Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

WINTER

I pull into the freshly shoveled driveway and put the SUV in park, but Nick is nowhere in sight. I sigh in relief and make my way inside, hoping the water is working and I won’t have to call the big jerk.

I slide out of my boots and pad into the kitchen and turn on the faucet. Dry as a bone. Then it dawns on me, the pipes are likely frozen. I’m not used to having to leave the faucets dripping overnight, and that has to be the problem.

I dial Nick’s number, and he answers on the second ring.

“Hey, it’s Winter.”

“Get your tire fixed?” he asks.

“I did. Thanks again for coming to my rescue last night.” I nearly choke on the words as I say them. “And for shoveling my driveway.”

“You’re welcome. Did you just call to thank me? I gotta be honest, you’re the last person I ever expected to hear gratitude from.”

He’s not wrong there. “Actually, I called Mr. Hatfield this morning because the water isn’t working; pipes must be frozen. Anyway, the woman I talked to told me he retired, and you run things now…”

“Yeah, I bought the firm this spring. I’d worked with Mike since I came home from trade school.”

“I see… Do you have time to check the pipes today? If not, I can call someone else.”

“I’ll be there shortly.”

“Okay.”

I end the call. While I wait for Nick, I go into my bedroom to unpack. I was exhausted when I got here last night and fell right into bed. Twenty minutes later, just as I’m sliding the suitcase under the bed, the doorbell echoes.

I inhale a deep breath, hopeful the repair won’t take too long, and I can get Nick out of my hair quickly.

“Hi,” I say as I open the door, but my voice gets caught in my throat. I bite down on my lip to hide my sudden nervousness. I stare up at Nick, and he smirks.

“Can I come in?” He looks at me expectantly, and I step aside, shaking the fog from my mind.

“Sorry,” I say as I close the door behind him.

“You say your water isn’t working?” He walks into the kitchen and turns on the faucet.

“Right. I guess the pipes are frozen.” I shrug.

“City girl forget how cold it gets in the mountains?” he jokes, and I roll my eyes as I cross my arms over my chest and lean against the doorjamb.

“How long will it take to fix? I have a lot of work to get started.”

He offers a curt nod and walks toward the front door. “Let me check a few things. I’ll be back.”

A burst of frigid air sweeps through the cabin on his exit. By the time I have my laptop unpacked and set up at the desk, I hear four heavy thuds on the front porch, then Nick comes inside. He pulls his beanie off and tucks it in his back pocket as he walks into the kitchen, and I follow behind him.

He turns on the faucet, and water flows.

“You’re all set.”

“I figured that would take much longer. What did you do to fix it?”

He shrugs and says, “Turned the water on.”

I tilt my head and look at him confused. Why would the water have been off? The cabin always has guests.

“What do you mean, you turned the water on? When was the last guest here?”

He rubs his beard as he thinks, then says, “Few days ago, I reckon.”

“So why was the water off?” This doesn’t sound right.

“I turned it off.” He smirks, and I know then this was intentional.

“You turned it off…” I repeat and nod, fury flaming through me. “You’re still the same jerk, aren’t you! I thought after you stopped to help me last night maybe you’d have changed, grown up instead of taunting and teasing me just to get a rise out of me. Boy, was I wrong. Grow up, Nick. We’re adults—we’re not in sixth grade anymore.” Nick shakes his head as he pushes off the counter and starts to walk away, but he hasn’t heard the last of me yet.

“You’re part of the reason I—” My words fall short as his right hand wraps around my hip, and he drags me against him as his left hand rakes up the nape of my neck and through my hair, and his lips crash against mine in a bruising kiss. Stars flitter through my vision as my eyes fall closed, and I melt in his embrace. Nick controls the kiss, his soft tongue lapping against my lip before he bites the plump bottom. My knees feel weak, and I grip his strong biceps to steady myself. Nick breaks the kiss and rests his forehead against mine, and I inhale his scent that’s making me lightheaded.

He kisses my forehead and says, “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting to kiss your sweet lips, Winter.” His voice is deep and husky, laced with want.

I look up into his deep brown eyes, and the moment registers with urgency. I push off his chest and swing, and my open palm connects with his soft cheek. While this moment has completely taken my breath away, I’m so angry that I allowed him to manipulate me, once again.

“Leave. Now.”

Nick rubs his cheek and chuckles.

“You’re a grump, Winter. Aren’t you tired of this battle, fighting your attraction to me? Why can’t you understand that I’ve always wanted to be with you?”

I scoff and turn my back on him. “You don’t even know me, Nick.”

“Now, no. But every memory of your childhood includes me, just like every memory of my childhood includes you.”

“Are your memories as painful as mine, though, Nick?” I swivel on the ball of my foot and pin him with a glare.

“We were kids, Winter. It was harmless teasing, a way to get your attention.”

“Oh, you got it alright. You taught me to stand up for myself, to fight. You taught me every negative emotion a girl can feel. So no. I don’t want you to touch me—I don’t want you anywhere near me.”

Nick shakes his head and invades my space, pressing a chaste kiss against my forehead. My eyes burn with unshed tears, but I refuse to cry over someone I barely know now.

“I’m sorry I upset you, Winter. I’m gonna give you some breathing room, but this”—he motions between us—“it ain’t over by a longshot. I’m gonna give you a bit to calm down, but I will be back, and you’re gonna hear what I have to say.” He kisses my forehead and then turns and walks into the small living room.

As he grips the doorknob, I find my voice and say, “Please, don’t come back, Nick.”

He shakes his head and challenges, “I can’t do that, Winter. You are gonna hear what I have to say, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

And with that, he walks out the door, leaving me to wonder what will happen now.