LWP 13

Chapter 1

When I woke up, I found myself held up against the chest of a tall man. A loving man. My man. I smiled and snuggled in. "Mornin', Johnnycake."

"He. Well, morning' ta ya, too, Max."

My eyes shot open and I gulped back, falling of of...Devon's bed? Looking up, I saw someone lean over. It sounded like Finn, but I wasn't sure of my eyes. "Yo k, Max?" He reached onto the nightstand then handed me my glasses.

I put them on and sure enough, I had been in bed with Finn. Luckily, he doesn't sleep in the nude. I gasped and scooted back more. "Finn!"

He looked concerned. "Yo k?" he asked again. "Ah woke up a while ago and ya were here. Ya looked cold so I let ya under the blanket."

When did that happen? I don't sleep walk! "Oh, Johnny's gonna be ticked." I jumped up but when I got to the door, he was already standing there.

His arms were crossed and he was tapping his foot. "Ticked doesn't begin to describe what I am."

I gulped. "Mornin', Johnnycake?"

"How could you- No. You!" He glared at Finn and stomped over to him. "You've been after Max since you got here, southern boy. You brought her in here, yourself, didn't you? Don't lie."

He shook his head. "No, Sir! Ah jus' woke up an' saw her here so I kept her warmed fer ya!"

"You're telling me you just found her in bed with you?"

"Ah know it sounds bad but, yes! Ah swear, Sir, Ah wouldn't do that ta yer marriage!"

"And why wouldn't you think to bring her back to me, hm?"

"A-A-Ah was j-jus' thinkin' of keepin' her warm, Sir! She was so cold!"

"She's always cold at night. And it's midwinter. Who isn't cold? I'll tell you one thing: If you ever look at her again, I'm going to throw you out into the neck-deep snow without so much as a coat!"

"Johnny!" I jumped over and tried to grab him but he shook me off.

"Go to our room, Max. I need to talk to you, too."

Igulped and couldn't help but feel like this was my fault.