“Oh thank goodness! Bear.” She drops to her knees, wrapping her arms around him. “You need to keep your butt inside.” She buries her face in his neck, hugging him tighter before kissing him on the head. A pang of jealousy hits me at the affection she’s showing Bear. Maybe he won’t be getting that bone after all. “I guess I’m done here?” It sounds more like a question.

  “You’re staying. The roads are too bad for you to drive.”

  “If I don’t go now, I’ll be stuck here for days.”

  I shrug. “Better here than at home alone over Christmas.” She chews on her bottom lip. I fight not to reach out and pull it out from between her teeth. “You need someone to look after you.” Her mouth drops open. Why do I fuck up everything I say to her?

  “But you’re grumpy and will hate it.” Her eyes widen as she throws her hand over her own mouth. I might be a dick, but it’s not in Marley’s nature. Truthfully, she needs an asshole in her life. Someone who stands up for her. She’s so damn sweet. People tend to take advantage of that shit.

  “You’re staying.” There, that settles it.

  “You’re not the boss of me. In fact, I’m the boss.” She unzips her coat and points to her badge. She doesn't even have a gun. I know she owns one, but she hardly ever wears the thing. I’m still not sure how she ended up the Deputy of Winter Falls.

  “Badge or no badge, your little ass is staying put.”

  “Oh really?” She turns, opening the door and marching out with a purpose. She only gets a few feet out the door, and I’m on her. I wrap my arm around her waist and lift her off the ground. “Put me down, you giant lumberjack!”

  “You have a flat.”

  “What?” She stops wiggling to glance over to her SUV. It’s hard to see with the thick snow falling. It takes her a second. “What the hell?” I pull her back into the house, kicking the door shut behind me. I put her down and start bolting all the locks, including the coded one on the handle before I pull out my phone and set the alarm too. She gapes at me.

  “What is this place? Fort Knox?”

  “Something like that,” I mutter. I have something far more valuable than gold. Gold is replaceable. There is more of it out in the world. There is only one Marley, and she’s all mine.

  Chapter 4

  Marley

  How did this happen? I’m in Saint’s kitchen cooking dinner. It’s hard to be grumpy about it when the man has a dream kitchen. There is nothing I love more than cooking, and in a kitchen like his, I could cook a feast. Everything in here is brand new and state of the art. That builder really went all out when he did this place.

  My kitchen is so tiny I can barely make a few dozen cookies without it being a pain in my booty because of my lack of counter space. Plus my oven is wonky. Saint has these to die for double ovens. I can make cookies and dinner all at once in them.

  “You’re rich,” I blurt out.

  “I do well for myself.” He does one of his normal shrugs.

  He’s sitting on one of the high-top chairs at the kitchen island watching me. Bear is laid out on a rug in front of the back double doors that lead out to the deck. This feels so cozy right now.

  As grumpy as Saint can be, he's actually nicer to me than anyone else in town. Pretty sure that’s why they always send me out when he calls. No one else ever makes it past the front gate.

  I’ve seen him around town. He doesn't give most people the time of day. With me he’ll actually stop and make small talk if we run into each other. He mostly ignores everyone else or grunts at them.

  I’ll never forget the time we’d both been at the supermarket, and Jessica Sparks tried to snag his attention. That’s not normally hard for her to do. All of the men in town drool over her. She’s got these big boobs and bright blue eyes. She’s also crazy tall, with legs for days.

  She’s on her third marriage. She jumps from man to man, always wanting something new and shiny. Saint all but barked at her to get away from him when she tried to flirt with him. She’d given me a death glare when he wandered over my way and started asking me about which cookies were the best in the bakery department. I’d ended up bringing him over some I’d made.

  He’s really not in town often, but somehow I always manage to run into him when he is there for some reason. Sometimes I wonder if there’s this invisible thing that is always pulling us together.

