Ansley’s sharp eyes followed Zane as he stumbled over to the toppled snowmobile. Based on the way he was limping, he didn’t seem any better off than she was. He might have been seriously hurt, but he wasn’t telling her.
She bit back the instinct to berate him for trying to be macho. He was trying to help them both get back.
The only problem was that if he wanted to do so, he probably shouldn’t be trying to lift a five-hundred-pound machine alone. Zane made it to the vehicle, steadied himself, and grunted as he attempted to push the thing upright.
His growl of frustration echoed in the snowy mountains. Clumps of freshly fallen snow fell from disturbed branches, and he made a second unsuccessful attempt.
“It’s probably wedged. I don’t think it’s going to work,” she called. Her voice shook with worry despite her attempt to keep it steady. “You should preserve your strength.”
Zane grunted again, pushing into it. “We. Can’t. Stay. Out. Here.” He glanced in her direction, but she couldn’t see his expression. “We’ll freeze.”
“Someone has to come looking for us. It’s not like no one knew we’d be out here.” Even to her own ears, her hopeful voice was anything but. “Kate and Liam—”
“—went on the other trail. I’m almost certain of it. We’re stranded, Ansley.”
She swallowed hard then straightened her shoulders. “Fine. Then I’m coming to help you.” She moved to stand up.
His angry shout stopped her cold. “Don’t you dare!”
Ansley’s brows shot up. “Excuse me?”
He limped toward her. “Under no circumstances are you to put any weight on that foot without getting it looked at.”
She folded her arms. “You’re not the boss of me.” Fury seared her face. How dare he try to control her? They weren’t together. He didn’t have any say in what she did or didn’t do.
Zane laughed. It was unexpected and brought her up short. He stood in front of her, his whole demeanor slightly more relaxed. “Did you just say that?”
Searching her thoughts for what she’d said, she couldn’t think of one reason why her statement would have made him laugh. “Yeah, so?”
He crouched, wincing as he lowered himself. “Don’t you think you’re a little old to be saying something like that? I know I’m not the boss of you. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do my best to prevent you from making bad decisions. Besides, Kate would kill me if she knew I didn’t at least try to keep you off your feet.”
“And what about you? Clearly, you’re worse off than you’re letting on. So what are we going to do?”
Zane’s eyes narrowed as he peered in the direction from which they had come. “I guess I could try to carry you back to where the trails forked.”
Eyes wide, Ansley scooted back a foot or so. “No. Absolutely not.”
He quirked a brow at her, his lips twitching into a smile. “Why not?”
Because that would mean there would be no distance between their bodies. He’d be close enough for her to hear his steady breathing. Close enough to smell his cologne. Close enough to touch his skin. Ansley shook off those traitorous thoughts. “Because you’re hurt too. How can I expect you to carry me when you’re limping? And what if I weigh too much? It’d just be better to hunker down and wait for someone to come looking.”
Zane moved to within what felt like mere inches of her. “And do what exactly? Share our body heat?”
Her face warmed at his suggestion. That option sounded just as bad—or rather, so good that it was obviously a bad idea. She clutched at the snow in frustration. “I doubt we’ll be out here that long.”
She watched him wince as he settled into a seated position right beside her. His arm brushed against hers as he leaned back on both hands.
“How long do you think it will take before they notice we’re gone?” He gave her a side-eyed glance. “Do you suppose they’ll assume we snuck off to be together?”
Ansley gasped. “Of course not. Kate knows I can’t stand you.”
This made him turn. His expression was unreadable. Was he upset by that statement? Did he even believe it? The way they’d been catching each other’s gazes all night might have led him to assume she’d started to enjoy his company. Ansley huffed. He probably already assumed so because he was a little too cocky.
“What are you thinking?”
She jumped and glanced at him once more. “What? Nothing.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “No. It’s something. The way you blew out that little breath—I’m inclined to think that you’re not telling me the whole truth.”
“You’re a little too sure of yourself.”
“I’m very sure of myself, I assure you.” He picked up a handful of the soft snow and let it fall back to the ground. “Let’s just say I can sense these things.”
She huffed again.
“Say I’m right. For one moment, stand in my shoes. Do you think you have shown any indication that you can’t stand me today?” He chuckled, and the warm sound washed over her, warming her right to her core. “It’s fine. I have that kind of effect on people.”
Ansley scowled. “Maybe I’m just really good at acting.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so. But you know what I think?”
She stared at him, not willing to give him the pleasure of knowing just how curious she was about his answer.
Zane met her gaze steadily. “I think that you’re scared to like me because you know we could be great together. But you also know any relationship would be doomed.”
Her brows creased. “What? I’m not scared. And I don’t think we’d be good together.”
He shifted so his face truly was only inches from hers. His warm breath puffed out in little white clouds, grazing her cold cheeks and sending shivers through her body that had nothing to do with the temperature outside. “Oh? Because I know we would.”
Ansley gaped at him. What was she supposed to say to that? Was he saying he was interested in her? Did this mean he wanted to take her on a date? Her eyes remained glued on him. A very small part of her wanted to explore what it would be like to be in a relationship—even one with Zane.
His hand came up to her face, and he brushed his knuckles against her cold cheek. His voice dropped to a whisper. “I like your fire, Ansley. Liam knew exactly what he was doing when he decided to orchestrate this whole thing.”
“He did?” she murmured.
“He did. Only he didn’t account for one unavoidable problem.” His eyes studied her, and the soft smile he wore only added to the tremors in her stomach. “We’re both too smart to let ourselves get hurt like that.” Zane pulled back, his hand dropping back to his side. He focused down the trail they’d come from then glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “Definitely too smart.”