Page 37 of Knotting With A Stranger

“Yeah, thinking about how to disappear into the woods,” Archer laughs.

My fingers fidget with the hem of my top as I watch them, my skin flushed and sensitive. I should be scared. I should be planning my exit strategy. Instead, I’m wondering what James’s stubbled jaw would feel like against my palm.

“So, Flour Girl,” Archer says, interrupting my thoughts. “What’s your poison? Wine? Beer? Something stronger to take the edge off being stranded with three strange men in the woods?”

“Archer!” Hunter smacks him with a dish towel. “Way to make it sound like we’re creeps.”

“Hey, for all she knows, we could be,” Archer winks at me. “But then we’d be terrible at it, feeding you first.”

A laugh bubbles up unexpectedly from my throat. The sound seems to please James, whose eyes soften as they hold mine.

“Earth to Lily,” Hunter’s remark breaks through the charged atmosphere. “You planning to eat standing up?”

I blink, realizing I’ve been lost. Archer’s ladling out what looks like heaven—chicken and vegetable stew, perfectly mashedpotatoes, and garlic bread that makes my mouth water just looking at it. The guys are already moving toward the living room, bowls in hand.

“Coming,” I say, grabbing my own bowl. Thor follows at my heels as we settle on the couches around the crackling fire. The malamute plants himself at my feet, a furry guardian angel. Hunter is on an armchair, and James and Archer are on opposite ends of the large couch, leaving me the loveseat. Giving me space.

The first bite of stew makes me moan embarrassingly. “Oh my God.”

“Good?” Archer’s studying me with that intense gaze of his.

“I take back every doubtful thing I ever thought about your cooking skills.” I take another bite. “This is amazing. Where did you learn to cook like this?”

“Self-preservation,” Hunter answers for him. “We were tired of protein shakes and granola bars.”

“Hey, some of us evolved past thehunt and gruntstage,” Archer shoots back.

“Barely,” James adds, and they all laugh.

The sound does something warm and dangerous to my insides. I’m fascinated by their dynamics. My gaze keeps drifting to all three of them as I keep eating.

“You okay?” Hunter asks softly. “You went somewhere else for a minute.”

“Just thinking about my sister,” I lie. “She’ll be worried.”

“The phones should work once the storm’s gone,” he assures me. “Speaking of entertainment...” He reaches for something, and suddenly, a screen is descending from the ceiling, a projector humming to life. “Movie?”

“Seriously?” I look around the rustic cabin with new eyes. “You have a hidden theater system?”

“Among other things,” Hunter says cryptically, staring at me, and my cheeks heat up instantly. “This place is full of surprises.”

“Show off,” James mutters, but he’s smiling.

“Just because you prefer your entertainment more... physical,” Hunter starts.

James throws a pillow at him with deadly accuracy.

“Children,” Archer sighs, but his eyes are amused. “More stew?”

I nod gratefully, and he takes my bowl. When he returns, his fingers brush mine as he hands it back, sending sparks up my arm. I catch James observing the interaction, something dark and hungry in his eyes.

We settle in to watch some action movie I barely register. The storm rages outside, but in here, it’s warm and comfortable. Almost too comfortable. James stretches out on his end of the couch, all graceful danger, and I keep staring at him. He reminds me so much of the James I used to text—the dry humor, the quiet intensity—but that James is gone, locked away somewhere for who knows what. I blocked his number the moment I found out, even though part of me wanted to hear his side. Wanted to believe there was more to the story.

“I should head up,” I say when the movie ends, standing perhaps too quickly. My head spins slightly, though whether from the fire’s heat or the company, I’m not sure.

“Sure you don’t want to stay for another?” Hunter asks. “I’ve got the entire Marvel collection.”

“Tempting, but...” I gesture vaguely upstairs. “Should probably get some rest. Thank you for dinner, Archer. And for...” I wave my hand around, encompassing everything. “All of this.”

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