He was about twenty feet ahead of her, scouting for potential danger—though he thankfully didn’t expect any out here.
Since no one knew where they were, some of her tension had eased. Though not all of it, considering they couldn’t go home and so much was in the air until the police figured out who was behind everything.
But at least she was with Logan. He had a way of making everything seem better, of making her feel safe even with all the craziness that had happened. He always had a positive attitude about things, which was a refreshing change from her ex.
Again, she hated that she was comparing the two, but damn, it was so hard not to. It was like comparing night and day. Sure, Logan had a reputation as a player but…she was going with her instinct. He’d been so honest with her and was always kind to those around him. Her especially.
He made her feel special and valued. And she totally needed to get out of her head right now.
Stepping over a rock jutting out from the side of the pathway, she looked up and smiled at Logan who was hacking away at some of the thick underbrush ahead. He’d shoved his sleeves up, showing off sexy, muscular forearms she wanted to stroke her fingers over.
He started to smile at her, but froze.
Immediately her heart rate kicked up and she glanced over her shoulder. Had someone found them here? No, impossible.
“Grace, listen to me carefully.” Logan’s voice carried through the quiet air.
Heart in her throat, she turned back to him and nodded, afraid to move.
“There’s a big speckled rattlesnake to the right of you. It’s blending in but I can see it from here. It is highly poisonous and it wasn’t there when I passed by.”
Her entire body flushed hot then cold as icy fingers scraped down her spine. Swallowing hard, she looked in the direction he’d indicated and saw the huge snake in a tight, round coil. Ready to strike.
“Take a step back. Slowly.”
She did as he said, staring at the coiled-up snake. Heart racing in a staccato beat, she took another step back when the serpent uncoiled, lifting its head to stare right at her.
She felt frozen to the spot. She was vaguely aware of Logan moving toward her, his machete in hand as she took another step backward.
When the snake started shaking its tail, rattling wildly, sweat dotted her upper lip and down her back as she tried to force her legs to move faster.
Move. Move. Move.
She didn’t want to bolt and freak the thing out, but all her instincts were screaming at her to sprint away for her life.
As she took another step back, then another, she lost her balance as she collided with the rock she’d jumped over before. “Shit!” She threw out her hands to stop herself as she tumbled backward.
The snake launched in her direction, the dry shaking of the rattle loud in her ears as she tumbled over the rock. A sharp pop of pain fractured through her shoulder as she rammed into another rock. Ignoring the pain, she rolled onto all fours and pushed up. Little pebbles dug into her palms as she shoved to her feet and stumbled back.
Swish. Swish.
By the time she managed to steady herself, Logan was standing over the dead snake, bloody machete in hand. She stared in shock for a long moment. She hadn’t even seen him strike.
“Are you okay?” Logan leapt over the rock in one quick leap.
Wincing, she wiped her palms on her pants. “Yeah. Just a little dusty and I hit my shoulder.” She’d feel it tomorrow for sure. But she hadn’t been bitten by a poisonous snake, so she was taking the win.
He took one of her hands in his and frowned as he brushed away some little pebbles. “Looks like you got a few scrapes. Let’s head back and clean you up.”
“For some reason I wasn’t even thinking about snakes.” She shuddered as they headed back, realizing there was a whole lot of other wildlife out here. Cougars, coyotes, anything. “I think I’m going to stay inside the whole time we’re here,” she muttered.
To her surprise he didn’t laugh, he simply squeezed her shoulder as he moved in behind her. “I think you deserve a hot bath and to relax.”
“So do you,” she said, looking over her shoulder at him.
His lips actually kicked up. “I’m not exactly a bath kind of person.”
“Even if you have company?”
“Only if the company is you.”
Oh damn.
He looked away, scanning their surroundings in the same intense way she’d seen him do since they arrived. He was always aware of everything, it seemed. Always ready to protect her.
His last words reached deep inside her, sending a push of warmth everywhere throughout her. She’d already trusted him with her body. It was definitely time to trust him with her heart.
A month of fantasizing and living on memories was at an end.
Chapter 15
Grace stepped out of the huge, masculine bedroom feeling a bit better. Logan had helped her clean up her hands once they’d gotten back to the house, and even though her shoulder was sore, the rock hadn’t broken her skin at least. She could deal with a bruise. The shower, however, was the only reason she was feeling human right now.
In fresh lounge pants, a pullover sweater and with slightly damp hair, she entered the living room and her heart skipped a beat when she saw a small Christmas tree set up next to the electric fireplace. “What’s all this?” she asked Logan as he strode into the room carrying a little brown bag.
“I was hoping to be done before you came out. I’m almost finished.” He pulled a small ornament out of the bag and put the sparkly red ball on the tree.
Okay, how sweet was this? Her instinct was right on with this man. “Where did you get all this?”
“I actually brought it with me. I tucked it away in the back of the truck. I hate that you’re missing Christmas, so I thought I’d bring it to you.”
“You’re the one missing it with your family.” And his family was a whole lot better than hers. She’d planned to have Christmas dinner with a group of friends. Heck, she hadn’t even talked to her mom about holiday plans, which was very much normal for the two of them. They rarely talked on the phone and she couldn’t remember the last holiday they’d spent together. Maybe…when she’d been in high school.
“Like I said, I get to spend it with you.” He shrugged and put a silver and white ornament on the tree.
Okay, she was officially melting.
Crossing the living room, she reached into the bag and pulled out an ornament, unable to miss that electric shock when their fingers grazed each other. “I’m glad I get to spend it with you too. The only thing we need to add to this is Christmas music.”
Grinning, he handed her the bag and picked up a remote control from one of the side tables. Moments later soft instrumental music was playing from hidden speakers throughout the room.
Considering the tree was only four feet tall and already had a string of lights on, it didn’t take long to put the rest of the ornaments on it. Once they finished, Logan plugged it in and she smiled at the cheerful, glittering display. It seemed brighter, homier, next to the fireplace, and the sight made her long for something she’d never had. Something she wanted with Logan.
To her horror, tears suddenly sprang to her eyes.