20
More Than She Bargained For
Q uinn awoke in the middle of the night to the howling sound of the wind whipping around wildly outside. Her heart was racing, and she felt cold as ice. Panic filled her. Pulling the blanket tighter around herself, she lay there. She was safe in Alex’s cabin now. She wasn’t out there. It was okay. She tried to calm herself. Shivering, her eyes darted to the fireplace, where she couldn’t even see an ember. The air in the log cabin felt arctic. Wasn’t there heating in this place other than the fireplace? She pulled the blanket over her frozen-tipped nose, but it was no better than cling wrap on an ice cube. She felt chilled to the bone all over again.
Needing to get warm, she willed herself to get up off the couch to see if Alex had more blankets or a thermostat. The icy slate floor tiles only added to her cold hell as she stood up. Wrapping the quilt tighter around herself, she crept to the small hall. Recalling that the bathroom was on the left, she noted that there was also a door to the right and one in the middle. Slowly, she opened the one on the right only to discover a linen closet. There were towels, but no other blankets that she could see. At this point, it didn’t feel like an extra blanket would do the trick anyway. She didn’t see a thermostat. Although, it was dark, and she didn’t know exactly where to look. Maybe he had an electric heater somewhere.
Quinn turned towards the middle door. Mean Hot Cop’s bedroom. Her heart started to beat faster in her chest again. He did say to go to him if she needed anything.
Taking a breath, she raised her hand and gently knocked on the door. On the other side of the door, she could hear Bear stir with his paws on the hardwood floor as he got close to the door, but she didn’t hear anything else. Gingerly, she turned the handle and carefully nudged the door open.
“Hello?” she said, quietly peeking her head in.
It was very dark, but she could make out Bear sitting like a very well-behaved pup. He eyed her but didn’t seem disturbed by her presence. He’d saved her life. Maybe that meant they shared an unspoken bond. Quinn adored all animals, but this dog would live forever folded deep in her heart. Without him, she would likely still be out there.
The moon made a silvery blue path across the bed in the darkness. Quinn watched for a moment, but Alex didn’t stir. Her chilliness kept her on her mission. She didn’t want to wake him or disturb him, but if she could quietly get his attention and ask if he had a heater, maybe he could just tell her where it was and then he could go back to sleep. She was happy to find it herself. Quietly, she padded further into the room and towards his bed.
“Alex,” she whispered. No response.
She hated to wake him, but she couldn’t keep from shivering she was so cold. His covers were pulled up snugly around him, and then suddenly, he moaned something in his sleep, making her nearly jump out of her skin. Was he having a bad dream?
“Sergeant Mackenzie,” she said, thinking maybe his cop title might stir him awake. He didn’t respond except for the incoherent tortured-sounding mumbles. Quinn bit her lip with worry. She didn’t know what she should do. Probably best to try and wake him , she thought and nudged his shoulder through the blankets.
Before she knew what was happening, she felt her body being yanked and then slammed face down onto his bed. Vicelike hands gripped her wrists and yanked her arms above her head. Alex’s rock-hard body pressed down on the back of hers, pressing her into the bed, her cheek flattened against the mattress. He had her trapped, and she struggled to breathe under his weight.
Still trying to comprehend what was happening, her terrified mind registered the feel of cool steel wedged at her neck tight against the line of her jaw. Holy shit was that a gun? Quinn flashed back to the black gun she’d seen in his holster the day he’d pulled her over.
She could barely breathe, never mind move, and it wasn’t for lack of trying. All she could do was feel the utter terror that snaked through her.
“One move and I’ll pull this fucking trigger.” His voice was as cold and menacing as the hard steel pressed against her jaw.
“Alex, no!” she screamed frantically from under him.
“Jesus Christ!” he bellowed, releasing her and flying off her like she’d scalded him. “What the hell are ye doing sneaking around in my room like that?” he boomed. His breath was ragged.
Quinn quickly scrambled off the bed, shaken. Was he blaming her? In an instant, her fear turned to anger. “I wasn’t sneaking.” Her voice was quivering, but she stood before him a combination of fury and fear thrumming through her body. “This place is freezing,” she said accusingly. “I came in here to see if you had a heater and then you pounced on me like some crazed prize fighter!” She was breathing in and out so heavily like she was in the final minute of a spin class.
