Free Tony: Alvarez Security Series by Maryann Jordan Page B

Sherrie’s suitcase was sitting on the front porch and she was… what the fuck is she doing?
    She was wrapped up in her coat, scarf, hat, and had tromped over to her car where she was attempting to rake almost a foot of snow off with her little scraper. If he was not so pissed, he would have been amused.
    “What the hell are you doing out here?” he yelled.
    She turned and looked at the angry man on the porch. Legs apart, hands on his hips, sleep tousled hair. Damn, this had seemed like a good idea when I got up.
    “What does it look like I’m doing?” she yelled back. “I thought I would try to clear my car off so that I could go back home.”
    “Woman, so what if you clear off the car? The driveway and roads are still impassable. You’re not fuckin’ going anywhere.”
    “Well, I’ll be ready when they are clear,” she yelled back.
    “Then what’s your suitcase doing sitting on the porch?”
    “Um…” she said, no quick response coming to mind.
    “Get your ass back in the cabin right now,” he ordered, his irritation ratcheting up to anger.
    “You can’t order me around,” she yelled, now feeling foolish. The snow was landing on her face, freezing little crystals that made her cheeks hurt. Glancing over at her car, the small amount of snow that she had scraped off had been replaced by a fresh layer.
    Sighing heavily, she turned toward the cabin trying to step in snow that had drifted in small mountains that came to her knees. Two steps in, she lost her footing falling face first into a pile.
    Grabbing his boots and sliding his feet into them, he headed down the steps toward her. By the time he reached her floundering form, she was pushing herself up. She looked up, extending her hand toward him.
    Ignoring it, he scooped her up and toss her over his shoulder, giving her ass a slap in the process. Tromping through the snow, he carefully mounted the steps, snagged her luggage with his free hand and set it inside the door before kicking it shut with his boot. Walking over to the fire, he set her down and put his hands on her shoulders.
    Bending down to her eye level, he said, “We’re talking about this stunt later. But right now, we’re getting you undressed and warm, then I’ll go whip up some breakfast.”
    Pulling her gloves off, her cold fingers fumbled with the buttons on her coat. He moved her hands away and unbuttoned it, pulled it off and gently pushed her down onto the leather seat closest to the fire. Kneeling, he pulled her boots off and rubbed her feet to try to get some warmth back into them.
    Standing, he looked down sternly and said, “Stay,” as he turned to walk into the kitchen.
    “I’m not a dog to be ordered around,” she groused.
    “Don’t push me, Sherrie. You pull another stunt like that and you’ll find your ass bared and reddened,” he barked from the other room.
    She looked askance, not remembering anyone ever threatening her with a spanking before. Not as a child and certainly not as an adult. A retort was on the tip of her tongue, but she wisely decided that she would not tempt fate. And she had to admit that the fire’s warmth was penetrating her frozen hands and toes.
    A few minutes later the smells of coffee and bacon were drifting from the kitchen. He’s going to think I can’t cook since he did supper and breakfast. Nope, doesn’t matter what he thinks. I didn’t invite him here anyway, she thought stubbornly.
    Standing up, she made her way to the kitchen, watching the scene in front of her. Tony’s back was to her, the tight t-shirt stretched across his muscles. He came out into the snow in just a t-shirt to see what I was doing.
    Feeling small, she said, “I’m sorry, Tony. I didn’t mean for you to rescue me again.”
    His head dropped as he said, “Quit with the fuckin’ rescue talk.”
    Huffing, she whirled around and stomped to the table, tossing some plates onto the surface.
    “Pouting now?” he quipped.
    Furious, she stalked over to him,