fridge. I was so tired.

“Don’t fall,” he said, moving toward me, hands raised.

“I’m fine,” I said, glancing down at him. “And please don’t touch me while you’re naked.”

He took a step back. Without a word, he reached for a dish towel and held it over his junk with a sly smile. He cleared his throat. “Better?”

“It’s better,” I said, cheeks burning. Somehow, the fact he had masked his action like Adam with a fig leaf made him even more attractive to me. What was happening to me?

He gave me a gentlemanly nod that made me feel a bit melty.

“How about I help you off the ledge,” he said, offering me one of his hands.

“No, thank you,” I said, gripping the edge of the fridge.

“You just looked a little unsteady.”

“I can do it myself, thank you.” I held up a hand and used the side of the fridge to lower myself to the ground. “See? Just fine.” I cleared my throat.

“Nine out of ten on the dismount,” he said, stepping back to give me room.

“Hilarious,” I said. This guy had a smart-ass edge. There was also a sweetness to him that felt like the soft nuzzle of a golden retriever nudging me for a hug. A golden retriever with a cock that looked like a goddamn magic wand.

“How about you tell me your name, and we figure out what we are going to do about this misunderstanding?” he said softly.

“There is no misunderstanding,” I said, straightening up. “This is my gran’s house. If she rented this place to you, it’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

“See, this definitely has the ring of a misunderstanding.”

“There is no way you can stay here,” I said. “I don’t care if you have a lease.” I knew it was irrational, but I didn’t want anyone in this house but me or Mom.

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