Chapter 37 Aun The moment the rain started , it felt like the sky had broken open just for me . Cold drops slammed against my skin , soaking straight through my shirt , my jeans , everything I was already hobbling through thick underbrush , trying not to panic , but the downpour made it worse My fingers trembled as I clung to the nearest tree for balance . I wiped my wet hair out of my face and tried to peer through the dense woods , The light was fading fast My ankle throbbed with every step . I had no clue where I was going The path I thought I had seen was gone , swallowed by mud and fallen leaves . My heart beat faster , my hands shaking . I hated that I felt tears mising with the rain on my face . " Lena ," I whispered under my breath , my voice cracking I should never have left . I never should have walked off on my own like that . A sound came from behind me followed by a sharp snap of a branch I turned sharply, breath catching in my throat . " Who's there ? " I called out . My voice was hoarse , brittle No answer . Just the sound of squelching mud and then another step closer . I started limping away as fast as I could . My ankle screamed in protest . I stumbled hard , nearly falling face - first into the wet ground . " Stay back ! " I gasped , trying to keep myself upright . Then a voice broke through the storm . " Fiona . " My chest heaved . I couldn't recognize it at first . The rain was too loud . My heart was too loud . Then it came again , clearer , " Fiona , it's me . It's I turned slowly Rick He was soaked through . Hair dripping . Shirt clinging to his chest like a second skin . Mud splattered on his pants . His eyes locked on me , wide with relief and something else I couldn't name . He crossed the space between us in a few long strides . I stumbled backward , " What are you doing here ? " He didn't answer . Just reached for me . His arms wrapped around me , firm and warm despite the rain , and I didn't have the strength to fight I pressed my face into his chest , gripping the front of his shirt like it could anchor me . 1/4 10:12 Wed , 27 Aug 07 Chapter 37 thought … I was alone , " I breathed . " You're not ," he said , voice rough , low He looked me over quickly , saw the way I winced when I moved . * You sprained it ? Inodded weakly . Without another word , he bent and picked me up . One arm under my knees , the other supporting my back . I was weightless in his grip , my arms wrapping instinctively around his neck . The rain poured harder as we moved . He didn't falter once . Eventually , he spotted it , an old treehouse , the kind built sturdy by rangers for emergency shelter . It sat nestled between thick branches , moss climbing the trunk beneath it . He climbed the steps with care , cradling me like I was made of glass Inside , it was dusty and cold . But dry He set me down gently on a stack of folded burlap sacks . My leg throbbed . He knelt beside me , eyes scanning the dark comers of the cabin until he spotted old wood , logs still stacked near a tiny val He moved fast , ripping some old paper from a survival box and lighting a match . The lame caught . The fire cracked to life Orange light danced across his features . His jaw was tight , water dripping from his hair down his neck , His shirt clung to every muscle , plastered to his skin . He sat back on his heels and blew on the flame until it roared higher . I stared He looked up and caught me staring I looked away fast . He walked back to me and knelt . " Let me see your ankle . " I didn't argue . He lifted my foot gently into his lap , rolling up my soaked pant leg . His touch was careful , surprisingly gentle for someone so cold most of the time . He pressed the skin around the swollen spot . Thisted . " Sorry , " he said , eyes flicking up to meet mine . He wrapped it with a cloth strip he found in the survival kit , then draped one of the old sacks over my legs to keep me warm I was still shivering. He looked around and then peeled his wet shirt over his head , tossing it aside . My mouth went dry . 10:12 Wed , 27 Aug Chapter 37 without speaking , he pulled off his undershirt , a thinner , dryer layer and handed it to me . " Here , Switch into this He turned his back without being told . I stared at the shirt , then at him . The muscles along his back flexed as he adjusted the fire . I slipped out of my soaked hoodie and quickly into his shirt , the fabric soft against my y skin and warm from his body . When he turned back , he took one look at me and paused . I wasn't sure what he was thinking . He came closer , kneeling again , his hand brushing my damp hair behind my ear . " You're safe . I've got you . " His voice was low , barely above a whisper . " You're still freezing . " I didn't answer . I could barely feel my fingers anymore , and the ache in my ankle had become a dull throb beneath the cold . My hoodie clung to my skin like second - skin and my teeth wouldn't stop chattering . He reached out slowly and opened his arms . " Come here . Use my body heat " Thesitated , but only for a second . My pride was no match for the cold . Islidi into his arms , and he pulled me in gently . His chest was bare and warm and solid , and il buried my face against it without thinking . His hand moved slowly up and down my back , soothing . But the moment I leaned in fully , I felt it A slow heat bloomed through my core . I tried to ignore it , but it was hard not to notice the tension in his body , the quiet tromblen breathing . I wasn't doing much better mysel I tried to shift , but his grip only tightened . " I was worried , " he said after a moment . I glanced up at him . His eyes were darker now , not from the shadows , but from something deeper . Why ? " I asked , not letting my voice shake . " Why would you be worried ?" " I don't know , " he murmured . " I just can't deal with it when you're not near me , when I don't know if you're okay " Something insider emy stomach twisted , like his words bad wrapped around something I hadn't let myself feel in so long . His tone wasn't dramatic or desperate . It was quiet and honest . I blinked fast . " You hate me half the time , " I whispered . " I never hated you ," he said , and his voice was firmer now . " I don't know what this is between us , Flona but I know it makes me lose my mind when I think you're in danger . " I stared at him . His hand brushed a damp strand of hair from my cheek . Our faces were close , too close . His breath ghosted against my lips . The heat in my stomach climbed higher , burning through my ribs , spreading . ידי 3 Chapter 37 His fingers moved to the back of my neck , gentle but firm . Then , he kissed me , There was nothing soft about it . It was slow , but full of heat , tension rolling between us like another storm . His thumb stroked behind my ear . My fingers gripped his shoulder tighter than I meant to . I could feel the tight pull of his control , like he was trying so hard not to go further . He pulled away just slightly , lips hovering against mine , and I felt his breath slide down my throat . His voice dropped to a whisper . " I don't think we can stop at a kiss . " I looked up at him , pulse racing , mouth parted . " Then don't . " AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!