We made it back to the cabin in record time. Ellie was not happy about being told to stay inside and wait for me while I searched the surrounding woods without her. She had tried to argue that she should go with me, but I wouldn't hear it.

There was no way in hell I would risk her safety.

Bear hadn't barked again, and he'd remained quiet but attentive on our way back. Since he wasn't in any distress, I knew things were most likely okay, and it was only some animal that got his attention, but I wasn't willing to take any chances. Not with Ellie around.

"If anything happens," I told her as we rushed along the small trail back to the cabin, "there is a hidden space behind the closet upstairs. Just push on the wall all the way to the left inside the closet and it'll open enough that you'll be able to squeeze inside. Once you're in, latch the door closed from the inside. It's dark in there, but there is a flashlight on the floor."

Her large blue eyes were bigger than normal as they met mine, and she swallowed down a big gulp of air. "You think it will come to that?" she asked.

"I don't know, Ellie," I admitted truthfully. "Probably not, but I'm not willing to take the risk. Please, promise me that if someone comes to the door, you don't open it, but go hide."

Her wide eyes darted back and forth between mine.

"No matter what, Ellie."

She swallowed, but said nothing.

I was too impatient to wait. I needed to know she'd do whatever it took to keep herself safe. "Please, promise," I begged.

Whatever she saw in my eyes, probably my desperation, made her nod. Just once, but it was enough.

I exhaled, grabbed a hold of her and planted a quick kiss on her lips. Then I tugged on her hand and brought her back to the cabin.

"Let's go search," I told Bear as soon as the door closed behind Ellie, and I heard her turn the lock.

He let out a bark, and his tail wagged in response. I set off at a slow jog so I could scan my surroundings, but soon found myself running behind Bear. My body was so wound up from what almost happened in the woods with Ellie that I needed the fast pace to burn off the energy.

My desperate need for her calmed a little after a couple of miles, and my perspective changed.

"Idiot," I muttered to myself. I couldn't believe I'd acted like that. Like some desperate person so focused on what my body craved that I'd forgotten my head. Ellie deserved romance and gentleness, not a rough fuck up against a tree. What the hell had I been thinking?

"Kind of think that's the problem," I answered myself, knowing I'd let myself get lost in the feel of her, and not considered the consequences or the danger we were in.

Fuck.