  My mom and grams believe in that kind of stuff. They have all kinds of ideas abouts love and having a destined soul mate. It’s hard not to believe them. They have the kind of marriages a lot of girls dream of having. Well, I know I do.

  Some might think I’m too simple, but it’s always been my dream to go to college and come back home to get married and have a bunch of babies. The best times of my life have happened in this town and with my family.

  Some women have big dreams of moving to the city, and that’s great. Everyone should go after what they want. I try not to let it bother me when people give me a sad smile when I tell them what I want in life. I’d gotten that a ton in college.

  “Was that rude? It was rude. I shouldn’t have said that.” He pops another grape into his mouth. I try not to fidget under his stare. He’s been watching me like I’m his own personal cooking show or something. It’s the least I can do since I’m going to be stuck here for who knows how long. I’m just happy we found Bear, and he’s okay.

  “You can say anything you want, Marley. In fact, I love your bluntness. I find it refreshing.”

  “Oh well then, I might as well ask away. How did you get so rich? You go to some fancy college?” The questions pop right out of me.

  “No college for me. The FBI busted down my door when I was seventeen. Said I could either work for them or go to prison.” I stare at him, waiting for him to smirk or something cause he’s teasing me, but Saint isn’t the teasing type. He’s being serious. Holy crap.

  “What did you do?” I whisper when I get over my shock.

  “Like you, I can be a bit nosy.” Now he smirks.

  “Hey, I’m not nosy. I was helping you with all those boxes. You should be thanking me.”

  “Thank you.” He actually winks at me. My insides flutter. I’ve always thought Saint was handsome, but add in him being charming all of a sudden, and my crush is not going to handle this well.

  “You can thank me by telling me what you did to get the FBI’s attention.” I’m actually surprised when he starts to spill everything to me. It’s also the most I’ve ever heard him talk in one sitting. He’s not only rich but crazy smart too.

  I’m not surprised. It’s a bit unfair that he gets to be all those things and handsome as well. Some people have all the luck. This does, however, explain why he's an introvert. He spends most of his time alone with a bunch of computers. Gosh, I’m probably going to end up driving him crazy.

  “I learned a lot from the FBI. I’m actually thankful I got caught. Who knows what I might have gotten mixed up in?”

  “I didn’t know the FBI paid so well.” I glance around the fancy kitchen. A bark of laughter comes from Saint. The sound is sexy as hell. I didn’t know a laugh could be sexy.

  “They didn’t back then. They do now when they want my help. I freelance for them now.”

  “Only for the good guys?”

  “You trying to catch me in something, Deputy Hudson?”

  “No!” I squeak. “Sometimes I forget I’m a cop.”

  “And how did that happen?” he asks. I push a few of the chicken cutlets that are done already across the island so he can snack on them. “You have a degree in social work.”

  “I do. How did you know that?”

  “You must have told me,” he says before he shoves one of the pieces of chicken into his mouth.

  “Oh.” I don’t recall that, but maybe I did. I tend to ramble. But I don’t usually talk about college much.

  “Why?” he asks. I hadn’t meant to say that last part out loud.

  “I didn’t care for it. I got homesick a lot and never felt like I belonged.”

  “I find that hard to believe. You’re easy for people to talk to.”

  “Thanks.” I turn, dropping a few dishes into the sink. When I turn back around, I run into a wall of a chest. For a big man, Saint can move without making a freaking sound.

  “Did someone hurt you?” There is no missing the edge in his voice.

  “No, I just didn’t click with anyone. I belong in Winter Falls. College only proved that to me. There is nothing wrong with wanting to live in a small town.”

  “I didn’t say there was. I’m finding I rather like it here too.”

  “I think I like having you here in Winter Falls, Saint. Even if you do call and make complaints often.”

  “Why wouldn’t I when they send you out every time I do?” I let out a small gasp of surprise. Did he really call in hopes that it would be me that came out? The timer on the oven starts to go off. “Let me get it.”

  Saint steps back, taking all of his heat with him. He grabs the oven mitts, putting them on before he pulls my baked ziti out.

