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“I think you and I have spent more than enough time together. I’ll be fine if you point me in the right direction.”

He started putting the groceries away he’d brought in. “I don’t think so.”

I folded my arms, trying not to catch an attitude when all he was trying to do was be nice. But I failed.

“Well, what you
think
about it is irrelevant.”

He emptied the grocery bag before turning to me. “Actually, what I think about it is all that matters. I’m the only one that can help you get to your cabin. And unfortunately for you, I’m not telling.”

His cocky smirk made my blood boil. I was used to dealing with people like him. Men who thought they knew better than me, people who felt the need to intrude upon my life with their advice and rules. Still, none infuriated me like Derek. None could make me lose my demeanor so quickly.

I was sure my short-temper was a result of current events in my life, and not necessarily him. Unfortunately, Derek was the one who would have to see me at my worst and take the brunt of my hot mood.

I didn’t realize my hands were balled into fists until my nails pinched into my palms. I shot my fingers out, releasing the tension as I took an audible breath.

“I’ll figure it out on my own then,” I said, jerking my gloves back on.

He left the kitchen and sauntered by me, opening the front door. A gust of wind smacked me in the face. It was so cold, my muscles temporarily seized.

“Alright. Which way you heading?” He asked, pointing to the wall of white outside. The snow was so thick, I couldn’t even make out the silhouette of a single tree. How had that happened so quickly?

I glanced up at him, hoping my eyes didn’t admit defeat. When I didn’t respond, he slowly closed the door, my jaw locked tight as I accepted my fate.

He turned to me after closing the door, leaning in. I was sure his lips brushing against my ear was an accident, but he didn’t move them as he spoke to me in a low whisper.

“Just relax, Shae. I don’t bite.”

My heart thumped hard in my chest as he spoke. Was the reaction from irritation, or something more?

He was inches from me, and I finally took a good look at him. For the past six years, I’d only had eyes for Reggie. But in that moment, I found myself appreciating Derek’s statuesque features. There was no denying he was incredibly attractive.

Although we were in the middle of winter, he had a healthy tan. His crystal blue eyes sparkled, and his golden hair shined. His features were striking and prominent. He had the natural look of a confident man: a sharp nose, a hard jaw line, and a broad chest.

The glistening stubble on his face was oddly alluring. More effects from my unbalanced mental state, I supposed. But at the end of the day, he still irritated me above anything else.

He was pushy, arrogant, and a know-it-all- and I hated that in a man.

I cleared my throat as I locked eyes with him. The small smile on his lips told me he caught me checking him out, but I ignored the look to avoid going off topic.

“I really just want to get back to my cabin.”

A part of me was happy to see him, I’ll admit. He was the only person in the world who knew of my internal struggle, and his presence provided a sense of… comfort.

No matter what my personal hang-ups with him were, he was the only person I had to share my pain. But he was a stranger. I had to remind myself that in a few days, he was going back to his home, and I'd never hear from him again. I couldn’t allow myself to get attached.

His eyes trailed down my body, a smirk on his face. Despite being covered with multiple layers, his eyes had a way of making me feel exposed. Not that it mattered. He’d seen me in a bikini the day before- my body and mind were out in the open for him to scrutinize.

And then it hit me. He wasn’t just some Good Samaritan. He was looking for something more. He knew I was newly single, emotional, and desperate. He was looking for a little entertainment for the last few days of his mountain retreat. Unfortunately for him, I wasn’t a piece of loose tail. I needed to get back to my cabin.

“Stop that.”

His eyes shot up to mine, the blaze behind them heating me quicker than the warmth of the fireplace.

“Stop what?”

I was thankful my chestnut cheeks masked my blushing skin.

“Stop looking at my body. I don’t know what you think is going to happen here-”

“You were just looking at mine. So why can’t I look at yours?”

I cringed. “It was an accident. I di-didn’t… I mean-”

“Sure. We’ll call it an accident to make you feel better. But you’re still not leaving. You won’t make it in this. The plows will clear the paths early in the morning. I have more than enough space for you here.”

