“You have no right to speak to me like that, Max. I understand the situation is serious, so tell me, Mr. have-it-all-together, what’s going on?” she said. He turned and paced the small room. He didn’t have much space to do it.
“This must be some kind of freak storm. They know where we are, so it shouldn’t take them long to dig us out,” he said optimistically.
“Sounds like a great plan,” she said in all innocence. She knew she was getting under his skin, but he deserved it.
“Obviously, a generator is running. I’m going to try and figure out where it’s running from so we can conserve energy. I also need to check the stack on the wood stove to see if it’s safe to use, not that we have much wood in here. The good thing with the snow is that it works as insulation so the cabin won’t get too cold, even if we lose power. Why don’t you do a full check of supplies. I don’t think there’s a need to ration food, but we don’t want to be fools,” he said, immediately going into commander mode.
They both went to their tasks. He found the generator was stored in a cubby underneath a closet. It was large, and full, thankfully. If they used it moderately, they’d be okay for about a week. Cassie found at least a month’s supply of food in the house, and plenty of water. They would surely be rescued within a few days. Most likely by the end of the day. They had nothing to worry about.
“We’ll be fine. Plenty of fuel and food. We can’t use the fireplace. I can’t verify if the stack is clear,” Max said.
“I’m going to start some breakfast,” Cassie said to fill the silence. She wasn’t going to be so petty she wouldn’t prepare him a meal at the same time as her. They had to limit the amount of resources they used.
“Fine, I’m going to take a quick shower,” Max replied. He left her alone and she put together eggs, bacon and toast. She had to go through the fresh supplies before getting into too many of the canned goods, just in case it took them longer than she assumed to get rescued.
Cassie took her few minutes alone to figure out how she was going to act for the day. It would be next to impossible to avoid him in the small space. There were some good books she could read, but she was sure she wouldn’t be able to concentrate with him so close. She could stay mad the entire time, but that just made things miserable for her, and he most likely wouldn’t care. She decided to just pretend the other night hadn’t happened and get on with her day, make the best of a bad situation.
She’d been with him almost non-stop for a couple weeks. She’d just pretend they were back in his office. She could use the time to hopefully get some much wanted answers out of him and make real headway on her article.
He stepped from the bathroom as she was finishing their lunch. He wore a pair of skin-tight jeans, and an old sweatshirt, with the sleeves pushed to his elbows. He looked good, good enough she wouldn’t mind him on the menu. She shook her head to clear the unwanted thoughts, which caused him to give her another of his confused looks.
“Thanks for the food, it looks good,” he said as he sat across from her at the small table.
“It’s not like you could complain if you didn’t like it. We don’t exactly have take-out,” she replied.
“Cassie, we’re stuck here for who knows how long, can’t we just make the best out of the situation,” he said as if he were a parent scolding his child.
“You’re right. We may as well work on the interview. If I can get enough information, you’ll be rid of me sooner,” she said with a smile.
“What if I don’t want to be rid of you sooner?” he asked, his eyes turning seductive. She blinked, then looked at him again, trying to figure him out. No way was she sleeping with him again, it hadn’t turned out well the first time.
“What you think doesn’t matter much to me,” she said sweetly.
“Ah, then we’re at an impasse. I’ll tell you what, Cassie,” he paused, as he spoke her name seductively. “We’ll go back and forth with the questions. You ask one, then it’s my turn.”
Cassie didn’t like the turn in the situation. She didn’t know what he was playing at but if he thought she’d back down, then he’d be sadly mistaken.
“Fine, I’m an open book, Max,” she said. If she wanted to be a reporter, she needed to know how to act under pressure. Well, a situation didn’t get much more tense than it was at that moment.
“It must be nice there on your high horse. You detach yourself so well from the human race, so afraid of being hurt, so distrusting of everyone around you,” he mocked. She wanted to defend herself, but he was right. She’d been hurt so many times in her life that it was just easiest to assume the world was bad, that everyone was going to hurt her eventually. He’d hurt her last night, but was she guilt free? She hadn’t said anything to stop the love making. She’d ran for the bathroom afterward. She was responsible, too.
“I’m not a robot. I do have feelings, but I’m just careful who I let in,” she finally said.
“I’ll make a deal with you. We’re stuck here, in this cabin, for who knows how long. Let’s be honest with each other. I won’t hold back on the interview, and in turn, you be honest with me,” he said.
“Let me make some coffee,” she stalled. She got up from the table and took her time, trying to gather her thoughts. What she really wanted was for him to pull her into his arms again, take the choice away from her. She knew it was the chicken’s way out, but she couldn’t help herself. He made her feel things, he made her want what she shouldn’t want.
Max watched her nervous movements, unable to take his eyes from her. For some reason, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. It felt like more than just desire, but he couldn’t think that way. He decided he was going to have her, all of her, not just a piece. He’d figure the rest out later, but for the time being she couldn’t escape him, and when he put his full effort into something, he got what he wanted.
Max slowly stood and walked up behind her. His hand lifted to her hair, pushing it aside. He smiled as her body tensed. She didn’t say anything as his hand caressed the small of her nape. He leaned down and brushed his lips against the smooth column of her neck, and he felt powerful when he spotted the goosebumps popping up on her skin. She was so sensual, so responsive, it was a powerful boost to his ego.