  “I got a degree in social work because I do a lot of work with the food pantry in town. It’s all volunteer work, but no one has any real training. I thought it might be helpful. And it has been.”

  “You really are pure goodness, aren’t you, Marley?”

  “No, I’m nosy, remember. I have my vices.” I fight a smirk. “Sheriff Benjamin needed a deputy so he asked me. I don’t actually go on calls that might be a threat. The truth is Winter Falls got a grant so they needed to hire someone for the spot. I’ve actually really enjoyed it. It allows me to help people in different ways. My favorite part is when I get to go to the schools.”

  “So I’m not too much of a bother?” Saint reaches up into one of the cabinets and grabs us some plates.

  “We actually get a lot of odd calls. Last week I had to go help Mrs. Rainey program her new alarm clock. Mr. Berks had me come and find out why his house was beeping. I ended up changing out the batteries in his smoke detectors. You would be surprised how many of those types of calls we get.”

  “That get old?”

  “No,” I say truthfully. “I’m happy to help if I can.” Saint sets the plates down and heads back toward me. He doesn't stop until he presses up against me. I’m trapped between him and the counter. “Saint?”

  “There is something I need you to help me with, Marley.”

  “What?” I lick my suddenly dry lips. His eyes drop to them.

  “Been dying to know if you taste as sweet as you are,” he says before his mouth is on mine. I somehow know I’ll never be the same after this kiss.

  Chapter 5

  Saint

  Of course she’s sweeter than I thought she would be. Everything about Marley is always so much more. I peel one layer back only to find another. I think my girl sees herself as being simple, but she’s far fucking from it. She feels for everyone around her. Even me, the asshole who grunts at her most of the time.

  I might prefer to keep to myself, but it doesn’t mean I haven’t met people from all walks of life in my line of work. Marley is different from anyone I’ve ever met. I knew it from the second our paths crossed. I was a goner from that point forward.

  She has a rare sweetness that I want all for myself. I should let her go, but I can’t. I want her more than my next breath. She needs someone to protect her from all the other assholes out there.

  I sweep my tongue across the seam of her mouth. Her lips part for me, letting me in. So innocent and naïve. As much as it pisses me off how easily she let me catch her, I’m just thankful I’m the first to get my hands on her. She went and let herself get caught in my trap, and I’m playing for keeps.

  Fuck she tastes good. My cock strains against the zipper of my pants. Her little moans aren’t helping the situation. I lift her off her feet without breaking our kiss. Her legs wrap around me, causing her pussy to rub against me.

  “You kissed me.” Her blue eyes are wide.

  “And I plan on doing it again.” I lean in to catch her mouth again when another timer starts to go off. I’d say fuck it. Whatever it is can burn, but she’s been in here cooking up a feast for us, and I want to taste all of it. “This is far from done,” I tell her, setting her back down on her feet. I grab the oven mitts again and open the other oven and pull out a fresh loaf of bread.

  “I think dinner is done.” She licks her lips.

  “You sit. I’m going to serve you.” She starts to protest, but I cut her off with my mouth. I don’t stop kissing her until she’s moaning into my mouth, and I know if I don’t stop now, the only thing I'll be eating is her. “Sit,” I order when I break the kiss.

  “Mmkay,” she agrees, going over and taking a seat at the table. “I can’t eat that much,” she protests when I start to fill her plate.

  “Eat and I’ll let you snoop through more of my boxes while I clean up.”

  “Fork me,” she jokes, holding out her hand for a utensil. “Oh my God. I meant give me a fork. Like to eat with.” Her whole face starts to flush a sexy as hell shade of pink.

  “I got you,” I say, handing her one over before we both dig in. Once the first bite hits my mouth, I don’t stop until I’m stuffed to the point where I’m almost in pain. I’ve never tasted anything remotely as good as her cooking. Except for her, of course.

  “I take it you enjoyed everything?” She beams at me.

