CHAPTER FIVE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S he had to convince him this was a horrible idea. The question was how could she make him understand when the reasons had little to do with the house or storm, and everything to do with him.

In the corner of the room, she spotted a fake Christmas tree decorated with blue and white ribbons, but there were no presents underneath. It seemed like a masculine tree and the rest of the furnishings matched her theory. This house lacked a woman’s touch. But the family portrait on the wall showed a couple and a young teenage daughter.

The old house and picture reminded her of her own family. They always cut down a real tree, and the base overflowed with gifts. Carly was spoiled in many ways, but never the way she wanted. The festivities would go on without her this year, and she hated the thought of intruding and interrupting another family’s special day.

They couldn’t stay; Theo would have to understand.

The house didn’t have an open layout like most modern homes, but it didn’t take long to find him. She opened the door to the kitchen and found Theo looking through the cabinets. The dark jeans hugged his perfectly round butt as he bent to check a lower drawer. The urge to walk over and grab a handful was too much. She admired the view for a moment longer than she should have.

“What are you doing?” Her voice had a groggy, almost breathless tone she didn’t recognize. She cleared her throat.

He didn’t turn around. “Checking for supplies. We might be snowed in for a day or two. It’s pretty bad out there, in case you didn’t realize.”

An overnight with Theo would test her resolve to be alone. The more time she spent with him the dirtier her thoughts became. Too much time with him, and there was no telling what she’d end up saying or doing. She couldn’t let him know she was attracted to him because his ego didn’t need padding but her heart did.

Carly rolled her eyes. “I noticed. I don’t think we should steal from these people. It’s bad enough we’re in their home uninvited.”

Theo reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “We’re not stealing. I will pay for anything we use and leave them a thank you note.” He tossed some bills on the wooden kitchen table. “I’m not throwing a party and trashing the place. Lighten up.”

He needed to get serious. “We can’t stay. I’m not comfortable being in here. As I was saying earlier, I appreciate you bringing us here safely, I really do. But we need to move along and find another house.”

Theo straightened his posture and put his hands on his hips. “What’s got you spooked?”

“I’m not scared!” She mimicked his stance.

He smiled at her response. “Tell me; are you uncomfortable because the home owners aren’t here to invite us in with open arms, or is it the fact that you’re alone with me?”

His arrogance astounded her. “Let me set the record straight for you, Mr. I’m-Way-Too-Cocky, I am not in any way scared of being alone with you, because nothing will happen.”

He stepped towards her and she held her ground. “Are you sure you don’t want something to happen?” He arched a brow, looking at her like a man starving for a kiss. Or maybe that was her look reflected within his cerulean swirls.

Why did he have to be so tempting?

If he was an ordinary man, Carly suspected she would have kissed him right then and there. Thrown caution to the wind and ended her dry spell. But he wasn’t just a hockey player, he was Theo Montagne. A very well-known player. Carly wouldn’t let herself forget that fact.

“Positive.” She licked her lips. “Now, I will repeat myself since you seem to be hard of hearing. We need to leave.” Carly turned towards the door to break the heated connection that left her stomach in knots and her heart pounding in her ears.

He placed his hand on the small of her back. “If you insist, then after you.”

She expected more of a fight. He was enjoying her discomfort far too much, and his hand felt too warm against the patch of bare skin between her shirt and jeans. The heat spread through her until her toes felt hot.

“Great, I’m sure we can find a house that doesn’t require any felony charges.”

“Whatever you say, Carly.” The way he said her name sent goosebumps to explode across her skin.

They walked to the entry and put their jackets and boots back on. Theo’s cocky smile never wavered, like he was privy to a secret she had yet to discover. She didn’t care for that smile. She asked him to go back as he had entered, and lock the front door. He left her there on the steps.

The snow somehow came down even worse than before if that was possible. Their footsteps from earlier had been covered, leaving no trail towards the vehicle. Carly could barely make out the car which wasn’t more than a few feet away. There were no other houses nearby, at least none she saw. She second guessed her request to leave and questioned her own motives.

