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“Are you keeping me here?” Her tone was sardonic as I lodged the unit into place. “Because I don’t remember consenting to that plan.”

“That’s because there was no discussion.” Shrugging out of my waterproofs, I winked at her. “You’re the only one I have left, Erin. I’m keeping you safe whatever happens.”

She glanced at the flames, pressing her lips into a line as if fighting the impulse to smile. “Thanks, I guess.”

“The unit should keep out any unwelcome visitors.” Collecting my gear, I dragged the chair closer to the fire and stretched it out over the seat.

“Visitors?” Her eyebrow arched.

“Any local wildlife that might come calling,” I clarified.

“Oh.” Her bemused expression suggested she hadn’t even considered that option.

“I’d get out of your wet gear too if I were you.” Eyeing her soaking leggings, I looked around for something to cover her with. “Your clothes will need to dry. Do you have spares?”

“Only a spare hoodie.” She sighed. “And no offense, but I don’t really want to wander around half-naked.”

Shame.

My lips twitched as I envisioned the scenario she rejected. I could get used to an attractive, half-naked woman roaming the place.

“There’ll be something you can use.” I glanced back at the bedside unit. “The cabin I frequented had spare blankets.” Three strides saw me back to the counter, and opening the first drawer at the front revealed two suitable covers.

“Here.” Grabbing the additional layers, I threw them in her direction. “Take the wet clothes off and put those around you.”

She frowned as she lifted the covers to her nose. “These smell musty.”

“They’re the best we have.” Heading to the nearest window, I noticed the snow piling up all around the place. With night falling in the next few hours, we weren’t going anywhere for the foreseeable future. “Let’s make the best of things.”

“Fine.” Her curt tone communicated how little she liked my plan. “Can you step out while I change, please?”

My attention turned to meet her reddening face. “No way! I just changed out of my wet gear.”

“But...” She scowled as though I was being ridiculous. “I need privacy.”

“Youneedto get warm,” I reminded her. “And fast.”

I understood her concerns, but her whining was starting to grate. “Listen, I’ll check out the rest of the place while you get to it. I won’t be looking at you.”

“But you’ll be here!” She sounded disgusted at the idea, her response rousing the part of me that had dealt with enough petulant and ungrateful people to last a lifetime.

“Yes, I’ll be here.”

Her brows knitted as if she’d expected me to fold and go running out into the snow again. Her reaction only proved how little she knew me.

I didn’t run.

“Until the snow is no longer a threat, there’s one thing we both need to understand.” I didn’t know why she was protracting the inevitable. She would have to change out of the sodden fabric currently clinging to her thighs, and the longer it took her, the colder and more miserable she was going to be.

“Oh, yeah?” She straightened, reflexively rising to my challenge.

“We’re in this together.” Ensuring our eyes met, I held her gaze. “That means until you’re safe, I won’t let you out of my sight.”

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