Page 43 of Because You Loved Me

ChapterTen

“Do you know what you need?”Noa trudged through the deep snow behind the cabin, directly for a small fir tree. She patted her gloved hands together and turned to see Asher right behind her, dragging a sleigh they’d found in the shed when they’d finally pulled themselves from the bed—and each other—and headed outside for some fresh air.

It had only been two full days since they’d been at the cabin, but in some ways, it felt as if she’d known Asher for years. She continually reminded herself that it wasn’t serious, and he was only providing her with a fun distraction until she gathered up the courage to face the mess of her life she’d run out on.

Still.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed or smiled so much. Not to mention the orgasms that had her body in a perpetual state of buzzing pleasure.

She was absolutely not in a hurry to end whatever was going on between them.

“What do I need?” Asher caught up to her.

His beard had grown out a bit more in the days since they’d been together. Dressed in his winter coat, wool toque, and mitts, he looked every bit the sexy mountain man. She blew him a kiss before she answered him. “A Christmas tree.”

Noa waved her arms to showcase the little tree in front of her. “It’s perfect for the living room.”

“A Christmas tree?” Asher chuckled. “No way. I don’t think so.”

“Christmas is only a few days away.” She batted her eyelashes, and he shook his head. “It’ll be cute.”

“You’re cute.”

She froze, temporarily taken aback by his easy affection. It was too early for there to be any actual feelings between them. Still, whateverwashappening between them, she was enjoying it. And that was good enough for now.

“I’ll look even cuter laying naked under a Christmas tree.”

“Say no more.” He charged past her to the tree in question and assessed it.

“You don’t plan on ripping it out by its roots, do you?” She laughed. “I think I saw an axe in the shed next to the wood pile. I’ll grab it.”

“No way. I’ll get it. You guard your tree.”

He smacked her bum lightly with his mittened hand as he went by. She was cozy and warm in her own mittens and jacket that Asher had bought for her on his trip to town earlier that week. It hadn’t even occurred to her to ask him for clothes, but he’d taken care of it all on his own. And he’d done a really good job of it, too, nailing her sizes almost perfectly.

Asher returned a few minutes later with an axe and made short work of the tree. He dropped it on the sleigh and together they headed back to the house.

“Thank you.”

“For the tree?” He looked over at her and winked. “Not a problem. I agree that you are going to look damn good under the tree. But I would prefer you unwrapped.”

Her body flushed with the constant desire he stirred in her. “No. I mean, yes. Thank you for the tree. But also, for?—”

“Don’t.”

The smile slipped from his face; he faced forward and pulled the sleigh with a little more force.

“Don’t what?” Noa rushed to keep up with him in the snow.

“Don’t thank me for rescuing you.”

Rescue?

Stunned, she froze in place.

Oh hell no.

If Asher thought for even one minute that he’drescuedher like a damsel in distress about to marry the big bad king who would lock her away in a castle, he had another think coming.

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