Page 52

The fire crackled and popped, sending sparks up toward the rusted chimney. I tried not to think about what was out there. The bears. The moose. All the things Bernadette had warned us about. And I tried to imagine what it would be like to spend the night in the cabin. I hoped it didn’t come to that.

“They’ll find us,” Jeremy said, as if reading my thoughts. “Bernadette’s on top of things.”

“I know.”

“We just have to wait it out.”

“I know,” I repeated.

But knowing and feeling were two different things. My heart was still racing, adrenaline still pumping through my veins. Every creak of the old cabin made me jump.

Jeremy shifted, and suddenly his arm was around my shoulders, pulling me closer against his side. “Come here.”

I went. I told myself it was for warmth. Nothing more than the simple human need to not be alone in a scary situation. As I settled against him, my head finding that familiar spot on his shoulder, I knew it was more than that.

He felt so good. Solid and warm and safe. I could smell him through all the layers.

“This is becoming a habit,” I murmured.

“What is?”

“Using you as a pillow.”

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest. “I’m not complaining.”

Neither was I. That was the problem.

The fire had grown stronger. The warmth was seeping into me now, thawing the frozen parts, making me feel almost human again. But it was also lowering my defenses, making it harder to remember why I was supposed to keep my distance.

“Lucy?”

“Hmm?”

“I’m glad you came on this trip. Even with all… this.” He gestured vaguely at our situation.

“You’re glad I’m stranded in a freezing cabin in the middle of nowhere?”

“I’m glad you’re here with me.” His voice had gone quiet. “I wouldn’t want to be stuck here with anyone else.”

My heart skipped a big beat. I sucked in a breath.

“Jeremy…”

“I know.” He cut me off before I could say whatever I’d been about to say. “I know there are lines. Boundaries. All that professional stuff you’re worried about. But right now, none of that feels very important.”

I lifted my head to look at him. The firelight played across his features, highlighting his square jaw covered in the usual stubble. The fullness of his lips. His green eyes framed by thick black lashes looking back at me. I could see something burning in them. Or was I seeing things?

“What does feel important?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

I could feel his breath warm against my lips.

“This,” he said. “You. The way I feel when I’m with you.”

“How do you feel?”

“Like I’m finally where I’m supposed to be.”

I stopped pretending I didn’t want him. Fuck it. I might be dead in a few hours. If this was my last night on earth, I was going to enjoy it.