Frigid Affair(8)

“Fascinating, but also pretty sad. I’m very sorry for your loss. What you’ve been through is tragic.”

“You’ve probably seen a lot of death in your line of work.”

He shrugged. “You don’t want to know what I’ve been through. On the brighter side, I like saving damsels in distress.”

“So,” I said while feeling nervous. “Is this how you pick up all your women?”

Another entertained cackle escaped his lips. “No. There isn’t anyone. I saw that you were in trouble and felt it necessary to help.”

“You’re just a natural saint, so it seems.”

Right when our eyes locked in on one another, a loud knock erupted at the front door. Ava started barking up a storm, and I didn’t make her stop as I made my way to see what the racket was about. Standing on the other side was one of Easton’s travel companions. He was blowing air into his hands to warm them up. I sprung open the door and allowed him entry. He stood, covered from foot to waist in snow, shaking around. I bent over and fetched a towel I used to sit my boots on, handing it to him. Unlike me, he wasn’t dressed for the weather. From how he appeared, I didn’t think he was wearing any layers. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. The storm is getting heavier. The fire is pretty much out. It’s contained, even if there are some remaining hot spots. You ready to go, man? Are you done trying to be the hero?” He asked Easton.

“No. Actually, I’m going to need to stay here with Amantha. I’m pretty sure she’s suffering from smoke inhalation.”

His friend got a frustrated look across his face and shook his head. “Yeah, it’s better if you come back with us.” He gave him this inquisitive look, as if he expected Easton to follow his orders. “We need to go.”

“I’m not leaving her. She shouldn’t be alone. I explained this already,” he said with gritted teeth, like he was purposely defiant.

The other guy turned his attention to me. “You got a phone we could use?”

I shook my head. “I don’t.” He scared me. Something about him was off. He wasn’t friendly like Easton. I chalked it up to him being interrupted by a fire. I’m sure he was tired and ready to get back.

“I understand why you volunteered for the job, but don’t get a hair up your ass and do something stupid. We’ll expect you back tomorrow. If you’re not there, we’ll come looking.”

I was shocked when Easton didn’t argue with him. What did his friend mean? Why would he say it like that?

“I’ll get up with you tomorrow after the storm is over. I’m not giving a time.”

“We’ll be there waiting.” Before he disappeared back out into the harsh weather, he said something sarcastically. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t approve of.”

Was he implying there was something going to happen between us? Should I have been worried? I was just glad the other guy finally left. He was a dick.

For me, being around Easton was the opposite. I could feel my cheeks reddening as I turned to address the man standing behind me. “You don’t have to stay. I’m perfectly capable of managing.” I wanted him to know he wasn’t obligated to take care of me. If his friends were going to be pissed about it, he could go with them.

“I’m staying.” He took a look around the cabin. “Are you sure there’s no phone?”

I shrugged. “I have a cell phone, but it doesn’t get service in this weather. I have to go outside to get a signal.”

“Can I see it?” He asked.

I grabbed the phone and handed it to him, feeling better about being honest with him instead of the douchebag who’d left. “Sorry I lied. Your friend creeped me out.”

“Yeah, he’s an *.” Without a coat he took the phone outside and started walking around while I watched from a window. He came back in a few seconds later, covered in snow and trembling. “You’re right. It must be the weather.”

“You could try tomorrow morning when the storm rolls out?”

“Yeah, okay.” He looked around the cabin. “So, you got any cards? Hot chocolate? Coffee?”

I let out a sigh. “I have all of the above. I’m not a cavewoman.”

“I’ll take coffee then. You may have hit your head, so in case of a concussion we need to keep you awake for a bit.”

“I don’t have a concussion. Like I said before, I’m fine,” I pleaded my case while attending to the coffee maker. Because it wasn’t electric, I had to heat the pot on the woodstove. I poured fresh water inside the kettle and sat it down on the cook surface. “I have a deck of cards in the cabinet over there,” I announced while pointing in that direction. “I’m not any good at games, so be warned.”

“Go fish is fine by me.”

A giggle escaped me. “Seriously?”

“How about war? It’s just something to pass the time.”

“Your friend seemed to think you were here for another reason,” I couldn’t believe I said it, but there it was. I had nothing to lose. My dignity had escaped me long ago.

“My friend has a big mouth.”

“So you’re not here to seduce me?” I questioned. If he was, my dreams were beginning to come true. What damsel doesn’t want a sexy man coming to her rescue, only to want to ravage her all throughout the night. He wasn’t exactly a lumberjack, but a fireman would equally suffice.