Page 198 of Screwged for Christmas

His blazing gaze penetrated hers. “I’ve hurt you.” A ghost of what appeared to be guilt played at the corners before he shut down into an unreadable mask.

“Not even in the slightest, buddy.”

If he had a scowl before, now he looked like she served him up a bowl of lemons and force-fed him each one.

“Forget it.” She moved to turn on her heel, the thick material of her socks caught on the rough cement of the sidewalk. “Coming here was a big mistake.”

“Hey, girlie,” called one of the townsfolk as they shuffled around one person only to bump into the next. Coming in hot, a man flirting with eighty, bright-eyed and hunched forward from age or decades working in the harsh environment, caught her off guard. “I’ve never seen long johns and mistletoe look so good.”

Her brows pinched then she remembered the little decoration on her choice of underwear.

“Thanks old-timer.” She guessed. This day was just too weird.

She donned her practiced smile reserved for patients and tucked a little deeper into her cocoon of the blanket. And why she didn’t see the set of ice-white eyes and the man with equally white hair until it was too late.

She fell forward. “Oops, sorry.”

Broad hands reached out to stabilize her but not before she was nose deep in solid muscle that smelled like fresh snow and a hint of something else entirely. Cinnamon maybe? Or Nutmeg. It made her feel like she could ask the stranger anything and he would give her an answer.

Contrary to her profession and medical training, she recognized the earth tendrils of the herbs from her visits with an herbal doctor for a patient that couldn’t afford the crazy prices of prescription drugs for migraines.

Medicine didn’t start and stop with blue pills and white lab coats in her opinion, but that wouldn’t pay the massive student loans and building debts.

“Woman, my apologies.”

She rubbed a flat palm over her forehead. “Last I checked, yes, I’m a woman,” she whipped out, tired and cold.

“I meant it as no insult.”

“Right. I’m getting used to that.”

“Show me who has insulted you and I’ll show them how to treat a lady.”

Really? Her brows pinched together so much she feared the deep groove between them would crease into a permanent scowl with how many times these people had her questioning her sanity. He dipped his chin and cast a hooded gaze over her that left Ivy tempted to ask how he planned on becoming her knight in shining armor. In a slow glide of her gaze, Ivy took in the man before her.

He towered over her five-five frame, fists flexed at his sides like a warrior ready to swing his sword. In stark contrast to the warmth that came from Damon, this man was stone cold. A solid wall of muscle, she’d give him that, and damn near matched Damon. She was oddly grateful they were not alone. While he didn’t give off a killer vibe, the sense of danger he emitted had her wondering if he snuffed people for a living and enjoyed every second of the process. Probably even liked digging the graves too, judging by the way his muscles rippled with every movement beneath the black and blue plaid shirt. No coat.

“Reaper,” Damon called from directly behind her as he wrapped her in his arms. For the moment she didn’t fight it. The hard edge to the white-haired man sent up a red flare, and the knot in her stomach warned of danger.

“Savage.” Razor-sharp and crisp, he sliced out Damon’s name with a chilled, even tone. Then again, nothing this man did probably came remotely close to warm and fuzzy.

“Why don’t you join the rest in the bar while I get Ivy settled?”

After years in an orphanage and guest to a few foster parents who thought kids were better off silent, Ivy knew when to seal her lips and not argue.

“If that is what the lady wants.”

Her eyes darted to Damon then returned to Reaper. What did that mean?

Tension, as though a colored past lay between them, stretched in a long silence, but she had to hand it to them—it seemed they were trying to work on being less of an enemy and more friends. At least that was what she picked up from the way no one was duking it out. There was something definitely between the two, though, and she was a rabbit caught in the middle.

“It is. The lady would like a shower, dry clothes, and food. And coffee. Lots of coffee.” And a plane ride back to Fairbanks, but she didn’t add that part. “All in that order.”

People made a wide berth around their spot on the sidewalk. Reaper stood as though he considered his options. Impossibly gray eyes flicked between them for a second and then something crossed his expression as though he saw a clearer picture. Man, she wished he would share whatever light bulb moment he had.

“I see now. Savage. It’s good seeing you again as always.” As if a ghost, the oddly sexy stranger melded with the crowd and disappeared.

Silver dots twinkled across her vision as a veil of darkness threatened to take over all her senses. White snow turned fuzzy and her knees turned to noodles.

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