by Lori Foster
The dog didn’t listen. The poor thing was so obviously thrilled to find a friendly face that it wanted only into her lap. A thick tail wagged vigorously, slinging more snow around.
“Easy.” There was no collar, so she caught a handful of fur at its scruff and pressed it back. “A German shepherd? You are so pretty, but you have to be as cold as I am.”
The idling engine of the truck stopped, and as Briana twisted her head to look behind her, she saw Jax slipping and sliding his way toward her.
“Briana!” He reached her, getting close to put himself between her and the big dog. “Are you hurt?”
His concern warmed her from the inside out. He looked and sounded almost panicked for her.
Hoping that meant he cared, Briana smiled. “I’m fine, but boy, am I glad to see you.”
Scowling, Jax caught her under the arms and hauled her upright—and into his chest.
Or maybe she did that on her own.
Holding on to him, stealing some of his heat, she said, “Don’t scare the dog.”
“You mean this massive yeti is a dog?” He shifted, and she felt him reaching back. “Easy, now.” His voice lowered, turned coaxing. “Yeah, that’s a good boy.”
The dog gave a happy “woof,” and judging by the new flurry of snow, he’d done another doggy jig of joy.
“He’s cold, I’m cold,” Briana said, “and I’m wondering what you’re doing out this late?”
Keeping her safely behind him, Jax explained, “The roads are shit and I’m running behind. Come on, you can ride with me and we’ll get your car pulled out tomorrow.”
She resisted his efforts to go up the hill to the road. “I can’t. The stupid electricity is out, meaning the furnace won’t work. With the drop in temperature, my pipes will burst. I was going to run home for a propane heater, but if you wouldn’t mind helping me get a fire started, I’ll just use that for heat.”
“Use that for heat?” he repeated, full of doubt.
The dog barked again, then literally yodeled—likely urging them to hurry it up.
“I don’t have a bed here yet, but I’ve been camping before. It’ll be fun.” She wiggled free and faced the dog. “And this beast can help keep me warm.”
“That beast is covered in snow.”
“So I’ll dry him off.”
Aggrieved, Jax stared down at her. “You plan to spend the night here? Alone? With a wild dog?”
“Do you think he’s wild? Or just lost?”
“No collar, and he’s got enough tangles in his fur to make me think no one’s been taking care of him.”
Well, then. That decided it for her.
“Guess I now have a dog.”
Jax’s brows climbed. “You plan to keep him?”
Snowflakes decorated his dark blond hair and clung to his lashes, the collar of his jacket and his broad shoulders. Heavens, he was so ruggedly handsome that she warmed more by the second. “I’m going to live here, Jax. I’ll be staying here alone every night once I get fully moved in. Having a dog will be nice. Besides, he found me.”
Staring off to the side, Jax worked his jaw, growled a little, but finally relented. “All right, fine.”
Clearly he didn’t like the idea of her staying alone, but Briana smiled at him. “Thank you.”
“I’m letting your dad know, though. He’ll probably insist on coming out to be with you.”
“I’d rather you tell him not to worry, that I’m safe and sound.”
Without replying, he took her arm and together, with the dog following, they made their way to the house. “You go inside,” he told her. “I’ll bring in the wood, and stack enough here on the porch to get you through the night.”
“My hero,” she teased, grateful that she wouldn’t have to haul the wood herself. The second she opened the door, the dog sat back and whined.
She wasn’t sure what to make of that. Opening it wider, she invited him in. “Come on.”
He looked at Jax, back at her, and decided to stick by Jax’s side.
“Go on,” Jax told her. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
“Don’t let him leave.”
His brows went up again, but he grudgingly nodded and, starting off the porch, whistled to the dog. It bounded after him.
With nothing else to do, Briana went inside.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE AIR INSIDE was so still, it felt even colder than it did outside, but at least there wasn’t any wind. Briana checked that the fireplace flue was open, then made sure the grate was positioned properly. Dusting off her hands, she set the water in the bathroom and kitchen to a slight but steady trickle so it wouldn’t freeze.
Locating a few old cleaning towels, she put them by the door. The dog would need to be dried off, poor thing, and he’d need a dry place to rest.
She heard stomping as Jax kicked snow from his boots, and she hurried to greet him at the door. The dog stood at his side as he handed her several logs, along with some skinny branches. When he headed back to collect more, the dog happily leaped along at his side.
Within half an hour she had enough wood neatly stacked on the porch to last two days, and the fireplace was set...except that she didn’t have any paper or matches.
Again with the dog sticking close, Jax hiked up to the truck to retrieve both. How he managed without shivering she didn’t know. Maybe the physical labor warmed him. She wore a long-sleeved T-shirt and heavy cardigan, and now her sweatshirt, too, but her nose and fingers felt like ice.
Expression grim, muttering under his breath, Jax returned with discarded newspapers. He opened the door wide and stepped inside, the dog entering with him.
She watched the animal do a quick search of everything, his paws leaving wet prints across her hardwood floors. Definitely a male dog, she realized, and he had to be over a hundred pounds. Was he hungry, thirsty? Probably.
