Page 30 of Undoing His Innocent Enemy (Hot Winter Escapes)

He shook his head, trying to dislodge the confusing thoughts. And make himself concentrate on what had to happen now.

The plan had always been to leave her here, after checking her camera, while she waited for rescue. But after last night, he couldn’t seem to commit to all the reasons why he had to stick to his plan.

‘Don’t trust anyone, Arto, they are all just vultures who want to hurt you the way they hurt your mother...’

His grandfather’s oft-repeated warnings echoed in his head—but could do nothing to quell the insistent desire that continued to spike in his gut and make him want things he shouldn’t need.

And an answer he didn’t recognise spilled out of his mouth.

‘I could arrange to have the vehicle towed and repaired. You can stay with me until it is ready?’

The reckless offer shocked him—but not as much as the strange yearning that assailed him as he waited for her reply. Or the brutal rush of relief when her face softened.

‘I’d... I’d like that. If you’re sure it’s not too much trouble.’

Itwastoo much trouble. She was a threat. Someone he would be a fool to trust.

But even so, he couldn’t find the will to do anything but nod.

She remained silent as he called his contact in the local Saami community on his satellite phone and gave the older man the location of the broken snowmobile. He had always trusted the old friend of his grandfather’s not to give away his whereabouts—but this was the first time he had asked for his assistance in ten years.

As he threw his leg over his machine, his breath blooming in the frozen air—he couldn’t shake the thought that he had exposed himself.

But as he settled in the seat and switched on the ignition, he forced himself not to second-guess himself again. He couldn’t withdraw the offer now. Nor did he want to. But surely this yearning, this need was about nothing more than the intense sexual connection they had discovered last night.

Of course, he would want to explore it. Why wouldn’t he? Especially as she had made it clear she wished to explore it too. That did not mean he needed to trust her with anything else.

She climbed up behind him, then pressed herself against his back. Even through all the layers of clothing, he could imagine her subtle curves moulding to the hard line of his back. His heart stuttered as her arms wrapped around his midriff again and held him tight.

He manoeuvred the vehicle in a circle, to back it out of the clearing, then shot off along the tracks they’d made in the snow, to return to his sanctuary.

But this time, he was forced to acknowledge, he had invited her into his home... Willingly.

His heart hammered against his chest wall.

He did not know what that heavy beat was even about.

Until he convinced himself it was simply the bone-deep longing to have her again. In any way she would let him.

As they traversed the icy terrain, the adrenaline surged.

Why was he making this so complicated? And why was he second-guessing every decision? What possible threat could she really represent? The only reason he wanted, or needed, her company was to satisfy this vicious desire. This endless yearning. But once that was fed, once he had gorged on her, and she him, they would tire of each other. Solitude had always been his strength, and no woman could ever change that. Not even one as beautiful and confusing and fascinating as this one.

Cara felt the snowmobile’s engine rumble through her over-eager body as she clung to Logan, her face buried into his back to escape from the wind.

She was tired, exhausted even, from a virtually sleepless night spent going over and over in her brain what she should do next.

But she could hardly deny the feeling of regret as they’d driven out into the wintry landscape this morning, or the shattered relief when he had suggested returning to his house. Together.

She didn’t want to leave yet. Which was madness, she understood that. But at least she had her camera equipment now. So, she hadn’t completely jettisoned her professional priorities in favour of her newly discovered libido.

Logan had been brusque and businesslike when she’d appeared this morning, waiting for her to have a quick breakfast then get dressed in the cumbersome thermal clothing before meeting him in the garage.

The forest thickened and then opened out onto the huge frozen lake system that surrounded Logan’s home. The sun was high in the sky now, the eerie blue light making the snowy wilderness twinkle and glow. Her nose and eyelashes had begun to freeze even under her goggles, her extremities losing feeling even as he shielded her from the wind. She could feel his warmth through the snowsuit, his strength as he handled the cumbersome machine with consummate skill.

How could she have slept with him last night and still not know him at all? Had she made a mistake accepting his offer so eagerly? Especially as he still hadn’t mentioned last night. Why hadn’t she demanded to know exactly what his offer entailed?

She huffed, trying to slice off all the unhelpful thoughts before they could take root.

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