Page 61 of Single Malt Drama

“It’s okay, I’ve cleared the way for you.” I would have face-palmed if my hands weren’t full. I’d completely forgotten about his fear of insects, reptiles, and frogs. It was no wonder he’d never gotten over it—his brothers had tormented him mercilessly by putting creatures in his bed and clothing.

I reached the top of the stairs, opened the unlocked door, and fumbled around for a light switch.

“How is it?” Marco’s voice came out strained.

“Better than the outside.”

Thankfully, the inside of the place was clean. No signs of eight-legged roommates or any other unwanted guests. A cozy living room, with a well-worn couch and easy chair, took up one side of the room, and a small dining table the other.

I walked into the kitchen and set the remaining groceries on the counter. The appliances were old but clean. I couldn’t help but grin at the ugly brown with black trim cabinets. They looked like they belonged in the 1970s.

Curious, I checked inside each cabinet and found neat stacks of dishes and cookware—that I had absolutely no idea how to use.

Smiling, I turned to Marco. “This isn’t so bad.”

He hitched a shoulder and dropped his groceries on the table. “As long as the gators don’t eat us and the critters stay outside, it’ll do.”

Our eyes met, and my pulse raced.

This is it. We’re here. Alone. No one to interrupt us.

Marco closed the distance between us in one step. He reached up as if to cup my face like he’d done at the church, but instead, pulled a pin from my hair, and another and another, until my hair came tumbling down.

“You were beautiful tonight.” He tugged me close with one strong hand and slanted his mouth over mine.

I melted against him. It felt like I’d waited my entire life for this moment. His kiss, and the way he held my body so possessively, made me feel wanted and loved and safe. Like nothing could hurt me.

Without breaking the kiss, Marco took a step forward, pressing me against the wall. I wrapped my arms around his neck and ground my hips against his hard length. His hands were everywhere, my face, my arms, my breasts. I thought I’d explode before we got around to taking off our clothes—and then he pulled away.

Avoiding my gaze, he said, “I have to get the rest of our things, and we should talk before we do that again.”

Talk? Is he kidding? I stood dumbstruck as he walked outside.

The doubts I thought I’d put to rest prickled at the edge of my subconscious, but rather than feeling sorry for myself, I decided to put the groceries away.

Marco returned and set our luggage by the couch. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but snapped it shut, and walked to the kitchen. “Did you find the wine?”

“I put it in the cabinet.” What’s going on with him? “Did you want to have that talk?”

“Let’s settle in first.”

I didn’t want to settle in. I wanted to get whatever it was he needed to say out in the open. Swallowing my growing anxiety, I wandered through the cabin opening doors and turning on exterior lights. “Why is there a rope ladder in the bathroom?”

“It’s the law. The cabin has to have two ways to get out. The ladder is in case there’s a fire or emergency, and the stairs are impassible.” He kicked his shoes off. “Kill the outside lights. They’ll attract bugs, and bugs attract spiders.”

Weird and weirder. “Can’t have spiders, now can we.” I checked the final two doors and found closets stuffed with hunting and fishing equipment. “Where’s the bed?”

“Nic, we really should have that talk before we worry about what comes next.” A slow grin spread across his face that sent a rush of heat through my body.

Evidently, whatever was on his mind wasn’t all bad, but we had a problem. A big one. “I’m serious. There’s no bed.”

“There has to be a bed.” He checked every door even though I’d done the same thing moments before. “There’s no bed.”

I rolled my eyes. “You don’t say.”

We turned and stared at the couch as if it were a snake coiled and ready to strike.

Marco frowned. “Toto, I don’t think we’re at the Ritz anymore.”