Page 12 of Cabin Kisses

“No, I’m not saying I want to take you back. What I’m telling you is that it’s probably now or in a few days.”

When his words finally register, I gasp. “What do you mean?” I’m usually very smart, but being around Levi seems to make me dumb in some ways.

He nods over my shoulder, gesturing to the window. “The blizzard that was supposed to come after Christmas is coming early.”

“What?” I ask, turning to look. I look out the window, and all I see is white. “No, surely not.”

He grabs my hand and walks me to the back door. He flips a switch to light it up and then opens it so I can see out. He’s standing at my back, his body pressed against mine.

“It’s snowing... hard,” I say dumbly.

His arms wrap around my waist and lock across my stomach. “Yeah.”

I turn in his arms, but he doesn’t loosen his hold. “Did you know this was going to happen?”

He shrugs, but his gaze never wavers. “I had hoped maybe, but the last report I heard was for after Christmas.”

“So...” I start, not sure how to finish the sentence. I should tell him to take me back to the lodge.

“So... your choices are for me to take you back to the lodge... or you can stay here with me.”

“You want me to stay here... with you?”

He nods, and his hands flatten against my lower back, pulling me in flush against his body. There’s no mistaking the desire he has for me, and I can’t ignore the pull in my lower belly.

He lowers his head so we’re at the same level. “Yes, I would love to have you stay with me.”

I tense in his arms. Did he not hear my speech earlier? Why would he want me to stay here... I’m not a sure thing. If anything, this will probably end in a disaster, and he’ll end up hating me. “I want to stay... but it’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?”

I roll my eyes. “You know why.”

He leans his forehead against mine. “Because of the s-e-x.”

I roll my eyes. “What are you? Twelve?”

He doesn’t laugh. He strokes his finger along my cheek. I couldn’t look away from him if I tried. His voice is deep and thoughtful. “I’m not going to pressure you. We don’t have to make love... I just want to spend time with you.”

“Why?” I ask him, still not believing this is happening.

He doesn’t hesitate. “Because I like you.”

“And after everything I told you, you still want me to stay?”

He nods. “Yes.”

I can feel myself wavering. “I don’t have any clothes.”

“You can wear mine.”

“They probably won’t fit.”

He smiles. “Yes, they will.”

“I don’t have a toothbrush or my makeup...”

His hands move to my waist, and he squeezes. “I have extra toothbrushes. You don’t need makeup, and any other excuse you come up with, I’m going to argue with. Stay with me. I know this is out of the norm for you, and I know it’s scary because we just met. But I’m scared too.”

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