Frigid Affair(31)

“I never expected you to,” he countered.

“I don’t want to be friends.”

“Why?” He asked.

“Because. Just because.”

“That’s a terrible reason.” He sipped at his tea for a few seconds, closing his eyes to savor the flavor of it. “I think you should give me another chance.”

“What for? Do you think you can knock me up a second time?”

My comment made Jensen chuckle loudly. “If only it were so simple. Can’t you just admit that you enjoyed yourself that night as much as I did? I don’t know about you, but I hadn’t been with anyone else since Alice…” He was unable to finish the sentence.

I could relate to his dilemma. “It’s hard talking about them. I keep thinking it will get easier with time, but I still miss my family exactly the same as the day I discovered they were gone.”

“Yeah. It’s tough.”

“How long were you married?” Considering he could only be a couple years older than me, I wondered how early they’d started dating.

“Four years. We married when we were twenty. I think I asked her out in the tenth grade. She turned me down three times before feeling sorry for me and giving me a chance.”

“I can’t imagine meeting my future husband in high school. I was too immature back then. In some ways, I probably still am.”

Now I realized I was having a normal conversation with Jensen without wanting to hurt him, but it didn’t mean I was letting my guard down. The way he looked at Christopher let me know there was no way he’d stay away like he’d promised.

“Now that you’ve told me what you came for, what do you think you’ll do with your time?”

“Actually, I’m writing a book.”

This was news to me. “Really? What’s it about?”

His answer made my jaw drop. “It started out being about the train wreck, but I’ve since moved on to a different plot.”

“Different how?”

“Well, it depends if we can manage to start over and be friends.”

“You wrote about me? You must be joking.”

“I’m not. It’s about my loss, but also hope. I wanted to give up. I thought I didn’t have a reason to live. Even after our encounter I still felt like there was nothing left for me in this world. Let’s face it, being with you only messed with my head worse. My in-laws disowned me when Alice committed suicide. I told you about my so-called best friend, so we weren’t on speaking terms. My mom lives in Germany with her second husband, and my dad died when I was thirteen of a kidney disorder. I just assumed it was easier to give up then to hope one day I could find a reason to smile again.”

“I know what it’s like to be miserable. I assume you changed my name at least.”

“I left it the same. I also gave a vivid description of your long dark hair and those piercing gray eyes, and most importantly a five page description of everything we did together on that cold night two years ago.”

“I’ve forgotten all about it.” I was blushing and I didn’t want him to know it. Why was I reacting like this? Why couldn’t I hate him for everything he stood for?

“Yeah, I bet,” he mumbled.

I wasn’t fooling anyone. The mere mention of the night we shared gave me goose bumps all over my skin.



“You should probably head home, being that the weather is so bad.”

“According to the weather, you’re not going to see sunlight for a few days, and even after, the wind is supposed to remain. That roof of yours isn’t going to unthaw for at least a week. I think you should consider taking my offer. I know it’s not my place to judge, or even suggest, but the two of you would be safer. Even if I lose power, the generator is indoors through the breezeway. I have plenty of firewood in the house and you could have the whole upstairs to yourself. I won’t push. I just think, for the time being, we’re two adults capable of getting along in order to keep Christopher comfortable.”

“Or maybe you just want to be around him without asking directly.”

“Maybe.” He shrugged. “I’ve been known to lie. The decision is yours, Amantha. I don’t think I’ll be able to get back up the hill after today.”

The thought of being stuck without resources or help suddenly horrified me. I had a little boy who I’d do anything for. That included letting my guard down and getting him to a safer, more manageable location. If something else were to happen emergency crews could get to us on their access road, need be. It would take them a while, but it was doable, even in the worst conditions.

I watched Jensen walk over and start putting his boots back on. “We’ll go with you,” I managed to announce.

The grin on his face annoyed me. I think he knew if he came in person and offered there was a good chance I wouldn’t refuse. “Good. How can I help? Do you need me to clean off your snow mobile, or do you think we can all fit on mine? It’ll be warmer for the boy if we put him between us.”

I needed something between us, because I knew if I got close to his hot body I might erupt. In some ways I wished he wasn’t so strappingly handsome. Then again, my son had those beautiful features and I appreciated that aspect. “I think we can manage on yours.”