  “You should be a professional chef.”

  “Never. My mom would kill me if I gave out our family recipes.” She tries to snag my empty plate from in front of me.

  “Don’t even think about it. I’m on cleanup duty. You can go play with the boxes if you want.”

  “I’m not really that nosy. I was just taking a peek. What is with all the Christmas stuff?”

  “I was thinking about decorating so I ordered a bunch.” I shrug casually.

  “I wouldn’t have guessed you to be the kind of person to decorate for the holidays.”

  “To be honest, I never have before. I don’t really know where to start, though.”

  “I can help!” she says excitedly the second the words are out of my mouth. “Your house is made for Christmas.” She beams. Damn. I knew the Christmas decorations might lure her in, but I had no idea she’d get this excited about it. It must be contagious or something because now I want to do it with her.

  “All right. I’ll clean up while you go through the rest of the boxes.” She looks so happy at this moment that I make a silent promise to myself that I will always strive to keep her that way.

  “I’m on it.” She bolts out of the kitchen, leaving me alone. That’s how I normally like it. Yet this time I find myself cleaning up in a hurry so I can get back to her. The whole house is different with her inside of it. It’s not a house. It’s a home full of life and possibilities of so much more.

  I pause when I make my way back into the entryway to see all the boxes now open with shit everywhere. I hate when things are out of place. It drives me insane. Somehow her making a mess doesn’t bother me in the least. In fact, I find myself smiling yet again. Something only she can pull from me.

  “There is so much stuff.” She squeals when she sees me. “You don’t have a tree.” The smile drops from her face.

  “I already put it up in here.” I motion for her to follow me over toward the living room.

  “It's a real one.” She sucks in a deep breath. “Okay.” She claps her hands together. “We’ve got our work cut out for us, but I think…” She trails off, leaning over to look on the other side of the tree. “Are those more boxes?” she whispers loudly.

  “Yeah.” Damn I’d forgotten about those. I still have a few hidden away in my closet. Not sure how I’m going to explain those since they’re presents for her. I’d actually gotten them before I’d come up with this whole trapping her here plan.

  I’d been hoping she’d see all the boxes and offer to help me with them. I’d mention I was decorating or something. When Mayor Andersen held a town meeting about the approaching snowstorm, I took things to the next level.

  “You should start a fire, and we’ll do the tree first.”

  “You want me to get you something to change into?” I ask. She still has on her uniform pants. She’d taken off her belt along with her uniform shirt. She had on a plain shirt underneath that she covered up with an apron.

  “Do you have anything for me?” Her nose scrunches.

  “Yeah, I think I’ve got some stuff. I’ll grab it.”

  I’d actually bought her a couple sets of holiday pajamas, but right now I want her wearing my clothes. I know it sounds ridiculous, but since I can’t put a ring on her finger yet, I need to mark her in this small way in order to maintain my sanity.

  Chapter 6

  Marley

  “Are you really okay with the pink lights?” I ask, holding the remote that controls the lights on the tree.

  With a click of a button I can change the color to anything I want. Normally I’m into traditional colors when it comes to decorating for Christmas. That was until I knew pink was an option. Now there’s no going back.

  “Whatever you want, babe. You can change it every hour if you want.”

  That’s the third time he’s called me babe. Is it a slip? I don’t think Saint is the kind of man who calls random girls babe. He also called me honey once and sweetheart twice. Yeah, I’m crazy and counting them.

  “Okay.” I set the remote down.

  We’ve been working on the tree for the last hour and have barely made a dent in the decorations. I fight a yawn, not wanting to go to bed yet. I’m having way too much fun. I haven’t felt this happy in a long time. It’s nice to have someone to share things with.

  “We have all day tomorrow, Marley. We don’t have to get it done tonight.” I stare at him. “I mean we can keep at it.” I realize I must have scrunched my face in disapproval. He thinks it’s because I want to keep going when really it’s because he called me Marley.