Theo had called her bluff in the kitchen, being alone with him made her nervous. She admitted she was far more attracted to him than she would have liked. He made it too easy with his suggestive smiles and easy-going attitude.

She slogged through the snow and waited for him by the car. He didn’t make her wait long.

“Your chariot awaits,” he said, opening the passenger door.

She got in and watched as he attempted to wipe the snow off the car before getting in. “It’s miserable out there. Is it me, or does it seem worse?”

“It’s not you. I’m not making any promises about what we’ll find next. We can’t drive around looking for a house full of people. Even if there’s no one at the next house we’re staying there. Deal?”

She did not want to be alone with him, but she had little to bargain with. “Deal.”

The tires spun, but the car didn’t move when Theo put it into drive. He pressed on the gas and Carly heard the engine roar as the tires found traction and lurched forward. She couldn’t make out the driveway, let alone the turn to get onto the road ahead. Theo’s gesture to humor her irrational request would end with them hurt or dead. She couldn’t let that happen.

“Stop.” They hadn’t made it over ten feet.

Theo stopped the car. “What’s wrong?”

“We aren’t going to make it to another house in this. The storm has sealed our fate and whoever lives here; odds are they won’t be coming home until the weather breaks. I was wrong to ask you to drive us out of here. I’m sorry.”

“Wow, a woman who admits to being wrong. Will you marry me?” He smiled and diffused the somber mood she had created for herself.

She slapped his arm playfully. “No, and I figured if we can’t make it out of here, then the cops can’t get here to arrest us.”

Theo laughed, and the sound sent butterflies dancing through her belly. “Can’t disagree with your logic.” He put the car in park and killed the engine. “Wait here a moment, I’ll run around back and come back to get you. There’s no sense in your waiting in the snow.”

“That’s okay, I can go back with you.” She didn’t want him going out of his way. He’d already done enough by taking her to safety.

He opened her car door and held onto her hand once she was out. The gesture was caring and didn’t make her uncomfortable. It meant nothing, he was being kind, she told herself. She was thankful for his quick hands when she slipped halfway around the car. His strong arms caught her, pressing her body against his. The snow covered them both and as she looked up into his face her breath seized. He was magnificent. If he leaned down and kissed her, she would have let him.

His eyes found hers and for a moment, she thought he might. Then he blinked, the blizzard spell broken, and he took a step back. There was no kiss, and she berated herself for even thinking there might be. He was a flirt, nothing more. She attempted to convince herself he wasn’t her type. Although, she would wager Theo Montagne was everyone’s type.

Once back inside, they returned to the kitchen. That seemed like a safe place to be together.

“Are you feeling more comfortable about being here now?” He asked as he opened a cabinet containing pots and pans.

“I’m okay,” she said with a smile. “Think they have any chocolate?” If he could make the best of this situation, then so could she. She walked passed him and opened the pantry. There were plenty of canned and dry goods available. She looked over her shoulder after a moment.

He raised a brow. “Okay,” he repeated. “Didn’t see any chocolate but I’m hungry. How about you?”

“I could eat.” Carly looked out the large kitchen window at the endless waterfall of white. “Since you drove us here, it’s only fair I make dinner. We might lose power soon, so we’ll need flashlights and candles.”

“Good call; I’m on it.” Theo checked the drawers but came up empty.

“Don’t snoop on these people. Check the hall closets, but the less we disrupt the better. Got it?”

He nodded and left to search for supplies. Carly gathered what she needed to prepare a quick meal and got busy cooking. Nothing fancy, some fried ham, macaroni and cheese with a side of canned green beans. It should satisfy their hunger and not put out the owners in any way.

She was plating their meal when Theo returned, holding a handful of candles. Carly prayed they wouldn’t need them. Karma laughed in her face when a moment later, the lights went out.