Bright sunshine streamed through the windows, filling the room with light when Mallory woke. Her head was throbbing, so she closed her eyes, and rubbed her temples, willing the throbbing to stop. When a shadow appeared over her, blocking the light, her eyes flew open wide to see a man standing over her, holding a cup of coffee.

“Good morning,” he said, a broad smile spreading across his face. “Coffee?” He offered her a coffee cup. “I wasn’t sure how you took it.”

“Eeehhhhccckkk!” Mallory yelled, wobbling as she stumbled, trying to get to her feet. She felt like she was going to faint, but the man quickly caught her, keeping her from falling. But she ripped her arm out of his grasp. “Who are you?”

“My name is Brock Conner,” he said, offering her the cup of coffee again. “Here. Drink this. It’ll make you feel better.” Then he pointed toward her head. “You should be careful. You may have a concussion.”

Despite her apprehension, he was the best looking man she had ever seen. “Do I know you? Are you a movie star or something?”

Brock chuckled, taking a seat a distance away on the love seat. “Hardly. Last night, you ran into a tree and I carried you to safety.”

Mallory nodded, vaguely remembering it. “You were... the angel.”

Brock shook his head, setting his coffee cup on the coffee table. “No, I’m not an angel, either. I’m a Navy SEAL.”

“Then what am I doing here?” she asked, backing away.

He stood, holding up his hands, but made no motion toward her. “You passed out and I had to get you out of your car.”

“Car? Car?” She looked around, feeling like a crazy person. Why she was looking for her car on the couch, she had no idea. Maybe she was looking for her car keys. She didn’t know. “What happened to my car?”

“You ran into a tree and… it caught fire.” A crease formed between his eyes. “I almost didn’t get your purse and belongings out in time.”

“I have to get out of here!” Mallory jumped up too quick, causing her head to spin. She stood still with her arms out, trying to gain her bearings.

“Be my guest.” Brock motioned toward the door, and then sat back on the love seat, taking a sip of his coffee as a smile lit his lips.

“You... you... you kidnapped me!” Mallory said, backing away.

Brock chuckled. “No. I rescued you.” He set his coffee back on the table and leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands. “But if you’d like to make it worth my while, I won’t complain.”

“You brute!” Mallory yelled, running toward the door.

“Don’t forget your purse and your suitcase!” Brock yelled after her, laughing.

But when she opened the door, a violent wind blew snow into the house. It was coming down in buckets and there was a two-foot drift blocking the door. “I think we’re snowed in.”

“That was what I’ve been trying to tell you.” Brock stood, one corner of his lips curling into a sexy grin. “Here. Have your coffee and rest. Then we’ll decide what to do.”

She nodded, groggy. “I don’t feel well... my head….”

He hurried toward her, scooped her into his arms, carried her back to the sofa, and sat beside her. “Lay here and rest.” Then he gently touched her face with the back of his hand, his eyes sincere. “I won’t hurt you. I promise. You’re safe with me.” He handed her the cup of coffee again. “Here. Drink.”

“Where did you ever find coffee?” she asked, willing her head to stop throbbing.

He shrugged. “It was in the pantry.”

Of course. Where else would it be? She took the cup and sipped. Warmth immediately filled her body. “Thank you.”

He grinned tilting his head to the side. “For what?”

“For rescuing me.”

The intensity in his eyes was more than any other man she had ever known. Even though she didn’t know this man, she couldn’t help but feel attracted to him.

“It was my pleasure,” he said, pulling a blanket over her. “Now. Get some rest and we’ll talk when you wake.” Then he went back over to the love seat and took another drink of his coffee.

She sat up, thinking of her cell phone, but her head spun so she laid back down again. “Is there cell phone reception?”

He smiled, shaking his head. “No, there isn’t. Now, get some rest.”

Mallory watched him while he drank his coffee. “Are you sure you’re not an actor?”

He chuckled, tilting his head to the side. “No, I’m not. Are you?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’m an actress.”

His smile quickly faded. “Of course you are.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, taking another sip of her coffee.

“Nothing.” He laughed at an inside joke. “Nothing at all.”

“What’s your name again?” she asked. Even though he had told her, it appeared that she wasn’t able to focus for more than two seconds.

“Brock.” He took another sip of his coffee and swallowed. “Brock Conner.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Why does that name sound so familiar?”

He shrugged, his lips curling into a sexy grin. “What’s your name?”

“Mallory Taylor.”

A cease formed between his eyes. “Your name sounds familiar, too.”

She smiled, pleased to hear it. “Well, I’ve made a few commercials, but nothing major yet. I’m waiting for my big break.”

“Of course you are.” He stood, holding up his coffee cup. “More coffee?”

Mallory shook her head as she sat up and took another sip of her coffee. “Um... this is good. Did you learn how to make it in the Navy?”

Brock smiled, shaking his head. “No, my mother taught me when I was young.” He looked down at his coffee cup. “It’s a long story.”

She nodded. “We have time.”

He shook his head, turning his attention toward the fire. “And it’s a story for another time. But not now.”

She nodded. “You said my car caught fire?”

“Well, it didn’t so much as catch fire as blow up,” he replied. “I think the fuel line was cut and a spark may have ignited it.” He smirked. “I hope it was paid off.”

She nodded. “Yes. It was an old car. I bought it just before I moved to Hollywood.”

He nodded. “So, why were you out here in the middle of nowhere?”

“I’m going back home to visit for the holidays.” Mallory didn’t tell him that her sister was having a baby. Somehow, it seemed too intimate. He was a complete stranger, after all.

He tilted his head to the side. “Where’s home?”

“Christmas Cove.”

Brock chuckled, a deep, throaty laugh. “That’s where I’m headed. I’m going to see my buddy, but he didn’t say that it was in the middle of nowhere.”

She smirked. “When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait to leave. But now, after having been away for a while, I can’t wait to go back.” She took another sip of her coffee and swallowed.

Brock nodded. “It’s funny how it works out that way sometimes.” He tilted his head to the side. “So, are you married?”

She smirked, shaking her head. “No. Came close once, but no. You?”

He shook his head. “Never had the time. I was in the military going from one place to the next and never really seemed to settle anywhere... until lately. Since I’ve been stationed in San Diego, I’ve been able to put down a few more roots.”

She nodded. “Since I’ve been in California, it seems I’ve been escaping my roots.” She sat up, but this time, her head didn’t spin as much, so she headed toward the kitchen to try and see if there was anything to eat but stopped as something dawned on her. “Where are we?”

He chuckled. “From what I can tell, it’s an abandoned farmhouse out in the middle of nowhere,” he said, following her into the kitchen. “And where are you going?”

“To see if there’s anything to eat.” When she walked into the kitchen, it looked pretty empty. But she started looking through the cabinets anyway and was surprised when she found some canned goods.