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They’re the same or similar to words I’ve read countless times in romance novels, and I can’t tell if he means them in the way the heroes of those books do, or if it’s more a fatherly emotion driving him to want to take care of me—protect me.

He could be my father. Sixteen years between us doesn’t rule that out. Except he’s not my dad and the way he looks at me isn’t fatherly. At least I don’t think it is. I’ve never had anyone look at me the way Granger does. Like I’m all he sees.

The only thing I have to go on is the way Felix looks at Riley. Like she’s the sun and moon and everything in between. My friend looks enough like his uncle for me to compare their expressions.

And I don’t even want to examine the way those looks make me feel.

Achy and hot and fidgety.

I know what it is for me. Desire. Lust. Except it’s more than I’ve ever felt before. I’ve been attracted to other men, but those men didn’t make me feel raw and exposed the way Granger does. And they aren’t the only emotions he inspires.

I’ve never felt more seen or cared for as I have these last few weeks, and now that I’m living with him those emotions are more…big? Intense? Complete? I don’t know how to articulate the multitude of sensations the man causes.

I do know, I like it. In spite of the overwhelming nature of a lot of them, I like the way Granger makes me feel.

“Hey.” Glancing up, I watch the man himself shake snow out of his hair, brush it off his shoulders. “It’s really coming down now.”

“Did you get everything locked up?” He’d gone outside to close up the wood shop and put his truck in the garage, as well as haul more firewood to the covered porch and check the generator.

“Yes. We’re all set for the weekend.”

“You think they’re right? It’ll snow all weekend?”

“Yes. It’s looking that way.” His gaze meets mine. “Which means you need to be prepared for the possibility of being stuck here Monday.”

“Stuck here?”

“Yes, here. In the house. Well, except for when I have to drive the town plow to clear the mountain road into town, you won’t be able to get to work like usual.”

“Oh.”

“You okay with that?” He’s eyeing me carefully, like he’s bracing for me to protest.

We’ve been stepping on eggshells since my first night here and now that I don’t have work taking up my day and distracting me from my thoughts, I’m forced to face the elephant in the room. Or my head. Maybe I’m the only one feeling the sexual tension crackling between us.

“It’s not like I’d have a choice if we are snowed in. Besides, it wouldn’t be my first time. I can do some work on my laptop.” The few tasks I can do from home won’t keep me busy for long though.

“Or you can ride the plow with me.”

“I can…” Laughter bubbles up my throat. “Gee, that sounds like a great time.”

“Actually, it is. The quiet is peaceful. There’s no one out and about because they can’t drive on the roads until we get them cleared. If you’ve never seen Winter Lake when it’s snowed in, you’ve missed a spectacular sight.”

“Really?” I can’t imagine why a deserted street would be spectacular.

“Yep. No footprints in the snow on the sidewalk. No tire marks on the roads. Other than lights shining through windows telling you that you aren’t the only person in the world, it feels like you are. Reminds me of being up here, away from the chaos of town.”

It does sound nice. “Maybe. Do I have to give you an answer now?”

“No. You’ve got until I pull out of the driveway to decide.”

“Okay. I’ll think about it.” I push out of my chair. “Dinner is ready. Do you want to eat now?”

“Whenever you want, I just need to wash up first.” He raises dirty hands. “Should probably get out of these wet clothes too.”

Like I’ve done many times over the last few days, my eyes travel down his body. The man might be in his forties but he’s fitter than most men in their twenties. He’s definitely in better shape than my ex or either of my other boyfriends. And like every other time I’ve allowed myself to look at him—really look, my blood heats and my breathing shortens.

The man does it for me. I never thought I was into the mountain man look, and make no mistake, Granger is all mountain man with his flannel shirts, muscles for days, and growly voice. Except those rough edges aren’t sharp, and they’re certainly aren’t a look, like he’s trying to follow a fashion trend.