I took a step back, his once comforting presence now overbearing as he hovered inches from me.

“If you have so much space, wh-why are you so close to me?”

His chuckle came out as a deep rumble, and I held my breath as the laugh tickled me in a place I wasn’t expecting.

He ignored my insinuating question. “I was going to hang out in the hot tub, have a few beers, and watch the snow fall, but would you rather play cards or a board game? It’s been a while since I’ve had company.”

I loved playing cards, but I wasn’t falling for his trap of casual seduction. After glancing out the window, I had to accept I was stuck there for at least the rest of the night. There was no way I’d make it to my cabin in the storm. He knew it, and had plans of his own, but I had no intention of rebound sex at my non-honeymoon retreat.

I walked to the living room, snatched his remote, and turned on the TV. “Let’s just watch a movie.”

“Why are you limping?”

“Fell and hit my knee. Movie?”

He nodded. “Alright. Sounds good. Hand me your coat. I have a sweatshirt if you’re cold.”

“No, this blanket is fine,” I said, grabbing the crumpled-up blanket from his couch.

“Want popcorn?”

“Hot chocolate would be better. Thanks.”

I organized the clutter on his coffee table while I waited for him. He laughed as he approached, watching me straighten his stack of magazines.

“Was that bothering you?”

I took the mug of cocoa. “Just helping you out a bit while I waited. I’ve picked a movie.”

He approached with a bag of ice wrapped with a towel. He squatted next to me and I jumped when he reached for my leg.

“What are you doing?”

He propped my leg on the coffee table.

“For your knee.”

I snatched the ice and put it on my knee, thankful when he stood and backed away.

“Thank you.”

I watched him remove his sweater, my heart racing when I thought he was getting naked. I sighed in relief when I saw he had a t-shirt on underneath. He sat next to me on the couch; I thought he was a little too close, but I didn’t say anything.

“Relax, Shae. Kick your feet back.”

I maintained my upright position, readjusting my ice. “I’m comfortable. Thanks.”

His brows shot up. “Are you going to take off your coat?”

My eyes narrowed, but I sighed. I was going to be there for a while. Only a fool would sit around all evening in a thick coat. After he hung it up for me, we started the movie. I wished I had a t-shirt on under my turtleneck, because I was getting hot. I stood, folding the blanket into a perfect square and placing it in the spot I’d found it.

He finished his cocoa and sat back, turning his attention to the movie, but I couldn’t concentrate. Although I was staring at the screen just like him, my attention was focused on his form, which I could just make out in my peripheral vision.

Who was this man? Why did he take so much interest in me? Did he have ulterior motives like I was beginning to suspect, or was he truly just a nice guy who saved my life? I tugged at my thick collar, airing out my damp skin.

He appeared so relaxed around me, but I was as tense as ever.

“What’s wrong with you?” I jumped at the sound of his voice halfway through the movie.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants, shaking my head. “Nothing at all.”

He sat up, and my heart fluttered as he leaned into me. I told myself it was racing because he startled me out of my thoughts, and not because he got close to me.

“You’ve been stiff as a board since you sat on the couch, and you haven’t touched your chocolate. What’s wrong?”

I leaned away from him as I responded, deciding to change the subject and try to focus on him instead.

“Why are you here alone?”

He shrugged. “I’m surrounded by people all the time. Sometimes it’s nice to get away.”

“I guess you’re a busy man, huh?”

He licked his lips, and I darted my eyes to the TV. “Something like that.”

“Do you have a large family? Are you in a relationship?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Why so many questions?”

“I should know something about you, so I don’t feel like I’m spending my evening with a stranger.”

He smiled. “So you don’t want me to be a stranger now? Are we back to friend status? Should we stay up all night with wine and gossip?”

I rolled my eyes, thankful his snarky response distracted me from the memory of his tongue trailing across his plump lips just a few moments before. I tugged on my collar again.

“Why are you avoiding the question?”

