Page 26 of Trapped

I wouldn’t reach out, but I’m desperate...

My throat dried at that thought, my gaze flitting back to Erin, who was engrossed in her mission.I wasn’t quite desperate, but I sensed my trepidation rising.We’d need to act soon, either by finding more firewood in a world of frozen water, or by getting back to so-called civilization.

Even though it was irrational, a part of me had already chosen option one.It was the dark, selfish side of me that sought to keep her to myself for as long as I could and see where the colliding desire of the cabin could lead, but even if by some miracle we stumbled across dry firewood, we still had no sustainable food sources.We would need to leave the cabin.

I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere in a deserted cabin with a civvy and we’re out of food and firewood.

Exaggerating our predicament would do us no harm.I needed Baron to act on my behalf.

I’m sending our coordinates now.Please get in touch with the emergency services and send help.

We don’t have long.

Re-reading the message hurriedly, I hit send and fired over our location, directing the information to the one person I thought might move to assist us.Baron had been the only one who’d had my back when Hawkins had attempted to pin the botched mission on me, and even though he hadn’t been able to halt Hawkins’ move, I trusted him.I had to hope he was still one of the good guys—if such a description could be offered to men who’d engaged in our profession.

“I sent it.”

Glancing up, I noticed the way her brow had furrowed, conveying how worried she was.“Well done,” I praised.“One of them will help us.”

“I hope so.”She pulled in a shaky breath.“Because the wood we have left won’t last us a long time.”

She was right, but I didn’t want to let it show.Reaching for the hand not tugging the cover around her, I encased her cold fingers.

“Let’s use a little of it now.”I glanced back to our limited stocks, pushing down the swell of anxiety that spiked.“You’re freezing.”

“We should wait, sir.”Her breathing sped up as her gaze landed on the stockpile.“We don’t know how long we need it to last.”

“We need to keep warm, little girl.”Distracted by her ravishing body, it was a duty I’d been thoroughly remiss about.“And while I’d love to fuck you constantly to maintain our body heat, that’s sadly not going to be a sensible option.We’ll need to get dressed and keep a fire for as long as we can.”

More’s the pity.

She laughed sadly.“But there are only three logs left.”

Strained silence swelled between us as I acknowledged how serious our situation was.Three pieces of wood would last us a few hours at best—another twelve if we stretched the remaining heat as long as we possibly could.

It wasn’t enough.

“What happens when the wood runs out?”

Ultimately, it was Erin who broke the anxious hush.She might have been dainty and delicate compared to me, but when the chips were down, she showed her mettle.

“Without heat, we’ll need to move.”I parroted the reply unthinkingly, resorting to the years of experience I’d received.I’d been trained in the extreme heat and frozen cold, and I understood the consequences of underestimating either.“And if it comes to that, then I’ll get us through it.”

“How?”Inevitably, she asked the question I wanted to conveniently skim over.

“Letmeworry abouthow, little girl.”I tried to keep my voice upbeat.“That’s why I’m here.”

“Oh,that’s why.”She chuckled dryly.“And there was me thinking you were only here for spanking and anal sex.”

“Mmmm.”I liked the way she was thinking, even if it was impertinent.Meandering down that path was only liable to bring her more punishment, but perhaps the release would be the perfect tonic for our growing apprehension.“Maybe, but it’s worth remembering I came out here to look after you.”

She stared up at me as I moved closer.

“I appreciate it.”She blew out a breath.“I know I haven’t always shown it, sir, but deep down, I do think you’ve got my best interests at heart.”

“I do,” I concurred, reaching forward to caress the side of her face.“I know I’m sometimes like a bull in a china shop, and I’m not denying I want to screw your brains out, but I do genuinely want to care for you, Erin.”

“I know.”Her lips curled.“I just hope someone sees our messages and responds.”

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