Reaper lied. Shit wasn’t okay. He’d let his guard down and look what had happened.

Someone was shooting at them.

And missing.

But that wasn’t the point. He’d brought Annie to this resort on a flimsy tip that might have just turned concrete—and deadly.

Or was her stalker wilier than Reaper had given him credit for? Reaper would have sworn they’d left the city without any followers, but in this day of digital tracking, who knew?

He couldn’t even be sure who’d attacked them, other than if they’d wanted them dead, they’d have painted that hillside red.

But he couldn’t exactly say that to a shaking Annie.

She hugged him tightly, so close she dragged him into the snow with her.

He didn’t mind. The fact that she could tackle him to the ground meant she was alive.

For now.

When she’d gone off alone, he’d wondered. Especially since the skier attacking them disappeared.

He’d slowed down, listening, dreading the crack of a gunshot. Straining to hear a whimper.

When Annie had popped out of the woods farther down, he’d felt a rush of relief.

That reprieve wouldn’t last if they stayed in the snow, presenting themselves as perfect targets.

He rolled off her and hauled her to her feet. “We have to get off this hill.” He pulled his gun, a weapon she didn’t question as she put on her ski.

The thickly falling snow and failing daylight made it hard to see a few feet beyond. When she was ready to go, he had her in front of him, his gun tucked within easy reach. He wasn’t skilled enough yet to ski and aim at the same time.

It would suck to accidentally shoot Annie.

She’d probably be the first death he ever felt guilty about.

They made it to the bottom of the hill without incident.

At the bottom, as they removed their skis, the teenager, headphones in his ears, didn’t even ask them about the shooting. Probably never even heard it.

They were both quiet as they entered the chalet. Annie wore that nervous air about her again, well deserved at this point. Her eyes darted to every corner, looking for danger.

Reaper proved more subtle about it but was just as attentive. Did their attacker have the nerve to try and blend in? Was he the one by the fire pretending to look at his phone? What about the guy at the front desk, flirting with the receptionist?

Given Annie didn’t cower, he assumed none of them was this Joel character she was convinced stalked her. Could it mean that perhaps it was Reaper’s enemy after him?

The woman might have heard that Reaper was looking. Perhaps she wanted to finish the job she’d started. If that were the case, though, then why attack him on the hill?

The shooter could have picked him off easily any other place.

Wrapping his arms around Annie’s shoulders, he guided her upstairs, disliking the prickling sensation between his shoulder blades as he turned his back on the great room to climb the steps.

Surely only someone truly suicidal and brazen would shoot him in front of witnesses.

Then again…in the chaos that followed, someone could easily escape.

Arriving at their door, he checked for signs of tampering. Unlocking it, he entered first, gun drawn, alert for any possible intruders.

The room appeared tidy. The bed made. The clothes they’d strewn on the floor neatly hung over the back of a chair.

Annie stripped out of her snow gear and immediately headed for the fire. She held out her hands to warm them while he called downstairs and arranged for a few things.

He checked his phone. The storm must have been impeding his satellite signal, though, because he couldn’t even retrieve emails. They were on their own.

Once the food arrived, he locked their door and called Annie over.

“Come and eat.”

“I’m not hungry.” She sounded so morose.

“Then get naked.”

“I don’t want sex either,” she snapped, whirling to face him.

“Who said anything about sex?” He gestured to the tub. “I think we could both use a relaxing soak.”

“What I need is to get out of here, board the first plane or train or bus I can find, and disappear.”

“That won’t solve anything, and you know it.” He stripped out of his clothes, noting how she followed his every move.

“And what do you suggest I do?” she retorted.

“I think you should get out of those clothes before they get wet.” He stalked toward her, and her gaze narrowed.

“What are you doing?”

“What’s it look like I’m doing?”

“You’re trying to seduce me.”

“And you’re not cooperating very well.”

“This is serious, Reaper. You could have died out there because of me.”

“Why do you assume they were shooting at you? Maybe that person was after me.”

She snorted. “Because realtors lead such deadly lives.”

“What if I’m not a realtor?” he said, creeping closer. “What if I told you I was a renowned assassin, who sells properties as a cover.”

“I’d say someone has delusions of grandeur. And isn’t being a renowned assassin a bit of an oxymoron? Shouldn’t a killer who lives to a ripe old age be unknown?”

“They don’t know me by my real name.”

“I would have thought that was more out of embarrassment.”

“Are you mocking the fine names my parents gave me?” he growled in mock indignation.

“Yes.”

He pounced on her, swept her into his arms, and nuzzled her neck with his beard until she squealed, “Mercy.”

“Say it.”

“Say what?”

“That it’s a fine name.”

“It’s a great name.” Snicker.

“Glad you think so since I’m planning to call my first-born son Charming Reaper Montgomery the second.” Yes, he said the words my son. With Annie, he could picture it happening.

“And who is the crazy woman agreeing to that?”

“The one getting naked to climb into the tub with me.”

“Me?” Her mouth rounded into an O of surprise.

It turned into a shriek as he deposited her, clothes and all, into the water.

“Reaper! I was still dressed.”

“I told you to strip. Guess you should have listened,” he said as he joined her. The addition of his body caused waves in the tub that lapped the high edges.

She glared at him, but not in anger. He could see the smile lurking at the corners of her lips.

“Need some help taking those wet things off?”

“You’ve done enough, thank you.” Eschewing his help, she proceeded to strip, and it was punishment. Seeing her exposing that luscious skin. Unable to touch it.

When she was finally naked, she faced him and winked. “Ever done it in a Jacuzzi before?”