7PJHe’s gone quiet again. Okay, more quiet than usual. I can feel his eyes on me while I cook, but he doesn't say anything. He’s gone from yes and no answers to complete silence. It is irritating me. All right, it might be making me self-conscious. He made me feel sexy and wanted, and now this.
What has changed? The kiss this morning felt like he was still into me. Then he’d walked into the kitchen and looked as though he changed his mind. I could see the second his demeanor changed, but I can’t for the life of me figure out why.
I push the plate of bacon closer to him. Bacon always perks me up. He takes a piece, giving me a smile. I guess that’s better than nothing.
“Can I feed Duke?” I look down at the giant dog. He’s as quiet as his owner. Bow gives me another one of those nods. I drop a piece of bacon to the dog. “Stop nodding at me.” I turn back to the stove to grab the rest of the pancakes. His silence is finally getting on my nerves. Still he says nothing. “Sorry,” I mumble as I drop the plate of pancakes down next to the bacon.
Why am I being a brat? It’s his house. He can nod if he wants to. He’s letting me stay here because I’m a big old scaredy cat. I’m free to leave whenever I want if I don’t like it. That’s the problem, though; I really like him. I don’t want to go anywhere. The thought that I may have overstayed my welcome threatens to weigh me down, but I push past it.
“How is the coffee?” I ask, needing to fill the silence.
He reaches out, pulling me into his big body. “It’s sweet.” His hand comes under my chin, making me look up at him. “I like it.”
“I can go home if I’m bothering you.”
“You think you’re bothering me?” His face turns confused. It is actually really adorable. “You’re cooking me breakfast.” His mouth drops down to mine. “And other things.” I sigh, melting into him as I kiss him back.
“I don’t want to leave,” I admit.
“’Cause of the storm?”
“Yeah.” That was part of it. Not all. I like it here. I like him. The way he made me feel last night. The butterflies that he makes dance in my stomach. The only thing I don’t enjoy is when I think he’s growing tired of me. He’s so hard to read. I can tell he doesn’t have much company and he sure isn’t a social butterfly.
He pulls a chair over next to him. “Eat. You’re not going anywhere.” I take the seat. He grabs the bottom of it, pulling the chair and me both closer to him.
“I’ll do better about talking.” He puts a couple of pancakes on my plate and bacon before handing me the syrup.
“We are going to be neighbors.” Kind of. My cabin is a few miles from him. Guessing from the drive over here that will make us neighbors. In the city not so much.
“Are you thinking about taking Jameson up on his offer?”
“Would that mean I work for you too? Since part of it is your oil too?” I don’t know shit about oil. I think all I’d be doing is making sure security was tight around here. I’d probably look into safety stuff too. All stuff I’m sure I could learn. If I wanted the job. Bow would be an added incentive for me to take it. I’ve been on the fence about leaving my other life, but if it meant more time with him, I’d do it in a heartbeat.
“I take my check. I don’t get into any of it much.” He takes another bite of his food, chasing it with his coffee. I dig in too. He starts to play with my hair. “So you're thinking about taking it?” he asks again.
“You worried I might go somewhere?” I tease him as I lick my lips to catch any syrup.
“Like I said, I enjoy you being around.”
I turn to look at him. “I’m going to be straight with you.” He doesn't stop playing with my hair. I’m starting to understand Bow really is a man of few words. When he tells you something, he means it. My insecurities about him changing his mind melt away. Everything that he has said points to him more than liking me. I keep going.
“I don’t know what’s happening here, but I think we should explore it. We’re here for who knows how long.” I lick my lips again because his eyes are there. “Not really sure how long everyone is here, but this can be one of those no strings kind of things.” There are no brothers to get in the way either. I could explore whatever this is Bow and I have going on.