when we met. v/vacation.

Evie and I planned our vacation a few months ago. We’d rented a cabin and couldn’t wait to escape for a week, but then Evie broke her ankle. She wouldn’t let me cancel. Somehow, she convinced me to go without her.

The cabin was beautiful—better than the photos I’d seen online. The look was rustic, but the amenities modern. I dropped my bags into one of the two bedrooms and wandered around the place. I took the stairs up to a cozy loft space with two big soft chairs and a fuzzy rug underfoot. I plopped down in one of the chairs and looked out the giant window.

I closed my eyes for a moment, but clearly I was more exhausted than I thought because when I opened my eyes, it had gotten dark. How long was I asleep? I got up from the chair, but before I took even one step down the stairs, I heard the cabin door open.

Who the hell is that? Oh my God. This is it. I’m going to be murdered. I can feel it. I turned and looked around for something I could use as a weapon, but it was dark. I couldn’t see very well. The only thing less soft than a pillow was the lamp on the small table in the corner. I quietly pulled the plug and took the lamp down the stairs with me.

Mistake.

Two steps from the bottom, I saw a figure moving and I panicked. I didn’t notice that the lamp cord had gotten twisted around my legs. When I attempted to take the last step, I tripped and fell right into warm arms and a hard chest. I froze for a moment before I remembered that I could very well be in the arms of my murderer.

I shook myself out of his arms, regaining my footing.

“Stay back!” I held the lamp up over my shoulder.

He retreated and I got my first look at him. He was intimidatingly tall, but so damn attractive. His messy hair flopped over his forehead, and his face was covered in exactly the right amount of stubble. I’m going to be murdered by Adonis. Great.

He held his arms up, palms forward in surrender. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he said.

“I’m pretty sure that’s what my murderer would say just before he killed me.”

He smiled, letting out a subtle little laugh. Is it fucked up that I thought my murderer had a sexy laugh? “Why don’t you put the lamp down?”

I cautiously lowered the lamp, but still held onto it. “Who are you? What are you doing in my cabin?”

“Your cabin? This is my cabin.”

“No, it’s mine,” I insisted. “It’s rented for the week.”

“Yes. By me.” He reached for his pocket, and when he did, I lifted the lamp again. “Whoa! I’m just going for my phone.” He pulled up the reservation on his phone and held it toward me. He did indeed have the cabin rented for the week.

“There’s been a mistake,” I said. “I also have a confirmed reservation for this week.”

“Do you think you could put the lamp down now?”

I nodded.

“I’ll make a call,” he said. I watched him as I listened to his half of the conversation. It didn’t sound promising. “Double reservation? …Nothing? …Oh, really? …Okay. We’ll work something out. Thanks anyway.” He looked at me. “So, here’s the thing. There are no other cabins available.”

“Oh. What do we do now?”

“I think introductions would be a good place to start.” He extended a hand. “Josh Cameron.”

I took his hand, noticing how small mine looked in his grasp. “Delaney Hill.”

“Could we agree that I’m not a murderer?” He smiled, still holding my hand.

“I suppose we can.” I found myself smiling, too. Finally, he released my hand. I sighed and walked over to the couch. I curled into the corner and looked at him. He followed, sitting at the other end, facing me. “Josh, I think we’re going to have to share,” I suggested cautiously.

“I’m fine with that if you are. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.” He stared at me for a moment, noticing the trace of fear still on my face. “Still not a murderer, Delaney.”

I finally relaxed. Well, as much as one can relax while sharing a couch with Adonis. “I believe you.”

“Good.” Again, he flashed that sexy smile. “I think we’re going to have a good week.”

“Me, too, Josh.”

“What should we do first?”

—♥—

p.s. — I think it’s time for a vacation. I’m going to pack.

Hot guy: American model John Jamieson (JJ) Michaels (with whom I’d be happy to take a vacation)

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