“Um, yes. You, ah, seemed to sleep better when I held you.”
She didn’t say anything for a minute. Then, she closed the space between us and gently pressed her lips to mine. Instinctively, my one hand reached up and held her face to mine, enjoying the feel of her warm lips before she pulled away.
“Thank you.” She whispered, then untangled herself and grabbed her clothes. I watched as she slowly went to the bathroom, favoring one side of her body.
I lay there stunned and completely aroused.
Sitting up, I glanced at the bathroom door, and then down at Bear, who regarded me knowingly for a moment before huffing and laying his huge head back down on the bed. I was pretty sure he just rolled his eyes at me.
I had no idea what just happened. All I knew was I liked how Rabbit felt curled up against me. And I really liked how it felt when she kissed me.
I shook my head.
This was so not part of the plan.
After Rabbit had disappeared into the bathroom, I quickly got dressed and then plowed my way out to the barn to check on the generators again, needing some distance and space between us before I faced her again. After adding gas to the generators and checking that everything was okay, I sat down heavily on one of the benches, trying to clear my head.
She kissed me. She didn’t scream or accuse me of taking advantage of the situation. She had kissed me. And I had responded. Every part of me had responded. What did that mean? I mulled it over for a while, and decided it meant exactly nothing. She thanked me. Just as I had responded to her need to be comforted in the night, she responded this morning and thanked me. A sweet kiss. And given the close proximity we had been in, and the fact that I was a man, my body had reacted as well. That was all it was. Nothing else came of it and nothing else would. We didn’t know each other. Given her current state of memory loss and the secluded life I lived, we couldn’t know each other.
I nodded. It was good. It was nothing. A spur of the moment thing. I doubted it would happen again. I resolved to watch my reactions to her. She was vulnerable and I couldn’t let myself take advantage of that. No matter how appealing I found her.
I needed a new plan. I had to stop the impulsive need to touch her when I felt she was upset. Or any other time. I needed to distance myself more. I could be friendly and supportive. But that was where it ended. I couldn’t think in terms of caring for the woman currently residing in my house. Or a relationship with her … of any sorts.
Finally, having no further excuses, I decided I needed to return to the house soon. Going to the door, I whistled for Bear, who came running from the mounds of snow he was frolicking in. I looked up at the sky. It was lightening up and the wind was dying down some, but the snow continued to fall, albeit lighter. I hope that meant the storm would soon be over. Suddenly, I shook my head. I had a satellite radio in the house. I had never even thought to turn it on. Rabbit had totally taken over all my thoughts. Maybe there would be some news of a missing person on it and we could get some answers today.
I made my way back to the house and entered via the mudroom. Both Bear and I shook ourselves off and I hung up my coat, leaving my clothes on. I would change after a hot shower. Entering the house, Bear padded his way over to Rabbit, who was standing by the stove again. I watched as she greeted him affectionately and grabbed a towel to help dry him off. I shook my head at how the sight of her in my kitchen, tending to my dog, looked so right. Stepping forward, I laughed. “Now someone is getting spoiled with all that attention.”
She looked up shyly. “What does he normally do?”
“Lies by the fire.” I smiled as I went over to add some logs to the fireplace.
“Ah. I guess that makes sense.”
“Do I smell coffee?” I asked hopefully as I came closer to the kitchen again.
Rabbit nodded and handed me a cup. I sat down at the table and took a deep drink of the hot liquid.
“Wow. This is delicious. Did you put something in it?”
“Um ... cinnamon.”
I took another sip. “It’s great. I’m gonna have a quick shower and get out of these wet clothes."
“I’ll have breakfast ready when you’re done.”
I stood up, shaking my head. “You don’t have to do that, Rabbit. I don’t want you pushing yourself.”
“I know. I want to. Please? I feel like I’m contributing. Not just being ... in the way.”
Something in her voice made me stop. I looked at her, but she was looking anywhere but at me.