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Is she… flirting with me?

Probably not, but damn if I don’t like the possibility anyway as we both settle into our seats at the island and dig in. She’s put a pot of coffee on as well, and the coziness of it all strikes me right in the same tender spot in my chest that’s been there since last night.

Gods above, I thought I was a more evolved creature than this.

But no, give me a warm breakfast and a bit of teasing from a pretty woman and the pleasure of her company, and it turns out I’m not complicated at all. I can’t remember the last time I felt this damn content.

After breakfast, we tag-team the clean up before I remember the clothes I put in the laundry for her last night. She takes them gratefully, then heads into the bathroom to change while I finish up the last of the dishes.

Holly pokes her head out of the bathroom. “Mind if I keep your shirt and pants for later? The clothes I was hiking in don’t exactly make the best sleepwear.”

“Leave those in the laundry,” I say, nodding toward the small room off the kitchen. “I’ll get you a fresh set to wear.”

Holly smiles and shakes her head, but doesn’t argue the point as she disappears into the bathroom for a few moments more.

When she reemerges, I have to stop myself from doing a double-take.

The clothes she had on under her outer winter layers are made of stretchy, form-fitting material that hugs every one of her slender curves.

My fingertips ache again, and I have to give myself a mental slap and a silent reminder not to stare, even if that’s nearly impossible.

Holly is gorgeous, smart, and something about her speaks to my deepest instincts to care, to protect, to provide.

But I’m not going to do anything about it. Ican’tdo anything about it.

Doing anything other than offering her shelter and safety with no strings attached would make it seem like I had some ulterior motive in giving her this place to stay. Even though I didn’t, the idea of saying the wrong thing and making Holly feel awkward at best, or at worst unsafe, while she’s here is repugnant.

The wild attraction I feel toward her is my problem to deal with, not hers.

So I keep my shit together as we finish tidying up the kitchen and face another day of being snowed in together with nothing to do but get cozy and watch the flakes fall.

7

Holly

As Irving and I lounge around after breakfast, one thing has become very clear.

I’ve got a crush on my rescuer.

Or maybe ‘crush’ is the wrong word.

I’ve never been one to feel this kind of instant, bone-deep attraction, and now that it’s here, I don’t know what the hell to do with it.

It’s not only how he looks—although his ruggedly handsome face and his incredible body really, really aren’t doing me any favors in ignoring this pesky little crush—but it’s just… everything.

I’ve got a crush onallof him.

His kindness and patience and generosity. The way he’s listened and made me feel heard. The way he’s picked up on all my silent cues and seamlessly acted accordingly, never once making me feel like I’m imposing on him by being here.

But even with all that considered, I wouldn’t let myself indulge in this crush if it weren’t for all the little tells that make me think it might not be entirely one-sided.

Irving is not being nearly as sneaky as he thinks he’s being.

At least I hope he’s not.

Because if I’m reading this all wrong, it’s going to be really, really embarrassing when I do something stupid like kiss him.

Which I’m not going to do.