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“Your friends are camping around the forest, waiting for you,” he said pointedly.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “They’re not my friends.”
“Which is why you might have to stay awhile. Here.”
He put the bag down on the wooden counter and started unpacking things. Despite how crude and outdated the cabin was, the food he’d brought me was very modern. Potato chips and crackers, bread, cold meats, cheese, fruit.
“Where did you get all of that?” I asked. “Are we near a town or village?”
“I have connections,” he said with a shrug, putting stuff into the cupboards without making eye contact. I watched him move around. Ash was a large man—his head reached the same height as the tops of the cabinets overhead, and even though he wasn’t bulky, he had lean muscles that rippled under his skin when he moved.
He was delicious to watch.
He seemed completely distant, though. This morning, he’d been open, so easy for me to reach. Hell, he’d been ready to sleep with me right up against the wall next to the front door. Now, there were miles and miles between us, despite us being squeezed into the small kitchen.
I couldn’t figure him out.
“There,” Ash finally said. “Make something for yourself. I’ll find wood.”
He walked past me. His scent wrapped around me and made me dizzy. It wasn’t the scent of cologne, but it was as intoxicating as a drug. I swayed lightly on my feet.
Ash left the cabin, and I heard him walk around the side of it. I stepped into the kitchen and assembled two sandwiches, putting ham and cheese on the bread. I sliced apples with a crude blade, which had been sharpened roughly on one side.
The plates I found were made of rough wood, as if handmade. Was everything in here handmade? Was everything as old as time?
Ash returned with a stack of wood in his arms, and he marched to the fireplace. He stacked the wood in the fireplace and sat back on his heels.
“You just light this up tonight, and it should keep you warm through the night.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
The atmosphere was strained as hell. Where was the ease we’d had between us before? I still felt the same attraction. Didn’t he?
Ash got up and walked to the door.
“I made you food,” I said.
Ash froze and blinked at me. “What?”
I pointed at the other plate I’d prepared.
Ash frowned. He looked unsure, as if he didn’t know what to do with what I’d made him.
“Eat,” I said. “There’s enough for the both of us.”
He hesitated before reaching for the plate. He walked to the living room and sat down stiffly. I sat down opposite him and took a bite.
I groaned in delight. It was the first meal I’d had since yesterday, before everything had gone to hell, and I was starving. This had to be the best ham and cheese sandwich I’d ever had.
Ash finished his food almost in two bites. I usually ate slowly, but tonight I was so hungry, I practically inhaled my food, too.
When Ash stood and walked to the door, my chest tightened.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“Out,” he said.
“Can I…” I swallowed hard. “Can I come with you?”
