Without a word, he motions for me to lead the way, and my heart jolts. I’d almost rather we were arguing because I have no idea what I’m doing right now.
The breeze kisses my face as we walk quietly toward the lookout, the sound of our footsteps deafening in the night time silence. The higher we get, the faster my pulse races until my head spins.
What is going on with me tonight?
Since Zane’s distracted by the rugged path in front of us, I smile to myself in the hope that it calms me. But all it does is make me deranged, and I can’t take the silence anymore.
“Zane, I—Woah.” My ankle rolls as I trip and stumble forward, my stomach in knots while I fall toward the gully running beside us. Reaching for a branch, I catch myself, but a searing pain shoots through my hand. “Jesus Christ.” I falter, keeling over, nausea swirling through me.
“Blair?” Zane rushes to my side, tucking himself under my arm as he lifts me to standing. And with his height, that can’t be comfortable. He hovers low while I stand tall, only then taking a peek at my hand.
“Oh, fuck.” Blood pools in my palm and I dry retch when it drips down to the dirt, my body trembling. “Dammit.”
“Jesus.” Zane flies into action, curling his arm under my legs, effortlessly lifting me into his hold.
“What are you doing?” I shriek, but it comes out a little stuttered.
“I’m taking you back. We need to check out your hand, and to do that, we’re gonna need more than the light of your phone.”
“It’s just a scratch. I’ll be fine.”
Zane chuckles but otherwise ignores my protest. “I’ve heard that before.”
“When? I’ve never said that.”
“It wasn’t from you. Now stop wriggling. I need to dodge the trees.”
“Yes, sir.” Giving in, I reluctantly curl my arm around his neck and let him carry me back, my heart racing as I study his features, focusing on the rigid line of his jaw, fighting not to touch the light dusting of stubble. It’s darker than when we were younger.
Zane laughs at my appraisal, tightening his hold, his huge palm dangerously close to my heaving breasts.
We reach the parking lot in record time with me bouncing around as Zane jogs to the car. Without letting go of me, he opens his door and positions me under the light, squatting down to perch me on the seat. “Fuck, that’s deep.” He curses, his calloused fingers brushing across my palm. “You might need stitches.”
“I know.”
“Youknow?”
“I can feel it, Zane. I’m a nurse, remember? Do you have anything in your car that I can use to wrap it?” I glance into the back seat, finding it empty.
“I didn’t bring anything with me. It was an impromptu visit.”
“Why?”
“For you.”
“I get that but—”
“We arenottalking about that now, Blair.” His panicked voice makes me laugh, and for a moment, I forget the sting of my hand and the pain in my heart.
“Okay. Can you reach into my pocket and grab my key? I think I have a sweatshirt somewhere in the trunk.”
“Somewhere? We don’t have time for that.” Standing tall, Zane reaches behind his neck and drags his tee over his head—doing it in that way only men seem to do—and I watch with amusement. But when he squats down, my laughter cuts off, shocked to find his bare chest.
A stupid thought because…what else did I expect him to be wearing?
I inhale deeply, and with his shirt off, the smell of his skin assaults my nostrils, making me dizzy. He smells of sweat, masculinity, and nature, and the combination brings back memories I’d long forgotten. Stolen moments in his truck. His chest flush with mine, our hands roaming, mouths molded together while we fought not to go further than we should.
My lips part as my breath quickens, and it’s not until Zane announces he’s done that I’m pulled out of the past.