“I’ll be right back,” she told Jax, and hurried into the kitchen to fill one pan with water, then put a pack of lunch meat on a paper plate. It was the only dog-friendly food she had.
“Careful,” Jax warned.
“I know. A hungry animal is always unpredictable.”
And yet the dog remained skittish rather than aggressive, waiting, very unsure about things, until Briana called him over.
He inched closed, constantly glancing at her as if expecting to be denied.
“Poor baby. It’s for you,” she urged. “Come on.” She pushed the paper plate toward him.
His nose twitched, and finally he gave in, devouring the lunch meat in three big bites. He licked the plate, pushing it around the floor, and then took several very sloppy drinks that sent puddles of water everywhere. With that complete, he padded back to the towels she’d put on the floor. He kicked them around, arranging them until they were in front of the door, blocking it. He dropped down with a lusty sigh and a yawn, his gaze watchful, waiting to see what the humans would do.
The dog, at least, didn’t look cold, but then he had enough thick fur for a grizzly bear.
Grinning, Briana turned back to Jax—and found him stripped out of his jacket.
“Jax?”
“I’ll start the fire,” he said.
Maybe he wanted to ensure she’d be warm before he left. That’d be considerate. But then he unlaced his boots and stepped out of them, too, placing them neatly near the door.
Briana watched him, unsure what was happening and unwilling to say anything that might jinx the moment. The longer he stayed, the better she liked it.
Without a word he knelt on the floor, his shoulders straining the seams of a flannel shirt worn over a T-shirt. He wadded up newspaper and stuffed it in around the kindling. Pulling matches from his pocket, he lit the paper, blew gently on it, and in no time he had a blaze going. It quickly caught the kindling, but didn’t yet give of
f any significant warmth.
When he stood, turning to face her, her heartbeat rapped in her chest.
His jaw clenched a few times—and he let out a ragged sigh. “My truck is stuck now, too. The snow’s turned icy, and it’s a mess out there.”
Her eyes flared. Going to the window, she looked out...and yup, she could hear the tinkle of ice pelting the glass. Everything glistened beneath the twilight sky.
She glanced at the dog, glad that it at least was out of the storm. The dog misunderstood, and laid his ears back in an expression of worry. Her heart nearly broke.
“Oh, baby, it’s okay.” She went to him, offering him a few pets and using a towel to help dry him. “You’ll stay inside with me and we’ll keep each other company, I promise.”
“I hope that beast doesn’t want to cuddle,” Jax said. “At least until he’s cleaned up a little.”
Briana’s gaze shot to him. Wow, he looked good backlit by the fireplace.
Slowly she stood, her thoughts skipping around wildly before settling on a single concern. “My parents will go nuts with worry.”
Jax came to stand beside her, bringing his heated scent and the comfort of his nearness. “I have a two-way radio in the truck. The weather’s causing some interference, but I managed to get a call through to the office. I asked them to let Gabe know you’re here with me and that we’re fine. Tomorrow morning, assuming the storm lets up, they’ll send someone out to get me unstuck.”
With one problem solved, Briana focused on the strain in Jax’s expression. Clearly this was not how he’d planned to spend his evening. She touched a hand to his chest. “I’m so sorry.”
Rolling one big shoulder, Jax looked down at her, first into her eyes and then at her mouth. His expression tensed...and he turned away, going back to the fire.
“Jax?” Her hand fell to her side. Swamped with guilt, she whispered, “Owen and Ella—”
“The office is contacting them, too. I gave strict instructions for them to stay put.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Our house doesn’t have a fireplace, so hopefully the power stays on. If it doesn’t, they have plenty of blankets, at least.”
“The storm came out of nowhere. I wouldn’t have risked coming here if I’d known.”
“It’s expected to be like this tomorrow, too. You know how Buckhorn is. The town will all but shut down while crews get the roads cleared. The back roads, like out to Sawyer’s and Morgan’s places, will be a secondary concern. Out here? Nothing’s going to move.” Suddenly he glanced around. “You don’t have a bed, a recliner, or anything like that?”
Sadly, she only had two folding chairs. “No. I was going to grab a sleeping bag at home when I got the propane heater.”
Expression darkening, he went back to his boots and stepped in. “I have a flashlight in the truck and a heavier coat. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“One minute,” she warned, chasing after him. Already ice collected on the window, and a brisk wind kept the snow circling. “Any more than that and I’m coming after you!”
He paused, shoulders and chest expanding, his voice going low and gruff. “Don’t even think it. You keep your sexy little ass in the house. I’ll be fine.”
Sexy little ass?
The dog bounded up to go with him, but Jax rubbed a hand over the dog’s neck, ordered, “Stay here with Briana,” and then headed out.
The dog sat down and looked at her.
Ooooh, smart pooch.
Briana raced with the dog to the bedroom window, peering out into the night. She couldn’t see much now, not until Jax opened the truck door and the interior light flashed on.
Standing on his hind legs, his front paws on the windowsill, the dog kept vigil with her.
