Will we still see each other once he’s no longer obligated to stick to me like glue anymore?
We ascended the stairs, and once we were on the porch, strong arms pulled me into a warm embrace that I’d come to treasure. I tilted my head back for a kiss, the move automatic. Gunner didn’t disappoint, even if the kiss was over too quickly. He nuzzled my cheek with his. “I’ll be back soon.”
He disappeared without making a sound, his backpack abandoned by my feet, his rifle slung over his shoulder instead.
Figuring I might as well make myself useful, I cleaned out the backpack, storing it back under the bed, then carried in wood and kindling. I’d not once managed to light the fire on my own but was hoping today was the day I’d break my unlucky streak.
How hard could it be to light a fire? I had a lighter and fire starters on hand. Gunner made it look so easy, yet it seemed impossible for me. But I was never one to shy away from a challenge.
After stacking up the wood next to the fireplace, I put paper and small logs and twigs inside. The lighter was still sitting on the mantel where Gunner had left it, and I said a silent prayer in thanks that I didn’t have to start a fire without it.
When Gunner came back an hour later, I was sitting on the floor, cursing my heart out. There wasn’t a flame in sight, the cabin as dark and cold as when I got back.
“Need help?” he asked, and my gaze whipped up.
“No. I’ve got it.” My answer came out in a growl.
He held up his hands. “I’ll be outside if you change your mind.”
And change my mind I did. Exactly ten minutes later, when I’d burned my finger yet again.
I slunk outside, hand over my eyes so I didn’t have to see any recognizable bits of animal. “Sorry for snapping at you.”
A warm wall hit me, followed by a familiar scent that I wanted to bury my nose in and never emerge from. While fondling every inch of his muscles, of course. When my hands did just that, he chuckled and kissed the top of my head. “Want me to show you again?”
I dropped the hand covering my eyes, and the one roaming his body stilled. “Yes, please.”
With an arm around my shoulders, he led me back inside. He showed me yet again how to light the fire—which he did within five seconds—then steered me toward the couch and draped a blanket over me once I was sitting down. “I’ve got dinner under control.”
Since there wasn’t much to do but prepare dinner or stare at the flames, I watched as the fire grew thanks to Gunner’s coaxing.
When I was once again warm, I finally relaxed into the old couch, hoping tonight was not the night it decided to eat me. The cushions were so soft they enveloped half your body when you sat on it.
Sleeping on it would have been a challenge. Yet Gunner didn’t complain once. How I had it wrong all those years ago. Where I once thought him to be a mindless robot, he was kind and caring. And it was impossible that I was the only one feeling the chemistry between us. It was too intense, too comforting, too consuming.
He returned with a platter stacked with unidentifiable meat, the smell making my mouth water. I followed him to the kitchen table, where we ate our dinner with a side of baked beans, then washed it all down with water from the creek.
After I’d cleaned the dishes, we went to bed together, skipping reading or talking in favor of continuing where we left off at the lake.
Despite the threat to my life, I’d never felt more content and cherished.
Chapter18
Freya
A handover my mouth woke me up with a start.
“Someone’s here,” Gunner whispered close to my ear.
My body, which had been prepped for flight, stilled.How did they find us out here?
“I’m going to check out how many there are. Get dressed and hide in the bathtub.”
I nodded against his hand. He let go, replacing his hand with his mouth. After a hard kiss, he disappeared out the window.
I slid out of bed, picking yesterday’s jeans and T-shirt up off the floor where I’d dropped them. I didn’t have time to find something new to wear.
Once dressed, I army crawled to the kitchen and to Killer’s cage sitting on the floor. He was busy sniffing his food, oblivious to what was about to happen.
