skin.
“I can get our breakfast and bring it up to the room if you want,” I said, squatting by the fireplace to clean up the ashes and blackened logs. Mainly to keep myself from looking at him.
“I don’t mind eating downstairs. I won’t be long. Just give me a few.” Reed padded across the hardwood floor toward the bathroom.
I couldn’t help but glance at him before the door closed.
While I waited on him, I checked the status of the roads. The ones in town varied. The main roads had been cleared, though side roads and less traveled ones were still covered in snow and ice. I then checked the route home.
“Shit,” I hissed under my breath. It still wasn’t clear. It wouldn’t be passable for another day at least.
As much as my cock liked the idea of being stuck with Reed one more night, my conscience struggled against it. I prized myself on having self-control, but Reed tested me more than I’d ever been tested. Each minute with him made me want him even more. I got the impression he wanted me too. I’d caught his lingering gazes and flirty smiles, especially over the past two days.
About thirty minutes later, Reed came out of the bathroom in skinny jeans and a V-neck sweater, his hair freshly dried and casually styled.
“Bad news,” I said, standing from the chair and grabbing the room key off the dresser. “We’re stuck here another day.”
“Guess we’ll need to make it a fun one, then.” Reed grinned up at me. “It’s Saturday, so we don’t have to work. Might as well relax and enjoy each other’s company. It’s like a mini vacation.”
“Do you always look on the bright side?” I asked as we left the room.
“I try to. I’m a firm believer that you get back what you send out into the universe. So, if you’re bitter and pessimistic, that’s the kind of energy you’ll get in return. If that makes sense.”
“It does, actually.” A smile tugged at my lips as I peered down at him. “It also explains how you cursed us with this damn blizzard.”
Reed bumped his shoulder to mine and laughed. “I’ll never do it again, okay?” When we reached the staircase, he turned to me. “You have to admit, though, this trip hasn’t been all bad.”
A ray of sun broke through the white sky and shone on him through the multitude of windows.
“No, it hasn’t,” I said and swallowed the tightness in my throat. I would’ve trekked through miles of snow just to see the smile he was giving me now.
Oblivious to the chaotic struggle going on inside me, Reed turned and went down the stairs, sliding his hand along the railing. I released a long breath and followed him. Breakfast was the same as the morning before, though there were different pastries and muffins to choose from. After what Cole had told us, I knew Ian had made them.
“This is the best lemon muffin I’ve ever had,” Reed said as we sat at our same table beside the window. “You think Ian would give me his recipe?”
“You can always ask.”
“Nah,” he said after a moment’s thought. “I can cook, but I’m an awful baker. I’d probably end up accidentally summoning a demon instead.”
I chuckled before taking a sip of coffee. Being around Reed was refreshing. It was hard to believe we’d worked together for a year without ever talking like this. I had definitely missed out on his quick wit and charm.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asked, concern wrinkling his brow.
“Yes. Why?”
“Just didn’t know if you were feeling under the weather because of last night.” Reed traced the rim of his coffee mug as he stared at the snowy courtyard. “You were shivering like crazy, and your skin was ice-cold. I held it together well, I think, but it scared me.”
He was worried about me? My heart warmed at the thought.
“I feel great,” I answered. “Someone’s body temperature is like a furnace, so I warmed up in no time.”
“So, you’re not mad?” Reed nibbled his bottom lip as his hazel eyes shifted back to me.
“No. I was being stubborn by sleeping on the cot when it was that cold. I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable if we slept together.” Realizing how wrong it sounded out loud, I quickly clarified, “Sleeping in the same bed, I mean. Not… sleeping together.”
Humor danced in his eyes. “Well, I don’t mind if we sleep together again tonight.” He sipped his coffee and placed