Cloudburst Ice Magic Page 5

  Lily closed and secured the door while Zach poked around the woodstove and Randy got out the radio. She tried to ignore how Caroline hovered around Zach, but her new possessive streak flared, a low growl rattling her chest. She frowned at the emotion and concentrated on starting some hot water on their little stove. They’d need it even if Randy got through to base on the radio.

  What the hell is wrong with me? I’m never possessive. But the red-headed woman’s fawning over Zach’s attention set her off and made her want to sink her talons into Caroline’s throat. Mine. Lily gave herself a mental slap. Jeez, get a grip. She gritted her teeth and lit the stove. The dull roar soothed some of her irritation and she took a deep breath to calm down.

  Randy’s low voice filled in below the rumble, but she couldn’t make out the words. Zach found an old lantern with kerosene in its reservoir and soon the pale light filled the shed. It made the old equipment look rather exotic, like an industrial exhibit in a museum. Lily would have appreciated it a lot more if she’d been there alone. She let her gaze rest on the others and watched Brad wrap his arms around Tammy as she leaned against him. Lily wished she could be held in Zach’s embrace.

  Let it go. Besides, he often said he prefers red.

  She stifled another growl as she set the water on to boil. Randy ended the conversation on the radio and settled beside her while Zach coaxed the fire in the stove.

  “What’s the news?”

  “Better than I’d hoped.” Randy held his hands out over the cook stove to soak up the heat. “Visibility is still a problem and the weather has revved up another notch, so no helicopter.” He shrugged. “But the good news is this shed has been mapped on a well known road with GPS coordinates so they know exactly where we are. If they can get snowmobiles through the weather, we could be out of here tonight.”

  “Did you tell them about our lack of stores?”

  “Yeah. They know we’ll need food. They’ll also radio when they get a team out.”

  Lily scanned their party. “They’ll need at least five machines to get us and the gear out.”

  “I don’t know if they have that many in working order. This storm has taken a toll on the gear.” Randy grimaced. “Someone might have to stay out here tonight.”

  Lily sighed. “I can. Just make sure I have food and fuel, and I’ll be fine.”

  “I can stay with you, Sinclair. It’s not good to be alone.”

  “No, you get your butt home to your wife. I’ll be fine and I can wait. There’s no one expecting me at base.”

  “What about Zach?”

  “What about me?”

  Lily raised her gaze to the impossibly beautiful blond man with ice green eyes and a deep yearning welled up in her chest. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and weep with relief. But the memory of Caroline’s seductive smile killed her emotion.

  “Randy says the base is aware of our location, but the weather is still proving a problem. They’ll have snowmobiles to come and get us, but they might not have enough for us and our gear.” Lily gestured to the others. “I’ll stay here if there aren’t enough machines for everyone. No one’s waiting on me and he has to get back to his wife.”

  “I’ll stay with you.” Zach gave her a half smile.

  “That’s not necessary. I can take care of myself and there’s no need to have more people out here.”

  Zach’s eyes narrowed as he tilted his head. “It’s better to have more than one person out here in case of an emergency. I’m happy to stay and back you up.”

  “He’s right, Sinclair.” Randy squeezed her arm. “I’ll make sure the hikers get down safely and the crew comes back for you tomorrow.” He shrugged. “It could be a moot point. They might have enough machines to take all of us.”

  “We’ll see. If not, I want you to get back to your wife with the hikers.” She shot Zach a look. “Zach can do what he likes since he isn’t supposed to be out here.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Randy nodded, but a frown creased his brow. “I’m going to check on the fire and get the others comfortable. You okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m good. Hot water will be ready soon.” Lily gave him a patently false smile.

  Randy nodded slowly and squeezed her arm before he picked his way through the equipment debris, leaving Lily alone with Zach.

  “What’s going on, Lily? Why wouldn’t you want my company?” A frown creased Zach’s silver brows.

  “Why don’t you ask your sultry red-headed companion over there? I’m sure she’d love it if you made sure she gets home safe.” Lily hadn’t intended to put so much venom in her voice, but her anger overrode her good sense.

