Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
If I told him about this now, his nightmares would almost definitely return, and his quiet slumber would be a thing of the past.
That thought was enough to make me act. I quickly forwarded the email to Violet with a note asking her to send it on to our cyber people, then moved it into the folder with the Stamper’s last message. Without hesitating, I set up a filter that would move any new emails from that address directly into the folder and also forward them to Violet and to me.
I would eventually tell Zane about the emails. Of course I would. But in the meantime, I’d protect his peace and his sweet heart as passionately as I protected his body.
“If you loved me, you’d have brought the coffee in here and delivered it with the bad news about the skiing!” Zane called from the bathroom.
I squeezed my eyes shut and clicked his phone off. If only you knew, I thought.
“If you loved me, you’d be excited to try my favorite sport,” I called back instead.
“I don’t love you,” Zane grumbled an hour later.
The soft sound of snow sliding under our skis accompanied us as we moved down the trail past several chalets with gingerbread trim and fresh-painted shutters tucked back in the trees. It was a dreamland covered in new powder and set off by the sun and deep blue sky.
I was having an amazing time. My body felt warm and invigorated by the exercise—it had been about a year since I’d been on skis, and I’d missed it. It was a gorgeous day to be out. And I loved that I got to share this with Zane.
Zane had been enjoying it, too… until the poor man had sunk knee-deep in powder after stepping off the trail to take a piss and falling into a low spot. The thermal exercise tights that lovingly cradled his ass were now coated with snow. Wisps of brown hair escaped his yellow wool beanie and tangled in the arms of his sunglasses, and his cheeks were red from cold and exertion.
Zane was always bright and magnetic, but seeing him like this, beautiful and fit, while experiencing one of my favorite things was pretty damned satisfying. He looked disgruntled… and adorable.
It was practically impossible to keep from grinning, but I managed it. “I tried to warn you to use your pole to test before taking a step. You never know what the ground is like off the trail.”
Zane glared at me, a pair of laser eyeballs that shone even through his sunglasses. “Yeah, well, some of us aren’t professional skiers, Ryan. Some of us are meant to be more… aesthetic than athletic.”
This time, I couldn’t hold back my laughter. “Is that right, Zane Michael?” When his mouth pursed, I shrugged. “You calling me Ryan is the equivalent of middle-naming me.”
He snorted but didn’t disagree.
“Besides,” I teased, “a true artist could write songs just as easily out here as in the sunroom, especially with all this gorgeous scenery to get your imagination going.”
This was patently untrue since Zane had no guitar or notebook, and his hands were occupied with his poles, but I wasn’t worried about accuracy when my teasing tone had the desired effect of making him sputter with outraged laughter.
“You know, you’re right,” Zane shot back breathlessly. “In fact, I’m writing a song in my head right now. I’m just trying to get the lyrics down. What rhymes with my fingers are frozen stiff? Ooh, I know!” he went on before I could reply. “I threw my bodyguard off a wintry cliff! Perfect. That one’s gonna be a banger. Double platinum. Wait and see.”
I laughed harder. “There are no cliffs here—”
“It’s symbolism, Bear. Look it up. What rhymes with I left my dignity back there?” He tapped his lip thoughtfully and gave an exaggerated, mournful sigh. “Probably something, something, devoured by a polar bear.”
This playful side of Zane wasn’t one I saw often, and Jesus Christ, I loved it. Loved that he finally felt comfortable and relaxed enough to let loose.
I grabbed his arm, pulling him to a stop, and wrapped one gloved hand around his waist. “You know I’d never let that happen. You’re safe with me, always.” The words came out more serious than I’d intended. Like a promise. Like a vow.
Zane shivered slightly, and his smile softened. “Of course I know. Being here, with you…” He looked around at the trees, the snow, the endless skies. At this moment, it felt like we were the only people in the world. “It’s a sanctuary, isn’t it? And there’s only one bear you’d let devour me.” He bounced his eyebrows suggestively.
“Damn straight.” I grinned. “Thank you for coming out with me. You’re doing great, you know.”
He returned my smile, and it felt like the fucking trees even stretched and sighed in response. “I’m loathe to admit it, but… I do like it. It’s peaceful, and it’s a great workout but also… fun? Kind of. Arguably too much snow, but I like the little hops. And you were right about the scenery. It’s beautiful.”