Oh, boy. She needed a handy fan to flap the heat away from her cheeks. These brothers were serious hunks. She possessed a defective character if she…lusted—yeah, that was the best description—she lusted after all of them. One peek at each of them and she imagined roving hands doing delectable things to her person. Perhaps Robert had rattled something loose when he’d struck her. Yes, that was a creditable explanation.
She sucked in a breath, staring at Leif as he watched her back, the same freaky glow in his eyes she’d noted in his brothers’ eyes.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he stated his intentions seconds before he stalked closer.
She blinked.
“In private.”
“Fuck, Leif,” Kirk snapped, his eyes flashing with temper.
“You’re a stranger,” Stig protested. “Give her time.”
Leif curled his strong fingers around her hand and tugged her close enough for their bodies to touch. “The bear understands.”
Puzzled, Fiona attempted to glance around his large body to view the cavernous warehouse. That made no sense. “What bear?”
Leif’s brows rose as he glanced at his brothers. “You have said nothing to her?”
Stig glared at his brother. “We wanted to get to know her first.”
Fiona attempted to step away from Leif. His heady alpine scent filled each breath, and she couldn’t focus with his body heat searing her skin. She required physical space because she sensed the importance of this conversation even if she struggled to comprehend the subtext.
Leif refused to release her, and in frustration she stamped on his foot. He blinked in surprise but didn’t budge an inch. Instead, his lips stretched in a slow grin, a delighted grin. “You’re right, Runt. Best not to rush things.”
“Like you are?” Kirk snapped.
“Stop. I’m right here,” Fiona said in frustration. She’d missed something. She had no idea what, but it seemed important. “Why are you talking about bears?”
“Isn’t that why you’ve come to Churchill?” Leif asked in a rumbly drawl.
“Yes, I need to book myself on a tour first thing tomorrow.” The fight seeped out of Fiona without warning, the hours of travel catching up with her. She must be more exhausted than she realized, her mind conjuring mysteries where there were none.
“We can help with a tour,” Kirk offered. “If that’s what you want.”
Fiona yawned without warning and slapped her hand over her mouth, mortified by her lack of manners.
“You’re tired,” Leif said. “Let me get you settled. We’ll let Runt and Kirk unload Bess.”
Kirk issued a heavy sigh. “Thank youverymuch.”
Stig offered his brother a final glare before he strode to the first of the sleds. “We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Come with me, sweetheart. You’re exhausted.” Leif slipped his arm around her waist and led her to the far end of the warehouse.
A set of spiral stairs wound upward, their footsteps resounding back to them in dull thuds. As they neared the top, she heard Kirk and Stig murmuring to each other before they started to unload the sleds. Doors bashed and crashed, and something squeaked in a high pitch.
Leif ignored the racket and opened a steel door at the top of the stairs. Once they were through and the door closed, the noise from below ceased. He removed his boots and she followed suit.
Unsure of what to expect, her mouth rounded as they stepped into a large open-plan room with comfy seating and a faux fireplace. Large, colorful woolen rugs covered the floor and gave pops of fall orange, browns, reds and green. Although she preferred a real fire, she hadn’t noticed a surplus of trees on the drive through the tundra, which was why, she presumed, the heating worked with another fuel.
A kitchen filled the far corner, separated from the lounge area by a long breakfast bar. Six sturdy bar stools sat beneath while a big table filled another corner, its proportions perfect for a celebration family dinner. A pile of bear figurines sat on the end of the table nearest her.
Fiona ignored the pang inside when she pictured families. She’d always wanted children—lots of children—because of everything she’d missed while growing up a lone child. Robert had told her they had plenty of time, and they should enjoy themselves and their time together while they remained child-free. In hindsight, she was glad he’d talked her into waiting. A child meant a tie to Robert, and this way, she could make a clean break.
“To the right.” Leif guided her down a wide passage, their footsteps silent on the stone tiles.
“Ouch!” She glanced down to see she’d stepped on a wooden figurine. When she picked it up, she saw it was a carving of a polar bear, the details intricate and perfect.