“Why do you want to know?”

I shrugged. “You know so much about me. You’re the only person who knows my deepest secret. And I don’t know anything about you. You know my shame, so what’s yours?”

He folded his arms in front of his chest, his large biceps bulging.

“If I didn’t stumble upon your secret, would you have told me?”

“Well, no.”

“Exactly. Secrets are hidden for a reason.”

He leaned back in the seat, eyes back on the television. I took that to mean I wasn’t going to get anything more out of him. But I tried one more time.

“Have you ever had your heart broken?” I asked in a whisper.

He glanced my way, a dullness resting over his eyes. His chest collapsed from a long, but silent, exhale.

“Yes. And that’s exactly why I know it will get better for you.”

4

After almost ten minutes of going back and forth, I finally agreed to allow him to make us dinner.

“You don’t know what I like.”

“You’ll like this,” he said, stirring the sauce in the pot. “I told you to go relax. I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

He brushed me off for the rest of the cook time, and I eventually retreated to the living room, twiddling my thumbs until he called me to the dining room table.

The snow finally stopped, but there was at least a solid foot on the ground. By that point, I’d be lucky to be able to leave in the morning.

The table was already set, two place settings right next to each other. He had the silverware and dishes in their proper places- the knife blade even faced the plate like it was supposed to- I was impressed.

I grabbed my plate and took it to the opposite side of the table, not wanting to sit right next to him. A single, glowing candle stood in the center, separating us.

He emerged from the kitchen with a salad bowl and a tray of garlic bread.

“Do you need help?”

“Nope. Just have to grab the pasta.”

He served me before himself, scooping a gluttonous amount of noodles on his plate. I looked at him with wide-eyes as he picked up his plate and brought it to my side of the table, sitting down next to me.

The food smelled delicious, but all I could focus on was my reheating body. Was it the steaming food making me warm, or something else? I was thankful when he dove in, glad he didn’t notice my uncomfortable demeanor once more.

My strange behavior wasn’t just because of Reggie. Derek was doing something to me, getting under my skin somehow. I didn’t know why, and I certainly didn’t like it. He was aggravating me, upending my schedule, and making me flutter.

“Pass me the salt?” he asked after his first bite.

I handed him the shaker, an audible gasp coming from me when our fingers connected.

I snatched my hand away and grabbed the fork, taking a bite.

He stared as I clumsily stuffed the food in my mouth. Great, not only did Derek’s presence alter my behavior, now I couldn’t even feed myself properly.

I froze in place when he reached over and trailed his thumb over my bottom lip. My ears rang, expletives I’d never even heard before popping up in my head. His touching was becoming more intimate by the second.

It just wasn’t right. I wanted to scream something, anything to him, but I wasn’t even sure if I was mad at him or myself.

“What are you doing?”

“Sauce.”

I watched as he sucked my rogue sauce off his thumb and went back to his meal.

My eyes narrowed, mouth un-femininely agape. “That-that’s just… so unsanitary.”

His laugh startled me as I fought to process how a person could ever lick away sauce that’s been on another person- especially a person they didn’t know.

“Do you have cooties or something?”

“No, but-”

“Just eat. Your food is going to get cold.”

I turned back to my plate, but all I could think about was the trail of tingles his thumb left on my skin. Gnawing at my bottom lip, I felt hot under my sweater. I rolled up the sleeves to my elbows before taking a second bite, being much more careful not to leave any traces of food on my face.

“So, there’s a party this Friday- a masquerade ball. It’s right before I leave to head back home. You should come.”

“I’m not in a partying mood. I’m not
ever
in a partying mood.”

“Well, think about it. It’s an annual event, and it’s always a lot of fun. It’s the reason I flew out here in the first place. Maybe it will help you forget your problems for one night.”

I took another bite of food. “We’ll see.”

After dinner, he offered me clothes to change into for bed, but I declined.

“You’re going to sleep in a pair of tight jeans and a turtleneck? I
know
you wouldn’t sleep naked.”

My eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”