He seemed relieved, nodding again before heading to the door. “If you have any trouble, go outside and fire a single shot. I’ll find you.”

  He was more than infuriating. “Caring about someone is messy, Brax. It’s dirty and damning and wonderful and heartbreaking. For once, I thought I could care again. You are the reason why and I’ll always remember the time we shared.”

  Even though he hesitated, I knew the conversation was over. We weren’t destined to be lovers or friends, just two people trying to get out of one huge fuckup.

  Fine.

  Dandy.

  Then why was my heart aching to the point I could barely breathe?

  “I’m going to see if I can find any news. Then we’re going to figure out some sort of a plan,” Stone said quietly when he reached the door, repeating the words as if attempting to convince himself.

  “What about the plane? Any way we could go back to the location, issue a communication to anyone?” I knew what even the concept meant and when he stared at me, I realized that he’d been right. I still had honor regarding my profession and he was still considered a criminal, no matter the circumstances.

  “The plane blew up about twenty minutes after we left it. My guess is the explosion was noted on the ranger station radar, but the storm has hindered any rescue attempt. That will change. You don’t have to worry, Harper. As I told you earlier, one way or the other, you’re likely to get your wish in having me out of your hair.”

  With that, he walked out the door, slamming it in the process.

  Anger swept through me, bitter bile forming in my throat. I no longer trusted any level of judgment I had. What I did know in my gut is that Stone was telling the truth. Someone was out to get him, and I had my doubts the Red Devils were to blame.

  I moved toward the window, watching as he trudged through the snow, disappearing into the forest, and I’d never felt so alone or so at odds with nature.

  I’d spent my entire life searching to find satisfaction in everything I did, preferring to hunker down, working long hours in my effort to perform an excellent job. Where had that gotten me over the years? No-fucking-where.

  Now my heart and mind were shattered.

  Chapter Ten

  Stone

  Fuck this.

  Fuck everything.

  Right now, that’s all I could allow my mind to think about. Maybe I’d poured out too much of what was left of my heart. Maybe I’d forgotten about everything I’d been forced to endure even for a few hours. And maybe, I actually believed that my life was going to change.

  Then again, maybe I was a fucking asshole.

  The snow was still slick, my jeans already soaked to the knees, even though remnants of sun were finally peeking out through the myriad clouds. I had my doubts the pilot had been on the up and up, maybe working for the DEA or some other organization, the sheriff called in to make certain I reached a no-end destination. Would any of them stoop so low as to condemn someone like Harper? Maybe she was just as expendable as I’d become.

  Two lost souls.

  Who the hell was I kidding?

  Two broken souls.

  I fought my way through the trees, finally making it to a clearing almost thirty minutes later. My expectations for the radio were slim to nil, but to my surprise, the receiver was strong enough to pick up a local station. I surveyed the area while a basic weather report was given.

  Another storm was on the horizon, one last backlash from the initial storm expected within hours.

  Fucking fantastic.

  If we didn’t find a way to get the hell out of here within twenty-four hours, we might never have a chance. All the skills I’d learned over the years meant shit at this point. I’d never weathered a storm or a location of this nature. My best guess was that we should head out in the morning. If the maps were correct, we could potentially find the road then head in the direction of the closest town. That could afford us an opportunity to find a local and a rugged vehicle.

  After that? I’d be forced to stick to my original plan of heading for Canada.

  I remained exhausted, the anger festering in my gut. All my instincts were on high alert, certain that at any time the cabin could be swarmed by those easily able to access the tough terrain. That would require coordination. Was my capture that high on the radar?

  Hearing the breaking news bulletin confirmed the answer.

  My escape had made national news, my capture high on the list of priorities. While there was only a brief mention of the downed plane, the area where communications had been lost was posted for the world to hear. From what I could tell, the airport town where the trip had originated had a fairly good idea of the crash location.

  Fuck.

  Anyone listening to the broadcast would be on high alert.

  That should mean expediting our retreat strategy, but with the impending storm, our chances at survival would be down to nothing. What the hell were we going to do?

  The only thing we could do. Hunker down.

  I’d found a stash of weapons in an old shed, the find something I hadn’t mentioned to Harper. At least there would be enough firepower to keep us protected.

  Then what? A shootout?

  I glared at the sky, spending only a few additional seconds listening to the report before the static rolled back in.

  I moved through the snow, heading back to the house, scanning the perimeter every step of the way. The entire area was pristine, not a single footprint of any creature in sight. Still, the red flags were at full attention, my stomach churning.

  Every muscle ached by the time I made it back to the cabin, moving quickly to the rear in order to collect several of the firearms. It was obvious Harper had been watching, waiting for me. As she threw open the back door, wading her way through the inches of snow, her expression remained pensive, her arms crossed.

  “You’re on the news,” she said quietly.

  “Yeah, and not in a good way.” I handed her two rifles, giving her a concentrated look.

  She sucked in her breath, her hands shaking. “You really think they’re coming?”

