When I turn back around and find myself looking at an almost seven-foot wall of naked man, I let out a little gasp.
He’s shifted back, presumably so we can talk. He’s standing close to me. So close I can appreciate all the little details, like the way his broad chest is covered in hair and his pecs are so defined and his abs—
OK, keeping my eyes way above his thick abs. Way above.
Bas shifts a little uncomfortably. “Sorry. I can’t talk when I’m a bear.”
“No, I get it. Can you scent anyone?” I’m absolutely not going to let my eyes flick down to where something very large hangs between his thighs. This is normal. I can be normal.
God, why do I feel so hot? The air is icy.
Shifters are naked around each other all the time. I’m the loser for making this something it’s not. But oh, how I wish it was.
“Yeah, but the trail is old. They might have started here, but they didn’t stay long.”
“Should we keep looking?”
He shifts back, and we check two other likely locations but find no one. By this point it’s snowing. It’s light and the snowflakes cling to my cheeks as Bas runs. I’m worried he’ll be cold since they cling to his fur too, but he doesn’t seem to feel it. My fingers feel like icicles.
When he turns back for the truck, he doesn’t have to shift to tell me what he’s thinking. Conditions are going to get dangerous real fast if the campers are unprepared.
“Would they have tried the hot springs?” I have to raise my voice over the wind.
He lets out a huff I think means yes and picks up speed.
The trail to the hot springs still hasn’t been cleared and won’t be until it’s safe to get a team out to do it. They could get trappedthere if they’ve been stupid enough to walk around it on foot. Especially if the slide gets worse.
We make it back to the truck quicker than I’m expecting, and I start the engine while Bas shifts and dresses. “Do you think we need to put the chains on?” I ask him.
He squints up at the sky and shakes his head. “No, but we will soon if it gets any heavier.”
I expect him to tell me to get out, but he slides into the passenger side and jerks his head to indicate that I should get going. “You know the way?”
“Yeah.” I have to put the seat all the way forward to reach the steering wheel, but it feels great to drive his big truck. Most guys would be watching closely, not trusting me, but Bas has his eyes focused on the road as he searches for the tourists.
Snow is falling faster now, and the horizon is misty white. I speed up the wipers and lift my foot off the pedal, easing back on the speed on the bumpy road.
We’re almost at the parking lot when we spot a large white camper coming the other way. It’s almost invisible in the snow until it’s right on us, and I nearly run right into them. I flash the lights and slam my hand down over the horn while Bas curses.
Thankfully they pull over, so I stop the truck and we jump out, leaving the engine running.
“Park is closed.” Bas strides over and leans an arm on the top of their van to talk to them through the window. I wonder how his tone is so calm when he was cursing them a moment ago.
I catch a glimpse of a nondescript white woman with a beanie pulled down low on her head and her cheeks flushed from the cold. The man beside her has tanned skin and flecks of gray in his beard. They’re definitely old enough to know better.
“Oh, is it?” Her innocent look isn’t fooling either of us.
“Yeah, maybe you missed the way the gate was padlocked shut,” I snap.
Bas turns back to give me a wry smile and a shake of his head.
I pull myself into line. I’m still mad, but I’ll take his lead on this.
“As I was saying. Park’s closed. Conditions are dangerous. You’re lucky I don’t arrest you. What I am going to do is escort you back to the main road, and I want you to set your vehicle in low gear and take it nice and slow, alright?”
“I don’t need you to tell me—” the male begins, but his partner hushes him.
Her face looks pale, and I wonder if she realizes they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.
