Page 26 of Bitter Heat

“I’ll see you tonight.”

He never failed to close a deal. “Fine.”

She hung up and propped her hip on the counter as she dipped her sandwich in soup. The food settled her stomach and made her feel human again. When her father passed, she put her life on hold and hadn’t picked it up since. Her desire to write had been snuffed out along with her ability to care about anything. After making such a life-changing decision for her father, she had been terrified to make any others, so she hadn’t and stayed in limbo. Sparring with Roth snapped her out of her catatonic state and roused her fighting spirit. By simply telling her she made the right call, Roth alleviated the weight she’d been carrying around for weeks. He didn’t absolve her of all guilt—no one could do that—but she could come to grips with the fact she had obeyed her father’s wishes, and that was that.

She had survived Roth. She had some battle wounds, but they were the delicious kind that would fade. Now, she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder or worry about running into him again in the future. If they bumped into one another, she was sure Roth would be civil.

She kicked the last sandwich out of the pan and was drinking tea when she noticed a strange glimmer in the air. She crept toward the window and looked up at the cloudless sky as silver particles drifted down like confetti onto the untouched, sparkling snow. She was so focused on the strange phenomenon that she didn’t notice a figure coming toward her until he passed right in front of her face. She leaped back from the window with a stifled shriek before she recognized Roth. He was bundled up and carrying a rifle with an ease that disconcerted her. He shuffled through the deep snow and came around to the front door. She went to the kitchen entrance and watched as he entered, tracking snow into the house. She wrapped the robe tighter around herself. Just looking at him made her feel cold. He propped the rifle in the corner and dusted off his wool jacket.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

“What’s with the gun?”

“A precaution. They’re just starting to clear the roads. We should be able to leave in two hours.”

“Did you call the hospital?”

“They said she’s doing good.”

“Great.” She hesitated, and then asked, “Is it just me or is it snowing glitter?”

“It’s called diamond dust, light reflecting off ice crystals. It happens on sunny days when the temperature dips into the negatives.”

Her gaze went back to the window. She wanted to get a closer look, but she wasn’t about to leave the warm cabin. “It’s amazing.”

“Not when you’re walking around in it.” He ran his hand through his damp hair. “You cooked something?”

“I made grilled cheese sandwiches and warmed up soup.”

When she padded back into the kitchen, she heard the sound of his heavy footfalls behind her. As she reached for another plate, two arms caged her against the counter and a large body pressed against her back.

“Night’s over, Roth,” she said quietly as he buried his face in her wet hair.

“You smell clean,” he murmured.

“I showered.”

“I prefer you dirty.”

His hands cupped her ass before they traveled around to the loosely tied sash. When his hand slipped beneath her robe, she jumped, knocking his head backward. He swore as she whirled around.

“Your hands feel like ice! You didn’t wear gloves?”

He glared at her. “If I had gloves, I’d fucking wear them.”

“You need to go by the fire.”

“Why don’t you warm me up instead?”

He boosted her up on the counter. She shrieked when he buried his face into the crook of her neck.

“You’re insane! Get off me!”

He spread her legs and moved between them. She smacked his chest as his hands slipped beneath her robe and moved over her flesh.

“You’re freezing,” she whined and covered his cheeks and ears with her arms. “You stupid man. You’re going to get sick.”

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