Page 7 of Burly and Rugged

I clear my throat. “Better.”

Cody nods, his gaze flicking over me briefly as he pulls two MREs from his pack and holds them up. “Hungry?”

“Starving,” I admit. While I’m definitely hungry for food, I’m also hungry to know what it’d be like to be in his arms, to feel his deliciously muscled body against mine.

Outside, lightning flashes, briefly illuminating the cave entrance. Thunder follows almost immediately, rumbling through the stone beneath us.

“Perfect timing,” Cody says with a half-smile that does impossible things to my pulse. “We’ll wait out the storm, get some food in us, and reassess.”

After he builds a fire and we finish eating, my body is warmer, but I’m still shivering. I try to hide it, tucking my hands under my arms, but Cody notices.

“You’re still cold,” he says, brows drawing together in concern. The firelight deepens the lines around his eyes, shadows playing across his face.

I shrug, trying to appear casual. “It’s not—” But my teeth chatter before I can finish the sentence, betraying me completely.

“Your core temperature is still recovering,” he says, his voice taking on an instructional tone. “Even with dry clothes, it can take hours to fully warm up after exposure like that.”

Cody exhales through his nose, then shifts through his pack again, methodically searching for something. “Here. I have something for you.”

“Another survival trick?” I ask, watching as he digs through his pack.

He glances up, the hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Something like that.”

He moves to the fire, filling a small pot with water from his canteen.

“What are you doing?” I ask, hugging myself tighter.

His lips twitch slightly, but he doesn’t look up from his task. “Surprise.”

“Today has had a lot of surprises,” I murmur, remembering how suddenly the storm started and how Cody knew exactly where to find this cave when we needed it most.Don’t be silly. Obviously he would know about this cave. This mountain is where he lives, and this is where he teaches this course.

“Part of being prepared,” he replies, stirring something into the steaming water. “And sometimes...”

“Sometimes what?”

He hesitates, then says, “Sometimes it’s good to remind yourself that survival isn’t just about enduring. It’s about finding moments worth enjoying, too.”

I watch, curious now, as he carefully pours the steaming liquid from the pot into one of the battered, lightweight mugs we use in the morning for coffee.

I blink, taking it carefully, the warmth seeping into my palms and traveling up my arms like a direct infusion of comfort. The second I bring it to my lips, the scent hits me—sweet, rich, familiar. Childhood winters and snow days and comfort.

Hot chocolate.

My eyes fly up to meet his. “No way.” The disbelief in my voice echoes slightly in the cave.

Cody smiles, but it’s softer this time. Almost shy. There’s something vulnerable in his expression I haven’t seen before. “I keep a couple of packets with me. For emergencies. Or treats.” He nods toward the storm outside, where rain still lashes against the rocks. “I figured this qualified.”

A ridiculous, unexpected warmth fills my chest. This man who can survive in the wilderness, who seems gruff and distant…he carries hot chocolate packets in his survival gear.

I take another sip, letting the rich, creamy taste melt on my tongue, and swear it’s the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had. “This is perfect,” I say, looking up into Cody’s dark eyes. “Thank you.”

Cody’s eyes hold mine across the fire, and neither of us looks away.

“You’re welcome.” Cody coughs and glances toward the opening of the cave. “Okay. It’s going to get colder tonight. We can’t riskkeeping the fire going while we sleep. So,” he pauses, “We need to sleep together. Share body heat.”

My stomach tightens, a flutter of anticipation that spreads outward, tingling through my limbs.

Oh.Oh.

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