Page 10 of Snowed In With the Grizzly

“Oh, you didn’t.” I swipe at my hair, then thumb over my shoulder. “I-I was just getting frustrated with the fire.”

He frowns. He’s way too dark and brooding for his own good.

“It won’t catch? Probably because those logs are a little damp. Here.” He steps off to the side of the doorway and when he straightens up again, he’s holding a gigantic pile of logs. “Brought you these,” he grunts.

Wow.

My scary, indecently sexy neighbor is bringing me firewood?

My whole body lifts.

I restrain a grin of delight and throw the door wide open.

He brings them in and piles them up to the side of the fireplace. “Let’s see if we can get this thing going.” He tears off his shirt, kneels down and gets to work.

“Can I help?” I ask.

“Nope,” he grunts.

Okay, then.

Guess there’s nothing else to do but stand here and stare at him unashamedly. I fold my arms and watch the muscles rippling beneath his T-shirt. Those broad shoulders, that powerful back. Thinking thoughts I’ve never had before. Trying to ignore that tingling in the core of my body.

I feel excited, overwhelmed.

Hungry.

The police said he’s dangerous. I must be crazy. But all I can think is how much I want him to touch me.

Too soon for my liking, Jaxton stands up and wipes his hands on his jeans. The fire is glowing in the hearth. “That’ll last you all night if you keep piling logs on it.”

“Wow, I don’t know how to thank you,” I say. “Can I offer you a hot drink at least?”

A smile tugs at the corners of his lips. “You’re welcome, and only if it’s no trouble?”

“No trouble at all,” I say, and my heart gives a little jump.

He’s staying longer.

Iwanthim to stay longer.

Those two thoughts make me dizzy.

While I pull out my travel kettle and fill it with water, he prowls around the cabin, examining the windows. “Any tape in those drawers?” he asks.

“I don’t know…” I open Grandma Jo’s ancient wooden drawers and root through. They’re filled with knickknacks, but at last I find a roll of silver tape. “This any good?”

“Perfect.” He snatches it up and gets to work, taping around the edges of the windows. I add hot water and teabags to two earthenware mugs. I remember drinking from them with Grandma, and I kind of like the fact that this sexy-scary mountain man and I are using them now. I watch Jaxton subtly as I finish up. He rips the strips of tape off with his teeth, and before I know it, every single pane has been taped and the broken window has been covered over. He’s so capable, so skilled with his hands. And it’s so darn sexy.

“Amazing,” I say, kind of stunned. “Thanks so much again.”

He accepts the mug of tea with a nod. “I’ll do a better job tomorrow, but that’ll help keep the heat in tonight.”

“Oh, you’ve done more than enough.” I say. “You’ve saved me, truly.”

He flashes a grin. “Just returning the favor.”

I open my mouth and close it again. I’m dying to ask him why those idiot police were looking for him, but I know it’s none of my business.

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