Once the goose bumps leave my arms, I head up to my room. Even though there's no connection to the outside world, I need to start writing about my first impressions of this so-called famous holiday town.
After I've added another layer of socks and a third sweater, I slide under the covers and open my laptop. Luckily, I charged it before the power went out, so I have a full battery.
I type my intro paragraph about my experience thus far, which hasn't been good, but then I write myself notes to include later when I finally go into town.
When my door swings open, Dasher struts in and quickly jumps on my bed. He circles a few times before settling next to my legs.
“Dasher, down,” I demand, snapping my fingers.
Instead of following directions, he rolls onto his back and waits for me to rub him.
“You're pitiful,” I murmur, giving in and scratching his belly. Maybe then he'll leave and give me space.
Soon, Dasher's leg shakes as I find the perfect spot to itch. “There, we good?”
Levi's cackling causes me to jump, and I find him leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded. His goofy smile has my heart beating in overdrive, which is stupid.
This man and his dog drive me crazy.
“Dasher must be winning you over,” he says.
“Not likely. He wouldn't listen to my commands, so I thought if I gave him what he wanted, he'd go away.”
“Take it as a compliment,” he states. “Dasher's a good judge of character.” Then he shrugs with a smirk. “Or at least Ithoughthe was.”
“Ha ha,” I say dryly. “He's the one who acts like he's never seen a female before. Guess you don't get many visitors in your bed, huh?”
He clenches a fist to his heart. “Damn. That one hurt.”
I snort, though I try to hide my smile. There's no way this six-foot mountain of a man doesn't get laid every damn weekend.
“I'm going to take Dasher outside to run around, then take a shower. While I'm gone, think of what you might want for lunch this afternoon so I don't keep the fridge open too long. It's not running at its normal temp.”
“Quinoa burrito bowl with fresno queso and an espresso would be wonderful, thank you.”
“Hmm...the best I can do is chili with sliced cheese and instant coffee.”
I make a face of disgust. “There goes your five-star rating.”
“That's not what most of my female guests say. What can I improve?”
The way my heart lodges in my throat is unexplainable, but I ignore it and continue staring at Levi's perfectly shaped lips.
“Boundaries, for starters. If I'm not walking around half naked, then neither should you. And keep your dog out of my room.”
I sound harsher than I mean to, but his amused expression has me wanting to knee him between the legs. Nothing I say seems to get under his skin, and that pisses me off.
His smirk tells me everything I just said has already rolled off his shoulders. “Duly noted. C'mon, Dasher. She doesn’t like us. Outside.”
I watch as the furball follows Levi out the door, neither looking back at me. There's no way I can get back to writing now, not with the images of him clouding my mind.
A few more minutes pass, and I actually feel a tad guilty for snapping. I let out a long sigh and lean back on my pillow. Levi’s trying to scale the wall of my heart, but I can’t let him. I am anti-charming men just as much as I’m anti-all things Christmas. He just happens to be the deadly combination of both.
CHAPTERSIX
LEVI
“Ready, set...go!”I throw a tennis ball as far as I can for Dasher.