  “Maybe not today, but they will, and we’re stuck; there’s another wave of the storm heading in our direction.” I stomped onto the deck, taking another glance at the sky. “I’m going to try and bring in some more water, but we’re running low.”

  “That means we’re staying here.” She didn’t ask a question, merely studied the two rifles with practiced eyes, perhaps preparing herself for the worst.

  I didn’t believe anyone would be able to find us for the next twenty-four hours, but we certainly had to be prepared. “We’re leaving early in the morning. There is a break in the weather and one we can’t afford to miss. We’ll pack up some food, water, whatever we can find. I’m going to check the other storage shed to see if there’s anything useful. Then we’ll eat. I suggest you load the weapons just in case.”

  I’d given her full opportunity to turn the weapons on me, but I knew she’d realized her limitations.

  At least for now.

  She nodded, grabbing the box of ammunition from my hands. “I’ll stoke the fire and gather some food.” The resolution in her voice was strong, much like the woman who’d obviously been through so much.

  I had no flowery words of caring, few left in my red wagon that was constantly full of other baggage. This had to be a perfunctory operation and nothing more in order for us to survive.

  The calm before the storm was evident, literally no breeze of any kind. I was forced to break the lock on the second storage shed, but what I found inside was the distinct reason why: a propane system that no doubt provided heat for the cabin as well as for the water itself. I was no mechanic but as I studied the various mechanisms, I realized that there was a distinct possibility I could get it to work, even for a short period of time.

  The second find gave me a smile, although I wasn’t certain I would risk firing up the generator, even if there was available fuel. The last thing I needed were lights to draw attention from anyone looking for us.

  Whoever the owner of the cabin was, he or she had decided to prepare for the worst, even keeping some cans of fuel in a storage bin preventing the extreme cold from turning the liquid into glue.

  After also finding a full array of tools, I was determined to make the propane tank work. Over an hour later, I’d accomplished the task. As I stood back, I could just feel the effects of the wind kicking in once again. I hated this part of the country, snow and ice that seemed to blanket every damn surface. I longed for a beach, the ocean, and palm trees.

  A vision filtered into my mind, beautiful and serene in nature, even involving Harper in a bikini. I was a damn fool to think that was ever going to happen.

  I studied the dials on the tank, praying to God I’d known what I was doing. After a few minutes, I was satisfied, at least comforted we could have hot water for the night. Limited comfort might be an illusion, but at least it would provide a certain amount of relief.

  I chuckled as I walked into the cabin, almost calling out her name. Why? All my desires of the woman belonging to me had absolutely no meaning. Not here. Not anywhere. I was a fool to think otherwise.

  Harper was curled up on the couch, a book in her hand, some sort of beverage on the table, the gun positioned for easy access. She barely acknowledged I’d walked in, preferring to keep her distance. Hell, I didn’t blame her. The emotional rollercoaster we were on had its limitations.

  “What do you remember about that night?” she asked out of the blue. “I think you know the night in question.”

  I knew exactly what she was talking about, the very night that had haunted my dreams for years.

  “The night I met you?”

  “Yeah.” She tipped her head, studying me intently. “Anything at all or were you in too much of a drunken haze?”

  Her words were biting but for her I knew necessary. “A beautiful woman who shouldn’t have been sitting alone. A lonely man who had no idea what the hell he was facing. A magical night that I could never forget. Your touch. Your laughter. Your sensual kisses. No man could ever forget any of that for he’d be a fool.”

  “I actually looked for you, I mean after that night. I thought for some crazy reason that given our electric connection that maybe we’d have a date. Even two. I found out you weren’t shipping out for almost two weeks, so I even went back to that cheap little bar twice. Isn’t that fucking stupid?” Harper laughed bitterly, shaking her head as she looked away. “The only thing I knew at the time was that you were an honorable man longing to serve your country. That’s why the ache didn’t hurt so much. And you know what? You still are, no matter if you believe that any longer.”

  An honorable man. She was right. I had no belief any longer and the words burned in my mind. “I knew if I held you one more time, there was no way I could let go.” The words were the simple, ugly truth.

  She bit her lower lip, those same deliriously intoxicating eyes sweeping over me. I did what I always did when I was pushed. I walked away.

  “I found some extra warm clothes upstairs, jackets. Maybe there’s more,” she said absently as if sending me away on a mission.

  I nodded my response, although at this point she wasn’t paying attention.

  I’d chastised myself dozens of times after that night, the moment shared one of the most beautiful experiences in my life. My honor and dedication had taken precedence, the requirements something I was proud of. Now? The outcome was laughable. I noticed she’d positioned the rifles on either side of the front window and by the fact the ammo box was open, she’d loaded and prepared them. I wanted to praise her, but the thought seemed ridiculous.

  When I reached the top of the stairs, I looked back, my grip on the railing enough to rip away the wood. She remained stoic, her hand wrapped around the cup as she stared at the fire. There were no more excuses for my behavior. I was simply unworthy of her love.

  Or anyone’s for that matter.

