A Hero Grinch for Christmas Read Online Free PDF

wrapped around him, before Dani came back into the kitchen. Which was damn hard to do.
    Admittedly Dani tempted him. There’d been something right from the moment they met. Her quick smile and fathomless eyes stirred something he didn’t want to be stirred. He had enough on his mind without adding a female into the mix.
    The one thing he took away from the Army was discipline. Sure, when he grabbed his discharge papers he’d needed to get his head on straight, but self-control had been drilled into him. He could withstand anything, even a beautiful woman. He’d lived through his share of relationships. Nothing lasted. And he refused to burden someone with his pain.
    But she was such a tempting morsel. And she’d brought him dinner in the middle of a snow storm. Why?
    “Does this meet your approval?”
    Lost in his thoughts, he’d not heard her approach. He slowly unclenched his hands and turned. The vision of her in only a shirt already had him on edge. But the sight of her in his sweats and knowing she had nothing on underneath, made him want to wrap his arms around her and devour her mouth.
    “That’s better,” he grated.
    “Better than what?”
    He ignored her provocation. “Look outside.”
    As she walked past him heading for the window, a soapy scent wafted in the air. Even soap smelled sexy on her.
    “Looks like a blizzard out there,” she said.
    “You say your Jeep is off the road?”
    “Yeah. It’s not going anywhere.”
    “And neither are you. You’re obviously staying the night.” Damn his jeans were getting tighter by the second.
    “My aunt will be worried.”
    “You should have thought about that before you came traipsing up the mountain.”
    Her eyes hardened and her body tensed.
    Damn. He raked a hand through his hair. “I don’t have a phone, but there’s a short wave radio in the back. Is there someone you can call?”
    “Henry.” Her eyes lit up with a different kind of glow, making him wonder who the hell was Henry.
    “He’s a retired fireman, friend of the family.”
    Could the woman read minds? She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the counter.
    “Henry plays with shortwave radios all the time. If the volume is high enough, he’ll hear us.”
    “The transmitter is in the room in the back.” He strode down the hall, expecting her to follow. He opened the door and flipped the light switch.
    “Wow,” she said as she slid in behind him. “A man cave.”
    He stared at the seven-foot stuffed grizzly his uncle shot years ago standing in the corner next to the gun safe. Deer and elk heads, and other hunting trophies hung on the walls, a stuffed bobcat . . . Yep. A man cave.
    “What’s that?” she asked.
    Hunter looked where she pointed. “A Jack-a-lope.”
    “A what?”
    “A Jack-a-lope.”
    “Looks like a rabbit with horns,” she said innocently.
    “It is.” He motioned to the desk. “Here’s the radio. Do you know how to use it?”
    “No.”
    He sat down and fumbled with a few knobs, then tested the microphone. Henry answered right away. Hunter offered her the chair as he stood up, and handed her the mic. After a brief explanation and Henry’s assurance he’d contact Fay, she looked more relaxed knowing her aunt wouldn’t worry.
    Satisfied he’d done everything to make her comfortable, he opted to give her privacy. Besides, the longer he stayed around Dani, the weaker his resolve.
    “Do you need anything else?” he asked.
    “No. Thank you.”
    He nodded, then quietly left the room.
    ***
    “At least that’s done.”
    Even her voice hit him below the belt. He closed the oven door and made sure the dial was turned off. “Did you reach your aunt?”
    “Henry said he’d give her the message.”
    “Is he sending someone to get you?” He glanced up to find her staring at him. He tried to imagine what was going through her mind.
    “No. I told him I was here with you.”
    “He doesn’t know me. He should send someone to pick you up.” He