“Are you sure you can carry me?” Liana asked. She winced; the throbbing in her ankle worsened.
“You’re light.” Eddie snorted. “And I’m not a puny little human.”
Liana was familiar with shifters. By the size and strength of Eddie, Liana concluded that she must be a bear shifter. Terri, her friend, was a bear shifter, as was her mate.
Still, Liana was impressed by the way Eddie trudged through the knee-deep snow carrying her as if she weighed nothing.
“Keep your head down and hold on,” Eddie shouted over the wind.
Liana did as she was told. She tightened her grip on Eddie’s jacket. Eddie’s muscle movement flexed with each step, and her breath was steady while her heartbeat appeared to remain calm.Liana felt the soft pulse from the side of Eddie’s neck. She nuzzled her face closer and inhaled again. There was something about the scent of her that made her have thoughts she shouldn’t be having at a time like this.
Inside Eddie’s chest, something rumbled faintly. Something primal, deep with a low vibration. Liana’s pulse spiked.
Was that a growl? Or a purr?
“You’re making a noise?” Liana whispered. The wind had settled down for a moment.
With her shifter hearing, Eddie heard her. “Ignore it.”
The sound would be hard to ignore when it had sent heat spiraling down to Liana’s core.
By the time a cabin emerged through the snow, Liana’s fingers were numb and pain radiated up her leg. Smoke curled from the chimney, while a warm light glowed through the frosted windows. It was a welcoming sight to behold.
Eddie walked up the few steps of the porch. She stomped her feet to knock some of the thick snow off her legs and boots. She nudged open the door and carried Liana inside. Warmth flowed over Liana, and a sigh escape her.
“Thank goodness,” she murmured. Thecabin was rustic with log walls, thick rugs, and a stone fireplace with a crackling fire. It was cozy and safe.
Much better than trying to stay in the car.
Eddie set her gently down on the couch near the fire. She shrugged off her coat, snow dropping to the floor. She moved liked a predator in human skin around the room. She first went over to the fire and stoked it, the flames growing. More heat poured across the room. Liana still trembled, but with the warmth surrounding her, it was lessening.
“Let me see your ankle.” Eddie stalked back to her. That amber-eyed gaze of hers dropped down to Liana’s foot.
“Okay.” Liana first unzipped her coat and wiggled out of it. She winced from the pain that rippled up from her leg as she slid her coat off. She placed it on the back of the couch.
Eddie bent down before her and untied her bootlaces. She held on to Liana’s leg while taking her left boot off.
“Ow!”
Eddie frowned, examining Liana’s ankle and leg.
“It’s just sprained. Not broken but swollen. Ihave a first-aid kit. I’ll wrap it. You will need to stay off it, keep it elevated and ice it.” Eddie stood upright and disappeared into another room.
While she was gone, Liana struggled but successfully removed her other boot. Thankfully, that ankle was fine.
Eddie returned with supplies and a warm blanket. She wrapped Liana up who didn’t argue one bit. It was heavenly and smelled faintly of Eddie. She left the room, leaving Liana alone again. She glanced around and took in the simple decor. There was no television, a few books scattered along the coffee table, and some decorations to give the cabin a homey vibe. It would appear that Eddie was alone here. She wondered if Eddie stayed here all year round or was this a getaway home. It appeared to be remote and out of the way from civilization.
Eddie returned a few minutes later with a mug. She handed it to Liana.
“Drink,” she ordered.
“What is it?” Liana sniffed it. She eyed the bossy female. She hadn’t asked her if she wanted anything, just went and made something. Lianawas able to pick up a spicy aroma along with a sweetness to it.
“Honey tea with ginger.” Eddie kneeled on the floor before her and began going through her supplies. “It will warm you up faster and help with the shock.”
Shock. Well, that would explain the shaking. She sipped it slowly at first. The taste wasn’t bad. It wouldn’t be something she’d order, but she’d definitely drink it if Eddie thought it would help. Heat bloomed across her chest. Eddie moved closer to her and cleaned the cut on her temple with a gentleness that didn’t seem appropriate for someone her size.
“You’re lucky,” Eddie murmured. “Another hour out there and you’d be hypothermic. Maybe would have lost consciousness.”