Page 176 of Rough and Rugged

The owner of the cabin with his strong jaw, silver hair, and unique eyes. No matter the color, they send shivers down my spine and make my knees weak. I stumble back, and he reaches for me.

Catching my elbow in his grip and pulling me into his body, he leaves me staring up at him as he slowly lets the last puff of smoke out of his lungs, blowing up over my head, before looking down at me. I find myself wanting to pull him down to taste his lips and run my fingers through his thick beard.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

“You startled me. Thank you for your assistance. You may let me go.” He shakes his head slowly while inhaling deeply.

“Oh, I think not, little bird.” I gasp and pull myself out of his embrace.

He knows, but that’s impossible.

The kitchen door swings open, and Chef walks out with a red face.

“Drake! Are you smoking again?” I hide my face and make a dash for the path while the men talk.

I hear a growl behind me and quicken my steps.

I’m by the employee parking lot before I dare look back, sighing in relief when no one is following me. I nod at a few coworkers and then frown at myself for even calling them that.

They’re all marks.

I’d happily rob them all blind if it would earn me enough money to get somewhere warmer. The thought alone reminds me of the cold night ahead of me.

“One more night,” I swear to myself.

Once the guests have checked in, unpacked, and left their rooms tomorrow, I’ll make my move. I’ll clean them all out and flee into the night before anyone can report the theft to the authorities.

I find a clearing in the woods and start to set up my tent as the first snowflakes fall. As my progress to arrange my campsite continues, the harder the snow falls and the colder it gets. It becomes very obvious that if I sleep out in the climate tonight, I may not wake up.

A sleeping bag isn’t going to cut it tonight.

With little choice left, I considered the layout of the hotel and decided that sneaking into a private cabin would be my best bet. If I’m very lucky, one will still be vacant, and I can climb into the attic before any guest who rented it arrives.

I trek into the snow, leaving the camp I half set up to retrieve after the storm passes.

I find a darkened cabin far removed from the property. It has no tire tracks and doesn’t seem to be in use. I test the door handle, and it swings open freely.

“It’s not breaking and entering with a welcome sign like this.” I smile to myself as I close the door behind me.

“Hello?” I call out, making my presence known.

I can always claim I’m lost, but no one answers. I sigh, dropping my backpack to the floor, and kick off my wet boots. I don’t dare turn on any lights or start a fire so that I don’t draw attention. I creep into the kitchen and turn the faucet on.

“Hot water,” I moan at the thought of a hot shower.

I find the bathroom quickly and draw a bath instead. After a hard day’s work, one does deserve to pamper themselves. As the tub fills, I make sure the front door is locked, then nudge a chair into the door jam so that I’m alerted if anyone tries to get in.

One can never be too careful.

Chapter Three

Adrain

“Fuck,”Drakegrowlsashe reaches for the delicious-smelling maid running down the path.

I snatch his arm before he can chase after her and have to ground my feet to stop him.

“Get a hold of yourself! For Christ’s sake. You’d think you found your mate.” I hiss in his ear to try to calm him, but all my words do is enrage him more.

---