**This is a novella of 20k words. Contains mature content.** Sam hasn't been in the holiday spirit in years, not since the accident. This Christmas wasn't going to be any different, except that someone has broken into her home, and help isn't for miles. But Sam doesn't need anyone to rescue her, not when she's a straight shooter who never misses her mark. Still, there's something about this intruder that has her dropping the tough-girl act. Ace wants to put a cheating scandal and hockey suspension behind him. He has decided to spend this holiday with his parents at their secluded home in Montana and away from all the drama. But he wasn't expecting to end up stuck in a blizzard on Christmas Eve, much less break into the house of a gorgeous woman. No matter the promise he's made to focus on himself, for now at least, Ace finds that he's drawn to Sam's fiery personality and he gets the sense that she just might feel the same. Even with a shotgun pointed at him. Being stuck in a snowstorm has never been more interesting, and sexy, especially when the lights go out and candles start burning.