Page 9 of Merrily Mine
I’d been so sure he was interested in kissingme, too.
But then he’d bolted.
The doorbell ringing startled me out of my thoughts.
I looked down at my outfit, trying to decide if I was respectable enough to open the door. I’d pulled on a cozy snowflake sweater, a pair of leggings, and giant slipper socks this morning. At least I wasclothedand not in my pajamas. Honestly, I considered that a win in my book.
It was like my mind was playing tricks on me, because there was a tall, muscular cowboy waiting. He had one hand propping himself up on the doorway and the other perched on his hip.Hot damn.That shouldn’t be attractive. But it was.
There was a cowboy hat on his head—a different one—and he was wearing a red plaid shirt underneath a thick Carhartt jacket with a pair of jeans and work boots.
“Hi,” I squeaked out, remembering to say something finally.
His blue eyes sparkled in the mid-morning sun as he stood up straight. “Hey, Emmie Girl.”
I winced. My childhood nickname was a reminder that he was eight years older than me, and he’d never seen me as anything other than a kid. As my brother’s little sister. He’d made that clear last night.
“I just wanted to make sure you were doin’ okay.”
“You didn’t need to come check on me,” I insisted, hand still clutching the door. “I’m fine. My mom’s a little overbearing, but she should really know that I can take care of myself.”
He just blinked at me. “What?”
I frowned. “Didn’t my mom send you over here to make sure I was okay?”
Mason raised an eyebrow. “No. I mean, she told my mom you were staying here alone, and asked if I could help if you needed anything.”
Yeah, that sounded like Mom. “I’m not a kid anymore,” I grumbled. “I don’t need to be checked in on.”
His voice was deep when he muttered, “Clearly,” under his breath. Like I couldn’t hear him.
I didn’t move from my spot inside the door, though I regretted not bringing the blanket from the couch with me. It was chilly outside, and I shivered, even in my sweater.
“Did you need something, or was that it?” I asked, cocking an eyebrow. “Because I’m letting out all the warm air, cowboy.”
“Emily.” The commanding tone in his voice made me shudder, but it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. No, it was the opposite.Did he have any idea how hot he was?God. I shouldn’t be thirsting over him. That horny bitch from last night was rearing her ugly head.
“Mason.” I crossed my arms over my chest. I really needed to get laid. Maybe then I’d stop thinking about him like that.
He sighed, rubbing his forehead with his pointer finger and thumb. “Can we start over?”
I hesitated for a moment. “Sure…?”
“I wanted to come check on you after last night. I know I…” He cursed under his breath. “Leavin’ like that was an asshole thing to do. I’m sorry.”
My breath caught in my throat. “Oh.”
Mason nodded. “So, I just thought I’d say hi. See how you were doin’.”
Biting my lip, I shivered, and then looked between him and the warm inside. “Do you want to come inside, maybe? I can make you a cup of hot cocoa.”
“Sure.” He smiled, following me in towards the kitchen.
I was trying to remember to breathe. After all, in all the years that I’d crushed on Mason Elliott—all the years of my innocent infatuation with my brother’s best friend—we’d never been completely alone like this.
“You don’t have a tree?” Mason said, looking around the living room as I started pulling what I needed out of the giant pantry. The house was open concept, so the kitchen and living room shared one large space.
I shook my head. “No. Mom didn’t see any reason to put up the trees when she, and I quote,wouldn’t be here to enjoy them.” I sighed. Never mind thatIwould have enjoyed them.
