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Everything seems to stop. The wind. The falling snow. Even the distant howl of the storm.

I slowly open my eyes to find Stephen’s stupidly gorgeous face inches from mine. His breath forms warm white clouds between us, vanishing into the freezing air.

My hands rest against his chest. One thick arm is braced beside my head, keeping most of his weight off me, while his other hand remains firmly wrapped around my waist.

He caught me.

He reached me before I could hit the ground hard enough to hurt myself.

Something strange twists in my stomach.

I immediately decide I don’t like it.

Neither of us speaks. I can hear only our breathing, his as uneven as mine.

His dark eyes flick to my mouth before returning to mine.

Something shifts in his usually unreadable expression. It lasts barely a second, but I see it.

Something I can’t explain.

The strange feeling in my stomach intensifies.

“You can get off me now.”

His gaze stays on mine.

“You’re welcome.”

I frown. “I didn’t say thank you.”

“You should.”

I huff in exasperation. “This is all your fault.”

His eyebrows draw together. “How the fuck is it my fault?”

“You dragged me down.”

“Because you were falling.”

“After you chased me backward.”

“I wasn’t chasing you.”

“You were absolutely chasing me.”

The corner of his mouth twitches.

“Admit it. You were running, princess.”

“I was retreating.”

“From me.”

I give him a flat look. “Aren’t you a genius.”

His eyes narrow. “Why are you backing away from me?”