In the field, I was known for solving problems. If that meant taking out enemies or treating bullet holes, I was the guy who’d jump in and help. Being a merc for hire for years on end trained me to choose my battles. Sure, I’d been in plenty of firefights and rescue missions, so I know how to handle myself in combat. But I was also responsible for keeping my team alive in the midst of some pretty daring odds.

Once I ‘retired’ though, I didn’t need those particular skillsets. But I still have them and hone them. Bells woke up a part of me I thought I’d put away for good. She needs taking care of, and I’m the man for the job. Maybe she doesn’t need me during girl time, but I can still work for her. So that’s what I do.

I arrange the trap beneath the big fir that leans downhill along the side of the lodge near my window. The snow is still pretty powdery despite being down for a few days, so it doesn’t give me too much trouble. Once I have it level and set where I want it, I load it with the hunk of ribeye I found in the fridge.

“Such a waste,” I grumble to myself as I hang it toward the back, just far enough from each wall of the cage that Leonard can’t stick a paw through and swipe at it. He’ll have to go all the way in if he wants any of that sweet marbling and perfectly aged flavor.

I sigh as I back out and set the door to spring shut once my prey is far enough inside. This will be easy. Leonard’s always loping around and making an ass of himself. He’ll jump right into the trap when he smells the food. Then I’ll get rid of one of my cockblock problems. Easy.

Once everything is set, I return to the lodge and remove my outdoor gear. When I glance down the hall, I find my bedroom door open.

Heat surges through me. Bells is all mine again. Good.

When I enter the room, she’s sitting up in bed, her eyes boring into me. “Why would you try to trap that furry jerk?” She points out the window, though her eyes remain locked on mine.

“You don’t want me to trap him?” I don’t follow.

“This is his land. He lives here, and I’m just passi—” She abruptly stops and looks down.

Good. I don’t want her to finish that sentence. Because ‘just passing through’ isn’t in my plans for Bells. I don’t want her to think she’s just passing through on her way to her next big world tour or new talent. I want her to stay.

I sit beside her on the bed and take her hand. “It’s okay. Don’t be upset.”

“I’m not upset,” she lies, and I let her. Bells isn’t the sort who likes to share her emotions. Hopefully, one day soon, she’ll realize I’m the one person in the world who she can open up to. I won’t judge her or hurt her. Though I realize it is utterly insane to fall for someone so fast, I have. I can’t deny it. Bells is my future. I just have to make her believe it.

“If you don’t want me to trap him, I won’t. Okay?” I lift her hand to my lips and kiss it softly.

“I mean, he’s an asshole. So maybe I should just be fine with it.” She shrugs.

I reach out and tilt her chin up until our eyes meet. “Whatever you want, Bells. That’s what I’m here for. Taking care of you is my priority.”

She arches a dark brow. “Because you’re my medic?”

“No, because I lo—”

A loud snap cracks through the air, and Bells leans hard into me. I wrap my arms around her and jerk my head toward the window.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” I can’t help but smile when I see it.

The trap’s been triggered, the bait is gone, and Leonard is bounding off through the snow with a delicious steak dangling from his mouth.

6

Bells

I burst into laughter and rise onto my knees for a better view. I watch as Leonard trots off with his new meal. I swear he turns back to look at us before he disappears completely into the woods. I put my hand over my mouth, because I know my laugh travels. It’s loud and almost obnoxious at times. Barrow pulls my hand away. I look from the window to him.

“I like the sound. Don’t ever cover it.”

“Now I know you’re messing with me.” I plop back down onto the bed. First, he calls me beautiful, and now he likes the sound of my laugh? He’s laying it on a little thick. The way he stares at me sometimes almost makes me believe he really means those things. I’m afraid to admit how much I want to believe them.

I continue to stare at his handsome face. Suddenly, I remember what happened earlier. What I did earlier, the sounds I made … including his name. Everything comes rushing back to me. Of course he’s going to say all these nice things after he saw me touch myself with his name on my lips. I pray the laughter masks the blush I’m feeling as my cheeks warm with the memory.

“There’s no reason for me to lie to you.”

“Sure there is. You’re a man stuck out in a cabin, and you’ve got a convenient girl in your bed. Clover and Aurora have already been snatched up. There’s still Daphne, but I think you would have to fight Tiernan for her with the way he’s been eyeing her up.”

I watch as his jaw hardens. I don’t think there’s a face in the world Barrow could make that would be unattractive. It’s almost annoying how hot he is if I’m being honest. You would think with how good-looking he is that at least he would be dumb or something. To balance this crap all out. You don’t get to be hot, smart, and good with people. You have to fall flat somewhere. Yet he doesn’t. His existence breaks the rules.

“You think you’re just a ‘convenient girl’? I’m going to start reddening that ass of yours if you keep talking down about yourself.”

“Oh really?” I tease, lifting one eyebrow. I might be teasing him, but my body is reacting to the idea of Barrow forcing me to bend over the side of the bed. My nipples harden as heat pools not only in my stomach but between my thighs, too.

“I’ll mark you down for one. Keep it up, and it will be two real quick.”

“Go ahead and mark me down.” I call his bluff. He has to be teasing me. He really isn't going to bend me over and spank me. Even though my body wants nothing more than for him to do exactly that.

“Consider it done. I hope your head is better tomorrow. Then I’ll be able to give you that sweet ass of yours the punishment it deserves.”

I swear my breathing gets heavier as I clench my thighs together.

Why couldn't I have a little fun with Barrow? I’m holed up in this lodge, not sure what I’m going to do next. I’ve spent my whole adult life with Aurora. What will happen when I leave here? She’s staying, so where does that leave me? Crap, I hadn't really thought about all of that until this moment.

Even when we hung out earlier, Aurora talked as though I was also staying here for good. But this isn't our home. Scratch that. This is her home now. I’m sure she and Diego will be saying ‘I do’ very soon.

I guess I’ll head back to Hollywood? That’s where we live now. It would be pointless for Aurora to keep the big house in the hills. Which means I’d have to move. I’d also have to pick a new city to live in since Hollywood isn't home anymore. We only lived there because that’s where we needed to be. I never felt comfortable there. Actually, I never really felt at home anywhere. Except here. I push that thought aside.