Kelly sat up abruptly, and though her heart was pounding and her ears were ringing with an unknown sound that seemed to signal panic, her tired brain was still trying to catch up.

It took her a few seconds to realize it was the alarm Hunter had installed. Oh, dear God, why?

She jumped as she saw a huge figure at the foot of the bed and then realized it was Hunter, with a huge sigh of relief.

He looked at her and held a finger to his lips, and she saw there was a gun in his hands already. He racked the slide, loading a round as he crept toward the door.

“Stay here,” he hissed.

She held the blanket up against her and nodded, as adrenaline was making it too hard to think. The alarm going off, did it mean someone had breached the perimeter? Was there someone inside the house? Was it possible it was just broken?

So many questions ran through her mind as she heard Hunter moving to the top of the stairs.

Was it someone on the ground floor? The thought of someone in her house made her feel violated in a very deep way. One part of her was grateful Hunter had been there, because of the capable, efficient way he’d just cocked his gun and headed out in the face of danger.

The other part of her couldn’t stand the thought of something happening to him because he was in her house.

She was attracted to the capable side of him and knew no other man she had dated would ever have been that calm, that steady, that protective.

But that just made her want to be by his side, watching his back.

She got up quietly and walked to her dresser, pulling out the shotgun she’d hidden behind it. She’d gotten the gun after a few months of stalking by the bear, just in case, and she’d spent time getting familiar with it while shooting skeet.

She wasn’t sure a shotgun could even take down a bear, but it could definitely handle an intruder, if she could keep her wits about her.

She crept to the top of the stairs, and it made a small creak that made her wince. Hunter appeared a second later, and frustration flashed in his eyes momentarily when he saw she was no longer in bed.

He gestured for her to go back, and she shook her head, motioning to the shotgun.

He seemed to get what she wanted and nodded slightly, putting a hand to his lips again. She would stay out of sight as much as possible, but he’d be safer with her watching his back.

He slowly moved over to her, until he was blocking sight of her with his body, and then put her hand around his waist.

“Stay close,” he whispered. “And don’t shoot me with that thing.”

“I won’t,” she said. “I’m careful. I’ve practiced.”

He nodded. “One in the chamber?”

“Not yet.”

“Go ahead.”

She cocked the gun so it was ready to fire if needed, and a part of her felt great that he would trust her to come along.

They walked slowly toward the back of the house, moving through shadows until they saw the source of the alarm going off.

The back window was broken, and shattered glass lay all over the rug at the entry from the back deck.

But whatever had broken the window hadn’t made a big enough hole for anyone to get in yet. Whoever it was seemed to have run away, based on the drips of blood littering the deck and going out into the woods.

“I already checked the front, so I figured it had to be back here.” He gestured at the ceiling. “Glass break sensor.”

“Ah. Good thing you were here.”

He smiled at her then, and it felt like she could finally breathe easily. “Yeah. I guess so.” He took a few steps closer to the glass. “I want to go follow the trail, but I won’t if you don’t want me to.”

She shook her head vehemently. “No. Please don’t. Don’t leave me here alone.” She set the gun aside and clutched his arm with shaking hands.

It probably wasn’t the bear, but what if it was? She didn’t want him in the forest alone, overtaken by an apex predator.

If it was just some stupid townsperson or teenager, then Hunter would be fine. Or maybe even a normal animal, if he took her shotgun.

But she couldn’t take the risk of it being her bear.

“Are you sure?” He looked down at her, and she could see how badly he wanted to go track down whatever had tried to come inside.

She nodded. “I can’t… If you’re out there, I’ll go nuts.”

“Okay,” he said, eyeing the window as they both took a step back. He turned to face her, holding her hands in his reassuringly. “Here’s what we’re going to do. We’ll go over to Garrett’s house, and tomorrow, me and my friends will come back and see if we can find any clues.”

She couldn’t help lunging forward to hug him, wrapping both arms tightly around his waist.

She’d never been as scared as she was when he was headed downstairs to face the intruder, but she’d also never felt so protected in her life.

He barely knew her, and he’d been willing to face down monsters. Willing to help with her house. Willing to stay instead of chasing the intruder because she wanted him to.

It all made her want to bury her face in his chest and never let go.

For once, she hadn’t been alone when things got scary. She hadn’t had to watch someone run when things got tough.

Who knew what it would mean in the long run, but it meant a lot to her right now.

She inhaled his clean, masculine fragrance, and couldn’t help remembering their night on the couch and wanting to hold him close.

Was it odd of her to be turned on at a time like this? When they’d both been in danger? Or maybe it was life-affirming, because she just wanted to revel in the fact that they were both safe.

And maybe it was just her attraction to him as someone braver than anyone she’d ever met. Regardless of what it was, she couldn’t resist getting up on her toes and kissing him, hard, right on the mouth.

He froze but then joined her, letting her tongue explore his mouth as he made an odd little purring noise inside.

She pulled back, looking up at him, wondering where that had come from, but he let out a little growl and kissed her this time, pulling her against him again.

His lips were so warm, so soft, and his hands were strong and capable and trustworthy. And, oh God, that body pressed to her, muscles to curves… the contrast delectable.

But he slowly pulled back from her, looking flushed. “We still need to get over to Garrett’s. I need you to be safe.”

She nodded. “We can continue this later.”

He looked slightly dazed by the thought of that but quickly recovered, going over to the stairs and holding out his hand. “Come on. We’ll pack up some things for you and head over right away.”

She nodded, following him up. “And you’re sure Garrett will be okay with this?”

“Of course,” Hunter said. “If you think I’m overprotective, you haven’t met that overbearing bear.”

“Bear?” She couldn’t help shivering slightly.

“Just a figure of speech,” Hunter said quietly. “Sorry.”

“Right, ‘cause of his beard and his size and—”

“Yup.” As they packed up, Hunter was looking more relaxed. “I’ll call them on the way. Let’s head out now.”

She put her hand in his as he slung her bag over his shoulder. As they walked outside and Hunter disabled the alarm and locked the front door behind them, she felt her heart begin to pound again.

Even as they walked to the car, he was guarding her, shielding her with his wide back as he spun, checking every direction around them.

When he was satisfied, he helped her into his truck and then got in on his side.

As he started it and pulled out onto the road, she let out a sigh of contentment, glad it was just them and the truck and the woods.

But as they continued driving and Hunter turned on soothing country music, all she could really think about was that kiss.

And how much she wanted to do it again.