CHAPTER TWELVE

GWEN POV

I knew Nolan and I both needed time away from each other, so I stayed in the kitchen. I walked over to the French doors. They looked out onto a huge wooden deck with a hot tub sitting right there. April had told me to use it, saying I should relax and treat this trip like a vacation. Right now, it felt like the complete opposite of a vacation.

"Fucking hell!" Nolan's loud voice boomed from the other room.

That sound was definitely not good.

I kept looking outside and saw that the snow was falling much harder now. It was sticking to the ground and piling up fast. My stomach dropped. Nolan’s outburst probably meant I wouldn't be able to go home tonight. Maybe, just maybe, Nolan would be nice enough to drive me in his super fancy car.

Sure, my own car had all-wheel drive, but it was currently stuck in a ditch. Even if I got it out, everything about my car—especially my old tires—would make the drive very dangerous in this weather.

I thought back to the small town I drove through earlier. Was there a hotel? I couldn't remember seeing one. I guessed there had to be a small inn or a bed-and-breakfast, but they would probably be too expensive for me.

Nolan walked back into the kitchen, his face set in a grim line.

"Bad news," he said, holding up his phone. "There was a big accident on the main highway. Lots of cars. So, all the tow trucks and wreckers are busy helping with that. And with the snow falling so fast, they told me they won't be able to get to your car anytime tonight. Especially since it's just in a ditch and not blocking traffic."

I let out a long sigh and gave a slow nod. I was stuck.

"Look," Nolan continued, leaning against the doorframe. "The fact that you want to leave, and I definitely don't want you here, would be a strong reason for me to drive you back to the city myself. But, you know, there's that multi-car pile-up blocking the only good road out."

He paused and shrugged, his expression unreadable. "That means you're staying the night. I put your bags in the guestroom. Feel free to use anything in the house. The Wi-Fi, the food, drinks, the hot tub—anything you want."

"But?" I turned to face him completely. "It sounds like there's a 'but' coming in that speech."

Nolan let out a small, tired laugh. "No 'but.' I just finished talking to April. She said she thinks you need rest and time to relax. So, you have the run of the house. I promise I will do my best to stay completely out of your way."

Hearing the words I wanted to hear—that he would leave me alone—actually hurt a little bit. He was acting like I had some sort of disease.

"And just so we're clear," he added, holding his hands up like he was giving up. "You don't have to worry about me trying to do anything sexual with you. At all. Enjoy your stay."

With that, he walked out of the kitchen again.

Both he and April had told me to use the whole house, but I didn't feel comfortable at all. I quickly left the kitchen to catch up with him. "Can you tell me which room is mine?"

He stopped and gave a short nod. "Up the stairs. First door on the left."

I walked up the stairs and into the large, cozy room. My travel bag and backpack were sitting on the bed. The light was off, so the room was dark, but enough light came through the window that I could see. I went to the window and looked out. The snow seemed to be falling even harder and thicker now. What if we got completely snowed in? What if I couldn't get out tomorrow, either?

I remembered Nolan saying he had just talked to April, so I took my phone out of my pocket and called her number.

"Oh, my God, Gweneth. Are you okay?" she cried out when she answered.

I sat down on the window seat and let out a long, shaky breath. "Yes. I'm safe and warm."

"I'm so glad my dad found you! You could have been stuck out there all night. Or you could have died!"

I rubbed my head. "Yes, I was very lucky."

"My dad promised me he's going to give you space so you can rest and relax. He can be a little grumpy sometimes, but he really is a good guy, Gwen."

My mind flashed back to the hotel room and all the amazing things Nolan had done to me. I quickly shook my head. I had to stop thinking about that while talking to my best friend about her father!

"I'm so sorry I'm not there with you," April said. "We would have so much fun together."

"What happened with your car, anyway?" I asked her.

"It broke down, and I can't find anyone to fix it because it's too close to Christmas. So Cole is letting me stay at his place until I can find a mechanic."

I knew April wasn't a liar, but a part of me wondered if that was just an excuse because she didn't want to leave Cole. They had only just started dating, and she was clearly crazy about him.

"I really wish I was there with you. Christmas is so much fun up at the cabin. Did my dad put up any decorations? He can be such a party-pooper, but deep down, he's a sweet guy."

I realized I hadn't really looked at the house at all. I was too focused on the fact that I had slept with her father and was now stranded here alone with him.

"Oh, I have to go now. Have fun, Gweneth. Just relax, okay?"

The call ended before I could say anything back. I kept sitting on the window seat, watching the snow fall. I decided I would just stay up here until I could actually leave.

Sure, I was hungry, but I could wait until tomorrow morning when I could finally get out of this place.

I had no idea how long I had been sitting there when I heard a small noise in the hallway. I turned and saw Nolan standing in the doorway of the bedroom. His arms were crossed over his big chest.

"I'm going to make some dinner," he said. "Should I make enough for two?"

My first thought was to say no and stick to my plan of hiding in this room. But then my stomach rumbled. It had other ideas.

Nolan raised one eyebrow slightly. "I'll take that as a yes."

Oh God, he heard my stomach growl from all the way across the room? That was so embarrassing. How was that even possible?

"It's fried rice," he said. "It's one of April's favorites."

I gave him a genuine smile. April was right. He acted tough and grumpy, but there was a sweet side to him. He was planning to make one of his daughter’s favorite meals.

"I like fried rice, too," I said. "Actually, I think I've had your fried rice before. April brought some home after visiting you once and shared it with me. You're a really good cook."

The tightness in his body seemed to relax a little. "It will be ready in thirty minutes," he said simply.

I nodded. "Thank you."

He didn't move. He just stood there, staring at me. I wondered what he was seeing, or what he was thinking about when he looked at me. It was clear that he felt bad about what happened last night, just like I did. The night before, he saw me as a woman for sex. Tonight, he was probably looking at me only as his daughter's friend. Not a child, but still completely off-limits.

He finally stepped away from the doorway, and I turned my attention back to the window. I had been rude and mean to him, and he was right that I hadn't taken responsibility for my part in what happened at the hotel. If I was completely honest with myself, if Nolan wasn’t April’s father and I ended up stuck here with him, I would be hoping he would have sex with me all night long, just like last night.