They watched Jax gather several things, his feet braced against the weather. Then he pulled back and shut the door again, disappearing in the storm.
Together, they went back to the front door, anxiously waiting, peeking out every few seconds. It was nice having the dog for company. She wasn’t worrying alone. She didn’t feel as stressed. It helped, too, that the fireplace had warmed the room considerably. It was still quite chilly, but she no longer shivered.
Suddenly the dog barked, and right after that Briana heard Jax’s boots on the porch. Ridiculously relieved, she opened the door for him.
Carrying a coat, his cooler, a length of rope and a big utility flashlight, he stepped inside. Snow dusted every part of him and his ears had already turned red.
Time to be proactive. She’d stop acting like a helpless child and would do her fair share.
“Here.” She handed him another towel—one of the few she had at the house—and headed into the kitchen with the matches. Without too much effort, she managed to light the gas stove, then poured a can of soup into a pan. She didn’t have any bowls yet, so she set out mugs. Striding back into the living area, she opened the two lawn chairs by the fireplace.
The dog watched her while Jax silently stripped out of his boots and hung his jacket near the fire so it could dry.
Having prepared as much as she could, it suddenly hit Briana.
They would spend the night together.
While she wouldn’t have wished this on anyone, she actually looked forward to the adventure.
* * *
BRIANA DIDN’T TALK much while sitting there before the fire, sharing the soup, but Jax wasn’t sure words were necessary anyway. If it weren’t for several different worries, he could be content just watching her.
The flickering flames sent tantalizing shadows to dance over her pale hair, the curve of her cheekbone, her jaw, that stubborn little chin...and her mouth.
A mouth he wanted to kiss. To lick.
To feel kissing and licking him.
The knowledge that they were utterly alone created a twisted sort of foreplay, making Jax’s blood burn through his veins, tightening his muscles, clenching his stomach, heating him more than the fireplace ever could.
Finishing her last bit of soup, she glanced at him. “You’re worrying, aren’t you?”
Her soft voice after the quiet snapped his gaze to hers. “Yes.” But probably not for the reasons she suspected.
Earlier he’d been driving along, cursing the weather because he assumed it would keep Briana indoors when he’d badly wanted to see her again. He’d missed talking with her, being with her.
He’d especially missed kissing her.
Thoughts of her intruded every night, disrupting his sleep. When he did finally doze off, she invaded his dreams. Any time they encountered each other, it proved to be the highlight of his day. She made him happy—but she also made Owen and Ella happy. The more they worked with her, the more they had to say, all of it complimentary.
He wasn’t sure, but it seemed his brother and sister were playing matchmaker, trying to encourage him to spend more time with her. And he’d considered it, so many times.
Now here they were, stranded together, and he knew what would happen, what he hoped would happen.
Briana had made no secret of wanting him. Even though he hadn’t taken her up on her many offers, she hadn’t thrown in the towel. She’d retrenched, true. No pressure from her.
Just her presence, her smiles, her frank advice. It was enough. Almost too much. The woman had infiltrated his walls with minimal effort, plowing through his resistance with ease.
And why had he resisted anyway? At the moment, his vague, altruistic motives seemed too insubstantial to recall.
“I’m sorry.”
Because he’d been thinking of carnal things, he didn’t at first understand. “What?”
“I’m sorry for getting you in this mess,” she explained. “If I had been paying attention—”
“Don’t be sorry,” he said. “I’m not. Besides, it’s actually my fault that we’re both stuck here.”
“You might want to save your hot water.”
“I know. I filled a small pan with cold and I’m making do.”
His mouth twitched. She sounded peeved, all because he’d claimed they were stuck? Did she look forward to the night as much as he did? And why wouldn’t she? She hadn’t been shy about pursuing him.
It flattered him. Anyone with eyes and a brain knew Briana Kasper could likely have any man she wanted. The woman was gorgeous, smart, witty, kind, caring and so sexy he was almost always half hard around her.
And she wanted him.
Finally he could admit that he wanted her, too.
Joining her in the kitchen, Jax picked up the dish towel and dried while he explained. “We are stuck, but I’m not saying that’s a bad thing.”
Her gaze flashed to his.
“I’m glad to have an excuse to stay with you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Then maybe I don’t have to feel so bad about things.”
“You shouldn’t feel bad at all.” He bent and kissed the end of her chilled nose. “The wheels on my truck hold enough heat to melt the snow. When I stopped, it allowed the moisture to freeze. I know that happens, but I forgot about it when I saw you fall, when I saw the dog charging toward you.” Reliving that moment made his chest ache all over again. He set aside the cups and reached for the pan. “I thought you’d hurt yourself, or that the dog would hurt you, and it nearly stopped my heart.”
Seconds ticked by while they stared at each other.
She cracked first, clearing her throat and giving him a tentative smile. “Ah. So it is my fault.”
“For making me care,” he conceded. “Maybe.”
Her eyes flared. In the faintest whisper, one that sounded of hope, but also a touch of uncertainty, she asked, “Do you care?”
Damn, she looked cute with a pink nose. “How could I not?”