Page 23 of Knotting With A Stranger

“That’s... not terrifying at all.” She swallows hard, then manages a wobbly smile.

The door protests as she pushes it open all the way, but gives way. The moment it opens, I see her body jerk at the full force of the storm. Without thinking, I reach out to steady her, and even through our layers, the contact sends a jolt through me. She’s small and delicate compared to my bulk, but there’s strength in the way she immediately starts fighting against the wind.

“I’ve got you,” I assure her, and something in her posture relaxes slightly at the words.

She glances up at me, her eyes catching mine with sincerity. "Thank you for stopping. Most people wouldn't have, in weather like this."

Just as I go to respond, a sharp crack splits the air above the storm’s howl. We both look up to see a massive pine branch, heavy with snow and ice, breaking free above us. Acting on instinct, I yank her against my chest, spinning us away from the car. The branch crashes down where we’d been standing, missing us by inches. Snow explodes around us in a white cloud, and I feel her cry out against my chest.

Her hands fist in my jacket, her face buried against me. My arms tighten instinctively, and for a moment, I’m overwhelmed by how perfectly she fits against me, how right she feels there.

“And this is why we need to move fast,” I say roughly, still holding her close. “Can you run?”

She nods against my chest, then pulls back slightly. Even terrified and snow-covered, she’s breathtaking. A tiny snowflake lands on her eyelashes, and I have to physically stop myself from brushing it away.

“What about my handbag and phone?” she asks.

“I’ll come back for it. Right now, we need to get you somewhere safe.”

Another crack sounds above us, and this time, she’s the one who moves, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward my truck. Smart girl. I keep my body between her and the worst of the wind, but she moves with surprising speed despite her size, determination in every step.

The side of the truck has my business logo—Peak Guardian Response. Her gaze traces over the logo on my side door.

"So you do this normally?" she calls out, still shaken as we push against the wind.

"Yep," I reply. "Rescue those in need up in these mountains. Though finding you in this monster of a storm..." I stare at the whiteout conditions surrounding us. "That was pure luck."

Thor’s barking grows louder as we approach, and I sense the girl falter slightly.

“That’s just Thor,” I tell her quickly. “He’s friendly. And probably wondering what’s taking us so long.”

As if on cue, Thor’s massive head appears in the back window, his tail wagging as he spots us. A surprised laugh escapes her, the sound nearly lost in the wind.

“You have a monster wolf in your truck?”

“Malamute. Though he’d probably take that as a compliment.”

We reach the truck, and I help her into the passenger seat, where Thor immediately starts fussing over her, attempting to climb back into the front, his huge nose pressing against her, sniffing her, checking her for injuries in his own way. Her laugh this time is stronger, more genuine, as she buries her fingers in his thick fur.

“Hi, big guy,” she says softly, and Thor responds by laying his head in her lap, looking up at me as if to say,Can we keep her?

“Stay with her,” I order, though it’s unnecessary—Thor’s already appointed himself her protector. “I’ll get your bag.”

Fighting my way back to her car, I can’t shake the image of her in my arms, the way she felt against me, the trust in her eyes when she looked up at me. Can’t forget the way my entire body screamed to protect her, to keep her safe, to never let go.

The wind howls louder, driving sheets of snow between me and my truck, where Thor guards my unexpected passenger.

I push against the storm toward her sedan, yanking open the passenger door against the wind’s resistance. Her handbag sits abandoned on the center console, a sleek leather thing that looks too delicate for these mountains, just like its owner. Next to it, her phone glows with a lost signal warning. I grab both, along with a purple knitted scarf from the backseat, then secure the car as best I can. The wind nearly knocks me off my feet as I return to the truck, but the sight of her through the snow-streaked windows, fingers buried in Thor’s fur while she watches for me, makes the struggle worth it.

Her scent hits me the moment I climb into my truck—peppermint and vanilla with wild morning dew on mountain flowers underneath. Pure Omega, but different from any I’ve encountered before. Protective instincts surge, especially seeing how she’s shivering despite having half a malamute in her lap.

“Thor, back,” I command, as my giant dog tries to climb completely into her lap. “Sorry about him. He’s usually not this... friendly.”

She laughs, the sound brightening the storm-darkened cab. “It’s okay. I love dogs.” Her fingers find the spot behind Thor’s ears that turns him to putty, his huge head sticking out between our two seats. “Though I’m more used to the tiny things that fit in purses.”

Thor practically melts, resting his massive head on her shoulder with a contented sigh. Traitor.

“He’s an excellent judge of character,” I say, carefully turning the truck around. The snow’s getting worse, if that’s possible. “Usually takes him weeks to warm up to strangers.”

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