Page 16 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
“Any plans today?” I asked.
“I have a bunch of errands to run.”
“Can I come?” Annabel asked, bringing another book to the couch.
“Of course,” Nina said. “What about you, Auntie Natalie? Any plans?”
“I don’t know. Probably more laundry. And I should clean up some of the mess in the basement.”
“It’s a thrilling life we lead.”
I smiled despite feeling a hint of sadness. I had a good life. I didn’t want to complain. But the way she’d saidthrillingreminded me that mine was anything but.
I finished my breakfast while Nina read Annabel another book. Then I cleaned up the dishes and went upstairs to check the towels. Still damp. I had a load of clothes to do, and the towels were going to take forever. Our dryer wasn’t exactly top-of-the-line. But we had a second washer and dryer in the apartment. If I washed my clothes over there, I’d get through everything faster.
Stepping outside with my laundry hamper, the shock of cold air made me shiver, and I hurried up the stairs on the side of the garage. I should have put on a sweater over my T-shirt. Balancing the hamper on my hip, I punched in the code to unlock the door and rushed inside.
My heart almost beat right out of my chest, and I screamed, dropping the hamper, as a man walked out of the bedroom.
Not just a man. An almost naked man.
Nothing but a white bath towel slung low around his hips. And when he startled in surprise, the towel loosened and fell to the floor.
“Oh my god.” I clapped a hand over my eyes and turned away. But not before I’d gotten a glimpse.
Okay. Wow. That was a thing that existed in the world.
Anyway.
“I am so sorry.” I kept my hand over my eyes. “I didn’t know anyone was over here.”
“That’s all right, love.” His deep voice, smooth as dark chocolate, wrapped around his British accent. “No harm done.”
I stood still, like I was frozen to the floor, and kept my eyes squeezed shut.
“It’s safe to look,” he said.
Peeking through my fingers, I checked. He’d re-wrapped the towel around his waist and held it in one hand. His thick, dark hair was damp, and his crooked smile called attention to his stubbly chiseled jaw. The cut of his musculature was as shocking as his presence. They really made men who looked like that? They weren’t just photoshopped fantasies?
The light dusting of chest hair and dark happy trail did add some realism to his physique.
Not that I was looking.
Slowly, I lowered my hand. “Well, this is mortifying.”
His gaze swept up and down, the corner of his mouth lifting in an amused smile. He adjusted his grip on the towel, and my eyes were drawn inexorably downward before I could regain control of myself and look up.
“Sorry,” I repeated quickly. “I didn’t know you were here. I’m guessing my sister dealt with your reservation and apparently forgot to tell me.”
“I’m a bit of a last-minute guest. And where are my manners?” He walked toward me and held out his hand. “Jensen Lakes.”
I reached out and slid my hand into his. “Natalie Thatcher.”
Instead of shaking my hand, he lifted it to his lips and kissed the backs of my knuckles. If any other man had kissed my hand upon our first meeting, I probably would have smacked him. But something about this guy made it seem like the most natural thing he could do.
The brush of his lips across my fingers sent a tingle down my spine, and he paused, looking at me with the most intense dark eyes I’d ever seen.
“Nice to meet you,” I said. He didn’t offer any resistance when I pulled my hand away, but I caught the flash of surprise that crossed his features. “I should get out of your way.”
