Page 85 of Snowed In With the Mountain Man
She tentatively wrapped her arms around him and had to fight the urge to rest her head on his shoulder and just breathe him in. He smelled so good. Like… well, likehim. That unique combination, which at this moment was equally comforting and terrifying. And the feel of his arms around her, the way her head fit “just right” against his shoulder…
It was scary hownotawkward it felt, like she was born to stand beside him, lean against him.
The occasional shiver shook his body as well, but he continued to rub her back and shoulders.
She clung to him, the whole ordeal starting to catch up with her as the shock faded away.
What an idiot.
She was solely responsible for this freezing state, not to mention her injury. She’d done this. And what was worse, she’d madehimsuffer too. If it wasn’t for her, he wouldn’t have hurt his hand.
She pulled back with a gasp. His hand!
“Are you okay?” she asked. At his frown of confusion, she added, “Your hand.”
He shook his head like his own comfort wasn’t even a concern. “I’ll deal with it once we’ve defrosted.” He led her into the bathroom and pointed at the old, cracked, and utilitarian tub. “Now get warm.”
He walked out, closing the door behind him, and she took a seat, easing herself into the water and letting the liquid envelop her. As the blood in her veins started to circulate a little faster and fill her with warmth, she wondered how JJ was defrosting. Probably pacing by the fire. She winced and rested her forehead on her knees.
She couldn’t believe he’d had to rescue her, that he even came after her. She’d been acting like a crazy person when she stormed out. She could admit that. But even so, he’d come after her, and she’d…
She groaned against her knees.
And then she’d turned into a damsel in distress. Ugh! Shame spiraled through her. Humiliation was hot on its heels.
She didn’t want to be anybody’s burden. That wasn’t her. She was the one who took care of others. She didn’t like anyone having to take care of her.
But here she was, curled up in a hot bath while the guy who rescued her shivered in front of the fire.
She sighed, sinking back against the tub’s edge until her shoulders were immersed in the hot water.
She wished she could turn back time, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t undo her bad behavior.
Her fingers played over the top of the water, skimming the surface as the heat spread through her all the way to her toes. Her ankle still throbbed, but by the way it was lessening, she knew she’d been right. It wasn’t broken. Badly bruised and potentially sprained, but not broken.
She’d survive. Thanks to JJ. She squeezed her eyes shut, but it was no use. All she could see was the fire in his eyes as he’d rushed toward her in the snow. The look of concern and anger and protectiveness.
She let out a shaky sigh. She’d never been one to harbor fantasies of knights in shining armor, and that gruff, unkempt mountain man out there didn’t fit any of the images that descriptor called to mind.
But that was exactly how he’d acted. Like a hero to her ridiculous damsel in distress routine. Despite her crazy anger and her temper, he’d come after her and he’d rescued her and… and that was so sexy. So sweet. And so… lovable.
She frowned as the word filled her mind.
No, not lovable. Honorable.
She nodded decisively. It was sexy, sweet and honorable.
Honorable… which is a completely loveable trait.
She snapped her eyes shut and tried not to think.
As soon as she could feel her toes again, she jumped out and dried off. Just outside the door were a set of her clothes—dry, clean, and comfy. She pulled them on and ran her fingers through her hair. When she couldn’t put it off any longer, she opened the bathroom door and inched back into the living area.
JJ didn’t seem to hear her. He was sitting in front of the fire in new clothes, his head bent over his hand.
Her heart gave a weird little hitch at the sight of him frowning in concentration.
It looked like he was trying to fix his own injury, and without much success. He was struggling to hold the tweezers and grunting in frustration. His frown was endearing, and Dahlia was overcome with affection, attraction, tenderness, and… and…
