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

&ldquo;What do you want me to say? Sorry I tried to help Chris from getting shot in the head? Sorry for not standing by while some idiot tried to kill an innocent guy?&rdquo;


&ldquo;No! I want you to include me. I want you to talk to me, to think about me.&rdquo;


&ldquo;I think about you all the time!&rdquo; The growl was back, and it made Aiden tingle.


&ldquo;Clearly you don&rsquo;t. If you had been thinking about me, you would have understood what it would do to me to learn that you&rsquo;d run off to fight two men with guns. You wouldn&rsquo;t have risked getting killed. What would I do if you were killed, Tris? How would I be able to go on? At least Zachary brought John—he even brought Andre. The guy took his ex with him, and you didndrsquo;t even think to inform me you were going.irdquo;


&ldquo;Stop the car.&rdquo; Tristan&rsquo;s voice was firm but controlled.


Chapter 55