my ego can’t handle another twenty-four hours of this. I grab the key. It’s always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, and I’ll make sure the ATV gets returned to him tomorrow.
I tiptoe into the bedroom and tug on the sweatpants lying across the bed that Marcus was wearing this morning, pulling the string as tightly as I can around my waist and rolling up the legs. I quickly pull on my stiletto boots—not ideal, but at least they’ll keep my legs warm—and the fleece jacket, hat, and mittens Marcus had loaned me earlier. Then I slip out the door.
It turns out there are two ATVs, but lady luck is on my side because the key I grabbed works in the first one I try. In no time at all, I’m churning through the snow down the driveway and toward freedom, huge walls of snow flying up behind me as the wheels try to make purchase in the icy snow.
Marcus had mentioned that his cabin was off the same major road as Five Pines, just ten miles further up the mountain, so I figure if I just follow the road down the mountain, I can’t miss it. Unfortunately, the road is blanketed in snow, making it hard to tell where it is. But once I orient myself with the line of trees and the narrow path in between them, I figure it’s a pretty straight shot.
The road is both steep and slippery, and despite the fact that the vehicle is made for snow, I find myself fishtailing more often than not. And the damn snow keeps falling! I can barely see two feet in front of me and it’s freezing. I can’t believe just yesterday I thought the snow was beautiful.
I’ve been steadily chugging along the road through the blinding snow for what I estimate to be about a mile when the road comes to an abrupt fork. Because the snow flurries have gotten heavier, obscuring my vision, I don’t see it until I’m about to plow into a tree. Although I know better, pure instinct has me slamming on the brakes. The ATV skids several feet sideways and I scramble to turn into the slide but I’ve lost control of the vehicle. It hits something buried under the snow and comes to a complete halt, but physics prevail and I go flying over the handlebars.
Chapter Six
Ariana
I land in a thick drift of snow, which is kind of like landing on a soft, cold pillow. I lay still for a minute, trying to slow my heart rate, figure out what just happened, and determine if I’m still alive.
I hear the sound of a motor approaching and then Marcus’ voice. “Ariana! Ari! Are you okay?”
His gorgeous face appears above mine, his forehead creased with worry. “Don’t move,” he barks.
“I’m fine,” I insist. “The snow was soft.” I sit up to show him that I’m okay and brush some of the snow off my jacket. He starts carefully moving my legs. “Does this hurt?”
“No. I’m okay! I promise.” I look over at the ATV. “I hope I didn’t damage your ATV.”
“The hell with the ATV,” he growls. “It’s replaceable. You’re not.”
He scoops me up into his arms and he’s so warm and solid and safe that I can’t help but snuggle closer to him. He carries me over to his ATV and gently sets me onto the seat. “You okay to ride back? You need to get out of the cold.”
I nod. His obvious and genuine concern for me is starting to make me feel guilty. “I’m not hurt.”
He shoots me one more doubtful look and then climbs on behind me. His arms band around me as he grips the handlebars, his powerful thighs hugging mine as he starts the vehicle. I lean back against his solid chest. Marcus has always been able to effortlessly make me feel protected and taken care of.
He drives us slowly back up the mountain road, careful to stay in a track of packed snow that he must have made when he followed me. My tracks, although almost covered by new snow, look erratic in comparison. There’s clearly a method to driving in this kind of snow that I know nothing about.
Back at the cabin, he parks the ATV under the carport and bundles me back into
I tiptoe into the bedroom and tug on the sweatpants lying across the bed that Marcus was wearing this morning, pulling the string as tightly as I can around my waist and rolling up the legs. I quickly pull on my stiletto boots—not ideal, but at least they’ll keep my legs warm—and the fleece jacket, hat, and mittens Marcus had loaned me earlier. Then I slip out the door.
It turns out there are two ATVs, but lady luck is on my side because the key I grabbed works in the first one I try. In no time at all, I’m churning through the snow down the driveway and toward freedom, huge walls of snow flying up behind me as the wheels try to make purchase in the icy snow.
Marcus had mentioned that his cabin was off the same major road as Five Pines, just ten miles further up the mountain, so I figure if I just follow the road down the mountain, I can’t miss it. Unfortunately, the road is blanketed in snow, making it hard to tell where it is. But once I orient myself with the line of trees and the narrow path in between them, I figure it’s a pretty straight shot.
The road is both steep and slippery, and despite the fact that the vehicle is made for snow, I find myself fishtailing more often than not. And the damn snow keeps falling! I can barely see two feet in front of me and it’s freezing. I can’t believe just yesterday I thought the snow was beautiful.
I’ve been steadily chugging along the road through the blinding snow for what I estimate to be about a mile when the road comes to an abrupt fork. Because the snow flurries have gotten heavier, obscuring my vision, I don’t see it until I’m about to plow into a tree. Although I know better, pure instinct has me slamming on the brakes. The ATV skids several feet sideways and I scramble to turn into the slide but I’ve lost control of the vehicle. It hits something buried under the snow and comes to a complete halt, but physics prevail and I go flying over the handlebars.
Chapter Six
Ariana
I land in a thick drift of snow, which is kind of like landing on a soft, cold pillow. I lay still for a minute, trying to slow my heart rate, figure out what just happened, and determine if I’m still alive.
I hear the sound of a motor approaching and then Marcus’ voice. “Ariana! Ari! Are you okay?”
His gorgeous face appears above mine, his forehead creased with worry. “Don’t move,” he barks.
“I’m fine,” I insist. “The snow was soft.” I sit up to show him that I’m okay and brush some of the snow off my jacket. He starts carefully moving my legs. “Does this hurt?”
“No. I’m okay! I promise.” I look over at the ATV. “I hope I didn’t damage your ATV.”
“The hell with the ATV,” he growls. “It’s replaceable. You’re not.”
He scoops me up into his arms and he’s so warm and solid and safe that I can’t help but snuggle closer to him. He carries me over to his ATV and gently sets me onto the seat. “You okay to ride back? You need to get out of the cold.”
I nod. His obvious and genuine concern for me is starting to make me feel guilty. “I’m not hurt.”
He shoots me one more doubtful look and then climbs on behind me. His arms band around me as he grips the handlebars, his powerful thighs hugging mine as he starts the vehicle. I lean back against his solid chest. Marcus has always been able to effortlessly make me feel protected and taken care of.
He drives us slowly back up the mountain road, careful to stay in a track of packed snow that he must have made when he followed me. My tracks, although almost covered by new snow, look erratic in comparison. There’s clearly a method to driving in this kind of snow that I know nothing about.
Back at the cabin, he parks the ATV under the carport and bundles me back into
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