Page 335 of Steamy Ever After

“Don’t sound that endangered anymore. What part of menace do you not understand? And you’re welcome, by the way.”

“Welcome, for what?”

“For saving your life.”

I hate that he’s right, but damn his arrogance. For that reason alone, I don’t say thank you.

My father used to say I’m too stubborn for my own good. But that stubborn streak is the one thing that gave me the tenacity to finish medical school and complete my residency, despite everything that happened.

I take in a deep breath and blow it out. “Can you tell me how much farther it is to Peace Springs?”

He points back the way I came. “About eight miles that way.”

My jaw drops. “Excuse me?”

“Eight miles.” He slings his rifle over his shoulder and drags another wolf body off the road. “Now, care to tell me why you’re headed out of town, dressed like that in the middle of a snowstorm?”

My coat isn’t meant for winter weather. I bought it on a whim because I liked the color. Right now, seven layers of cotton shirts, jeans covered by sweats, and a lightweight coat have me wishing for something more like what the man is wearing.

“I told you, my Jeep ran off the side of the road. I thought it was this way.”

“It?”

“Peace Springs.”

“Lady, you’re really mixed up.” He pulls another two wolves off the highway.

Tears of frustration brim in my eyes. I wipe at my cheeks. In the last hour or two, I’ve probably covered three or four miles. There’s no way I’ll make it eight more.

“Listen, I’d really appreciate some help.”

“Looks like you need it.” He comes for the last animal and pulls it over to join the others.

The man towers over me, having at least a foot, maybe a foot and a half, in height over me. The top of my head barely comes to his shoulders. His arrogance makes me want to stamp my foot. It’s bad enough I have to ask, but for him to rub it in? That’s cold.

“Why are you out here?” Despite my anger, I’m curious.

“Told you.” His velvety voice washes over me, twisting my insides in the good kind of way. Sultry. Seductive. He’s impressive. “I was tracking that pack. Why else would anyone be out in this godforsaken weather?” He steps toward me, concern replacing the snide comments from earlier. “How long have you been out?”

“An hour, maybe two? I thought I’d be able to walk to town.”

“In this?”

“The snow stopped falling after my accident.”

“You should have stayed with your car. You’re going to freeze to death out here. What were you thinking getting out and walking in this?” Finally, he shows some compassion.

I don’t answer him. The longer I stand in one place, the colder I get, and I can’t stop my teeth from chattering.

He glances at my feet and makes a tsking noise. “You’re not going to last much longer.” With a rasp, he lowers the zipper of his coat and shrugs out of the thick material.

“Honey, put this on before you freeze to death. We have a long walk ahead of us.”

“How far is your car?” I ask with a shudder.

“Car? Don’t you pay attention? I was hunting that pack. My truck is back at Bert’s.” He points across the field. “We’re going overland.”

A creeping sense of dread shoots down my spine, making me quake, not from the cold, but from fear.

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