Page 20 of Snowed In with My Ex

Winston was a busy man. He was successful because he was diligent about his work. Even on his days off, he wasn’t off. He was always booked weeks in advance. Looking at his schedule was overwhelming. But today, he found out I’d come here,dropped everything and followed me.Just like that.That didn’t feel like the actions of a man who didn’t care.Did it?

“When did you book the cabin?” I swallowed.

“About a week before you got all…” I squished my nose and made a face before turning to face him. “We should probably talk.” I couldn’t believe how calm I sounded.

“We should.” He nodded, agreeing easily. Win’s gaze never wavered from mine. I opened my mouth, and my stomach growled with the loudest, most obnoxiously embarrassing sound ever.

“Oh my god.” I shut my eyes. “I’m sorry! I made a snack when I went to take a bath, but all I really had was wine,” I blurted out, realizing I’d just reminded both of us of what else I had done in the bath.

“The bath, huh?” His voice darkened, and my eyes popped open. Silence fell between us for a moment. The cabin had started to warm up thanks to the roaring fire Winston had started for us, but something else was crackling in the air. Sexual tension simmered just slightly below the boiling point. He cleared his throat, and for some reason, that scratchy deep sound made my nipples harden even more, almost painfully. “How about I make us something to eat really fast, and I’ll come back, and we can talk?”

“I can—“ He put a hand out and shook his head.

“Please,” he said softly. I had a feeling that littlepleasewas going to get me in trouble.

“Okay,” I whispered. Win leaned in, almost like he was going to kiss me. I gasped but waited on what felt like pins and needles.

Instead, his lips touched my forehead. That’s when I realized that like a dummy, I was showing my hand all willy-nilly. My eyes had shut, and my lips parted.Like I was ready and willing for a kiss that never comes.I opened my eyes, surprised to see him not only still on the couch but closer now.

“I see the disappointment in your eyes, baby girl. We have a lot to talk about, and before I kiss you, there are things you need to know, things we need to get out.”

“Okay,” I softly agreed.

“I want you to know it’s not that I don’t want to feel those perfect lips on mine.”

“Okay,” I breathed. My heart picked up speed as if it started to work right for the first time since I’d broken it off. My lips actually tingled with anticipation.

“Okay.” His forehead pressed against mine, and I got lost in his beautiful gaze. “We good?”

“So far,” I mumbled sassily, and instead of concern, I saw his gaze almost sparkle.

“I can work with that.” He winked and got up from the couch.

“Take the candle.” I wasn’t sure what he thought he could do in the kitchen, but he was creative, and a really great cook.

Not thirty minutes later, he stepped out with a tray with two bowls and two plates on it. He set it down on the coffee table in front of the couch and sat down next to me. “Soup and grilled cheeses.”

“My favorite,” I whispered. It was the best comfort meal, in my opinion.

“I remember.”He remembered.Damn it. Staying mad was going to be a lot harder than I could have imagined. We both scooted to the edge of the couch and ate in silence. Each of us stealing little peeks at the other, the air between us thickening.

Turning almost electric.

“That was delicious,” I complimented.

“It was nothing fancy.” He shrugged, and without thinking about it, my hand moved and covered his. The heat of his hand made me clench my grip on his. While I couldn’t get myself to look at him, I couldn’t tear my eyes from my hand on his. The contrast of our skin color illuminated against the candlelight.

“It was perfect.” I tore my gaze from our hands, and our eyes connected. “You always make the best meals.” I wasn’t sure if it was the glowing fire, but he looked like he blushed.

“We need to talk,” he reminded me. My smile fell, Dread tightened in my belly. My thoughts raced with all the possibilities that could have been the reason for the way he had changed so much so quickly.

“Right,” I whispered. “Okay, umm…” I pulled my hand off his and wiped it on my thighs. I sat back on the couch, bending my legs to sit crisscross. Winston turned and focused his attention on me.

When he opened his mouth, I scooted further back, until the armrest of the couch touched my back. “You running from me, princess?” My lips parted, and I shut them before scowling lightly.

“Alaska,” I muttered, but we both knew there was no fight left in me. He extended his hand and took hold of mine, threading our fingers together, and I let him. I didn’t even try to fight it. “Come here, Allie.” I licked my lips.

“Go where? I’m right here,” I muttered. One of his brows rose.