  I found the outside clothing she’d mentioned, also riffling through the closets until I found suitable backpacks. They would suit us much better than the duffle bags we’d carried with us. I packed a few things, shoving the gear into the bag and all the while my hands shook.

  From anger.

  From frustration.

  From longing.

  Fuck me, I was losing my shit. All the damn training I’d been through for a brutal war, vicious attacks, and my mind remained muddled. I’d promised her protection and safety, so the damn plan had to come together.

  A few minutes later I was satisfied that we had at least a few items that would help our trek across the snow. I dumped the bags on one of the beds, finally taking a glance outside. The third wave of the storm was rolling in fast, the clouds darkening and snow already beginning to fall.

  Something drew me to the master bedroom, the king-sized bed giving me pause. The single light in the oversized bathroom highlighted a beautiful space, one built with passion and romance in mind. I stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, another series of images flashing into my mind. I eased the gun against the wall, praying to God that I wouldn’t have to use it.

  She’d taken me back to her place all those years ago, the tiny apartment suiting her personality. Feminine but with an edge, just like the woman herself. I would never forget her insistence on taking a bath, something that seemed so foreign to me at the time. The limited showers I was used to were almost always about a large shower room next to a set of lockers, time meant for scraping dirt and grime off and nothing else.

  Her softer side had released as she’d lit at least a dozen candles, adding bath beads to a tub full of bubbles. That had been perhaps the most relaxing and luxurious experience of my life to date. The passion that had erupted after had been the solid memory I’d taken into battle time and time again.

  Only years later did I stop fantasizing about her memory.

  Frustration continued to mount at my inability to do anything to help our situation, but I turned on the water in the faucet, waiting as the puffs of air and bits of debris flowed out, hoping that my fix had worked.

  When the clear and warm water started to flow, my mind reeled, another desire roaring in.

  And I followed my instinct, knowing that this was our last night together. I’d made the tough decision, one that I might regret later in my life but also one I had to make. I would get find us rescue and I would turn myself in. Canada was a pipe dream.

  Only minutes later, I walked down the stairs, unable to take my eyes off her as I walked closer. “You’re right.”

  She lifted her head, still unable to turn in my direction. “Oh, yeah? What have I been so right about?”

  “I should have gotten your number. I knew where you lived. I could have found you, taken you out, even talked about the future.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “Because I was afraid of what I was facing, and I knew that caring about you would be a weakness. I also wanted you to have a life untethered to a man who couldn’t give you what you deserved.”

  She laughed, her hand floating to her mouth. “I’m no longer certain what I deserve, Stone. I’m just a woman who made mistakes I can no longer ignore.”

  “We’ve all made mistakes.” I inched closer until I was only a few feet away. “We have tonight. I thought you might like that date we never had.”

  I heard the rustling as she shifted, the clink of the cup as she placed it on the table. “A date. I will admit that you have me intrigued.”

  “Then come with me.” I held out my hand, uncertain of the reaction, turning my head slowly in her direction.

  “All right.” She eased off the couch, refusing my grasp, brushing past me in a brusque manner. “What do you have in mind? I’m not easily swayed.”

  I bit back a smile. She was so formidable when she was in control. “Then come with me.” I attempted not to look to see if she was following me, simply moving up the stairs in a slow and easy fashion. As I moved into the room, I could hear the single breath sound as she noticed I’d lit a few candles, placing them in the bedroom.

  “Seduction on your mind?” she asked almost casually.

  “Take a look in the bathroom.” I stood to the side, giving her space.

  Harper sighed not once but twice before walking into the bathroom. The second gasp was more pronounced and I was able to hear the splash of the water. “How...”

  I moved to the doorway, folding my arms as I watched her, the slight giddiness to her voice, the way she crouched down and shifted her hand through the hot water.

  “The water is hot. You found bubbles. This is...” She exhaled, a laugh bubbling to the surface. When she finally was able to look in my direction, I could see how much her eyes were shimmering. “How did you do this?”

  “Propane tank in the shed. I managed to get it to work. I remember the bath we took and how much I enjoyed it.”

  “Does that mean you’ll join me?”

  I sucked in my breath knowing that wasn’t a good idea.

  “Yeah, I suspect you have to keep watch. Pity,” she said in a defiant tone.

  “Only if you’d like me to.”

  She seemed surprised, even shocked that I’d consider but her simple and very sweet smile was all I needed.

  More than I could ask for.

  I’d shared some good times with only a few lovely ladies in my life, but none as special as the single night I’d had with Harper. As she stood, slowly removing her sweater, her eyes never leaving mine, I knew that there would never be a moment as intense as this.

  As important as this.

  Her body quivered as she fumbled to unbutton her jeans, the material hugging every inch of her voluptuous hips and long legs, creating an intense throb in my cock. Every move was as sensual as the woman herself as she tossed the remainder of her clothing, her smile provocative as she placed her foot into the tub, issuing a single whimper before sliding in her other leg. Every move was so damn seductive as she eased into the water, finally flicking bubbles in my direction.