Page 13 of A Daddy for Christmas 3: Rowan

I swear he shivers at the tone of my voice, but that could be wishful thinking on my part.

“I wouldn’t dream of it, boss.”

Now he’s gotmeshivering. And not because of the cold.

But it is damned cold and getting colder. His teeth are chattering louder, for all his cheerful chatter. And I’m hogging the blanket.

“Here. You need this more than I do.” I hand it to him.

He covers himself and huddles beneath it. “There’s got to be a better way for us both to keep warm.”

In the movies, people huddle together for warmth. If they’re wet, they get naked first, so their damp clothes don’t make things worse. Not that I can suggest that we snuggle up and share body heat under the blanket, even if it would help.

“We could be stuck out here all night,” he whispers, staring at me.

Has he had the same thought?

“We might be,” I say. “We could try ringing for help.”

“You think an RAC van will be able to get through this snow?”

I sigh. “No.”

“So we’re stuck.”

“For the night.”

“At least.”

I swallow.

“It’s going to get colder,” he says.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

He rakes his teeth over his bottom lip. “We need to stay as warm as we can.”

“We do.”

“For safety.”

Fuck, hehashad the same thought. He might be dancing around voicing it out loud, but it’s as obvious as the snow around us that he wants to suggest it. Or perhaps he’s hoping I will. Is it inappropriate if it’s a matter of survival? I’m being overdramatic, but right now the possibility of turning into a pair of popsicles by morning is a bit too real.

I stare at the grey floor. Nigel once told me the mats are pure lambswool, a detail I suddenly find very interesting, as it’s stopping me from looking at Rowan and asking him to move to the back so we can keep each other warm.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been told I talk far too much,” he says.

“It’s fine.”

“You strike me as the quiet and thoughtful type.”

I half smile. “I’ve been accused of that.”

“Accused? I meant it as a compliment!” He clasps his hands in front of his face and blows on them. “Oh, God damn it, it’s cold. I feel bad for taking the blanket. Do you think it would stretch to cover us both if I sat in that seat?” He points at the other back seat.

“Maybe.”

“We could also keep warmth in if we closed the privacy screen.”