Page 25 of Because You Loved Me

She hadn’t thought about what she was going to do, or the fact that the snow might be too deep to walk in. Or that there would be any snow at all, really. She hadn’t actually given it any thought at all, which seemed to be the theme for the day.

Her stockinged feet froze almost instantly in her completely impractical heels, but she had no choice. She would not go back. Shecouldnot.

“Noa! Dammit, woman!”

She ignored him and pressed on. But a split second later, her foot shot out from under her as she slipped on some ice.

“Oh—”

“I got you.”

Strong hands caught her moments before she landed on her back in the snow. Asher put her back on her feet but didn’t take his hand off her arm.

“I’m fine.” She set her jaw.

“You are most certainlynotfine.”

She turned to glare at him, but the moment her eyes locked with his, desire flared through her. And it didn’t help her situation that his hand was still wrapped around her bare arm, sending all kinds of heat through her body with the simple touch. “Asher.”

“Where do you think you’re going to go?” He tipped his head and didn’t bother hiding the smirk on his face. “Do you even know where this road leads?”

She inhaled sharply and straightened her shoulders. “If you’re not going to help me, I’ll find someone who will.”

“You’re going to freeze to death.”

He had a full-on grin now, and although he was really starting to piss her off, the urge to throw herself into his arms and kiss the cocky smile off his face began to consume her.

Focus, Noa.

“I’m fine.”

“You are literally shivering.”

He took his time raking his gaze up and down her body, which only made her shiver more despite the flannel that was still draped over her shoulders.

“How do you feel about frostbite on your toes?”

“I’m only going to freeze to death if you don’t let me—” She moved to yank her arm from his grasp, but the moment she was free, he scooped her up in his arms, so quickly she didn’t realize what was happening until she was upside down, draped over his shoulder.

“Put me down.” She pounded her fists on his back and wriggled in his grip, but Asher clamped a hand down on her ass and pressed her into his back, holding her in place.

She needed to be thinking of escape, whatever that might look like, but pressed up against his hard body, she could only think of one thing…and it had nothing to do with getting away from the big man with the very large, very warm hands.

“I’m not going to let you freeze to death out here.” He opened the passenger door of the truck and deposited her and her massive dress unceremoniously into the seat.

Her cheeks blazed with a mixture of humiliation and desire as she looked up at him. “You are not taking me back there.”

“Fine.” He scratched his fingers roughly through the scruff on his chin. “Just don’t get out of the truck, got it?”

She crossed her arms and nodded once before facing forward.

“You’re a pain in the ass, you know?” He shook his head a moment later as he returned to his seat behind the wheel.

Without asking, he cranked up the heat and a moment later, the cab of the truck filled with warmth. She desperately wanted to reach down and pull her feet up to warm them between her hands, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how cold they really were. That, and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to reach them through the ludicrous amount of dress between her and her feet.

They sat in silence while Asher put the truck in reverse and backed out onto the main road. She held her breath until he turned in the opposite direction of the hotel.

“Where are we going?”

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