Alex shook his head looking down at her in the darkness of the room. “God, I’m so sorry lass. I’m not used to anyone being in my place.”
“Clearly,” she snapped, snatching her blanket off the floor. It dumbfounded her. She had been standing, wrapped in the blanket, and then in the blink of an eye, she was trapped under the hulking man held in a vice grip with a frickin’ gun to her head. In her mind, he’d flung himself squarely back into the intimidating cop category. This was the intimidating dangerous cop she’d first seen approaching her vehicle, all in black—tall, broad, and fucking lethal.
Feeling equal doses of fear and anger, she escaped in the darkness to his door, needing to get the heck out of his room. In two quick strides though, he met her there. Blocking her from opening the door with one strong arm pressed against it.
“Wait,” he said.
And there he went again with his damn commands. Quinn stood ramrod straight, refusing to look at him.
He dipped a finger under her chin and lifted it to look at him. It surprised her to see concern in his eyes in the pale of the moonlight, but she refused to be swayed by it.
“Did I hurt ye?” he asked with a worry in his low timbre.
Quinn wanted to be mad at him. She should be infuriated. He’d put a gun to her head for crying out loud, but his gentleness and nearness were quickly crumbling her resolve. Not to mention that accent. Ugh, that accent made her weak. She shook her head no.
Relief seemed to flood through him as his shoulders relaxed and he let out a breath. “I’m truly sorry, Quinn. I was having a bad dream.” He sounded gruff. “It was instinct. I thought you were an intruder. I didnae mean to frighten ye. I’d never hurt ye lass. I promise ye that.”
She could hear the anguish in his voice, and what was left of her anger dissipated. She believed him. Somehow, she trusted that he wouldn’t hurt her—not intentionally at least. He’d scared the life out of her. But he hadn’t hurt her.
“I pity the fool who tries to break into your house,” she scoffed.
“Aye,” he agreed gravely.
Her attempt at lightening the mood fell like a lead balloon. An involuntary shiver skittered down her spine as she considered anyone who made the mistake of crossing Sergeant Alex Mackenzie.
“If it makes ye feel any better, I wouldnae huv shot ye. My gun is no’ even loaded.”
She looked at him incredulously. “Oh right, very reassuring.”
He almost smiled. “Can ye forgive me?” His thumb had joined the finger under her chin and moved to lightly caress her jaw.
It was both calming and arousing. This gentle touch was such a juxtaposition to the danger she’d glimpsed. Quinn couldn’t help the tiny sparks that lit inside her at his light caress on her chin.
Despite being momentarily petrified, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that if he’d known it was her, he’d never have reacted like that. In retrospect, if she was being honest, it was insanely impressive. Like he was the real deal kind of cop. The one who’d fuck you over if you even attempted to cross him. Hot Cop , her brain quipped.
“I’ll forgive you on one condition,” she said, standing a little taller before him although her face only reached the height of his well-chiseled chest.
He arched a brow. “I’m listening.”
“Teach me.”
“Teach ye what?” he asked dumbfounded.
“Teach me how to defend myself,” she breathed, looking up at him.
That was the last thing he expected the lass to say. Even in the pale moonlight of the room, he could see the determination in her big brown eyes. He didn’t want to admire her, but he found that was what he was feeling. Fucking admiration. She was a clever lass. It was a good idea really. Every woman should know how to defend herself. The asshats who leered at her outside the bar popped into his head.
“Aye,” he agreed not allowing himself to think on how her nearness was already fucking with his head. No. This was business. The least he could do was teach the lass to defend herself after pouncing on her like a trigger-happy numpty. He cringed inwardly.
“Good.” He didn’t miss the satisfaction in her voice.
Still standing at the door in front of him, he noticed her shiver slightly, and he belatedly recalled his own state of undress—certainly not ideal at the moment. Either the lass hadn't noticed or didn't care that he was as nude as Michelangelo's David. The bedroom was dark, so likely it was the former; she probably assumed he was wearing boxers or something. It briefly crossed his mind that maybe he should throw something on, but then again, how could she be that oblivious? He was second-guessing himself. Perhaps it wasn't prudent to draw attention to the fact that his ill-behaved dick was mere inches away from her, especially after just having calmed the situation between them. He didn't want her getting all blustery with him again—he was too fucking tired to deal with that. He was still doing the mental math, when she spoke again.