  Zach grimaced. “I have no connection to her. I came here for you.”

  “Yeah, I can see that.” She gritted her teeth to hold back her unreasoning anger.

  “Hey, princess, talk to me. I can feel you’re upset, but I don’t know why.” He stepped closer and tried to take her hand. But Lily turned out of his reach, presenting him with her shoulder.

  “You don’t know why? All right. Let me make it really clear.” She faced him, tilted her head, and gave him a coy smile. “‘Oh, thank God, Zach. You found it. You saved us. How can I ever thank you?’” She batted her eyes at him before they narrowed. “That give you enough of a clue?”

  Zach snorted. “She’s just grateful to get out of danger.”

  “Yeah, you just keep telling yourself that.”

  He frowned. “I did point out it was you who got us here.”

  “Oh, I know you did, but you saved the day when it counted because of your superior nose. I can’t compete with that. Besides, I don’t have broad shoulders and a century of experience.” Lily glanced over his shoulder and snorted. “But hey, I’m sure she’d be fawning over me if you weren’t here. Here she comes on the prowl again, so I won’t get in the way of your well-deserved adulation.” She pushed past him as she snagged her pack. “Excuse me. I need some space to put the sleeping bags out.”

  Lily acknowledged her cop out, but she couldn’t stand listening to more of Caroline’s flirty repartee with Zach. Not without throwing up, at least. They had limited space in the shed and she wanted to be as far from the redhead’s efforts as possible. She was too tired to fight and wanted time to think everything through. Maybe it would be a good thing to be stuck in the mountains alone with Zach. She ignored the yearning of her heart as she focused on the gear.

  Chapter Eight

  Zach shivered in the blast of anger washing through him from Lily as Caroline joined him beside the camp stove. She gave him a warm smile as she held her hands out over the heating water pot. Zach nodded to her, but didn’t smile. Lily’s anger scorched him from across the room.

  “Have you heard any news of our getting out of here?”

  Zach fought the urge to frown, wondering why Caroline would ask him instead of Randy or Lily. Because she’s flirting, you moron. “Mr. Montesque got through to base and they’ll be sending snowmobiles for us. There’s a good chance you and your friends will be home safe tonight.”

  “Oh, thank God.”

  Better to thank Lily Sinclair.

  “Yes. You’ve all been really lucky.” The water churned in a slow boil and he turned off the stove.

  “Thanks to you.”

  Zach shook his head as Lily’s sarcastic words slid through his mind. Oh, thank God, Zach. You saved us. How can I ever thank you? “No, thanks to Ms. Sinclair and Mr. Montesque. I merely backed them up. They’ll get everyone to safety with the team coming tonight.” He poured some of the water into a cup and handed it to her.

  “Thanks.” She sipped the water and sighed with relief. “It’ll be good to get back to civilization and real warmth.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Zach would’ve preferred to be outside in the screaming snow and wind than stuck inside with his angry mate or this woman. He reached down to unzip his pack to give him some time to figure out what to do about both.

  “Hey, so, w
hen we get back down to the lodge, how ’bout I buy you a drink in thanks for saving us up here?” Caroline gave him a hopeful smile over the rim of her mug.

  And there it is. A spike of fury from Lily ignited Zach’s irritation over Caroline’s determined ignorance of his mate’s efforts. Zach covered it with a brief smile. “Thank you for the offer, but I won’t be accompanying you down tonight.”

  “What? Why not?” Caroline’s eyes grew to anime-size in her shock.

  “It sounds as if there won’t be enough snowmobiles for everyone and their gear.” Zach pulled out a thermal blanket and his heat packs. “Getting you and your companions off the slopes is paramount, but a couple of us must stay behind until tomorrow.”

  “Oh, my God, are you serious? You’re going to stay out here in this shack during the blizzard?” She laid a hand on his arm and Lily’s anger surged.

