Page 111 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“I can manage, Cord. I’m used to snow,” I said, giggling when he picked me up and carried me up the steps and into the cabin.

“Today’s the day I start being the one to take care of you,” he said, setting me on my feet.

“How about we take care of each other?”

“Sounds perfect to me.”

34

CORD

There was a new furnace in the cabin that heated up quickly, but I still lit a fire. Once the kindling sparked, I turned around and looked up at Juni.

“God, you are beautiful,” I said, taking in her body that was draped only in a blanket. “How’d you get undressed so quick?”

“I’ll show you.”

When I stood, she pulled my shirt from my jeans and unfastened it while I lowered them to the floor after toeing off my boots and socks.

“You promised me that, when you got back the night I thought I’d lost you forever, we’d spread out on a blanket in front of a roaring fire and do nothing other than learn the feel of each other’s bodies.”

“I’m sorry, Juni.”

“Don’t be. Make it up to me instead.”

We hadthree perfect hours before we decided we couldn’t ignore my cell phone any longer. When Ichecked, there were three messages from Buck and one from Decker. I read his first, then checked the time.

“We have fifteen minutes until Decker shows up here.”

Her eyes opened wide.

“At least that was his threat when he reminded me he vowed to get me back to the Lilacs inside of forty-eight hours.”

“I thought he said we’d have time to stay the night if we wanted to.”

I pointed to the window. “I think the storm is making him nervous.”

Juni nodded. “Every storm will make me nervous.”

I lay beside her and pulled her into my arms. “I’m going to make you a promise.”

“Cord—”

“Let me, Juni.”

She nodded.

“I’m not putting myself at risk like that ever again. Even if someone didn’t try to bash my head in, going out in that weather wasn’t smart. I promise I’ll never put you through something like that again. Not intentionally. Now, will you promiseme something?”

“Of course.”

“No walking home from restaurants by yourself late at night. Especially in the middle of winter.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Cord. I promise never to do that again.”

“Or have dinner with ex-boyfriends.”

She raised a brow.

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