The windshield wipers are on full speed, but the rain is coming down faster and harder than they can do their job. It takes twice as long to get back to his place, because branches have fallen on the road and he has to swerve around some of the larger ones.

Once we reach Sweet View Home, he presses an automatic garage-door opener and pulls in. Shifting into park, he cuts the engine. “Come on, let’s get you inside and dried off.”

Despite the blasting heat, my teeth are still chattering—I’m not sure if it’s from the cold or the anxiety. “That w-would be n-nice.”

RJ is out of the truck and around the passenger side before I even have my seat belt unfastened. Although I can’t really feel my fingers, so hitting the release button is more difficult than usual. I manage to free myself as RJ opens the door. He wraps his wide palms around my waist and lifts me out of the truck. I brace my hands on his shoulders, embarrassed and strangely turned on by how easy it is for him to pick me up like I weigh no more than a toddler.

He sets me down, and I huddle into myself, still shivering, as I wait for him to grab my stuff from the back seat. I follow him inside, not knowing what to say. My shoes make a squishy sound as I step onto a mat in what’s clearly the mudroom. This space alone is probably bigger than my entire cabin.

I drop to one knee and focus on the task of untying my shoes. The laces are soaked, and they pull tighter instead of looser when I tug the loops. I’m frustrated, embarrassed, and still trying to get a handle on how anxious I am.

“Hey.” RJ drops down into a crouch in front of me. He’s still wearing rain boots, which are far more practical than my running shoes.

“I keep making the knots tighter.” I avoid making eye contact by continuing the futile task of untying my shoes.

His warm hand covers mine. “You’re freezing. Let me help, Lainey.”

I stop fighting with the knots and let him take over. He leaves the laces and pulls my shoes off. My socks are soaked, along with every other part of me, and they stick to the shoes, coming off with a wet suction sound. I’m sure the bottoms of my feet are wrinkly, and the rest of me looks like a splotchy drowned rat.

My teeth won’t stop chattering as RJ helps me to my feet and unzips my coat. It lands on the floor with a heavy thud. His own yellow raincoat is gone. I shiver violently, and RJ runs his hands up and down my arms. It feels nice, but it doesn’t do much good since I’m soaked to the bone.

“Come on. You need to get warm, and that’s not going to happen in these wet clothes.” He tucks me into his side and grabs my suitcase, leading me down the hall and upstairs to the bedroom I stayed in two nights ago. RJ drops his arm from around my shoulder and sets my suitcase on the bed.

I hug myself, trying to control the shivering. I’m embarrassed that I’m in such a state. Another roll of thunder and flash of lightning makes me jump.

He moves closer until his socked feet touch my bare toes. “God, you’re like a scared little kitten, aren’t you?” He skims my cheek with the back of his hand.

“I’m sorry. I know it’s silly and it’s j-just a th-thunderstorm.”

“You don’t have to be sorry. That cabin is the prime setting for a horror movie.” He tips my chin up, his expression soft. “Why don’t you warm up with a shower and put on some dry clothes? I’ll make you something hot to drink.”

“I would l-like that.”

“Great. I’ll put a few extra logs on the fire. Take your time.” He presses a kiss to my cheek, then leaves the room, closing the door behind him with a quiet click.

I exhale a long breath as soon as I’m alone. Thank God I managed not to cry in front of him. That would be insanely embarrassing. I turn on the shower, strip out of my soaked clothes, and step under the hot spray. I can’t hear the thunder or lightning in here, so I’m finally able to relax a little. I don’t know how long I stay there, but by the time I’m done my hands are as pruney as my feet and my skin is bright pink.

I rummage around in my suitcase for a nice pair of underwear. I have to settle on pink cotton ones since I didn’t bring anything sexy for this trip, thinking the only guys I’d be hanging around with would be of the whale or dolphin variety.

I pull on a pair of thermal leggings, a thermal undershirt, an oversize sweater, and wool socks. I check my reflection in the mirror, relieved my cheeks aren’t blotchy anymore, and head downstairs.

I find RJ in the living room, stoking the fire. There are pillows laid out on the floor and big fluffy blankets. On a tray next to the pillows and blankets are two steaming mugs of hot chocolate piled high with marshmallows. A plate of cookies and pastries sits between them. The rain has slowed, the pounding now a light patter.

“This looks cozy.” I clasp my hands to keep from wringing them. Now that I’m not panicking, I’m more than a little embarrassed by the way I acted when RJ picked me up.

“And you look much warmer.” He pats the pile of blankets. “Wanna come sit with me?”

“Sure.” I drop onto one of the cushions and cross my legs as RJ does the same. “Sorry I was so . . . freaked out when you came and got me.”

He props himself up on one elbow. “Can I be completely honest?”

I glance quickly at him and then away. “Of course.”

“I’m just glad I get to spend more time with you. And I actually really like that I get to protect you, even if it’s just from getting rained on—which probably sounds wrong. It’s just . . . nice to take care of someone else? Feel . . . needed?” He blows out a breath and cringes. “I’m going to stop while I’m ahead. Or maybe behind.”

“I think I get what you mean.” I run my fingertip along the seam of my leggings so I have somewhere to focus that isn’t RJ’s face—or specifically his mouth. Now that the worst of the storm seems to have passed and I can do something other than panic, I’m remembering what it was like to be kissed by him. “It’s kind of nice to be taken care of. Normally I’m just dealing with overprotective parents, so this is much more welcome.”

He relaxes a little. “Okay. Good. I’m glad you feel that way. And I can completely understand why your parents are overprotective.”

“I can take care of myself—I just don’t like thunderstorms,” I say rather defensively.

He runs a gentle finger along the back of my hand. “I think you can take care of yourself just fine, considering you survived in that shithole cabin the past few days. But I’d be overprotective, too, if I had a daughter and she was gorgeous and sweet like you. I wouldn’t want anyone to take advantage of what’s mine.” He shakes his head. “I think I’m digging myself a bigger hole, aren’t I?”

I laugh. “There weren’t many opportunities for me to get taken advantage of with four older brothers.”

“Can’t say I blame them for wanting to keep the wolves at bay.” His gaze moves over me in a hot, familiar way.

“You’re not a wolf, though, are you, RJ? You’re a teddy bear.”

His dimpled grin appears. “I’m glad you think that. You feeling better now?”

“Much, thank you. I don’t know what I would’ve done tonight if you hadn’t come to get me.” Other than cry, anyway.