Be My Love Read Free Page B

twisted.
    He dropped the backpack and emergency kit. The tension in his shoulders released. “You’re welcome.”
    Her gaze flicked from him to the door.
    Understanding hit him like a semi-truck. “I’m not fucking going out there again.”
    She flinched.
    “Look, Brenna. I know you think little of me, but I can’t go back to my parents’ cabin in this. It’s too dangerous.”
    Her shoulders drooped.
    What the hell? He saved her life, and she wanted him to leave? To risk his life again, so she didn’t have to be in the same room as him? Un-fucking-believable.
    She hated him. He got that. But this…unreasonable. The Brenna he knew throughout high school wouldn’t have been so spiteful, so…cold.
    But then, the Brenna he knew was from years ago.
    Maybe he wasn’t the only one who’d changed.
    “I’ll get the fire going.” His heart fell heavy in his chest. “Did you want to make something warm to drink or take a hot bath?”
    Brenna’s dark gaze turned to him again and narrowed.
    “A bath will help relieve stiff and sore muscles. It looks like you need it.” Would probably help melt that cold heart, too. Of course, ice was probably the better option for reducing swelling, but already cold to the bone, the bath would be more relaxing.
    “I’ll make some hot chocolate,” she said.
    Her tone sounded resigned, but with the one statement, the anger and hurt coursing through his veins eased away. With a momentary truce, Eric set to building a fire. His mind reeled. He’d secretly hoped for an opportunity to be alone with Brenna. Now that he had the chance, though, did he even want it?
    Had he been dreaming of a woman who no longer existed?
    ****
    Brenna cursed as she clanked around the kitchen, making hot chocolate and putting away the food she’d brought. She also stashed the remaining packages of candy hearts. They seemed like such a childish thing, but they were a family tradition for Valentine’s. She snuck one last piece and enjoyed the sweet flavour rolling over her tongue.
    Had she really suggested Eric go home in a blizzard after he saved her? What was she thinking? She acted like a spiteful hag, as if being nice to the man would put her in danger of falling for him again. She owed him her gratitude…and an apology.
    He’d made a roaring fire before going back out to the snowmobile. She thought it odd, but he said he wanted to move it to a more sheltered location and grab the other emergency supplies, the ones kept with the machine. They needed more wood, too.
    Oh heck, maybe he wanted to get away from the cold-hearted bitch and the tension stuffing up the cabin, so thick she could probably cut it with a butter knife.
    While he tramped around outside, she’d taken a long soak in the bathtub, letting her sore muscles loosen up. She’d cleaned the cut on her forehead, and after staring at her reflection in the bathroom mirror, tension evaporated from her veins. Minor injuries. She’d walked out of that crash with insignificant bumps and bruises.
    The bath and moving around had helped with the aches and stiffness. Why did Eric have to be right? It made it more difficult to hate him.
    Now, she set cups down after filling them with steaming hot water. She stirred in the chocolate.
    Eric had been gone for a while. Had he left?
    Her chest constricted. He might’ve been a royal jerk back then, but he didn’t deserve to die in a blizzard. She wasn’t an idiot. Even with her head tucked into the protective shield of Eric’s back, the jarring snowmobile ride had scared the crap out of her. They’d been lucky to reach her parents’ cabin. No way would he make it back to his place in this storm.
    She bit her lip as she continued to stir the hot chocolate. So determined to cling to her anger toward Eric, she’d acted like an idiot.
    She glanced at the door.
    Should she go after him? She tossed the idea away before chucking the spoon into the empty sink. If he’d left, there was nothing she could