Before she can make it out of the truck, I round the open car door. “It’s fine, Hunter,” she says flippantly, waving a hand. “It’s like five feet away.”
“Not happening. If I have to carry you, then so be it.”
Her eyes narrow as she tries to stand, but I grab her by the waist and pull her over my shoulder as the blackened sky opens up.
“Hey!” she shouts, thumping my back. “Hunter!”
I slam the truck shut and start for the cabin. “You just don’t know how to listen.”
Sylvie huffs. “If you think this is going to win you any brownie points, then you’re sorely mistaken. The first time was sweet. This is just excessive.”
Excessive. As if this woman doesn’t live in excess.
“Hunter, seriously. I get it. You’re an ex-firefighter and all that, but really, put me down beforeyouhurt yourself,” she says, sounding a little more desperate.
“We’re almost at the porch, I’ll put you down there,” I mutter, holding her tighter as the wind grows harsher. I have to squint to see through the flurry of ice and snow; suddenly freezing cold, I’m almost thankful to be holding Sylvie now, because she’s the only thing keeping me warm. I quicken my pace, trudging through the snow to get her under cover. The Mrs. Claus getup can’t be keeping her warm. I feel every shiver, the tremble of her thighs, her shaky hands as they smack my back.
As soon as we make it to the porch, I set her down gently. “Get to the front door,” I tell her, missing her warmth as soon as she’s off me. “We need to get you warm.”
Sylvie’s cheeks and nose are red, not even my suit jacket protecting her. “Fine,” she says through chattering teeth. “Let’s go then.”
Without thinking, I join her on the steps and wrap an arm around her. Sylvie stiffens, but she doesn’t shove me away. As soon as we get to the door, the only thing we have to deal with is the wind. My hands tremble as I get the keys out, but I hold tighter to Sylvie, blocking her from the worst of it.
As soon as the door opens, I get her inside. The cabin is quiet except for the wind. It’s strange not having Opal here to greet us, but at least I know she’s safe with her uncle, probably already asleep. And it’s probably best she’s not here when Sylvie is.
“I have warmer clothes in the bedroom you can change into,” I say, “but let me get the fire going.”
Sylvie shivers, arms still wrapped around herself, and half-nods. “O-okay,” she stutters.
I curl an arm around her again and move us into the living room. The fireplace sits empty, with wood piled beside it. I guide her to the sofa in front of it and make her sit, grabbing a thick throw blanket off the arm and pulling it around her. Sylvie says nothing, her eyes locked on me, and I can’t make myself look away.
Her eyes shine in the dim Christmas lights still blinking around the house and from the Christmas tree in the corner. Red lips part on a shaky breath, red lips that have been teasing me all damn night. A catch sight of a snowflake clinging to her bottom lashes. Without thinking, I swipe my thumb under her eye and catch the melting flake.
Sylvie sucks in a sharp breath, lips parting more as she gazes up at me. The rosiness of her cheeks isn’t just from the cold. Beneath my fingers, I feel them start to warm.
Clearing my throat, I force myself to step back and start for the fire. “Starting the fire will only take a few minutes. Then you can get changed and I’ll show you to the guest room.”
Behind me, Sylvie shifts on the sofa. “Thanks,” she mutters. “Do you know the phone number of who I can call about the road?”
I stiffen, tossing a log into the hearth. “Yeah,” I reply slowly. “They won’t answer till late morning, though.”If they answer at all on a Sunday.
Sylvie curses under her breath, her heels hitting the hardwood as she kicks them off. “Fantastic.”
“You might hate it,” I say, sticking a match, “but you are welcome here.”
“And why would I hate it?” she asks, crossing her arms over her full chest as I look over my shoulder at her.
I have to swallow hard and not let my eyes roam her figure. “Just figured this would be the last place you’d want to be.”
Sylvie cocks her head, blonde hair falling over her shoulder. The neatly pinned styling she’d done for the event tumbles around her face. “I unfortunately don’t have anywhere else to be,” she says, looking around, “but I will admit, I am intrigued.”
“Intrigued by what?” I ask, turning to face her now that the fire has started. I feel the flames at my calves, but it’s nothing compared to the fire licking at my insides from her.
All night, she’s been a temptation I haven’t been able to escape.
“Getting to snoop through your life,” she says with a smile. “Not once since I’ve been in town have you invited me over. Now, I have full access to everything.”
My eyes narrow as she stands, the blanket around her shoulders going tight. “That’s really what you’re thinking about?”
