Nick

“ G oddamn piece of shit,” I growl, kicking the punctured tire with my boot.

It’s cold as balls out here. The wind is howling, and I can barely see my hand in front of my face. Small pellets of snow sting my skin as the ragging blizzard conditions whirl around me.

Lifting a gloved hand to my face, I swipe the flakes of snow off and yank the door to my Mercedes GLA open. Jumping in, I peel off my gloves and blow hot air into my palms, trying to create some warmth.

“Jesus Christ.”

It’s freezing. The temperatures dropped dramatically overnight, and the roads are deathtraps as a result. A journey that normally takes around three hours, has taken me five. I’d set off just after eight this morning to make the drive to Frankenmuth It’s a little after one in the afternoon and I’m still a few miles out.

Sighing, I put my flashers on and grab my phone to dial roadside assistance. It’s too dangerous out there to be jacking my car up and switching wheels. Fuck that.

“Roadside assistance,” a deep voice answers on the other line.

“Hey, is there any chance of sending a tow out? I’ve got a flat and I’m stuck in a snowdrift.”

I hear some ruffling on the other end. “We’re pretty backed up today I can’t promise anything.” Fuck. “You know whereabouts you are, sir?”

I wipe my sleeve over the steamed-up window and take a look out. I make this trip annually for my daughter’s birthday, but the weather’s never been this bad.

“I’m just past the Flint Memorial Park on M-54.”

“Hmmm. My guys are pretty booked up at the moment.” The guy pauses. “I might be able to get someone out to you in a couple hours, but I can’t guarantee it.” Oh, great.

I dig the pads of my fingers into my eye sockets. “I can’t stay here for two hours, I’ll freeze. Isn’t there anything else you can do?”

“Sorry, sir, but my hands are tied. That’s the best I can offer.”

Dammit. “Thanks anyway.”

Hanging up, my head drops back against the headrest and I expel a heavy sigh. I’ve got to do something. I can’t stay here all night.

It’s only a few miles; I could walk it. Come back in the morning and change the tire.

Cutting the ignition, I lift my ass off the seat and slide my phone into my back pocket, before reaching over into the back and grabbing my duffel. Threading my fingers back into my gloves, I take the keys and throw open the door.

Here goes nothing.

I shove my hands into my jacket pocket, and make my way toward the lodge, and lower my head, stopping the sleet from biting at my face. The fucking chill is bitter.

A few cars crawl past me, the snow on the road crunching under the tires. I’m as far over as I can be, but not one of these fuckers stops to offer me a ride.

Assholes .

I’m walking for roughly ten minutes, when I hear a car pull up beside me. The passenger window on a red Ford Zetec slides down.

“Are you crazy?!” a soft, feminine voice yells, and I stop and dip my head to see the face belonging to the voice.

Damn.

She’s cute.

Beautiful actually.

Long blonde hair. Flawless skin. Piercing green eyes. Full, plump lips that send dirty thoughts barrelling through my mind.

Get it together, Nick.

I arch a brow. “Excuse me?”

She jerks her head toward the passenger side. “Get in. You’ll catch your death out there!”

I have no clue who this girl is, but I really don’t feel comfortable getting in a car with some chick I don’t even know. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll walk.”

“Where are you headed?”

I narrow my eyes, unsure if I should share that information. She seems harmless enough, but you never know. “Snowed Inn Lodge.”

Her sparkling green eyes light up.

Sparkling?

Since when have I ever thought of a woman’s eyes as sparkling ?

“No shit! Same here! Get in.” She taps the seat, and I feel my resolve weakening.

I’d be stupid to say no, right? Jack Frost would turn a blind eye to this goddamn freeze.

“You sure you don’t mind? I don’t want to put you out.”

She smiles, and I swear, my heart kicks in my chest.

What the hell was that?

“We’re going to the same place. You’re hardly putting me out.”

Guess that settles it. A grin curls at my lips, and I walk around to the passenger side of her car. “Thanks for this.”

“No worries.” She smiles and puts the car in drive, before checking her mirrors and taking off. “My name’s Holly.”

“Nick.”

Holly . What a unique name.

“Nice to meet you, Nick.”

I almost groan at the way my name falls from those perfect lips. Who knew my name could sound so erotic?

I gulp and turn my head to look out the window. “Yeah, you too.”