Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
“Thank you.” I lucked out that anyone answered the door for a stranger, never mind let me inside. “I really appreciate this.”
“Just don’t make me regret it.” She closed the door and locked it behind her, gaze fixed on my face.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Good. Let’s get you out of those clothes.”
I wasn’t a stranger to forward women, when you were a reasonably attractive billionaire, they were everywhere. But this was a little too forward.
“Come on now, we just met.”
Chapter 3
Nix
Iblinked, taking in the gorgeous Adonis the universe had apparently sent me for being a good girl all year. His thick blond hair, bright green eyes, broad shoulders, and long legs weren't even the main attraction. "Excuse me?"
"I said we just met. It's a little soon to be trying to get me out of my clothes isn't it?"
His words registered, and I mentally replayed my unfortunate choice of phrasing. Let's get you out of those clothes. I fought the urge to smack my forehead. "Funny, but your pants are soaked up to your knees, and I imagine those expensive shoes have turned your feet into icicles by now." I shrugged. "But if you're comfortable, that's fine too. Just don't track snow and slush into my house."
Every winter, tourists arrived dressed for city sidewalks, completely unprepared for mountain weather. Great for Lou's outdoor shop and the drugstore with its endless supply of frostbite ointments and blister treatments, but not so much for the unprepared visitors.
I headed toward the kitchen where my coffee waited, leaving him to sort himself out. He was a grown man—mostly—and could manage to stay pneumonia-free without my supervision. When I turned to grab cream from the fridge, I slammed into a wall of hard, hot male. "Excuse me." I avoided his gaze until I realized my hand was splayed across his bare chest. His very bare chest. "Why are you naked?"
He laughed, the sound deep and rich like expensive dark chocolate. "I'm hardly naked."
"You're in nothing but a pair of skintight man panties!" Which fit nice and snug, showing off a bulge I really needed to stop staring at. Now. Right now.
"Man panties?" Another laugh rumbled through his chest. "That's not the official name, I'm sure."
"It could be. You don't know that for certain." My gaze betrayed me, sliding over his golden six-pack abs, rock-hard chest muscles, and those pale pink nipples. He was gorgeous, even with that hint of arrogance. "You plan to stay like this, or do you want to stay warm?
"I could stay like this, since I doubt I'd fit into your fun Santa pajamas."
"DJ Santa, thank you very much," I shot back, lifting my chin. "My brother stays here between deployments and secret Army missions, so I'm sure you'll fit into some of his clothes. Or stay in your man panties. Either way works for me."
His green eyes sparkled with amusement. "Dry clothes would be great, thank you."
"Follow me." I hurried up the stairs, telling myself I wasn't fleeing from Lee but rather creating a strategic distance between his face and my curves. I'd made peace with my round backside, but these cotton pajamas weren't doing me any favors, especially up close. "This is Ryan's room. Jeans and t-shirts are in the closet, gym clothes and loungewear in the drawers. I'll be downstairs."
"Nix?"
I paused at the doorway, turning to face the beautiful stranger. "Yeah?"
"Thank you. It means a lot, truly."
"No problem, but next time you're in town, you might want to dress for the weather. It changes on a dime this time of year." I rushed down to the kitchen, phone already in hand as I called Torey.
"Are you home?"
"What? Yeah, I've been home for over an hour, but that's not why I'm calling."
A beat of silence, then Torey sighed. "What did you forget?"
"Nothing. A hot stranger showed up on my doorstep. I sent you his picture and license plate, so if I don't show up at the bakery tomorrow, send the Sheriff looking for my body."
Another weighted pause. "So a strange but gorgeous man is inside your house right now? I'm not sure whether to shake you or congratulate you. Hang on." She sucked in a breath. "Definitely congratulate you because holy wow, that man is scrumptious."
"He could also be a killer, so maybe factor that in."
Torey's laugh echoed through the phone. "Okay, what's his name?"
"Lee," I whispered, glancing toward the stairs. "You have his photo, Torey. Don't make this weird."
"Oh, I'm the one being weird? Where is this stranger right now?"
"In Ryan's room changing out of his wet clothes."
"Wait!" She shrieked. "He's naked upstairs and you're down there talking to me?"
"Obviously. Focus, Torey. He's probably staying the night given the weather, and while I can't kick him out, I want justice if he turns out to be, you know, a psycho killer."