Once his body started trembling, Stone could not stop the hurricane of emotion, and he hated himself for it. Here he was, holding his dream woman in his arms. True, they were in an ice cave in the middle of a blizzard, but they were safe right now, and she was close enough with their coats unzipped and his gloves off that he could feel the curves of her perfect body. For some insane reason, he’d opened up to her about what had happened in the accident last night. The combination of touching her and thinking about the baby he’d lost brought emotions to the surface he didn’t even know he had.

Suddenly, Abi’s voice penetrated through the fog. She was calling out to him. “Stone? Stone?”

“I’m okay,” he said, but there was wetness on his face. What in the crap was that? He hadn’t cried in years. The last time was when they went to the ultrasound and the doctor told him and Virginia the baby was a girl. He’d cried then. He’d had every intention of loving baby Abigail and being almost as good a dad as his own father had been.

Then his young wife and baby Abigail had plunged off a cliff a few weeks later, minutes after Virginia had yelled at him that he was a horrible, cold husband. When he lost Virginia and the baby, he hadn’t cried. He’d shut down and focused on his schooling and fitness, determined to be the best firefighter he could be and maybe prevent other families from suffering like he did every day of his life.

“Stone.” Abi’s voice came again. “You are not okay, and that’s all right. You went through something horrible, losing the love of your life and your baby. It’s okay to talk, cry, feel for heaven’s sake.” Abi’s voice rose with passion.

But Virginia wasn’t the love of his life. Would Abi ever know that? No. It wasn’t fair to her when he couldn’t reveal his secrets and give her all of him. Abi was so good and true to him in their friendship. Virginia and Jace had crossed the un-crossable friendship line and look where they had ended up. It couldn’t happen with him and Abi. He’d never do that to her. He’d already killed one wife. He’d never risk Abi. Not that Abi would be in physical danger with him, but he’d been a cold, unemotional husband to Virginia. If he allowed himself to fully let Abi in and then he hurt her emotionally, it would destroy him.

“I’m fine,” he said again. How was he going to stop her from prying out all his emotional crap? Abi was as persistent as a wolf stalking a chicken.

“You are not fine.” She huffed a breath against his neck, and tingles raced along his skin. “Well, you’re fine looking, perfect looking really, but that is completely beside the point.”

Abi thought he was perfect looking? The cave was getting warmer. He would’ve wiped at his brow, but he wasn’t releasing his grip on Abi for anything.

“But you aren’t fine. I know that you think you’re all tough and cold, but it’s okay to be emotional about things, important things.”

He rubbed his hands along her lower back, savoring the feel of her as he pulled her tighter against his body, shutting out any thoughts but Abi.

“Stone?” she said questioningly.

When he didn’t answer, she started up her rampage again. “I know how much you wanted that baby girl and how hard all of this has been on you, but it’s been seven years, Stone. Seven long and lonely years. Let me help you. Let me be there for you.”

“You want to be there for me?” He sort of grunted it out. She had no clue how lonely he’d been for her the past seven years, dreaming of having her close like this. If only they could be there for each other. No. He should push her away right now. His hands didn’t seem to get that message and pulled her in even tighter as if his body was rebelling against his rational mind.

“Of course I do,” she said. “Haven’t I shown that?”

She had. She’d been the best friend any guy could ask for, putting up with his silence and bringing happiness and light and fun to his structured, boring life. She kind of wiggled against him and blew out a frustrated-sounding breath against his neck. Stone couldn’t take it any longer. She was probably frustrated he wasn’t expressing his emotions, but he’d been frustrated for years loving her and not being able to show her.

“Stone.” Her voice had that warning tone that always made him smile, even though he shouldn’t because he knew from experience it would make her madder at him. “I can help you through this.”

“You want to help me?” he asked, much too aware of her in this small space. It was overwhelming—her defined body pressed against him, her cinnamon and vanilla scent swirling around and making his mouth water. He couldn’t see her, but he had every feature memorized— from the long, dark hair to the sparkle in her dark eyes and the smooth curve of her cheek. He released one hand from her waist and lifted it to cup her face. It was as smooth as it looked.

Abi gave a cute little gasp. “Stone?”

“I’ll show you how you can help me.” Then, without allowing himself to think about the consequences for one more second, he tilted her face up and kissed her. Everything seemed to explode. His head felt light, and his lips were singing from the joy of touching hers. His hand trailed back under her coat, and he pulled her up closer.

Abi framed his face with her hands and pulled back from the kiss. “Stone. You can’t just interrupt important conversations by kissing someone.”

He couldn’t? Well, that sucked. That was the best interruption of a conversation he’d ever had. He rubbed his hands up and down her back, and she let out a groan. “Oh, to heck with it!” she said. Then she was kissing him.

Stone didn’t take time to process his surprise. He just reveled in each movement of her lips. He’d never imagined an ice cave could be heaven, but it surely was for him. The kisses became more urgent, and Stone had no problem responding wholeheartedly. His brain completely shut down as he let himself feel and give in to the desire he’d had his entire life—having Abi and her perfect lips all to himself.