“Your house is freezing,” she stated flatly.
“Aye, I ken it,” he agreed.
Her eyes drew up to his, and in the dim moonlight, he could just barely make out her full lips that were pinched together in disapproval. And her eyebrows crunched in consternation.
Alex sighed. “Log cottage. Not the greatest insulation. I keep the fire going in the day. It keeps things warm enough, but it can get cool at night. I’ll chop more wood in the morning. It’s getting low.”
“Well, thanks for the forewarning,” she muttered sarcastically, pulling the blanket tighter around her.
It was a bad idea, but what else could he offer her right now? The lass was freezing, and there wasn’t enough wood to even get a good fire going again. With no other feasible option and against his better judgement, he strode to the bed.
“Come lass,” he said.
Quinn stood stone still, and Alex sighed as he looked back at her. “It’ll be warmer in the bed together. Come, you’re shivering.”
“Ha!” she bit out. “As if! I’m not getting in bed with you!” She was incredulous at the suggestion.
At that point, he was certain she was well aware of his state of undress. He knew more than a few women who would jump at the chance to get into bed with him. It shouldn't have pricked his pride that she was so opposed to the idea. He was tired though, and he felt his mood darken.
“Listen, Quinn, lovely as ye are,” his voice dripped cynically, “I’m not interested in doing anything with ye in this bed aside from sleeping.” In the back of his mind, he fought the idea that his pronouncement might not be altogether true. “I’m simply suggesting we share the bed and share some warmth. If ye’d rather freeze by yerself on the settee, be my guest.”
He’d clearly said his piece and was done now. He got into the bed turned away from her and pulled his blanket up around him.
“Right, I believe you made it clear last night how egregious it would be to sleep with me. Don’t worry. The feeling is mutual.”
Her barb hit its mark and Alex gritted his teeth, holding back a retort.
“Don’t you have an electric heater?” she asked, and he could hear the desperation in her voice, like getting in the bed with him was repugnant.
“Naw,” he snapped, leaving no room for discussion on the matter. “Trust me, lass. I dinnae like this situation either, but ‘tis the one we find ourselves in. If ye dinnae want to freeze, then get in the bloody bed.”
Quinn stood there not knowing what to do. He had felt incredibly warm against her when he had her in the intruder death grip. If it hadn’t been so terrifying, it might have been nice. The man was ridiculously big and strong. And warm. She shivered again. Oh eff it , she thought and quickly stalked to the bed, sliding in beside him before she changed her mind.
Laying ramrod straight so she didn’t accidentally touch him, she pulled the blanket up and tried to get comfortable. Then she crunched her knees to her hoping to ward off the cold as she shivered again.
“For crying out loud woman,” he muttered, rolling over towards her. Then she felt his strong arms wrap around her and easily pull her back up against him as he yanked the covers over them both. Quinn was afraid to breathe. She considered pulling away indignantly, but then his warmth began seeping over her cold tired body. She quickly lost the will to pull away from him and his delicious heat even though he was Mean Cop…Hot Cop. Oh God, she shouldn’t be in his bed wrapped in his arms, but she didn’t move away. Instead, she found herself greedily melting into him stealing his warmth.
She was so tired and so thankful to start warming up that she relaxed surprisingly quickly. There was a bit of blanket wedged between them, creating a slight barrier. And though Quinn still wore her leggings and slim-fit running shirt, by morning, she’d wonder how in the heck she hadn’t realized that Alex was completely naked behind her. She would blame it on the dark room, the drama of a gun to her head, and being distracted by the cold. Who knew how she hadn’t noticed? Or maybe, deep down, she had known.
But in that moment, she only basked in his warmth and the feel of his incredibly solid body at her back—protective and safe. Her conscious mind was blissfully unaware of his nakedness. His muscular arm held her securely to him. At first, her brain was lit up with the awareness of being wrapped in the embrace of Sergeant Mackenzie—in his bed. Mean Cop. Hot Cop. Alex. His strong, rhythmic breathing behind her lulled her senses. A secure, grounded feeling seeped into her bones as lucid thoughts drifted away, and a dreamless sleep claimed her.