AllFreeNovel
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Chris was in the bedroom dressing for the first video segment. Earlier he’d been wearing comfortable lightweight pants—suitable for outdoor rambles—and a form-fitting T-shirt, suitable for showing off his assets to Daphne. If she was interested in seeing them, that is. He still wasn’t sure on that part.
For the shoot, he’d wear expensive cargo shorts and an even more expensive flannel shirt. Who knew flannel could be expensive? He wasn’t even sure anyone watching would know the difference, but the clerk at the trendy “gorpcore” store assured him it made a difference. Of course, given that the store catered to young Vancouverites who only wore their gorpcore fashion to the office, he suspected it wasn’t actually suitable for climbing mountains. In other words, Daphne wouldn’t wear this shirt. Even Zane probably wouldn’t. But it was what people would expect a guy like Zane to wear, so he’d bought it.
He was shaking out the shirt, wondering if he should iron it—do you iron flannel?—when a knock came at the door. The crew was outside eating their morning meal, with Daphne having added egg sandwiches to the menu.
She must be clearing plates and checking on him while she was inside. They hadn’t had time to talk since the bear encounter, and he really wanted to. His heart stuttered every time he thought of it.
A grizzly bear. Right in front of him.
“Come in,” he called.
The door opened as he gave the flannel shirt another shake, assessing.
“Good timing,” a voice said… and that voice was not Daphne’s.
He wheeled to see Sofia.
He started to apologize for welcoming her in when he wasn’t dressed. Then he realized Zane would not apologize… and she really didn’t seem to mind.
“Hello there,” he said, taking his voice down an octave as he offered a lazy smile. “I’m trying to decide whether this shirt will work on camera.” He lifted it in front of him.
“Is there an option for leaving it off?” she said.
He laughed his hearty Zane laugh. “Sadly, I fear I have little excuse for walking around bare-chested for this morning’s shoot.”
She moved closer. “On a more serious note, Zane, I wanted to thank you for saving my life.”
“Er…” He coughed and gave a solemn nod. “It was nothing. Really.”
“No, it was. I keep trying to focus, but all I can think about is that bear. It was”—she shuddered—“huge. And those claws.”
“The danger, truly, was minimal. I surprised it.”
“So you aren’t still freaked out at all? Your adrenaline isn’t still pumping?”
He hesitated and went for some honesty. “It was nerve-rattling.”
She stopped right in front of Chris, and he had to cement his feet in place. Stepping away was definitely not a Zane move.
Maybe she was just getting close to say something she didn’t want the others hearing.
Her hand touched his hip, and she moved up against him, face lifting to his.
Oh shit.
Chris Stanton would gently remove her hand, step back, and make an awkward joke. Zane… well, Zane would go for it, but that was out of the question. He needed to refuse without any risk of insulting or embarrassing Sofia. Make the wrong move, and she could retaliate by ruining the segment. Which was Daphne’s segment. Her book. Her career.
A laugh sounded beyond the door. The male camera operator’s booming laugh.
Chris straightened fast, eyes going wide. “Did you hear that?” he said.
Sofia’s hands slid up his bare sides.
“Bear!” he said, stumbling out of her reach. “The bear is back.”
He didn’t hear what she said. Didn’t see her expression. He was already running.
He yanked open the door.
