Anelle met her rescuer’s gaze head-on. She knew what he was thinking. That she was a fool for trying to save her J-Lo jeans. But he didn’t understand. They were for a dear friend.

She squirmed in her seat at the realization that he was even more gorgeous up close and personal. When she’d first seen him, his beauty had knocked the breath out of her, sending her libido into a wild tailspin. Now, in the warm intimacy of the cabinet, his handsomeness announced itself like a great beam of light.

Brilliant crystal blue eyes, shadowed by thick lashes, stared at her from a hard lean face. A dusting of dark hair fell on a chiseled jaw that rested below a pair of sensual pink lips. His teeth were white and straight. His nose slightly crooked. Absently, she wondered about the color and texture of his hair. Too bad his scruffy hat hid the view.

Her perusal went lower. A hefty jacket accentuated his sculpted shoulders nicely. He was definitely cornfed: tall, lean, and muscled in all the right places. Just like she liked them.

Sure, white guys had never been her thing, but when in Rome…

She suddenly noticed that he was still staring at her. Laughter danced in his eyes. Had he noticed her examination?

“What?”

“You really are something.”

Oh God. He had noticed. “What’re you talking about?”

“You could’ve died going after those jeans.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. Then she blushed, thankful her dark skin masked it. He was right about the jeans, but she wasn’t about to throw him a bone.

“You got some balls.”

“They cost me a fortune,” she said, trying to explain. “A fortune.”

“Some balls.”

She was just about to say something clever, when he cranked up the engine and pulled out of the emergency lane. He pulled out and drove down the long stretch of road. Minutes of silence passed between them; the crackle of the engine and car heater the only sounds. She would’ve let it stay that way if she didn’t have the overwhelming urge to speak.

“Do you have a cell phone?”

“Yep, but it doesn’t work out here. The signal always fades.”

“That’s what happened to me,” she offered, suddenly wanting him to know that she wasn’t a complete nitwit. That it was her cell phone’s fault, of course.

He suddenly turned into a narrow path. A family of trees flanked them on both sides.

“Where are we going?”

“I have a cabin up ahead. You can call someone from there.”

Annoyed, she shook her head. “No, I want to go to a gas station or store. Not somewhere in the boondocks with a complete stranger. No offense.”

He grinned. “None taken.”

“Really, though. Isn’t there a K-mart or Wal-mart around here?”

“There’s nothing but me, you, and my cabin, ma’am. Plus, I’m not going to risk my neck driving you around town in this shitfest. It’s dangerous out there.”

The temperature in the cab rose at his words. Anelle clenched her thighs.

Well, it feels a little dangerous in here, too.

A sexy smile curved his lips. “Don’t worry. I won’t paw you. I work for the state’s snow removal department. I’m a government worker.”

“Oh, that’s reassuring.”

“Really,” he said, with a wicked smile. “You’re safe.”

She sighed. What choice did she have? It was either him or the storm. At least with him she had a fighting chance. She clasped her hands in her thighs, a determined expression across her face. Yes. She’d play by his rules—for now at least. Then she’d get the hell out of dodge.

****

Jasper hid his smile. The woman must’ve been certifiable if she thought she could call the shots in a blizzard. Should he tell her now that no one was going to risk the storm to help her, just because she had car troubles? That she was going to have to wait it out with him? He looked at her uptight face.

He’d wait.

She’d probably bolt from the truck at the news. And if his bad luck held out, he’d have to go stomping through the storm in search of her. He’d already joined the search for two missing snowbound people this month. She didn’t need to be the third.

He shot a quick glance in her direction. Unfortunately, her large jacket still covered her from head to toe. His curiosity about her body was growing stronger by the minute. Was it soft and curvy? Big breasts, small waist, wide hips? Or small top, big bottom? The questions were blurring his vision, making him as horny and prickly as a teenage boy. He made a slight turn and pressed on the pedal.

“So what else is in those bags? Kryptonite?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Drop it already.”

He shrugged. “Must be kryptonite...”

“For your information, I only have the basics: shoes, shirts, jeans, well I don’t have the jeans anymore, let’s see, scarves, lingerie, belts, and socks.”

“I’m sorry, did you say lingerie?”

“Yes.”

His voice grew husky. “Lingerie is not a basic, babe. Lingerie is a treat.”

“Oh, get real,” she stuttered. “It’s a basic.”

“It’s a treat.”

“Basic.”

“Treat.”

“Oh, shut up!”

Silence ensued. Jasper grinned. He couldn’t seem to stop teasing her. Acute sleep deprivation was fucking up his brain.

“What type?”

“Huh?”

“What type of lingerie?”

“Forget it.”

“Come on.”

“No.”

“Pretty, pretty please?”

“It ain’t going to happen,” she snapped, shooting daggers in his direction. She stuck a pinky in front of his face.

“You pinky sweared.”

He stared at her curved finger, perplexed.

“You promised you wouldn’t try anything,” she explained. “Remember?”

He chuckled. “I’m not trying anything. Just asking a harmless question is all.”

“Sure you are, white boy.”

“White boy?”

She glared.

“White boy.” He couldn’t help himself. “I like it.”

They suddenly looked at each other, shocked at the intimacy of their conversation. Jasper was the first to look away. He gripped the steering wheel.

“Er, sorry,” he managed. “The storm must’ve messed me up.”

A little “hmmph” was her only reply.

What was wrong with him? They’d just met! And he was doing exactly what he said he wouldn’t do: pawing her. He couldn’t seem to help himself though. She was cute when she was pissed. The realization annoyed him for some reason.

He decided to remain quiet for the rest of the journey. The last thing he needed was for her to punch him in the gut in retribution and leap from the truck. A short while later they arrived at his two-story cabin. He pulled up next to his black BMW and shut down the engine. The wind seemed to roar to life at his arrival.

“I’m leaving your bags in the snowplow.”

“But—”

“We’ll get them later.”

She sighed and threw up her hands. “Whatever you say, KISA.”

“KISA?”

“Knight in Shining Armor.”

He laughed. She was kind of sweet and funny when she wasn’t being certifiable.

“Stay close to me,” he said, reaching to fix a loose button on her coat. At the move he caught his first glimpse and feel of her chest. My God, she was stacked. The sashes and buttons did little to hide her magnificent breasts. Only made them prop up like a platter of goods. Satisfaction ripped through him. His already swollen cock grew harder. Fuck. He hadn’t sported a boner like this in ages. Luckily his coat concealed it well. With a loud grunt, he secured the last button. “I don’t want you to go flying off in the wind without protection.”

She growled. “Jeez--thanks.”

“What’s your name?”

“Anelle Franklin.”

“I’m Jasper Madison. Wish we could’ve met under different circumstances, Anelle.”

“Tell me about it.”

He shifted back in his seat, opened the door, and maneuvered his way around the truck to open her door. Then he guided her through the wind and snow, rocking all the way, and up the cabin steps. After much upheaval they finally made it into the warm sanctuary of his cabin. Safe.