Ch 3

The morning sun filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow on the snow-covered landscape outside. Drew buttoned his coat glancing down at Max, who sat by his feet, watching him curiously. He reached down, giving the dog a few scratches behind the ears. "What do you think, boy? Feel like stretching your legs since your Mom isn't up yet?"

Max wagged his tail in response, and Drew grabbed the leash by the door, clipping it onto the dog's collar before stepping outside into the crisp air. The snow had started to settle more lightly now, leaving a peaceful stillness around the property.

As Drew made his way down the driveway, he noticed a tall muscular man with short brown hair in his late 40s chopping firewood. Emma's bodyguard, John, was watching him carefully, as he put down the axe.

"You must be John," Drew said, approaching him, Max pulled forward slightly but stayed at Drew's side.

"That's right," John gave a slow nod. "It's nice to meet you Drew," John extended his hand.

"Nice to meet you too. Thank you for helping Emma save me," Drew shook his hand.

"It was no problem. Emma was very worried about you. She was watching over you like a hawk. It was good to see her break out of the depression she has been in. Are you feeling better?" his tone softened as he spoke of Emma.

Drew smirked. "I'm glad I could shake her mood with my crash. I'm still a little sore but I'm feeling better."

John remained silent for a moment, then looked down at Max. "They say everything happens for a reason. It was a good thing Max found you. Emma needed someone or something to break her routine. When she told my wife and I that she would watch over you it took us both by surprise."

Drew raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

John exhaled, rubbing his hands together against the cold. "Emma's been through hell. You probably saw last year all the news about her and the nightmare of a Christmas she had."

Drew nodded. "Yes, I did."

John glanced toward the house. "Emma hasn't been herself since that nightmare. She is eerily quiet and we rarely see her. She is punishing herself for what happened. Emma has been hiding out for too long, refusing to deal with the fallout from everything that happened. She needs to stop running and face her life again before it's too late. Her snapping out of her funk to take care of you gives us hope that she will start wanting more than her own company." Drew listened carefully as John continued worry etched on his face. "If the studio sues her for backing out of work, she will lose everything she has worked so hard for. And if that happens, I don't know if she'll be able to handle it. She's strong, but everyone has their limits especially since she lost Eva. My wife and I are hoping your unexpected arrival in her life will help her break out of this isolation she has made for herself. She needs to stop feeling guilty about Eva and Chris. I've known Emma and Eva for almost nine years and Emma didn't deserve what Chris and Eva did to her. Chris never treated her right the two years they were together. He was always about himself and using her to further his career. I sensed something was going on between Eva and him but I couldn't prove it. Emma would never think anything bad of Eva, even when there were clear signs right in front of her. They both took advantage of her. I wish I could go back in time and say things I should have. I'm sorry I'm rambling on, I'm just worried about her. Angie and I love Emma like she is our daughter. We can not stand seeing her like this."

Drew took a deep breath, nodding. "No worries, I understand. I appreciate you telling me. I'm trying to get to know Emma, and I promise you, I'll do what I can to help her. I'm not going to leave here when the roads open back up and forget about her. Honestly there is something about her that is drawing me in. I don't think I could ever forget her. I plan to stay in her life."

John studied him for another long moment before giving a small nod. "I hope you really mean that. Because if you hurt her, I'll be the first to make you regret it."

Drew chuckled lightly. "Fair enough." Then, more sincerely, he added, "Thank you—for looking out for her. And for saving me from freezing to death."

John waved him off. "I'm just doing my job. I'll let you get back to Emma. If you need anything, just let my wife Angie or I know. See you later."


Drew made his way back inside, brushing snow from his shoulders as he stepped into the warmth of the house. He let Max off the leash petting his head. The air was filled with the sweet scent of pancakes cooking on the stove, and he smiled when he saw Emma standing at the counter, flipping a pancake in the pan.

She glanced over her shoulder at him, offering a small smile. "Hey, I thought you might be hungry. Figured pancakes were a safe bet."

Drew chuckled, stepping closer. "You're already getting to know my likes. I'd never say no to pancakes."

She slid a finished pancake onto a plate and turned to him. "And thanks for taking care of Max. He really likes you."

Drew smirked, glancing down at Max, who had already settled by his feet. "Well, I'd say the feeling's mutual."

Emma set the plate on the table and gestured for him to sit. As she poured syrup over her own pancakes, she hesitated before speaking. "Can I ask you something?"

Drew grabbed a fork and nodded. "Of course."

She took a deep breath. "Last night, you mentioned you were avoiding your family for the holidays… but what about a significant other? Are you in a relationship?"

