Page 31 of Just One Spark

I wanted him to focus on the brewery.Malcolm didn't want Rowan hanging out with me, and I didn't want to come between him and his family.So I shouldn't even be thinking how it felt to be in his cabin without him.

His life seemed perfect.He had the support of his family while he opened his dream business.Whereas I couldn't even live in my apartment, and my only mode of transportation was a food truck.

My family had fallen apart, and no matter how much I tried to keep things together, it hadn't worked.My mom was depressed and couldn't move on.I was worried that my business wouldn’t be successful.

Every time I fell into bed, I thought about the store I wanted to open.A storefront with the sign on the window, Hattie's Hot Cocoa.I could see the twinkling lights on the awning, the gleaming wood countertops and inviting tables and chairs in the dining room.People would be excited to stop in for one of my sweet drinks.

Then my mind drifted to Rowan and how it felt when he kissed me in my truck.How I'd felt like a desirable woman.He held me with such care, and he devoted his entire being to making me feel good.I wanted more of that singular focus, but I had no right to ask for it.

This arrangement was temporary.I wasn't supposed to ask my fake fiancé to kiss me again for real.

Every night, I went to bed feeling restless.I wanted Rowan to touch me again.

Tonight, there was supposed to be a big storm, so I knew I'd wake up to the sound of Rowan's plow clearing the snow for my truck.That had to be enough.

The wind gusted against the windows, and I snuggled deeper into the blankets.I listened for the sound of Rowan coming home, but I must have fallen asleep.The next thing I knew, the house was dark and quiet.

The wind still howled outside, rattling the windowpanes, but inside, it was eerily silent.I heard footsteps in the hallway and tensed.

It had to be Rowan.I didn't have anything to be scared of.I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and swung my legs out of bed.I tiptoed across the hardwood floor and stood by the door.

When it creaked open, I moved my hand in front of my mouth so I wouldn't scream.

"Hattie?"Rowan whispered.

Relief flooded through my body, and I launched myself at him.I couldn't see him, other than a dark shadow in the doorway, but I knew he'd catch me.

His arms came around me as he held me tight.His mouth close to my ear, he said, "The power is out.I don't have a generator.I should have gotten one, but with everything going on at the brewery, I haven't had time to worry about the cabin."

"It's okay."He was holding me against his body, and my head was tucked under his chin.This is what I'd been dreaming about every night since I'd moved in.

"You want to sleep downstairs in front of the fire?"

I didn't want him to let me go or move away, but I forced myself to back up."Okay."

"I'll meet you downstairs.Use the flashlight on your phone and holler if you need me."

I wanted to tell him to stay, but that wasn't me.I was independent.I didn't need to rely on anyone else.

I had to remember what this was, and it wasn't a real relationship.If I grew too dependent on him, it would be harder to leave.

He moved down the hall, and I turned on the flashlight, gathering up a few blankets and a pillow and taking them downstairs.

He was already in front of the fireplace, stoking the small fire he'd started.I placed my things on the couch and sat down.

He turned and looked at me."Here.Take this."

He tossed me one of his hoodies.It was cold in here, so I pulled it over my head, reveling at the smell of him.The sleeves fell over my hands, so I pushed them higher."I have some hot chocolate I brought home at the end of the night.It's in a thermos so should still be warm.Would you like some?"

"I'd love some," he said.

I got up and padded to the kitchen.It was drafty in there already.The power must have been out for a while.I poured the contents of the thermos into two mugs, added marshmallows, candy-cane shavings, and whipped cream, then returned to the living room.

The fire was burning now, and Rowan was standing by one of the large windows staring outside.The long-sleeve T stretched tight over his broad shoulders and tapered to a trim waist.His low-slung sweats clung to his ass and his powerful thighs.I was having thoughts about approaching him from behind and wrapping my arms around his middle.

Would he cover my hands with his, or would he turn around so that he was facing me and cup my jaw?I'd like to think he'd kiss me."Can you even see anything right now?"

He chuckled as he moved away."Not really.Everything is dark."