“I’ll tell you what. Just close your eyes for a bit and rest. All that can be taken care of tomorrow. What’s important is that you weren’t badly hurt. Just rest now and I’ll tell you when we get to the Inn.”
“Yeah…sure, thanks.” Carly said, seemingly grateful to stop chatting.
I nodded silently and watched as she closed her eyes and relaxed back into the seat, my coat still draped across her tiny body. This entire situation was about as crazy as the thoughts running through my head.
The drive wasn’t much longer, but my mind was already planning out the details. If fate had thrown us together again, then it was for a reason. And I was never one to back down from an opportunity. Or a challenge.
Chapter 5
CARLY
“Shit!” I jolted awake at the feel of a hand on my shoulder.
“Carly, relax, we’re at the Inn.” Matt’s voice was calm and controlled as he squeezed my shoulder and slid his hand down my arm before turning to open the door.
As much as I remembered hating that he always took charge, it was kind of reassuring right now. I rubbed my eyes and tried to shake off the sleep, but it was like a heavy cover blanketing my senses. The only thing that seeped through the cracks was his smell. Why did he smell so good? Ugh. Of all the people to pick me up off the road when I was dirty and exhausted, it had to be the guy I had given my virginity to when I was fifteen. And now, I hadn’t seen him in almost ten years and I couldn’t stop thinking about how good he smelled. Not to mention that his deep voice and that devastatingly beautiful face sent shivers up my spine.
I flung open the car door just as he was coming around my side to open it for me. “I got it, I’m good.” I announced as I stepped out, prepared to march into the Inn. I had to stay in control and show my independence. Carly Roberts didn’t need anyone to take care of her. Except my body decided to work against me. The blackness hit me hard, rounding out the edges of my vision and swarming in towards the center of my pupils. Within seconds, tunnel vision clouded me right out of the present moment. I could hear Matt call out to me, but responding was impossible. The sound of his voice yelling my name was the last thing I heard before blackness took over.
When my eyes opened again, I was lying down on something soft. The room was bright. Almost too bright. I could feel the soft blankets under my body, my bare skin… exposed? Panic flooded through me and popped my eyes open. I tried to move but felt sluggish.
“Where am I? What happened?” I mumbled incoherently.
“Settle down, Carly. You fainted outside the Inn. After the crash and that frozen turkey trot, it’s no wonder your body is shutting down. You need to rest.”
“Uh… where are my clothes?” I pawed at myself, realizing I was only wearing my bra and underwear beneath the blanket.
His matter-of-fact tone answered as if it was obvious. “I had no choice. You were practically hypothermic. Your jeans were stiff with ice and your sweatshirt totally soaked. And that jacket you were wearing was nothing but a scrap. Fortunately, Mrs. West from downstairs said she would have it all cleaned and dried for you by morning.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.” I rolled my eyes. “You should make it a habit to ask a girl before you take her clothes off, you know.” I grumbled, pulling the blankets up around me. In that year we had been together, Matt had shown his controlling nature more than once, and I had abhorred it. Somehow, this felt different. Kind of like déjà vu but also more intense, darker, and if I was being honest…hotter.
I stared him down and watched as his expression grew darker as he stared at me. Who did this guy think he was? I needed to be careful. His demeanor flipped between hot and ice cold in seconds, and everything about it made my insides flutter. I was in Maple Cove for a purpose and I didn’t need any distractions.
“Listen, thanks for the help, but I need to go book a room for myself.” I said as I reached for the bedside phone.
His attitude wasn’t a surprise. I knew Matthew Harris. Mister I’ll take care of everything, just let me save you kind of guy. Well, I wasn’t a woman who needed saving. I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself. And that started with getting out of his room.
I turned my focus to Matt who had left his spot on the other side of the room and was now staring me down by the side of the bed. He was all arms crossed and hardened scowl, like he was the one who had harbored a grudge all these years. What right did he have?
“I already asked.” He growled, reaching over me and pulling the receiver from my hand. “Mrs. West doesn’t have any extra rooms.” He continued, one hand slamming the receiver down as he held me back with the other.
“Yeah, sure.” I mumbled, ignoring the hand on my arm that was burning a hole through my skin. I grabbed the phone right back again and punched the buttons.
“Yes, hello? Mrs. West? Yes, thank you, I am feeling better. I was wondering if I could book a room tonight? No… I yes, but we aren’t…what?”
Those light grey eyes felt like they were burning a hole in the side of my head. The combination of Mrs. West’s words and Matt’s stare distracted me for just a second, but it was enough for him to seize the moment and grab the receiver from my hand once more.
“Yes, yes of course, Mrs. West. Yes, she’s a bit confused. Food would be lovely. Soup? Yes, that’s very kind of you. Thank you.” he answered, gently putting the phone back in its cradle.
I was going to kill him.
“You told her we were engaged? What the hell is wrong with you?” I screamed as soon as the call was over.
Matt raised his hands in surrender. “Are you going to listen or just yell?”
I was seeing red and there was no way he could stop me now. “Fuck you, Matt! Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful for your help tonight, but this is all kinds of wrong and you know it!”
“You were wet and injured and she just assumed we were together. Mrs. West is an old woman with vision trouble. I don’t think she recognized either of us as former Maple Cove residents. Definitely not me anyway. She assumed and I didn’t correct her. After all, she also mentioned that it was good that I had pre-booked because she had no more rooms left. What was I supposed to do? Let her think you were picked up off the street and shacking up with me? Is that really how you want to return to Maple Cove, Carly?”
Shit. I chewed my lip and thought it through. He had a decent point. As much as I hated him for it, I also kind of appreciated that he had thought it through. After all, small towns were known for gossip and this one was no exception. I suppose the gossip of returning as a respectable couple was better than the truth.
“Okay, so I guess I’m staying here tonight…” I looked around. It was a nice suite but only one bed and I was already in it. I looked at Matt again.