Page 14 of Hot Winter Nights (Bear Mountain Rescue 1)

“Did he get it?” she asked.

“No, it was gone and will probably be back, especially now that it knows there’s food inside. So I can set up the spare bedroom for you and fix the—”

“You…you want me to stay here tonight? With you?” Shaking her head, she said, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Look, it’s not as if I’m going to sneak into bed with you. It’s late and it seems like the simplest solution.”

“I think I’ll take option two and go back to the cabin. You covered the hole, right? It probably won’t come back tonight, anyway.”

Dex didn’t know whether to be exasperated or exhausted. “You would rather sleep in the cabin and risk another animal encounter than stay in my very comfortable guest room?”

“Yes, I think I would.” She stood up with Kermit in her arms. “What are your plans for this guy?”

“I don’t have any yet, besides getting him in to see the vet—”

“So if I wanted to adopt him that would be okay with you?”

“Aren’t you gone all the time?” Dex asked.

“I can find a pet sitter to watch him while I’m at work.”

Dex couldn’t say it was a bad idea. Allie did seem taken with him. “He needs his shots.”

“I’ll get them. I promise, he’ll be in good hands.”

Unable to come up with a reason to say no, Dex grabbed the crate he’d set up for Kermit and nodded toward the door. “I’ll walk you back and get him set up.”

“Thank you. I’ll return it when I get my own.” They walked outside and Allie paused. “Thanks for everything tonight, too. I may have misjudged you.”

As they crossed the yard toward the cabin, he shot her a wolfish grin. “You mean I’m not a conniving liar who has no business getting in the way of professionals?”

“Yet another apology I meant to give you. I am sorry I was so horrible at the hospital. I’m not usually like that, it’s just—”

“I get it, you don’t like me and I was stepping on your turf.”

“I’m not territorial and I didn’t say I didn’t like you!”

He reached past her to open the cabin door, and their chests brushed. Allie sucked in a harsh breath, and when his gaze dropped to her parted lips, it took every ounce of willpower not to do it. Not to give in and press her up against the door and kiss her until she was begging for more.

Of course, with Kermit in her arms like a furry shield, it would be a little hard to do, but if he really wanted to, he could probably manage it.

“So you’re saying you do like me?”

“I’m saying that everyone deserves another chance at a first impression.” She moved past him, leaving him to watch her hips swing as she walked into the kitchen.

“That’s mighty nice of you.”

Damn, she made a power suit hot.

He saw her face fall as she surveyed the damage. “It’s going to take me hours to clean this up.”

“Tell you what. Let’s get Kermit set up, and then I’ll help you.”

“Well, I suppose that’s only fair, since it’s your fault it got inside in the first place,” she said teasingly.

“You know, a simple ‘thank you’ would work.”

“Just speaking the truth.”

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