On one hand, I supposed it was stupid to get wet again, especially since my clothes had finally dried, but what the hell. They’d dry again.
I pulled Austin’s coat on, which looked ridiculous on me, and when I turned to face Tyler, he took the hat he’d been wearing earlier and pulled it over my head.
“Wear this. I have a hood. And guys, if we’re not back in ten, you know where we are.”
I was so bundled up it was hard to move but at least I knew I’d stay warm and dry this time. We pulled open room twelve’s door, and in the few seconds it was open, a flurry of snow and freezing air blasted the room.
“Hey! Shut the door,” Randy called after us.
“Oops,” I said. Guess I was too slow.”
Tyler smiled down on me. “Don’t worry about it. Those guys should be thanking us for risking our lives for beer.”
When we arrived at the convenience store, Tyler headed off toward the refrigerated beverages and I headed toward the candy aisle. I had selected Reese’s Pieces and some Red Vines for Austin, when there was a hand on my elbow.
“Hey. You’re back.”
Ugh. It was Chet, the friendly cashier.
“Oh hello. How’s your night going?” I asked politely. “I’ll take these things,” I said, handing them to him.
He looked me up and down. “It’s better now that you’ve stopped by. And I supposed those too-big clothes you’re wearing are your husband’s? How come he’s not here with you?”
For a moment, I had no idea what he was talking about. But then, I remembered. Shit, where had Tyler gone?
“It’s really none of your business. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to pay and get back to the motel.”
His smile made my stomach churn, and not in a good way. “I saw you check in earlier, Miss. You were alone and went to room eleven over there across the street. You know, I watch things. I stay on top of what’s going on. And you’re not here with any husband. Are you?”
The predatory tone in his voice began to terrify me, leaving me feeling backed into a corner with nowhere to go.
“Hey, honey. Everything all right?”
I looked up at Tyler. Yeah, everything was all right. Or at least it would be.
“Darling, this young man here seems like he wants to make some trouble. And I know you don’t like it when people make trouble, right, honey?” I asked, slipping my hand into his.
Chet looked up at Tyler, his eyes widening.
He’d thought he was calling my bluff.
Think again, asshole.
“Is there a problem?” Tyler asked.
Chet took a step back then ran back around the counter and started ringing up my candy. “No sir. No problem at all. Here, let me put your items in a bag for you.”
Tyler smiled slowly. “That’s good, Chet. Because we don’t want any problems tonight.”
“Sounds good. Thank you. Have a good night, both of you,” Chet babbled as the bell on the door clanged behind us.
But we were only two feet outside the door when Tyler stopped and looked back at Chet, who was still watching us, wide-eyed.
“What’s up? Why are we stopping?” I asked.
Tyler turned to me, cupping me behind my neck, and before I could say anything, bent his head and kissed me. The touch of his lips took my breath away, and I was powerless to protest, not that I would have. He pulled me against his huge body, his arms wrapping around me, snowflakes tickling my nose.
Our kiss stretched out, and when Tyler’s tongue pressed against my lips, I opened, tasting the slight tang of beer on his breath. And even through his heavy ski parka I could feel that his body was hard and muscular, and against my stomach, where we connected, I could feel something grow harder.