Frigid Affair(11)

He stuttered, shocked I’d been forward with my inquiry. “I didn’t have anything in mind if that’s what you’re implying. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

I shrugged. For some reason I didn’t believe him, or maybe it was my own actions I was questioning. “Really? Am I not your type? I mean, I’d like to think I’ve still got it, but maybe living out here in the middle of nowhere has clouded my judgment. Have I let myself go?”

Easton clapped his hands together and looked down at them before bringing his eyes up to meet mine. “You’re very forward. I’m not used to women being this way around me. I haven’t …” He didn’t finish.

“An answer would be nice.” For the record I wasn’t trying to come off as a bitch. This man was sexy as hell, and if I had any chance of impressing him, I wanted to appear as if I was always in control.

“You still have it.” He stumbled on his words. “You’re very attractive, Amantha. If the circumstances were different I’d definitely be interested in seeing if I could hit it, but that’s just not why I’m here.”

This made me giggle. I could hardly contain my laughter as I considered what I could say in response. “Hit it? What makes you think you’d have a chance?”

“I don’t know. You asked me a loaded question.”

It was obvious I’d put him on the spot and he felt uncomfortable. There was little I could do to reassure him I was only feeling him out, instead of trying to make him seem like a sexual predator. Between the two of us, I was the one who couldn’t get sex off my mind. This man could have been a saint, yet I was pushing my way into his head to see if something may be able to happen between us. Like a wild animal, I needed this type of interaction. I was a freak in heat, giving him enough interest to imply what I was willing to let this man do to me, if he’d only take the bait. “Yet, you struggled to answer.”

Easton scratched his head, an ornery grimace crossing his face. “Maybe I’m mistaken, but I get the feeling you’re asking because you might be the one who is interested.”

As soon as he stated his assumption I smiled. I could tell from the way he was shifting his body that I had him where I wanted him. This man wouldn’t turn down a woman in need, especially one that was about to rock his world. Years of pent up desire had made me hungry for something I’d gone without for far too long.

I sat my cup down on the counter and began walking away.

He stood when he saw me leaving the room. “Wait. Where are you going?”

“To take a shower,” I announced. I fetched the pot of heated water off the top of the woodstove, just in case the solar panels didn’t charge all the way with the storm. As soon as I felt the beads of water getting cold, I’d switch it over to manual and be able to stay in longer.

He got up and followed behind me. “Hang on. You shouldn’t be carrying that around. You could pass out.”

“I haven’t coughed in over an hour. I’m resilient. I’m sure I’m going to be fine. As soon as I get this smoke smell off me, I’ll be good to go back to bed for a few hours, and then you’ll be able to leave. I’m sure that’s what you want; to be with your friends?” I said it like a question to see if he’d react.

I continued moving, noticing he was still behind me. “Is this where you tell me to leave then? You think because you can do this on your own you’re not in any danger?”

When I looked into his sexy eyes I didn’t know how to respond. He was too handsome for his own good, witty, and appeared to be a genuinely nice person, from what I could tell. This might be the closest I came to seeing another man my age in years. For the first time in a while I felt lonely. I opened my mouth to speak, but words wouldn’t come out. This was where I should have sent him on his way where he would become a distant memory of a hero who once saved me. I couldn’t keep him around. He had a life somewhere else.

But… I wasn’t ready for him to go. I wanted to be selfish. I’d baited him for this. I’d fished around for answers pertaining to what he’d do to me if given the chance.

I wanted him to stay.

Maybe I knew from the very beginning that I wanted him to do more than play a game of cards with me. As a woman, I had sexual needs. He was there, beating around the topic of attraction, though I now knew for certain it was evident. “You could stay. You probably should,” I almost said in a whisper.

His broad shoulders hunched as if he’d suddenly relaxed. “I’d like to, but only if it’s what you need. I’m not in the habit of rescuing woman and taking advantage of them, although, I’m enjoying myself for the first time in forever. Let’s face it. Being here with you is better than hanging out with a bunch of men who haven’t showered in two days.”

I bit down on my lip and imagined it playing out. Did I want to take this risk?

You’re damn right I did.

“Maybe I need to be taken advantage of, at least for a little while. It’s slim pickings around these parts. Aside from a few sasquatch sightings, you’re the first male to come my way in months. Besides, I could use a good f*ck, if you catch my drift. Let’s face the facts. There isn’t anyone else to get the job done. I’m not like the girls you meet back in the city. What you see is what you get. Take it or leave it, no strings attached. I’m not looking for anything more than what tonight might bring. We’re just two strangers in the night. You’re my hero. You saved my life. Let me thank you properly.”