Page 32 of Scotch & Shortbread

“Do you sleep naked?” she asked, biting her lip worriedly.

“Always,” he answered definitively.

“Oh. Right,” she said seeming to consider his response. “Sorry, so were you naked last night?” She scrunched her eyes closed in consternation.

“Always,” he repeated.

Her eyes snapped open, and he threw her a wolfish grin that he’d intended to make her tits tingle. Those big eyes were so expressive; he could practically read her every thought. She was thinking about his nakedness and all that had occurred between them. He was sure of it. When he’d thought she was an intruder and was stretched out on top of her when they were talking by the door, when she’d slept in his arms, and the entire time, he’d been naked. Completely fucking naked. It was immensely satisfying watching the flush that arose on her creamy skin. This was dangerous territory and he knew it. Discipline. He needed to exit. Now.

“I’m going chop some wood,” he stated, heading for the door. “Give it fifteen minutes or so and I’ll have the fire going again.”

“Wait,” she called. He looked back at her from the bedroom door. He almost hoped she’d ask him to get back into bed with her. Fuck, he needed to get out of the cottage.

“I wondered if I could borrow something to wear, like a hoodie and some sweats. Oh, and some socks. I’d like to take a shower, and I don’t have any clean clothes to wear.”

“Socks are in the bottom drawer. Clothes are in the closet. Take your pick. Towels are in the hall closet. There are new toothbrushes in there too. Help yourself to whatever ye need.”

Without another word, he strode out of the bedroom, leaving her all alone in his bed. For some reason, she felt abandoned. Did she expect him to pick out everything for her? She found she would have liked it if he’d stayed and they could talk for a bit. It felt like he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. Well, what did she care anyway? It was not like they were dating. Quite the opposite. She was just stuck with him for who knew how long.

Maybe the snow might be cleared enough today that she could get back to the inn. She craved writing. It sucked that she didn’t have her laptop with her.

Quinn pulled up the covers around her shoulders. It was already cooler without Alex in the bed. He’d taken Bear with him too. Dang. Not even a pup to keep her company.

The details of the middle of the night played out in her mind. She had been petrified at first when she found herself face down under him a gun to her head. It took her a second to even register what had transpired. God, what an insane moment. She was genuinely relieved to know that the gun wasn’t loaded. Alex wouldn’t have hurt her, she knew that, but it was scary when he’d mistaken her for an intruder.

She knew it was ridiculous, but there was a piece of her that also found it sexy. With his split-second reflexes and the strength of his perfectly sculpted body, the man was lethal. His dangerous look wasn’t a facade—it was reality. Yet, he’d been so gentle with her when he realized his error. The stark contrast between brute strength and kind heart had her more intrigued than she’d like to be.

She’d slept so deeply wrapped in the warmth of his protective arms. It was unfathomable to think that ever could have happened. Not only being in Mean Hot Cop’s home, but in his bed and in his arms all night long. It was crazy. A smile played on her lips as she tried to imagine how Belle and Megs would react to her current situation. They’d probably have to pick their jaws up off the floor.

Stretching, she wondered when she’d ever slept so soundly. From his perspective, he was doing his duty and keeping her from freezing to death, but for Quinn, it was more than that. She had felt so safe in his arms with his body protectively holding hers to him. It was heaven if she was being honest. She’d never felt protected by anyone in her life. She’d always done life pretty much on her own. No one to wipe her tears or tell her it would be okay. No one to chase away the cold while she slept.

Quinn had been alone most of her life. No siblings. No Dad and an absentee mother. She was used to taking care of herself. She didn’t rely on anyone. She didn’t even know how to rely on others. Since she was young, she was very independent, and the truth was, she liked it that way.

But last night in Alex’s arms, she’d felt herself let go in a way. It was like she surrendered to his warm safe embrace, like she could completely relax and let go of any worry. She pondered the thought for a time, trying to wrap her brain around it, and she couldn’t. All she knew was that she liked being in his embrace much more than she should.

“Well get over it, Quinn. He’s not interested,” she muttered to herself. If he was interested, he wouldn’t have been so quick to rush out of the bedroom.

Quinn sat up and looked around Alex’s bedroom. It had bachelor pad vibes. Nothing on the golden log walls, but it still felt cozy. The log walls didn’t need dressing up. The dark wood chest of drawers where he said she could find the socks had a Christmas cactus sitting on the top. It was in full bloom, covered in cheerful fuchsia flowers. It made her smile. Cold Lethal Cop had a very definite soft side. She would have never expected this manly Scot to have a spray of pretty Christmas flowers in his bedroom. She was very curious about the softer side of him and wondered if she might see more of it.

There was a tall narrow window on one side of the bed. She leaned over and peered out. The snow was blowing and thick. It looked bitter out. She shivered, feeling glad to be inside safe and sound.

It crossed her mind that she would have still been out there if it weren’t for Alex and Bear. It was an unsettling thought that she quickly pushed out of her mind. Quinn wasn’t one to dwell on bad things. Though the stormy weather that continued its battering rampage didn’t bode well for her hope of getting back to the inn. She sighed, snuggling back down under the thick down cover.

Hard to believe, but tomorrow was Christmas Eve. How she loved Christmas. Being stuck here was not part of her plan, but when life gives you lemons…Hmm, maybe being stuck in this cabin wasn’t so bad really. She always adored the Christmas season, and here she was tucked away in a cozy mountain cabin. It was kind of poetic really. Right there and then, she decided that she was going to make the best of her situation of being marooned with Mean Hot Cop.

Quinn forced herself from the cozy bed. The cold skittered through her as her bare feet touched the slate floor. As she hurried to the bathroom, for a hot shower, she could swear she could see her breath in the cold of Alex’s cabin.

After yesterday’s hike and then with all the shivering, her muscles were achy. It made the steamy hot water feel heavenly as it enveloped her. She spied his shampoo and body wash. The thought of smelling it set off a flutter low in her belly. As if fearing she’d be caught, she slowly picked them up and opened each taking a hearty sniff. Mmm, God, they smelled nice. So very nice. She luxuriated in their scent as she cleaned herself with them.

Next, she washed her bra and underwear in the shower too, rung them out, and hung them over the shower curtain bar to dry. It was maddening not to have any extras, but hopefully, the ones she had would dry within a few hours.

Stepping out of the bathroom, she noticed the air in the cabin felt warmer. Wrapped in a fluffy grey towel, she poked her head around the corner from the hall. She could see a good fire going in the fireplace, but looking around, she didn’t see Alex or Bear.

Back in Alex’s room, she slid the black barn door to the side and stepped into his closet. Even though he’d given her permission to help herself, she felt uncertain because she was standing in Sergeant Mackenzie's closet. It seemed the kind of thing that he wouldn’t like. She was being silly though. He’d told her to help herself.

There were two rows of neatly hung clothes. On a top shelf, there were formal police caps as well as a couple of baseball caps. Under the clothing racks were shoes, a duffle bag, and a suitcase. What struck her most was how tidy and organized it all was. Somehow, it didn’t surprise her though. The rest of his place seemed clean and organized too.

Slowly, she inched forward feeling both timid and intrigued. She gently touched the dark black police shirts that hung on an upper rack, and a vision of him in his police uniform popped into her mind and sent a tingle between her thighs. Biting her lip, she moved on. Next, she came across two bulletproof vests. She reached up and let her fingers run over one of the vests, and she couldn’t help thinking how dangerous Alex’s work was. Yet, he, himself seemed almost bulletproof—so tough, so solid.

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