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Jesus Christ.

I brush snow from her hair carefully, my thumb dragging across her cold cheek.

“You scared the hell out of me.”

Her lips tremble slightly. “You’re still really hot when you’re furious.”

A startled laugh breaks out of me before I can stop it.

“There she is.”

Her eyes soften.

Then she steps closer and presses herself fully against me like she needs reassurance I’m real.

I understand that feeling too well.

By the time we get back to the cabin, the storm’s nearly whiteout conditions. I lock every door immediately while Nora stands near the fire rubbing warmth back into her hands.

“You gonna stare at the windows all night?” she asks softly.

“Probably.”

She watches me for a second before crossing the room slowly.

Then her fingers curl around the hem of my thermal shirt.

“Come here.”

The words hit harder than they should.

I step toward her automatically.

Her hands slide up my chest slowly, deliberate, her gaze searching mine with something deeper than attraction now.

Trust.

That wrecks me worse than anything else tonight.

“You came for me,” she whispers.

“Always.”

Something shifts in her expression at that.

Then she kisses me.

Hard.

Desperate.

All fear and relief and adrenaline colliding at once as she drags me down against her mouth like she needs to feel I’m alive.

I grip her waist instantly, hauling her closer until there’s no space left between us.

“Nora,” I murmur against her lips.

“Don’t talk.”