Page 70 of If You Were Mine (After We Fall 3)
I was just cozying up on the couch with my Kindle and a soft blanket when I heard a knock on the front door.
What the hell? Who could that be?
Warily I approached the entrance and peeked through one of the windows that flanked the big wooden door. It was dark outside, but motion sensors had triggered the porch light.
It was Theo.
Immediately a battle broke out inside me, one side clamoring to let him in and hear him out, the other desperate to defend its uncompromising position.
He looks so good! And it’s so cold and snowy out there, and he drove all this way to find you!
Who cares about how he looks! He uses his hotness as a weapon—don’t be fooled! He can probably melt snow with one glance.
I backed away from the window, but not before he saw me.
“Claire,” he shouted through the door. “Please let me in.”
“No!” I crossed my arms. “Why should I?”
“I drove eight hours through a blizzard to talk to you.”
“Then you wasted your time. How did you even find me?”
“I called your mom’s house.”
My jaw dropped and I yanked the door open. Snow swirled in on a frigid gust on wind. “You did what?”
“Thank God. It’s fucking freezing out there.” He pushed the door shut behind him and inhaled. “Jesus Christ, it smells so good in here. And it’s so warm, and you’re so beautiful.”
I would not be swayed by flattery. But since my heart did not appear to get the message and was beating madly, I stepped back, crossing my arms over my chest again. No entry. “You called my mother?”
“I had to. To get the address of this place.”
“And she gave it to you?” I rolled my eyes. “Thanks, Mom! Scold me about locking my doors but give out my location to a virtual stranger!”
“But I’m not a stranger. I’m your boyfriend, remember? And you were so disappointed that I had to meet you at the cabin instead of drive with you because of a last-minute business trip to Chicago, so I wanted to send you flowers to make it up to you before I arrived.” He took a step toward me, and I put out my hands.
“Stay right there.”
“OK.” He stopped moving and just looked at me. “I missed you.”
“I can’t believe my mother fell for that.”
His mouth hooked up on one side. “I’m very charming when I want to be.”
“It’s not charm, it’s lies. And it won’t work on me anymore.” Although that crooked smile had my stomach fluttering. “I was playing the game by your rules, and you stomped all over me.”
His smile fell away, replaced by a grave expression. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t even want to play that game.”
“I know.”
“So if you’re here just to ask me to play another round of sex-without-expectations, the answer is no.”
“I’m not. I want more.”
“You do?” I blinked. Was this for real?
