“No, we didn’t think we’d need them.”
I shake my head. “The station.”
Vera nods, translating. “Head to the ranger station and wait for us there. We’ll fix you up with some. Drive slowly and don’t break suddenly. We’ll be right behind you.”
“You got it.” He takes off, much more slowly this time, finally listening.
We hurry back to the truck, but before I can shift to get in, there’s a massive crack from a tree at the side of the road.
My heart seizes in my chest and every inch of me turns cold as I imagine a huge branch smashing the front of the truck and crushing Vera. I’m too far away. I can’t get to her. Nevertheless, I’ve vaulted the hood and I’m blocking the door to the passenger side with my body when there’s a howl of wind and a crash. I brace, but nothing hits me. When I look around, I spot the damage instantly.
Thankfully nothing landed on the truck, but it’s not just a branch. The entire tree has fallen across the road, blocking the way completely.
It’s massive. Far too heavy for me to lift alone, and with this snow, I’d never get enough traction in the truck to move it. “Shit.”
“Oh my god! Bas, are you OK?” Vera is back out of the truck in an instant.
“Fine. Get in.”
“But—”
“Get in,” I growl.
She obeys.
I follow her, shifting but not bothering to dress again, simply slinging my pants over my lap for the time being. We left the engine running, so thankfully it’s warm inside the cabin. Outside the world is blanketed in white.
I shut the door and think. “I don’t think we should do anything stupid.”
“Uh, yeah. I agree. Just for argument’s sake, what’s stupid in this case?”
I scratch my chin where I can already feel stubble growing, though I shaved this morning. “That snow is heavy. I could try to go off road, but I’m worried we’ll get bogged just like the camper, and that does nobody any good. We can’t run the engine forever.”
“Mmm.”
“There’s an emergency shelter by the hot springs if we can make it that far. I have food and supplies. We’d be warm enough in there until the snow clears. But it could be a few days, or overnight at the very least.”
Vera chews her lip. “Okay.”
I frown. She sounds worried. “It’s not my first preference for comfort either, but it’s the safest option. The tourists should be fine if they wait it out by the visitor center, and there’s an emergency radio there. If they’re smart, they’ll stay put. We won’t do anyone any good if we get into trouble ourselves.”
She nods. “Yeah, you’re right. Don’t worry, I’m not bothered about being a little uncomfortable, it’s just…” She trails off, and I narrow my eyes trying to work out what she is worried about.
Normally I have a pretty good read on Vera. At least I used to. Lately, though, I can’t tell if I’m coming or going, which is down to me and whatever the hell is going on inside me. I know that. So I don’t push her. If she wants to tell me she will. “Good. Let’s turn around and get the truck as close as we can and take it from there on foot.”
“Right.”
She’s silent for much of the journey, looking out the window at the wall of falling snow rather than at me. Maybe she’s just worried about the conditions. That would be logical.
Frankly it’s making me a little nervous myself. Especially since I’ve got Vera out here with me.
I drive carefully, though inside my chest my heart is thundering and my instincts are screaming at me to hurry. Every minute the road gets thicker with snow, and there are a few hairy corners where the wheels slip and I have to hold my nerve until we get some purchase again.
Every muscle is tense.
If I was more aware of what was happening inside the cabin instead of being so focused on the road, maybe I would be questioning why the citrus and burned sugar smell of Vera fills my nostrils and teases my cock to life.
Now?
