“Degenhard, my ass," you scoff at the fake name he had given you when you met.

Everything that's happened over the last day was shit. Based on your last phone call, boyfriend was undoubtedly cheating on you. You're snowed in with your grandfather who you haven't spoken to in years, and the cute carer who you thought was sweet and fun was actually trying to rob the place.

You're sitting in front of the fire on the rug with the thief tied up next to you.

“It's cold,” the brunette beside you says quietly. You look over at his handsome face; he's trying to play it cool, but his jaw is clenched, shivering a little like you were.

“Wow, I didn't notice,” you snap back.

He smiles, “It's cold and you’re a terrible host.”

You elbow him hard in the arm, to which he winces but doesn’t lose the smirk. “See? Proving my point. How about you stop abusing the help and untie me?”

“The help? You're not actually my grandfather's carer. I don’t even know your real name,” you counter.

“It's Denis.”

“Well, Denis, I'm not untying you.”

The generator only partially worked, leaving most of the house cold as hell. The fireplace crackled and glowed, but still it could only do so much.

“If you don't untie me I'll freeze. Not to mention the fact that I'll eventually have to use the bathroom?” Denis asks.

You sigh. You hadn't considered that.

“How about we have a truce until I leave? You untie me and we can stay close. Cuddle for warmth.”

“Is that your idea of negotiating?”

“Do you have any other ideas?” He raises an eyebrow.

You had two options: huddle up together for warmth or risk freezing.

Begrudgingly, you untie his wrists. He grins, which was a very cheeky thank you. Getting up, he grabs a blanket off the sofa and drapes it over both of you.

“Come closer, I'm still freezing," he murmurs.

He tugs you closer by the waist so you're shoulder to shoulder, personal space a thing of the past. You feel a flutter in your chest as your heart skips a beat.

“Better, right?” he says with a soft, crooked smile, not knowing just what he's doing to you. You shift under the blanket, painfully aware of how close he is, how good he smells. You can only imagine how he looks like underneath that sweater— Fuck, you need to get yourself together.

“Yeah,” you murmur. “Better.”

He hums in response, gaze fixed on the fire. The only sounds are the crackling logs and the faint wind howling outside. “You’re tense,” Denis says quietly.

“I’m not.”

“You are,” he insists, poking your side, “You’re all stiff.”

“Maybe because I’m sitting next to a guy who tried to rob my house.”

He lets out a breathy laugh. “Fair, but I have a feeling it's more than that."

His fingers rub your upper arm, slow, absentminded circles meant to warm you up. You’re not sure he even realises he’s doing it.