“Chloe!”
I jerk my head up at the sound of my name being called. Is someone looking for me or am I so cold that I’m hallucinating? Is that one of the signs of hypothermia? My brain must be shutting down.
“Chloe!”
There it is again. My name is being called by a voice I only sort of recognize.
And then I’m being lifted off my knees, to my feet, and big, strong arms are wrapped around me.
“It’s okay, Chloe. I’ve got you,” the voice says. “It’s going to be okay.”
I’m too tired to keep my eyes open, and I’m only vaguely aware of being lifted into the man’s arms.
“Stay with me, Chloe. I’m going to get you warm.”
It’s the last thing I hear before I close my eyes and let myself sleep.
Ryder
Shit.
She’s so cold.
Toocold.
I followed her tracks away from the easy Lodge Loop and up into the mountains, much deeper into the forest than I would have thought she’d been able to get to. She must have really been moving.
My heart clenches at the thought that she’d been so scared she hiked faster and faster in an effort to get to safety when she was only moving farther away with each step.
Did I get here too late? I was never going to forgive myself if something happened to my girl because of me.
I need to get her warm. Quickly.
The lodge is too far away. She needs heat soon.
We’re closer to the little hunting shack my brothers and I used to use for whitetail and now mostly only use for overnight guest excursions.
It’s going to have to do. But I know I won’t be able to navigate the sled up there through the thick trees in this deep snow.
I set Chloe down long enough to strap my own snowshoes on and radio Briggs to let him know I’ve found her and we’re headed to the shack to ride out the storm.
Then I scoop her up, cradling her close to my chest, and move as quickly as I can.
She’s succumbed to sleep, the body’s way of protecting itself.
I have to get her warmed up quickly, so when I reach the shack, I put her fully dressed on the bed and pull a quilt over her while I work to get the fire started. Fortunately, we keep the cabin well stocked, including a supply of dry firewood. It doesn’t take long before it’s roaring and the little cabin heats up.
“Chloe.” She’s so beautiful. So innocent and sweet. And I’ll be dammed if I let anything happen to her. “Wake up, Chloe.”
She’s still too cold.
I don’t even stop to think about what the consequences might be, because the only thing that matters is Chloe and making sure she’s okay.
“Come on. We need to get you out of these clothes.”
She groans in her sleep as I tug her clothes off. Being a perfect gentleman, I do my very best to avert my gaze when she’s down to wearing only a bright-blue cotton bra and matchingpanties. Her tits are small but full. The perfect size for me to fill my hands.
Okay, maybe I’m not exactly a perfect gentleman.
