“The storm’s gotten worse? What the hell?” How the heck was I going to get out of here? Would I have to be stuck with this asshole for another night? No way. I’ll force my Civic to take on the snowy roads because I have to get away from that loathsome man no matter what. Can you believe he didn’t even thank me after I tidied up the living room last night? No, sirree. Instead, the alpha male disappeared into his office and didn’t come out for the rest of the night.
Still grumbling, I pull on a short, silky robe and venture into the living room. That’s when I stop short because there’s the man of the hour himself, looking adorably rumpled with his black hair askew in the kitchen. He’s got a cup of joe in one hand, and with the other, he’s covering a huge yawn.
“Good morning,” I say in a curt tone. He yawns again and finally turns to me like a huge bear just waking up. I know what I look like. This silky robe doesn’t cover much, and underneath, I only have a tiny bra and panty-set on. Well, look all you want because you’re not touching this. No way, no how.
But then he smirks.
“Coffee?” Bo asks silkily, gesturing at the coffee maker.
“Yes, please,” At least he had the decency to offer me some joe. A part of me thought he’d ask why I wasn’t out of his house already, he’s that rude. “You’re up early,” I remark.
“Yeah. I’m an early riser. Always have been,” he responds, shooting me a smile. I immediately smiled back, and then berated myself for being friendly. Ugh, I’m like a lapdog grateful for any act of kindness! Get it together, girl. Meanwhile, Bo poured a steaming mug and set it down on the table, which was his way of telling me to sit down.
“You also go to sleep late, right?” I asked, sitting down and taking a sip from my coffee. Damn, this was some first-rate coffee. But Mr. Nielsen doesn’t even bother to answer my question.
“So, what are your plans for today?” he asks.
I stare at him. “I’m going to pack, and then take off. I’ll be out of your hair in no time. Thanks for the coffee.”
With that, I make to get up, but Bo motions me to sit again. “The snowstorm has gotten worse,” he drawls, “and you can’t leave in this weather. You’ll kill yourself, if you don’t freeze to death first.” Did I hear that accurately? My eyes go wide. “You seem surprised,” Bo remarks.
“Yes. I just… well, I thought that you wouldn’t want me here since I’m not a maid.”
He shrugs.
“Yeah, but I can’t just let you wander off in the middle of a snowstorm either. It would be irresponsible, not to mention potentially criminal.”
I sat there, stewing. It hadn’t occurred to me that I might have to stay two nights instead of one. Ugh! Forty-eight hours in the company of this handsome, irascible man? No thanks!
“You seem stunned, but no one controls the weather gods,” Bo remarks. “I’ll assume that’s settled then. We’ll be fine in this cabin. I have plenty of food and a back-up generator if the power goes out. Besides, I saw the weather report early this morning.”
I cock my head at him. “And?”
He shrugs. “This unexpected snowstorm is going to last at least a week. That’s just a forecast so who knows what will really happen, but let’s just take them at their word.” I gawk at him, shaking my head. A week? I was going to be with this man for a week? I’ll probably be pulling out my hair and banging on the walls if I’m cooped up with Bo North for seven days. Yet, the reality hit me: he and I were stuck together.
“I guess I have no choice, then,” I say petulantly.
“No, you don’t,” Bo replies in a smooth voice. “But you’re not going to stay here for free, Haley,” he added. I looked up at him sharply.
“Why, what do you want me to do?” I asked, meeting that blue gaze head-on. God, if he weren’t such an asshole, I’d actually be turned on by his domineering ways.
He shrugs.
“I need a maid and a chef, and you’re here. I think you could be good with a broom,” he remarks lightly.
I gawk at him.
“What? I already told you! I am not a maid.”
But Mr. North shrugs again.
“Unfortunately, that’s the only job available, and you need to earn your keep while staying with me. So what do you say, Haley? Are you ready to get your hands dirty?”
I was so mad that steam hissed from my ears as my blood pounded in my veins. But what choice did I have? After all, this handsome man held all the cards, and I was at his mercy.