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“Usually. I don’t do well with people.” I glance toward her, then back at the slippery road. I should soften if I want these meds. “I’m Niko. My family is up here to hunt an asshole bear. We haven’t caught him yet, and now my father is sick. We think it’s pneumonia, but he’s refusing medical care. My brothers haveall run off in different directions in the name of love, and I’m left here to figure this out. So… that’s why I can’t go with you out to that cabin. I hope you’ll understand.” I fill my chest with air, proud of myself for speaking as kindly as I have.
“So, your brothers just left you?”
“They come by, but they’re all busy with their own lives now. Which is fine. I want them happy.”
“You don’t say it very believably. Do you wish it were you moving on?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Never. I don’t want the whole wife and family thing. It’s good for them, not for me.”
“Then why’d you readGreat Expectations?”
I tilt my head. “There were a lot of things going on in that book. It wasn’t a romance alone. Besides, women’s idea of romance is a climb up a foggy mountain.”
She drags in a deep breath as though she’s about to give it to me good. “You know… I kind of agree.”
My brows narrow. “What?”
“Yeah, I mean… all these romance novels, Disney movies, and just life in general, I think they give this unrealistic view of what love and marriage is.”
I shouldn’t laugh, but I do. “Really?You, a privileged little princess, doesn’t believe in romance? Isn’t that the absolute opposite of what you were telling the nurse?”
“No. I told Aspen I wanted to find a man that was big, strong, inked, and maybe wanted to take care of me. That doesn’t sound like candlelit dinners and roses to me.”
“What does it sound like, then? Cause guys like that aren’t loving you with sonnets.”
She shrugs. “I have nothing to compare it to, so I don’t know, but I imagine if he loves me the way he knows how to love, I’ll see that and I’ll love him back.”
“All women say that until they want a night planned out or they’re pissed they haven’t gotten jewelry in ages.”
“I don’t know. I think women talk like that’s what they want, but really, it’s about the thought. At least for me it is. I can buy myself a necklace. I want a guy who’ll come in after working all day, put his hand on my throat, and kiss me like he’s missed me, ya know? A guy thatwantsto protect me.” She shifts in her seat. “Look, I know you’re not that guy, but I need your help. I don’t know the first thing about starting a fire or opening a can.” She holds up her injured, soft hand. “My father taught me a lot of skills, but surviving on my own wasn’t one of them.”
I stare down at the shifter before glancing back up at the road. The snow is picking up. I’d bet we have until sundown before this weather gets even crazier. Which means I have less than two hours to get her up to that cabin in the middle of nowhere with food, water, and a lesson on survival.
I sigh. “I’ll show you the ropes and I’ll give you a radio so you can call me if you need help.”
I don’t look to see, but I hear the lump in her throat forming. “Why can’t I stay with you and your dad at the cabin? I can make meals and help take care of him.”
“Tell me you want to do that after you meet him,” I laugh, turning into the long, snowy driveway that leads to the cabin in the woods where we’re staying. It’s not a luxury place by any means, but it’s nice enough that we’re comfortable and warm, which is all we need. Truthfully, it’s probably too much. If we were camping out in the cold every night, we might’ve been more motivated to catch this damn bear and less inspired to chase after women. My brothers are evidence of that.
When the truck stops in front of the porch, she struggles with the belt.
“You said there’s a wrench or something?”
I reach forward and pop open the glove box, dragging in the scent of flowers on her skin. It’s not the cheap stuff. I don’t know what makes it different, but it’s a deeper aroma that’s expensive smelling.
Rolling my eyes, I grab the wrench and jam the end into the buckle to release the belt. “There ya go, princess.”
“Princess? Really?”
“Seems fitting, right?”
A smile lifts her cheeks, showing perfectly white teeth and soft dimples. “If that’s what you prefer. I’ve always wanted to be royalty.” She jumps out and bundles in her long wool coat. I don’t care what she says about romance. She’s a rich girl, and rich girls expect something from everyone. As good as she looks, that doesn’t change reality. Truth be told, I can’t blame her, really. Even a dog won’t eat kibble if you’ve been feeding him steak.
“We’ll give him the antibiotics and then I’ll get you out to the cabin.” I turn toward her. “I never caught your name.”
She holds out her small hand and smiles again. “Lainey.”
Why does that smile have to be so God damn pretty?
