Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

SHAE

He rushed around the tiny cabin, gathering all the blankets he could find and had amassed a pile that was weighing me down, my chin barely visible.

“What?” he asked as he stopped tucking blankets around me.

I couldn’t think of a time he was so close. Just inches from my face. Inches from kissing me. He was a man on a mission. A mission to ensure I was comfortable and warm while he surely was freezing. Even with all the running around he did, the chill in the air was harsh and it would be a while before the small wood-burning stove heated up the space.

“What do you mean?” I finally asked as he stared.

He waited a beat then asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Oh shit. Was I gazing longingly as my mind wandered? “I dunno. Just nice of you to do all this for me.”

He finally looked away, clearing his throat. He turned to poke at the wood in the stove. “Well, it’s cold as hell. Both of our mom’s would kill me if anything happened to you.”

My heart that had been slowly swelling started to shrivel back to its normal state. “Oh, yeah for sure. But you need to warm up, too.” Why did the last part come out like I was still in high school? All breathy and soft. Ugh .

He poked the fire again then added another log before he stood. Crossing his arms, he rubbed his shoulders and bounced on the balls of his feet. “I’m good. The fire is starting to warm up.”

“Take a blanket.”

“No.”

A growl rose in my chest, and I stood up, letting all the blankets fall away.

“What the fuck, Shae? I just got you all covered up!” he shouted. He… shouted . At me.

I stood with wide eyes for a moment trying to decide if I was mad or turned on. Maybe a little of both. Finally, I gathered my wits enough to shoot back. “Well, I’m all grown up now and I can take care of myself. Plus, what good will it do me if you fucking freeze to death?”

“Nobody is freezing to death. Calm down.”

No he didn’t . “Calm down? Did you just say calm down? You really are clueless. No wonder you’re still single.” I stomped to the small kitchenette and filled up the kettle before stomping back to the stove in the living area, putting it on top and plopped into the chair.

He hadn’t moved and the heat of his gaze warmed me faster than any fire could. I’d seen him aggravated but this was more than that. He seemed angry.

Still, he was being a jerk when I was only trying to help and not hog all the blankets, so I wasn’t apologizing.

He stood by the stove, still glaring at me as I shivered in the chair, the pile of blankets laying on the floor between us. We stayed that way until the kettle hissed and I jumped up, but he grabbed the handle before I could and headed to the kitchenette.

“Hey, I’m the one who got that,” I said with a stomp.

He didn’t answer me, instead grabbed a mug from the cabinet and then went through the grocery bag I left on the counter with our dry items.

Irritated, I stormed back over. “Hey that’s–”

He turned, holding a mug of cocoa out to me.

My body trembled and at this point, I didn’t know if it was from the cold, anger, or confusion. I stood in shock, noticing just the one mug in his hand. “I can make some. You need it, too.”

“My God, woman, just take the cocoa.”

My lips thinned. “Seriously, does this work for you?”

His brows pinched. “Work for me? What are you talking about, Shae?”

Why did it have to be so hot when he said my name? “This douchey facade? Do the girls swoon?”

“So now I’m a douche because I got you blankets and made you cocoa?”

“I–” Well shit. When he says it like that … “I mean this attitude, Dean .” Did he feel tingly when I said his name? I hope he does and he has to just suffer with it .

“Why are you worried about girls swooning over me?”

“I’m not.” Lies . I took the mug and wrapped my hands around it.

He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. His face relaxed and he eyed me more curiously than mockingly. Was he curious?