Page 12 of Defying Ella
Only then did the bite of cold on my legs register. I wore nothing but a skimpy strap top and shorts so small and loose they only just about covered my ass.
Shit.
I stared him down, refusing to cower or show even the slightest bit of embarrassment. Just as soon as I got rid of him, I’d go get changed.
“I never did, and I never will.” He slid off his stool and crowded me, his face set in an expression I’m sure was meant to intimidate me.
Instead, it sent a rush of heat through my traitorous body. Nowthatmade me scowl.
I hadn’t and never would want anything serious from him. Did I wish he was less of a manwhore and I hadn’t fallen for his routine for an entire week? Sure. Considering I hadn’t discovered a time-turner or a magic watch to turn back time, I had to accept my lapses in judgement for what they were: a mistake.
That didn’t mean I’d let Jared beat me with it, though.
I snorted and his glare darkened. The itch for a full-on blowout argument tickled the back of my mind. I hated letting him win, but one of us had to be sensible.
We needed to get our ducks in a row. Biting at each other wouldn’t achieve that.
“You weren’t even the best I’ve had.” He lowered his head towards mine, his gaze unwavering.
After a month of sharing a tour bus with him, I’d heard most of his barbs.
Didn’t mean they hurt less.
I shook my head. “I’ve heard that one before. You could try to be original.” I smiled, sickly-sweet. “Oh yes, I forgot. You don’t want my help. Sorry.”
He opened his mouth to continue arguing but I slapped my hand across it before he could spew any more hateful crap.
“How about we not?”
His nostrils flared as my breasts brushed against his chest and his eyes darkened. I hated him but my body didn’t care. It recognised the unintentional invite in his gaze and my nipples pebbled.
For fuck’s sake.
Still, glorious silence filled the lodge while he stared at me. Indignation swept aside the lust in his eyes. The fact it silenced him shocked me, but I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
“Okay,” I croaked. Clearing my throat, I continued, “This, the asshole routine, isn’t helping.” His mouth opened beneathmy hand, igniting a tantalising tingle I didn’t want to study too closely, and I rushed on. “Why don’t you go gather some more firewood from the storage room downstairs while I try to reach someone?”
I held still, staring him down until he nodded. Then, and only then, did I remove my hand.
Muttering to himself, he dodged around me and went to follow orders. I stared after him with my eyes wide.What the hell was happening?I hadn’t expected it to work!
Phone in hand, I turned my back on the stairs. The whole thing set me off balance and now I needed something to distractme.
Surprisingly,I had signal. Thank fuck for small mercies.
“We’re stuck in traffic. The navigation says we’ll be another hour, but we haven’t moved in ages,” Mel rushed out.
“That traffic’s probably because we’re snowed in.” I sighed, rubbing at my temples.
Silence stretched.
“I’m sorry, the line must have gone funny. Did you just say you’re snowed in?”
“Yup.” My lips smacked together on the foreboding word as I collapsed against the barstool Jared had vacated. “Six feet at least at the front and the lower level is completely covered.”
My gaze fixed on the sliding doors leading to the covered deck. Snow hadn’t piled up out there. The hot tub was still accessible.
Maybe there’s a side access.