Drew took a moment to chew his bite of pancake before setting his fork down pleasantly surprised she asked him a personal question like that. "Nah, I got divorced two years ago. It wasn't messy or anything—we just grew apart. Since then, I've been on a few dates, but I haven't met anyone I wanted to pursue." Emma listened carefully as he continued. "I've been keeping busy with work, traveling all over for WWE. It doesn't leave much time for romance." He smirked slightly, his blue eyes twinkling. "But who knows? Maybe crashing into a beautiful woman's life and taking care of her dog might bring some luck my way in the romance department."

Emma's cheeks warmed at his words, and she found herself blushing, completely caught off guard by his comment. She quickly looked down at her plate, trying to focus on her pancakes rather than the way her heart skipped slightly in her chest.

Drew noticed her reaction and grinned before taking another bite of his breakfast. The comfortable silence between them felt charged with something new.

"You know Christmas is in two days," Drew said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Seems like we're missing something important."

Emma tilted her head. "Oh? What's that?"

"A tree. You have plenty of other decorations but where is the tree?" Drew replied with a grin looking around. "Can't have Christmas without a proper tree, can we?"

Emma chuckled softly. "You're right we need a tree. I've been torn between putting up the artificial tree and getting a real one. There's a small grove not far from here," she paused for a moment staring at Drew. "Hmmm I think you ending up here for Christmas means we should go chop a real tree down since I have you to help me now."

"Sounds like a plan," Drew said. "Do you have enough decorations if we find a big tree?"

Emma gestured toward the door leading to the garage. "I have plenty. I'll show you after we are done breakfast," she stood up going to the fridge to grab orange juice.

As Emma reached for a glass from the cabinet, her mind still swirled with Drew's words about his crash bringing him luck in romance. It had been so long since a man had flirted with her and the way he looked at her made her feel something she never felt before even with Chris. Distracted, she fumbled the glass in her hand, and it slipped through her fingers, shattering against the kitchen floor.

"Damn it," she muttered, instinctively bending down to pick up the shards.

"Emma, wait—" Drew's warning came too late. She winced as a sharp sting sliced across her palm.

Drew was at her side in an instant, gently grabbing her wrist before she could do any more damage. "Alright, that's enough of that. Let me see."

"It's just a small cut," she protested, but he was already leading her to the sink.

"Small or not, I'm not letting you bleed all over the place," he teased, turning on the faucet. He guided her hand under the cool water, his fingers brushing against hers. She inhaled sharply—not from pain, but from the unexpected jolt of electricity at his touch.

Drew smirked. "You just had to touch the broken glass and cut yourself, huh? Or were you just looking for an excuse to have my hands on you?"

Emma shot him an unimpressed look, though the blush on her cheeks betrayed her. "You wish, McIntyre."

He let out a deep chuckle, his warm breath ghosting over her ear as he reached past her for a clean towel. "Hmm maybe I do, nothing wrong with wishing you might find a reason to have me touch you."

Emma's stomach did a little flip. He was shameless, and worse—she liked it.

Drew carefully dried her hand before pulling out the first aid kit he had spotted on her counter earlier. "Sit," he instructed, nudging her toward one of the barstools.

She rolled her eyes but obeyed, watching as he crouched in front of her, focused on bandaging her hand. His large fingers worked with surprising gentleness as he wrapped the gauze around her palm, securing it with medical tape.

"There," he murmured, looking up at her with an amused smile. "All patched up. Though I gotta say, if you want my attention, sweetheart, just ask next time don't hurt yourself so I have to play doctor."

Emma scoffed, though her pulse quickened at the way he was looking at her—blue eyes smoldering, a sexy smirk tugging at his lips.

"You crashed into my tree so I had to play doctor to you so it's only fair you had to return the favor," she countered.

Drew's grin widened. "You're right we need to play fair with one another."

For a moment, neither of them moved. His hands were still lightly resting on her knee, his body close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from him. The air between them was charged, thick with something unspoken.

Then, with a wicked glint in his eye, Drew stood, towering over her as he leaned down ever so slightly. "But just so you know I'm up for any games you would like to play especially if it means I get to touch you."

Emma swallowed, trying to maintain her composure, but she knew he could see right through her.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, hopping off the stool. "I'm going to grab my coat so we can go to the garage," she paused near him looking up into his eyes. "By the way, I feel like I should let you know that I'm not afraid of playing games with you," she softly whispered brushing past him—making sure to let her fingernails trail ever so lightly across his chest as she walked away.

Drew chuckled, watching her go. "Careful, lass. Keep that up, and I might think you're enjoying my company as much as I'm enjoying yours."

She glanced over her shoulder, giving him a seductive smile. "Maybe I do. Guess you'll just have to wait and see."

"I'm loving your company Emma," Drew groaned under his breath fighting his desire and unexpected feelings she was surging through his body, as he watched her disappear down the hall.