Page 12 of Let it Snow Queen
“Hot,” I replied. His eyes shot to mine, and a hint of darkness shimmered in the green. “Did I say that out loud?” I asked sheepishly.
“Sure did, little one,” he said gruffly. “Now get dressed for bed, preferably in absolutely nothing, while I get you some dinner.”
He stood, signing to Fox and catching him up. At least he was honest, I supposed, because Fox rolled his eyes and pushed hisfriend out the door. When he was gone, he asked me, “Are you okay with this arrangement? If you’re not, I’ll kick his ass.”
I giggled, “I’mokay.”I bit my lip. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Or . . . boyfriends. Partners.”
Fox paused in the doorway and gave a slight smirk. “I don’t care if you do or not. You were mine the moment I laid eyes on you.”
My heart leaped into my throat as he turned and walked away, leaving me alone with that statement.
And the order to get naked because a big Irishman would be in my room that night.
Sharing my bed.
Chapter 7
After washing my face and body, braiding my hair . . . and maybe putting on some lotion and body spray on my inner thighs—no reason, just because—
I sat cross-legged on the bed in my beige thermal, one-piece pajamas. When Gallow thundered in, he not-so-subtly checked me out while sitting a big bowl of vegetable pot pie in my lap. “I thought I said to be naked?” he scolded, sitting on the edge of the bed. His weight lifted the queen mattress, almost making me slide into him.
“I thought I said fuck off. Did I not say that out loud?”
He chuckled. “No, you did say I was hot, though.”
I rolled my eyes and paused. “Are you sure Koji didn’t poison this?”
“Changing the subject,” he said, taking a big bite.
I narrowed my gaze and dug in. The buttery pastry, thick, flavorful carrots, and potato melted in my mouth. “Goddamnit,” I swore.
“The guy’s a bit of a fecker sometimes, but we keep him around because he’s an excellent chef.”
Shit. He was right. And Gallow had thankfully saddled me with a huge portion. “Fox said you’re a landscape contractor?”
“Aye. I’ve got an eye for how the land should look, where to build according to sunlight, shade, and foliage.”
“The foliage y’all don’t burn to the ground, right?”
He raised an eyebrow again, licking his spoon. “You got a problem with building homes and entertainment? This town could use some life, don’t you think?”
“I think the plants and animals here deserve a life, too. And protected land is becoming rarer and rarer. There are condominiums everywhere. There aren’t Gray lilies and bobcats everywhere.”
Gallow nodded thoughtfully. “You’d enjoy Ireland. The land is like none other in the world. I’ll take you some time.”
My cheeks warmed. “Very presumptuous of you when we just met.”
He shrugged a hefty, flanneled shoulder. “I’m a man who knows what I want and gets it.”
I gave him a shove with my knee, amazed I felt so . . . comfortable with him. I was playfully hitting him, laughing . . . and I didn’t protest very long to him sharing my bed either. Truthfully, I was enjoying his company. It felt like I’d known him forever.
“How mad’s your boyfriend going to be that I’m sharing your bed? Enough to break up with you, I hope.”
I laughed in between bites. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Nathan’s my son’s dad. He . . . left when I was pregnant. I haven’t seen him since.”
“Coward piece of shite.”
Laughing again, I shoved his arm playfully. “Tell me how you really feel then.”