Page 35 of Paradox
“You didn’t need to.”
“Stop treating me like I’ll fall to pieces without you.”
“It’s hard to ignore the truth.”
I take a step closer and defiantly raise my chin. “You were the one who forced me out there in the first place.”
“And right now, I wish I’d left your scrawny ass out there.”
"Then why didn't you?" I whisper, hating how small my voice sounds.
"I... I don't know," Eden mutters, his voice losing its edge as he turns away to busy himself with the fire in the stove.
I sink into the worn couch, unsure of what to do next, because I want so much to keep lashing out at Eden.
“Look,” he says gruffly, still not facing me. "The storm's only getting worse. We're stuck here together, whether we like it or not."
I nod, even though he can't see me.
The cabin suddenly feels too small, and far too intimate.
I can smell Eden's cologne mixed with the scent of red alder smoke and those damn cigarettes. It's intoxicating, and I hate myself for noticing.
"I'll go back for your stuff when it's safe."
"Thanks," I mumble.
Eden grunts in response, finally turning to look at me. Our eyes lock, and for a moment longer than before, I see that same something in his gaze.
I’m shocked awake by a rough hand shoving my legs. My eyes snap open to hazy greyness, and for a disorienting moment, I can’t remember where I am.
“Move your ass, little man.” Eden’s voice is gruff behind me and I remember everything.
The wind howls outside, still as violent as it was last night, and I pull my sleeping bag up around my face. “What time is it?”
He grabs my ankles. "Time for you to move the fuck over."
“What the hell!” I yelp as he spins me around until my legs are on the back of the sofa and my head is dangling off the front.
“That’s my spot.”
Looking up, I’m met with Eden looming over me, wearing only a towel slung low on his hips and nothing else. His hair is wet, and even in the dim light, I can see droplets of water falling to his chest before running down his stomach. And his… his… It's right freaking there.The towel is doing nothing to hide his size, and he knows it. Like he's the alpha wolf reminding me who's in charge.
“See something you like?”
“N–no!” I snap, acting offended, and frantically move myself to the adjacent side of the sectional. “But why are you…”
Eden smirks as my voice trails off, and he pours himself a coffee from the silver percolator on the stovetop. “It’s my cabin. I’ll walk around however I damn well please.”
“I’m just saying, a little warning would be nice.”
“Aww. Did I make the little man uncomfortable?”
I glare at him. "I'm not a prude. I just wasn't expecting a peep show with my wake-up call."
As he turns back to me, I watch Eden’s face switch from cheeky to steely. “Watch your mouth.”
I try to look away as he sits—really I do—but the towel separates over his thigh, and the way his dick bounces beneath the terrycloth has my eyes betraying my common sense.
