AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Apparently, her brain wasn’t so cold and scared that it couldn’t appreciate a hot guy. Her stomach did a sickening turn. Could she trust him, though?
She wrapped her arms around her middle. She felt so alone. She had no idea what to do.
“Come on,” Boone said. “Let’s start by getting you out of those wet clothes and warmed up.”
Boone—boy, the name suited him. He had a mountain-man vibe, but he also reminded her of Captain America. Tall, muscled, steady, a superhero ready to save the world. His eyes were golden brown, and looked like they assessed everything.
What if he sells you out to the men who are hunting you?
She bit her lip. One thing she’d learned having a really wealthy father was that money motivated people to do terrible things. It turned generally honest, normal people into greedy, horrible people. She’d had friends betray her. Try to steal from her. People befriend her just to try to get closer to her father and his billions.
Boone’s dog Atlas bumped his head against her shoulder.
She patted the dog, admiring his black and tan coloring. Surely a man who had such a gorgeous dog couldn’t be bad? She met Boone’s gaze. He looked back steadily. Then she nodded.
He helped her sit up, and she saw the muscles in his arms flex. His flannel shirt was rolled up to his elbows, showing off a pair of muscled forearms. One was covered in black ink. She’d never had a thing for mountain men before, but she was starting to see the appeal.
Her head throbbed. God, she was losing her mind. Her life was in danger and she was staring at a stranger’s arms.
“Gemma?”
She focused back on him. He was holding out a hand to her.
She placed a palm on his. His fingers were warm and strong. He pulled her to her feet.
The world wobbled. She wasn’t as steady as she’d hoped. She gritted her teeth. She was done being helpless and afraid. A huge shiver wracked her, and she tried to take a step.
And collapsed.
Strong arms caught her and lifted her off her feet.God. She squeezed her eyes closed as dizziness washed over her.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“Nothing to be sorry about.” He let out a whistle, and Atlas bounded ahead of them.
Then he strode across the grass.
Gemma had no strength left. She dropped her head to Boone’s shoulder. His clothes were wet too, but she could feel the heat radiating off him.
“I’m heavy.” She had curves. Curves her mother was always telling her to work off.
Boone snorted. “No, you’re not.”
He didn’t appear to have trouble carrying her. She felt a little flutter in her belly. Then suddenly the cold clamped on to her and wouldn’t let go. She couldn’t stop the shivers. Her bones felt cold. Her teeth chattered.
“B-Boone…”
“Hold on, Gemma. We’ll get you warm. My cabin is close by.”
Her vision blurred, and she just held onto him.
Were those men still after her? Would they find her? Another violent shiver hit her, and she closed her eyes. She didn’t have any energy left.
“Gemma, stay awake. Look at me.”
She tried, but her eyelids were too heavy.
“Gemma.”
