Free Cabin Heat: A New Adult and College Romance (The Billionaire Romance Redemption Series Book 1) by Bella Love-Wins Page B

Andrew,” Abby greeted him with a shy but warm smile.
    “Good morning. Did you…um…did you sleep well?” he asked.
    “I did,” she answered. “We still can’t thank you enough for your help last…I mean yesterday.”
    “It’s no problem at all. So, I see you’ve been fed?”
    “Yes, thank you. Everyone else is eating in the kitchen. Rob and John made breakfast. There’s probably more if you want to have some.”
    “I’m all right. Had my morning coffee and will grab something later,” he explained, settling into a less nervous conversation. It would appear they were both intent on leaving the kiss in the past and out of their discussion.
    “Rob mentioned it’s still snowing out there?” she asked.
    “Unfortunately, yes,” he answered, and immediately caught himself, but it was already too late to back out of the commentary.
    “I’m sure you’d be a lot more comfortable if we hadn’t ended up stuck here with you,” she said politely, possibly reading his mind. “Have you heard any news on how long the storm will last?”
    “The radio has been cutting in and out, and reception isn’t much better with cable and satellite TV. At one point, the news mentioned another day or so of snowfall. There have been hundreds of accidents, vehicle pileups, and stalled cars, so the cleanup will be another story. I hate to break it to you, but we could be looking at three to five days before they clear the highways, main roads, and then this back country road.”
    He was completely aware of the pregnant pause as the reality of a few days sank in for Abby. She bit down on her luscious lip, sweet enough to make Andrew sense an impending erection.
    “Better in here than out there, right?” she said cheerily. Her wide eyes lit up as she nodded toward the windows.
    “For sure. By the way,” he added, “does anyone want to use the sat phone? I’m guessing you all need to call your family, or…um…loved ones?” And I hope you’re actually single, after that kiss.
    And with just that question, Andrew found himself in the middle of a flashback.
    He was driving. It was the dead of night in the middle of a snowstorm. Both hands gripped the wheel firmly. Emma’s hand lovingly on his leg. They had both worked twenty-four hours straight at the hospital. She had just kissed him on the cheek and laid her head on his shoulder, her non-verbal reassurance that she was completely confident with his driving on the snowy night. Black ice on that bridge. Bright lights from out of nowhere.
    Just as quickly as it came, the memory drifted away with his clouded mind and he was now standing a few feet from Abby.
    “Everything okay?” she asked as his focus shifted back to her.
    “Fine,” he answered quickly, as if it would help detract any attention from his vacant stare. He made a point of turning to head out of the room. Having to explain what just happened was more than he was ready to share. “I’ll show your friends how to use the sat phone and get one of them to bring it to you when they’re done. I have a few things to take care of, so I’ll speak to you later on.”
    “Thanks, Andrew.”
    He heard Abby answer but disappeared around the corner to put some distance between him and the embarrassing moment. When he was out of her line of sight, and out of earshot, he stopped and took a few deep breaths. Great going, Andy . He silently chastised himself and his unruly mind for taking him back to the tragedy at such an inopportune time.
    “Hey, Andrew,” Rob greeted him as he entered the kitchen. Rob was at the stove preparing another round of breakfast. The remaining four people from the group—he had forgotten a couple of their names—were seated around the breakfast nook, feasting on eggs, French toast, sausages, and coffee.
    “Good morning,” he said to them. “I just want to show you the satellite phone and how to use it before I head back to my office to attend to some business.”
    “Thanks, man,” John