  Zach swallowed his smile at the horror in Caroline’s voice as he slid his arm away from her touch. Even without Lily’s reaction he didn’t like Caroline’s scent or touch on his body. His cock found no interest in the curvy redhead and remained quiescent in his pants. It only twitched when his thoughts turned to the hot night he’d have alone with Lily. Focus on the conversation, fool.

  “I’m prepared and more rested than all of you. And Ms. Sinclair will be with me. We’re both trained for this kind of situation and have the necessary gear for it.”

  “But it’s miserable out here.” Caroline scanned the shack with all the equipment. “Can’t they take all of us down together?”

  “We’ll see. At the moment, it’s not likely.” He shrugged at her look of disappointment, grateful she wouldn’t be around to set Lily off more. “Excuse me. I’m going to help Ms. Sinclair set up a place to rest.”

  He swung away from Caroline’s hopeful presence, wanting to be beside his mate with an urgency that had everything to do with his aching cock. He needed to touch Lily Sinclair, smell her, wrap her around him like a cloak of ice. Soon she’ll be Mrs. Snow rather than Ms. Sinclair. The thought made him smile until he neared his angry mate. He found her damn near thrashing the sleeping bags to the floor with quick, harsh motions.

  “Easy with the bags, Lily. You don’t want all the stuffing to come out before we need them.”

  He’d tried to be flippant, but the look she shot at him held enough venom to remind him of the rattlesnakes humans talked about at home.

  “Don’t worry. I’m sure there’s room for you to head down tonight to spend time with Ms. Benedict. I’ll have plenty of things to keep me warm here for the night.”

  Zach gritted his teeth. “I said I’d stay and I meant it.”

  “Look, Zach. I get it. I do. It’s been over a year since we’ve spent much time together and it’s hard to be alone.” She set a tarp down on floor and put the air mattresses on it, her shoulders tight with tension. “Maybe you wanted me back then, or maybe it was a line to get me out of my depression. Either way I’m grateful. But if things have changed and you want to find someone new, I understand.”

  A growl worked its way out of his throat and his hands fisted at his sides. “It wasn’t a line, Lily, and I don’t want anyone else. I mated you and no other woman interests me, particularly not a redheaded human with no knowledge of the Ice Demons.” He resisted the urge to pin her against the nearest wall and prove she was his mate. “I promise I’ll remind you of our connection tonight, one way or another.”

  “Zach—”

  “Trust me, Lily. Don’t give up on us yet.” He begged her with his eyes, hoping his expression would convey his sincerity. “Please.”

  She eyed him with her lips flat, but nodded. “Tonight then.”

  He hadn’t realized his gut was tight, but it released with her words. “Thank you.” He wanted to tell her he loved her, but the moment was lost when Randy approached.

  “So base radioed. They’ll be underway within the hour.” His haggard expression boded ill. “No telling how long it will take them to get here, but the snowcat is tied up rescuing skiers near the resort.” He lowered his voice and glanced toward the others standing around the stove. “There are only three snowmobiles in working order.”

  Lily sighed and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. You and the others have to get down tonight. There isn’t enough fuel or food to last for all of us. And you have to take them, Randy.”

  “There aren’t enough machines.”

  “There are if you don’t take all the gear with you.” Zach nodded to Lily. “Lily and I can keep it here with us until tomorrow. That way two of you can double up with the driver. Tomorrow you can send the snowcat to come get us and the gear.”

  “I don’t like leaving anyone behind.” Randy’s jaw clenched.

  “I know, but both Zach and I can handle ourselves out here, and we have the stove and our gear.” Lily laid her hand on Randy’s arm and Zach had to fight off the same anger he’d felt from Lily at Caroline’s touch. “We’ll be okay until the crew returns tomorrow. Did they say they were bringing fuel and food?”

  Randy nodded. “They said they’d restock the shed just in case.”

  “Then we should be fine.” She patted his arm. “Trust us. Get back to your wife and let her know you’re safe.”

  Randy sighed. “Okay, Sinclair. I’ll leave my extra food with you. It should be only one night.”

  “Don’t worry, Mr. Montesque. We’ll be fine.” Zach shook his hand. “I’ll watch out for her.”

