A grin cut across his face; then he lifted his chin as a directive. “Change. Eat. Relax. And get used to being here until I know it’s safe for you to go home. Got it?”
I rolled my eyes at his punctuated commands, though he probably didn’t realize they’d come out so order-like. “What? No cocoa for me, too?”
“Take that up with the boss. Maybe she’ll give you a cup.” He turned to the side. “Now, scram. I have shit to do.”
A soft chuckle broke the last of the wall between us. “Fine, fine.” I glanced down at my clothes, pondering throwing a shower somewhere in that chain of commands he’d given me. “Did my brother tell you that—”
“That he plans on showing up to mark his territory? Show who’s boss?”
“Guess he’ll soon find out it’s Eden, not you.” I smothered my smile with the back of my hand. “Oh, and, um, do me a favor and be nice to his friend coming here today. He should be here any second.”
“And who is this ‘friend’?” he asked, air quotes in full force. “He going to be a problem?”
“Why in the world would Ryder’s friend be a problem?”
“Because you have ...” He squeezed one eye closed like he regretted starting that sentence. “You have the tendency to see the good in people where there isn’t any.”
“Is that such a bad thing?”
A steady, gruff breath escaped his lips. “You never gave up on me even after I did, even after you should have. And as for Mitch, well ... you know how I feel about him. Never liked the guy. And as much as I hate speaking ill of the dead, we both know he didn’t deserve you.”
I had no idea how to answer that, so I didn’t respond. Instead, I gave him a nod, then went to open the door.
The fresh smell of pine hit me as I halted when he remarked, “Just so I’m clear: Nothing will stop me from making sure no one ever hurts you again.”
I shivered as if an icy hand had touched my bare skin. “I have no plans to get my heart broken, so you don’t have to worry about that.” I peeked back at him over my shoulder. “Okay?”
“And how can you guarantee you’ll keep that from happening?”
“I think you know,” I said somberly.
He grimaced and rested his hands on his hips while whispering, “That’s what I was afraid of.”
Chapter Four
Alejandro
“You’re her brother’s friend?” The guy’s tall, built frame filled out one of the two large front doors of the lodge. His blue gaze swept over me. Assessing me—not as competition, but as a threat to the safety of those inside.
I dropped my duffel bag alongside my boots. “You’re the ex?” I shot back, using the same tone he had.
The tension crackled between us like an exposed wire. What was that all about?
“Trevor Sloane.” He hesitantly offered his hand.
“Alex Rodriguez.”
He squeezed my hand, and I was thankful he didn’t turn it into some kind of pissing contest over whose grip was stronger.
“You’re late.” The grunt filled the cold air between us, and I could feel the heat radiating out from behind him as he released my hand.
I was eager to get inside out of the cold, hating this weather as much as I hated dry-firing my rifle. I may havealsobeen anxious to see Audrey. “The mountain roads, snow, ice, and life-threatening curves might’ve had something to do with that.”
I picked up my bag, waiting for the invite inside his lodge.
“Audrey’s upstairs. Had a rough night.”
“You don’t say?”Shit.That wasn’t the attitude that’d win this guy over. Ryder would kick my ass if Trevor booted me for mouthing off when I was there to protect Audrey.
