Page 20 of Pack Down Bad

Before he would let me go outside with him, Rhys insisted on dressing me for the weather by loading me up on layers of his clothes. I can barely move my arms in three long-sleeved shirts, two sweatshirts, and a coat. My legs are nearly as bad with three layers of sweatpants on. My feet are nice and toasty, though, with four pairs of thermal socks, so that I can borrow a pair of snow boots without sliding around in them since my feet are much smaller than Rhys’.

“Maybe we could just lose a couple of things so that I can actually move?” I take a few steps across his room to model the penguin waddle walk I have to use if I stay dressed in all of these layers.

Rhys taps his chin while examining my waddle, frowning as if the idea of me undressing is offensive. Ironic coming from a man who slipped his hand under my clothes last night. Now doesn’t seem like the time to mention that, though. I’m hoping everyone will forget that happened.

“I’m willing to let you sacrifice one shirt if you’ll agree to two scarves, two pairs of gloves, and a hat.”

“We’re negotiating?” In that case... “I’ll agree to one scarf, two pairs of gloves, and the hat, but only if you let me ditch a shirt, a sweatshirt,anda pair of pants.”

“No way.”

“You sound like Knox,” I point out.

His mouth gapes open. “You take that back.”

I shake my head while I smile playfully so that he knows I’m teasing him. Rhys is far too friendly to be compared to surly Knox. The two seem almost nothing alike aside from the fact that all three men obviously care deeply for one another. That seems to be the only uniting force besides an apparent affinity for life in the wilderness.

Of course, more people might enjoy life in the wilderness if all of them got to live in a nice cabin the way they do. Though phone and internet access would go a long way in making the cabin seem less remote.

Being cut off from the rest of the world feels weird.

Not that I would know who to contact anyway, even if they could offer me cell service. I still can’t wrap my mind around what kind of person I must be to have been driving with no purse or phone in the middle of a snowstorm.

I haven’t ruled out the possibility that I might be on the run with legal troubles. Until I take another look at myself in the mirror. No way do I look the part of a hardened criminal. Even if I curl my lip and squint with angry eyebrows like the villain in an action movie.

“What are you doing?” Rhys asks, moving closer.

Oops, forgot where I was for a second.

“Practicing my villain face for my acting career.”

“Are you an actress?” He doesn’t look the least bit surprised by the prospect.

The idea of performing in front of a bunch of people and being judged makes me immediately queasy. I shake my head quickly. “I don’t think so.”

“You’re pretty enough to be an actress.”

He looks sincere.

“Oh... thanks.”

For a moment, we stand frozen with our gazes locked, and I swear I can feel our breathing sync up.

Rhys steps towards me, inhaling deeply, before groaning.

The sound causes me to blush, and a wave of cinnamon smell fills the air. It’s not necessarily arousal…I guess it feels more like comfort? Security?

Rhys clears his throat, interrupting the intense connection. “We should get started on chores before I’m stuck chopping firewood in the dark.”

“Chopping wood?” My entire body perks up with interest.

“Belle, I think we just discovered something about you.” He nudges the coat off of my shoulders and begins stripping me of the sweatshirts I’m bundled in. Focusing on his words rather than the careful way he undresses me is nearly impossible. Rhys leans in so close that I can feel his breath on my lips as he tells me, “You seem to have a lumberjack fantasy.”

I think he might be right.

* * *

“C’mon, my cute little snow bunny.” Rhys waves for me to follow him around the side of the house, trudging through a few inches of snow that’s begun the process of melting already.

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