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Lort!
I should’ve left after imparting my thoughts on what she was proposing to do. Which would’ve
been easy considering I hadn’t wanted to do this gig anyway. Regardless of the fact that my own
company had been driving me insane. Regardless of the fact that I hated myself a little for not being able to stay the course of what was left of my month-long self-imposed hermitage.
I should’ve left.
Instead, here I was, secretly yearning to hear that voice again. To do that, though, I’d have to engage her in conversation.
‘Ten more minutes. Give or take,’ I threw over my shoulder. The GPS co-ordinates I’d noted on my
watch would see us there in less time, but I’d learned to make allowances on unknown terrain.
Silence greeted me. Against my will, I looked over my shoulder.
Despite the stylish shades covering her eyes, I felt her gaze boring into mine with unapologetic
directness that tunnelled lightning straight into my veins. It singed me into life, making me aware of every inch of my skin, and especially the rush of blood to my groin.
Thiswas why I hadn’t walked away.
Yet.
‘Give or take what?’ she asked with a slight arch of a silky eyebrow.
Good question. My sanity? Another sign that my screaming instincts were right? That she wasn’t
merely toying with me?
But fuck, where the hell did I get off trusting my instincts when they’d let me down spectacularly so very recently with Stephanie?
‘Mr Scott, while I have a thing for the strong, silent type...on occasion, this isn’t one of them. I will need you to actually engage with me here.’
The dry amusement in her tone should’ve raised my hackles further. And yet it drew a wry smile.
And what was it with thatMr Scottwhen I’d invited her to use my first name?
Perhaps because she didn’t need invitation.She commands it.
My senses jumped, dark need clamouring through me so hard every inch of my body tightened with
anticipation.
Futileanticipation. I had no intention of even probing possibilities. Not after the fucking fiasco with Stephanie.
There was a reason I’d retreated to my remote cabin in Alaska. A reason I’d welcomed the last-
minute cancellation to my tight work schedule. When it came right down to it, the need to escape my thoughts and immerse myself in my work were the reason I’d grudgingly accepted what I thought
would be a solo assignment.
Which was why I should’ve left Graciela Mortimer where I found her.
‘We’re here.’ I tugged on the reins with a sharp whistle and the dogs immediately slowed to a stop.
The mother and her three cubs were still on the large floe about a quarter of a mile away, finishing off the last of a fish meal. One of the dogs barked and the mother bear raised her head warily, eyeing us from across the distance.