Page 52 of Billionaire Lumberjack's Bride

I chased him to the edge of the woods, then into them.

Then it got very dark.

I got very lost.

And fuck, was it damn cold.

A shiver rolls through me at the memory, and Silas’ arms tighten around my waist, drawing me against him more. I freeze and glance at his face again, but his eyes are still closed, breathing still regular.

I release a relieved breath and try to relax into the warmth of the bed.

More memories of last night return.

The bathtub…

Silas stripping in front of me.

Shit.

Me peeking.

Heat floods my cheeks and other places.

Thank God he’s asleep…

The last thing I remember was being embarrassingly naked before the man currently snuggled up behind me and getting very light-headed again. I don’t even know how I got into bed, but I can guess.

Just like he carried me out of those woods, climbing over fallen logs and through all sorts of bushes and other things that made me lose my way, Silas lifted me and brought me to this warm bed and crawled in beside me, ensuring I was surrounded by his body heat and Whiskey’s.

He took care of me.

More than anyone else in my life ever has.

Even though he didn’t have to.

Even though it clearly scared him.

That memory remains crystal clear—of him telling me he hasdoomed me.

It certainly doesn’t feel that way, lying here in his arms, his warm breath fluttering across my cheek. In fact, I sink deeper into him, pushing myself closer, needing it and him more than I want to admit to myself.

“Are you still cold?” Silas’ low, gravelly voice in my ear makes me flinch. “Lyla?”

Shit. Answer the man.

“No, no…I’m okay.”

His eyes flutter open and meet mine only inches away. And up this close, it’s so easy to see all the complexities of the man, the varying shades of blue that match the different moods he seems to have.

Icy and cold and hostile one moment.

Soft and warm and inviting another.

Like going from the arctic to the Caribbean in a split second.

And right now, they’re so calm and peaceful. None of the tumultuous waves or brewing tempests threatening to erupt on the horizon.

It lulls me in, makes me roll closer to him.

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