  Randy shot him a half-smile. “You better. I don’t leave my partner with just anyone.”

  Lily snorted. “Is that because I’m a woman or because six months ago I was a trainee?”

  “It’s because you’re my partner and I take this weather seriously. We’re a team and I never leave anyone behind.”

  Zach grunted with approval. The Ice Demons’ Spring Fling made most snowfalls look like cottonwood fluff.

  “We’ll look after each other.” Lily gave them each a firm look. “That’s what SAR teams do, you know.”

  “What I mean is don’t underestimate this storm. Stay inside and safe. The crew will be back for you tomorrow.”

  “I won’t tell you not to worry, but get those people down safe. We’ll be fine.”

  Zach grunted. Better than fine if I have any say.

  Randy nodded. “Will do. Radio in every few hours so we know you’re okay.”

  “We will.”

  He nodded again and hesitated as if he wanted to say more, but instead gave them another short nod and joined the hikers to let them know what to expect. Zach watched the others gather around Randy and relief filtered across their faces. They’ll get down safe and I’ll be alone with Lily. Satisfaction filled his chest until he turned to help Lily set up the rest of the gear. Her lips lay in a flat line and her shoulders had tightened again, but some of her anger had mellowed. Zach didn’t try to break her silence, biding his time before they could talk about things and clear the air.

  Or not talk. Zach had plans for more than verbal communication. He just needed the others to leave and Lily would be his all night.

  Chapter Nine

  The rescue crew came an hour before dark with plenty of supplies. Lily helped them get the hikers ready to leave. All three had to leave their packs in the equipment shed, but Randy took his to make sure everyone would be secure on the way down.

  Zach oversaw loading what little gear they did take on the back of the snowmobiles and Caroline followed him around, trying to make a case for him to return with her to base. Lily gritted her teeth at the wheedling tones and fawning comments Caroline used. To Zach’s credit, he remained politely distant.

  “Thank you so much for saving us.” Caroline threw herself into Zach’s arms despite the snow falling harder. “We’ll be at the Cloudburst Resort for a few more days. Maybe I’ll catch up with you when you get down.”

  “I appreciate the offer, Ms. Benedict, but I already have a girlfriend.” He set the redhead back on her own feet. “I hope you
get down safely.”

  “You’re not married, are you?”

  Lily damn near choked. Holy shit, this woman doesn’t give up easily.

  Zach laughed. “Nope, not yet.”

  “Well, then, you just come find me when you get back to the resort and we’ll just see about that girlfriend.” Caroline tossed her head with a saucy smile and climbed on behind one of the rescue crew.

  Lily couldn’t stop the snarl ripping from her throat as she watched the woman wave to her mate with a playful smile. She resisted the urge to pelt Ms. Benedict with snowballs as they powered away.

  Randy gripped her in a warm hug despite the need to leave. “Be safe and careful, Sinclair. And don’t forget to radio in.”

  She dredged up a smile for him. “I’ll remember. Take care of your wife and give her my best.”

  “Will do.” He squeezed her one last time, then climbed on to the last snowmobile and waved has they sped off into the swirling white.

  Lily raised her hand in acknowledgement and fought to contain her anger. At least he told the phishing bitch he had a girlfriend. She swung around and stomped back into the equipment shack before she launched herself at Zach and beat him to a pulp. Yeah, they hadn’t seen much of each other for over a year, but he was the one who asked her not to give up.

  Deep breath, Sinclair. He did turn her down.

  But what made him laugh when Caroline asked if he’d married yet? Lily groaned as she ripped the stove door open and thrust a new piece of wood into the hot maw. She hissed as she barked her knuckles on the edge of the door and yanked her hand back, her fury surging with the pain.

  “Dammit!”

  “Lily, what have you done to your hand?”

  Zach caught her before she tripped over their sleeping bags, letting her rest against his chest. She almost burst into tears with the comfort she felt from him. Traitor!

  Zach scanned her face with concern when she only shook her head and fought her tightening throat.