Something cracks above us. Hunter picks me up with one arm under my legs and one around my back. I instinctively wrap my arms around his neck. He runs us onto the front porch. A large branch falls where we were just standing.
“We need to stay inside,” he says as he opens the door and carries me in. He slowly lowers my legs to the floor. The moment he steps back, I want him to touch me again.
No. What’s going on? I quickly shake that thought away. On some level, I can admit he is good looking, and it’s been quite some time since I’ve been with a man. I’m sure that’s all this is.
“Thank you for saving me,” I say. At least I can be polite. “It looks like we’re both stuck here after all.” I grab my blanket and settle back in near the fire.
“Where the hell were you going to go?”
I’m surprised by the anger in his voice.
“To my car to go anywhere else. What does it matter to you?”
Hs sighs loudly. “Because you’re in danger. That’s why you’re here.”
I wrap the blanket around me tightly. “I can’t sleep and want to go somewhere else.”
He steps over to me and sits behind me. Then his hands touch my shoulders. “Let me help. I promise this isn’t a pickup line.”
He massages my shoulders, and at first, his touch is turning me on. But then, for the first time since we’ve been here, I begin to relax. After about ten minutes, I yawn.
“Thank you,” I say.
He stops and stands up. “I hope that helped.”
“It did.”
After he gets himself back under his blanket, he stares at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Please don’t leave. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.” He looks away, jaw clenched like he hates admitting it.
And I’m sitting here, feeling things I shouldn’t feel. Squishy things. Hunter really is a good guy underneath all the arrogance. I stare at him. Is he arrogant? Or did I assume he was? And why is he being so nice now? He barely tolerated me before. I guess he really is worried I’ll try to leave. I fall asleep, thinking of my past interactions with him.
When I wake, daylight is streaming in through the window, and the sound of a chainsaw blares outside. I shiver.
“Fire went out,” Hunter says as he works to get it going again. “It gets cold here.”
I get up, wrapping the blanket around me, and walk to the window. “Looks like a crew is working on the tree and wires.”
“That’s good. Hopefully, we’ll get power back soon.”
I join him in front of the fire that’s now going again.
“I know you’re scared,” he says.
“I am not!” I say too defensively. “No, that’s a lie. I am scared.”
“I’m sorry you’re dealing with Bob. But know this, as long as I’m with you, I will protect you.”
Deep down, I believe him. When he’s here, while he annoys me sometimes, I do feel safe.
“Thank you. But you can’t stay with me forever. You need to get back to work. I need to get back to work,” I say.
“You met Agent Stevens. She’ll be taking Bob down soon. Until then, I’m assigned to protect you.”
I stare at the fire as that sinks in. He’s here because of work. I am work. He’s not here out of real concern or because he likes me. Those things I felt when he touched me? They were in my head. They weren’t mutual. Thankfully, I didn’t say or do anything foolish. But I did let my emotions get away from me. Knowing I’m only work is disappointing.
