I could ask my brother for his help in getting away from them and I know he’d help me. But it’s not his problem to deal with. Christian has his own life to live and doesn’t need the headache I’m sure our parents would bring to his door.
The fire crackles and the flames dance with their orange and yellow colors as the embers shine through the burning wood. I’d never built a fire before and I’m proud to say I did this one by myself. Thanks to the directions the caretaker left for me. I guess my brother informed him I’d need instructions.
Smiling to myself, I sip more of the hot cocoa. I’ve enjoyed the silence of the cabin. Throughout the day I’ve been reading one of my books and put on a pot of homemade chicken and dumplings. My favorite.
Blue has even been at ease here. Laying on the opposite end of the couch, stretched out she takes up most of the furniture, my doggie snoozes.
All of a sudden, she perks up, ears pointed back, and turns to the door. Blue hops off the couch and trots over to the door. Her stance is not soothing at the moment. Or one of needing to go out.
Someone or something is out there. I put my mug on the coffee table and stand. I stride over to the window next to the door and peer out through the curtains.
My eyes widen at the sight of a man walking up to the house.
Oh my. Oh crap.
My brother always told me not to speak to strangers unless I had to and to never let anyone in my home if I didn’t know them. But the man looks half-frozen from the looks of him in the darkness. It’s still snowing heavily out there and I can’t let him just stand out there in the cold. What if he’s been in an accident and needs help? Or he could be a serial killer coming to kill me.
I quickly make the decision to not live with a man’s death on my conscience. I mean seriously, what is the worst that could happen. Besides, if he is a serial killer and kills me, he’ll be taking care of me not having to deal with my parents anymore.
Grabbing my jacket, I slip it on along with a pair of boots. I snag the blanket off the back of the couch and run out the door. Blue darts out past me. She gets to the man first and sniffs him and starts to whine.
“Easy, pup,” the guy says, and oh my, his voice shoots a tingling sensation throughout my body.
I make it to him and throw the blanket around him as best as I can. It’s not an easy feat but I get it done. “Come on, let’s get you inside and in front of the fire,” I say, wrapping my arm around his waist.
Nodding, the stranger allows me to help him though it doesn’t seem he needs the help. Stepping up on the porch, I reach out and open the door to guide the man into the warmth of the house. Upon entering, I notice his clothes are soaked due to the snow.
“Why don’t you take your clothes off and sit in front of the fire to warm up. I’ll grab you something warm to drink,” I state, and the guy’s eyes peer down at me.
“You wanna tell me what you’re doing in my cabin?” he asks but he does this while reaching down to untie his boots.
“Your cabin?” I mumble, my eyes widening. “I, um, I rented this place so it’s my cabin,” I state, slightly nervous.
“Considering my family owns it, it’s my cabin and it’s not up for rent. How did you rent it?” he demands. Standing back up he toes off his boots, his hands reaching over his head, and he removes his long sleeve shirt. He tosses it onto his boots.
Um. Oh God, I’m not going to stare. I’m not going to stare. His magnificent muscular chest and tattoo covering his arm are not causing my nether region to quiver.
Nope, not at all.
“Well?” he says, a smirk crossing his face.
“My brother, he rented it for me,” I state, informing him of the truth.
“And who is your brother?” he demands, his hands moving to the button of his jeans. I whirl around and head to the kitchen.
“I’ll, um, make you something warm to drink. You want coffee, tea, or cocoa. I’m having cocoa because you can add whip cream on top and it makes it the best,” I ramble.
“You didn’t answer my question, Snowflake,” the stranger says.
I peek over my shoulder and find him standing there in nothing but his boxer briefs which take to his body like a second skin. I turn my head back around and decide to get him cocoa cause everyone loves cocoa when it’s snowing.
“My brother’s name is Christian Bandoni,” I murmur, and hear the man curse behind me. “What?” I ask without turning back around.
“Nothing, Snowflake. I’ll be back in a minute. I’m gonna grab a change of clothes,” he growls, and I sense I’ve pissed him off.
This couldn’t be good.
Does he know my brother?
I’m just finishing up making his cocoa when he comes back out wearing a pair of sweatpants resting low on his hips. His phone to his ear.
“Yeah, I’m pissed. You set me up, asshole,” he sneers into the phone, his gaze finding me.
What?
He seems really angry right now staring at me.
“Right, yeah, wait ‘til I see you, Bandoni, I’m going to beat the shit out of you.” Um, did he just threaten to beat my brother up?
“Don’t threaten my brother,” I prattle without meaning to.
“I’m not threatening him, Snowflake, I’m telling him what’s gonna happen when I see him next,” he growls, the phone still pressed to his ear. “Yeah, she’s standing right in front of me. If she were any other woman, I’d put her ass out but since she’s your sister, I’ll allow her to stay at least until the roads are clear.”
He’ll allow me to stay?
Is he serious right now telling my brother he’ll allow me to do something? Nope, I don’t think so.
“Um, excuse me, but I was here first and I had permission. I even gave my brother the money to rent this place for the next two weeks,” I declare, putting the cocoa on the counter in front of him. “Now take this drink and go sit over there on the couch and I’ll allow you to stay until the storm is over and you can get the hell out of here.”
With that I turn and face the stove. I can’t believe I just said that to a complete stranger but for some reason, I don’t understand, he makes me want to do funny things. Things I’ve never done before. Unless you include the vibrator I have stored in my bag in the other room.
Oh crap, I hope he doesn’t think I’m going to let him take the bed and I take the couch. Not going to happen. I got here first. My brother told me he booked this place for me and I’m not leaving and I sure as hell am not about to let this guy, I don’t even know his name yet, take over.
Uh huh, no way am I going to let him walk all over me the way my parents keep trying to do.
Chapter Three
Theo
I’m going to kill Christian and Leo. Going to fuckin’ kill them. I can’t believe they would give the okay for Christian’s sister to stay at one of our safe houses without telling me.
Soon as I neared the house, I knew someone was inside. The smoke was coming from the chimney and the lights were on in the house.
When the door opened, and this beautiful dark-haired woman came rushing toward me, my mind wandered to places it shouldn’t have in those moments. This is Blake, the little sister Christian is always raving on about. I know about her and the shit her parents keep doing with her. They want her married off to get money off of the man she marries and the money she’ll gain from a trust fund that she’s to receive when married or when she turns thirty.