Daring a snowstorm might not be the smartest thing Aiden Evans has ever done, but he can’t stand being in his flat a moment longer. With only three days to Christmas, he doesn’t want to be alone. He wants a place to belong, wants people around him who won’t look down on him. He might not find that at his mother’s place, but it’s better than being alone in the city. If he can make it there, that is. Tristan Gardner is looking forward to a quiet night in front of the TV, but instead, he has to save an idiot in designer clothes from freezing to death in his forest. Tristan tries not to notice the man’s good looks, just like he has tried not to notice any man’s good looks for the last seven years. He knows where relationships go and is far better off living alone, with his dog, in his cabin. Aiden is driving Tristan mad with his bratty comments and irresponsible ways, and Aiden is going crazy from Tristan’s judgmental attitude. Luckily, in a few days, the weather will clear up, and the two men won’t have to be together any longer. But will a few steamy nights with the grumpy lumberjack change Aiden’s mind about wanting to leave? And will Tristan still want to go back to his peaceful, predictable life without fear of getting his heart broken? Contains the stories “Once in a Snowstorm,” “The Empty Egg,” “Happy Endings,” and “Just Words.”

Aiden and Tristan

Maybe he&rsquo;d left. Maybe it had stopped snowing and the crazy motherfucker had put on his fancy clothes and walked out. Considering how irresponsible he&rsquo;d acted before; it wasa possibility.


Tristan was surprised by how much the thought disappointed him. Not that he wanted anyone around for Christmas—or any other day of the year for that matter—but he was curious as to what had brought the man here. Not many voluntarily came to Nortown, and certainly not in a snowstorm. It would take days before the roads would be usable again, and to the electricity companies, Nortown wasnorsquo;t high on their list of priorities.


Starting down the stairs, he didn&rsquo;t tiptoe as such, but maybe he stepped a bit more carefully than he would have otherwise. It was warmer downstairs, but not as warm as Tristan had hoped. He frowned as he put his feet on the floor. The man obviously hadn&rsquo;t been keeping the fire alive. City people


Chapter 8