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

Turning off the lamp on the desk, he rolled his shoulders again. He couldn&rsquo;t let Tristan know how much pain he was in. He would insist on Aiden taking a few days off, and he simply couldn&rsquo;t. He wanted Tristan to see him as a responsible adult, someone he could rely on. Aiden needed to bring money to the table. How would they ever have a future together if Tristan had to take care of him all the time?


Changing to his outdoor shoes, he plastered a smile on his lips and exited the studio. There were still people in Jen&rsquo;s café. He couldn&rsquo;t let them see how tired he was.


A massage therapist couldn&rsquo;t look worn. He couldn&rsquo;t tell anyone his back ached or his shoulders were stiff. They came to him because they believed he could fix them, help them to a healthier life, and he could. But if they suspected his muscles were screaming, or that he was tired enough to sleep for a week, they would stop coming.


Chapter 42