Page 34 of A Not So Merry Rescue
“You have it?” he inquires when I make no move to produce it.
“It’s in my phone.”
“K.”
He starts for the door, and without hesitating, I follow him.
At the rate I’m going, I’d follow him to the ends of the earth. Christmas decor and all.
10
beckett
I’m playing with fire,but hell if I can stop.
Did I take it a little too far offering her my hoodie?
Maybe, but I don’t regret it. It swims on her, but she’s more adorable. And warm, which was my motivating factor.
Once in the SUV, I blast the heat. It’s frigid out, and the snow on the ground doesn’t help. Since I drove the truck to work, it’s not warm, but it’s a safer choice.
“What’s the status of a rental car?” I look over at her, gauging her reaction. Her expression falters, and my mind works on ways to make it better.
“There’s like one car the insurance will approve.” My good mood sours because I don’t want her to leave. “It’s like over fifty miles away, so it won’t work.”
Best news ever.I can’t let her sense my elation. Hearing her say she wanted to jump my bones solidified my decision of wanting her to stay. I’ve thrown the fact about her hating Christmas out the window. It’s not like I’m marrying her. We can have a fling while she’s in town without it impacting our opposing views of the holiday. If I get her going, it will probably make the sex even hotter.
“Ah, that’s too bad. What are you going to do?”
“Not sure what I can do.” She faces the window, her shoulders slumping. I take the time to drive down the driveway. “Can I, uh, stay a little longer? I’m happy to pay a rental fee for the room. I’ll buy the groceries and treat you to meals.”
“You should name a character after me.” Because I can’t control anything around this girl, the idea ejects from my mouth. Once it’s out there, I kinda like it. A lot.
“Um, sure. I can do that, too.”
Keeping my eyes trained on the road, I smile. The small victory somehow seems big. Maybe because she didn’t even hesitate with her response and agreed immediately. Though I suppose if I never learn her pen name, she won’t have to hold up her end of the bargain. How will I ever know whether she does it?
“That would be cool. I bet my niece would love it. I’d be famous.”
“Famous? How would you ever prove it was you who inspired the name?”
She’s got me there. “I’ll find a way.” Now that we’ve established she’s staying, I give her a truth. “I won’t be able to get the part for your car before the holiday.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t holding my breath you could, but I appreciate you letting me know. I hope I don’t ruin your holiday. It’s a me thing, and I try not to let it affect anyone else.”
I bite my tongue to not ask, to not pry into her personal life. She’s made it clear she doesn’t want to talk about it, and it’s not my business. But damn do I want to know.
Damn do I want to convince her otherwise.
Damn is it my luck she ended up here, that I didn’t pass the call to Dax the night she crashed her car, to make her a believer.
I can’t do anything until I know what I’m up against, and she won’t give it up easily. I’m certain of that.
If she’ll even give it up at all.
“I’m usually good about not taking on other people’s bad moods, their bad juju, especially relating to Christmas. You can lock yourself in my room while I celebrate. No skin off my back.”
The words are a lie. Despite knowing so little about her, I want to celebrate with her. However, I don’t want my holiday ruined. It’s a slippery slope, one I’ve found myself on several times before.
