felt bad for Buddy too, but at the same time, he appreciated Natalie’s empathy, how hard she worked at trying to soothe Buddy.
Seconds later, good fortune shone on them. “I think I see a clear exit. We can get some food and gas too, but I don’t see any signs for lodging.” He heard her cooing to Buddy, promising him relief, and Jett smiled. “I’m guessing you could use the break, too?”
“Are you kidding? I needed to go hours ago.”
Jett carefully veered off on the slick exit. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“What could you do about it? Nothing. You had your hands full just keeping us on the road.”
Sensible, considerate, sexy Natalie. Every second with her deepened his feelings.
Jett shook his head and made it off the highway, but just barely. The one and only gas station he saw, attached to a small store of supplies, had a sign offering hot dogs and coffee.
“I’ll pull up close to the building to let you out under the overhang, then I’ll drive Buddy over to that semi-clear spot behind that big metal garbage bin. Wait inside for me, okay? When Buddy’s done, I’ll pull back up front and you can wait with him while I run in.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
He noticed that Natalie had her knees together and bit back another grin. If he’d known things were so dire for her, he could have figured out something. What, he didn’t know, but he could be resourceful when it came to her comfort. Pretty soon, if everything went as he planned, she’d be comfortable enough with him to tell him everything she needed, even outside the bedroom.
Buddy again worried that he was being dumped, so Jett had to take extra time to convince him otherwise. He had to crouch down by the dog as Buddy did his business in ten different locations. All the while, Jett talked to him, rubbed his ear or scratched his back.
By the time Buddy finished and Jett had the gas tank refilled, his own situation was critical. His jeans now snow-covered up to his knees, his ears and nose red from the cold, Jett again pulled up in front of the gas station.
Natalie had her arms laden with hot dogs, chips and colas. While he stowed the food on the floor of the front seat, she crawled over the seat into the back to dig out food and water for Buddy. The dog hadn’t yet learned manners and he made a mess, and a racket, refilling his belly.
Shaking his head, Jett told her, “Be right back.”
He left the SUV running to keep her warm but locked the doors on his way out. After he finished inside, he asked the cashier about weather reports. Unfortunately, it sounded as if road crews couldn’t keep up with the downfall and shops were closing early so workers could avoid being stranded.
When Jett got back out to the SUV, he found Natalie looking dazed. He used the remote to unlock his door and got behind the wheel, relieved that she’d forgotten all about taking a turn driving. No way in hell would he let her behind the wheel. He did trust her driving ability, but she was far jumpier than him.
He frowned at her expression. “What is it, honey? You okay?”
She had her fingertips pressed to her temples and her eyes closed. Jett touched her chin to bring her face around to his.
“Natalie? What is it?”
She groaned as if in pain then covered her face. “I feel like such an idiot.”
He had no idea why but said, “Not even close.” Catching her wrists, he pulled down her hands. “Why do you say that?”
Avoiding his gaze, she let out a long shaky breath. “I don’t have my suitcase.”
Jett pulled back. “How?” He’d carried out everything she had by the door—and it was plenty. “I know I put all your stuff in the back. I even double-checked to make sure I didn’t leave anything behind.”
“You didn’t.” She flicked a look at him. “Last night I’d carried my suitcase back into my bedroom to switch out a few things.”
“What things?”
“Pajamas that were…nicer.” She rolled her eyes. “Since you were coming along with me.”
Ah. He opened his hand on the side of her face then bent to see her eyes. “Nicer, as in sexier?”
“Yes.”
Well, damn. Sorry that he’d miss it, Jett stroked her cheek with his thumb. So damn soft. “You left it in your bedroom?”
She nodded miserably.
He tried not to smile at her woebegone expression. “Honey, when you’re sleeping with me, you won’t need pajamas of any kind, I promise.”
“I get cold at night—” She held up a hand, anticipating his claim that he’d keep her warm. “Seriously, Jett. I’m not at all comfortable with the idea of sleeping in the…”
“Raw?” Hell, just talking about it was stirring him. Again.
Her shoulders drooped. “The only clothes I have with me are the ones I’m wearing.”
“Doesn’t sound like a major problem from my end.” He pulled her closer. “I wouldn’t mind keeping you naked for the entire vacation. In fact, that sounds like one hell of a plan to me.”
She groaned. “I’m serious, Jett.”
“All right, sorry.” He could understand why she was upset, especially after the grueling day fighting the weather. “We’ll stop somewhere and you can pick up some stuff.”
“Of course we won’t.” She shook her head in resignation. “It’s already getting dark and the roads are terrible. If we finally make it to the stupid cabin, the last thing I’ll expect to do is shop.”
Trying to bite back his smile, Jett said, “I have extra boxers you can borrow.”
She swatted at him. “It’s not funny.”
“Funny, no. But I promise, you being naked will definitely be fun—for both of us.”
“You’re incorrigible.” She swatted him again. “I can’t spend all my time naked—and no, don’t insist that I can.”
He caught her hands and pulled her close for a kiss that made him forget all about the stupid weather. “Until the weather clears enough for us to shop, you can sleep in one of my shirts. It’ll fit you like a nightgown anyway.”
“That’ll help, thank you.” She rubbed at her forehead. “But God, this entire trip has been snakebit from the start.”
Including his companionship? He let out a breath and touched her downy cheek. He loved the feel of her skin, so warm and fundamentally female. “Why don’t you think of it as an adventure?” He went one further, saying without much thought, “Years from now, we’ll be laughing about it.”
The minute the words left his mouth, she stared at him. Jett stared back. Hell, he hadn’t actually meant to say that—but yeah, he
