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pulled me back to the trail.
    “You trying to get lost?” He yelled over the howling wind. “Come with me.”
    I looked at the fallen tree, which was covered even more than before. Tears fell down my cheeks from the wind and froze on my skin from the cold. All I wanted to do was be somewhere warm.
    He held onto my waist tightly as he led me down the trail and through a small grouping of trees. The discomfort I had about him touching me wasn’t bothering me like it was the day before.
    In my real life, a man like him would quickly get put in his place. But like he’d said earlier, he was a stranger and I wouldn’t have to worry about him ever again once I got back home. That lingering thought helped me relax around him. He was proving to be helpful in more ways than one- whether I liked him for it or not.
    Within minutes, we approached a cabin even larger than mine. He opened the door and shut us in just as another loud crack of thunder echoed through the woods.
    “What were you doing out in that mess?” he said, shaking snow off his clothes.
    I took my gloves off, briskly rubbing my hands together to warm them up. My cheeks stung as the warm cabin air melted the icicles on my skin.
    “I went into town to get out of the cabin and got caught in the storm. Thank you for helping, but I can make it back to my cabin if you just show me the way.”
    He removed his hat and gloves before hanging up his jacket. “No, you can’t. It’s a complete white-out. You don’t know where you are. You can just ride out the storm here.”
    My lips formed a hard line. After such a relaxing afternoon at the cafe on Main Street, all I wanted was to continue my alone time in front of the fireplace in my cabin. For the first time in days, my thoughts were starting to clear up, and I wanted to sort through my emotions as soon as possible.
    “I think you and I have spent more than enough time together. I’ll be fine if you point me in the right direction.”
    He started putting the groceries away he’d brought in. “I don’t think so.”
    I folded my arms, trying not to catch an attitude when all he was trying to do was be nice. But I failed.
    “Well, what you think about it is irrelevant.”
    He emptied the grocery bag before turning to me. “Actually, what I think about it is all that matters. I’m the only one that can help you get to your cabin. And unfortunately for you, I’m not telling.”
    His cocky smirk made my blood boil. I was used to dealing with people like him. Men who thought they knew better than me, people who felt the need to intrude upon my life with their advice and rules. Still, none infuriated me like Derek. None could make me lose my demeanor so quickly.
    I was sure my short-temper was a result of current events in my life, and not necessarily him. Unfortunately, Derek was the one who would have to see me at my worst and take the brunt of my hot mood.
    I didn’t realize my hands were balled into fists until my nails pinched into my palms. I shot my fingers out, releasing the tension as I took an audible breath.
    “I’ll figure it out on my own then,” I said, jerking my gloves back on.
    He left the kitchen and sauntered by me, opening the front door. A gust of wind smacked me in the face. It was so cold, my muscles temporarily seized.
    “Alright. Which way you heading?” He asked, pointing to the wall of white outside. The snow was so thick, I couldn’t even make out the silhouette of a single tree. How had that happened so quickly?
    I glanced up at him, hoping my eyes didn’t admit defeat. When I didn’t respond, he slowly closed the door, my jaw locked tight as I accepted my fate.
    He turned to me after closing the door, leaning in. I was sure his lips brushing against my ear was an accident, but he didn’t move them as he spoke to me in a low whisper.
    “Just relax, Shae. I don’t bite.”
    My heart thumped hard in my chest as he spoke. Was the reaction from irritation, or something more?
    He