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was inches from me, and I finally took a good look at him. For the past six years, I’d only had eyes for Reggie. But in that moment, I found myself appreciating Derek’s statuesque features. There was no denying he was incredibly attractive.
    Although we were in the middle of winter, he had a healthy tan. His crystal blue eyes sparkled, and his golden hair shined. His features were striking and prominent. He had the natural look of a confident man: a sharp nose, a hard jaw line, and a broad chest.
    The glistening stubble on his face was oddly alluring. More effects from my unbalanced mental state, I supposed. But at the end of the day, he still irritated me above anything else.
    He was pushy, arrogant, and a know-it-all- and I hated that in a man.
    I cleared my throat as I locked eyes with him. The small smile on his lips told me he caught me checking him out, but I ignored the look to avoid going off topic.
    “I really just want to get back to my cabin.”
    A part of me was happy to see him, I’ll admit. He was the only person in the world who knew of my internal struggle, and his presence provided a sense of… comfort.
    No matter what my personal hang-ups with him were, he was the only person I had to share my pain. But he was a stranger. I had to remind myself that in a few days, he was going back to his home, and I'd never hear from him again. I couldn’t allow myself to get attached.
    His eyes trailed down my body, a smirk on his face. Despite being covered with multiple layers, his eyes had a way of making me feel exposed. Not that it mattered. He’d seen me in a bikini the day before- my body and mind were out in the open for him to scrutinize.
    And then it hit me. He wasn’t just some Good Samaritan. He was looking for something more. He knew I was newly single, emotional, and desperate. He was looking for a little entertainment for the last few days of his mountain retreat. Unfortunately for him, I wasn’t a piece of loose tail. I needed to get back to my cabin.
    “Stop that.”
    His eyes shot up to mine, the blaze behind them heating me quicker than the warmth of the fireplace.
    “Stop what?”
    I was thankful my chestnut cheeks masked my blushing skin.
    “Stop looking at my body. I don’t know what you think is going to happen here-”
    “You were just looking at mine. So why can’t I look at yours?”
    I cringed. “It was an accident. I di-didn’t… I mean-”
    “Sure. We’ll call it an accident to make you feel better. But you’re still not leaving. You won’t make it in this. The plows will clear the paths early in the morning. I have more than enough space for you here.”
    I took a step back, his once comforting presence now overbearing as he hovered inches from me.
    “If you have so much space, wh-why are you so close to me?”
    His chuckle came out as a deep rumble, and I held my breath as the laugh tickled me in a place I wasn’t expecting.
    He ignored my insinuating question. “I was going to hang out in the hot tub, have a few beers, and watch the snow fall, but would you rather play cards or a board game? It’s been a while since I’ve had company.”
    I loved playing cards, but I wasn’t falling for his trap of casual seduction. After glancing out the window, I had to accept I was stuck there for at least the rest of the night. There was no way I’d make it to my cabin in the storm. He knew it, and had plans of his own, but I had no intention of rebound sex at my non-honeymoon retreat.
    I walked to the living room, snatched his remote, and turned on the TV. “Let’s just watch a movie.”
    “Why are you limping?”
    “Fell and hit my knee. Movie?”
    He nodded. “Alright. Sounds good. Hand me your coat. I have a sweatshirt if you’re cold.”
    “No, this blanket is fine,” I said, grabbing the crumpled-up blanket from his couch.
    “Want popcorn?”
    “Hot chocolate would be better. Thanks.”
    I organized the clutter on his coffee table while I waited for him. He