'I've been travelling these roads since I was a child.'
'Then I'm surprised you don't know about the hazards of melting snow.'
He definitely deserved a session in the sauna and a dip in the freezing lake afterwards, she concluded.
* * *
'We're nearly there,' she said.
'Good.'
Why the smile in his voice? Was he looking forward to their stay at the isolated cabin? She squirmed in her seat at the thought that he might be and then wondered angrily why she was acting this way. It was one thing bringing her city friends into the wilderness for a rustic weekend, but quite another bringing Emir down here when there could only be one outcome-
Unless he had had enough of her, of course, but something told her that wasn't the case. She'd stick with her decision to enjoy him and get him out of her system, Britt concluded, explaining that the nearest hotel was too far away from the mine to stay there.
'You don't have to explain to me, Britt. I like it here. You forget,' Emir murmured as she drew to a halt outside the ancient log cabin, 'the wilderness is my home.'
And now she was angry with him for being so pleased with everything. And even angrier with herself because Emir was right, the wilderness was beautiful in its own unique way, she thought, staring out across the glassy lake. It was as if she were seeing it for the first time. Because she was seeing it through Emir's eyes, Britt realised, and he sharpened her focus on everything.
'This is magnificent,' he exclaimed as they climbed down from the Jeep.
She tensed as he came to stand beside her. Her heart pumped and her blood raced as she tried not to notice how hot he looked in the dark, heavy jacket and snow boots. Emir radiated something more than the confidence of a man who was sensibly dressed and comfortable in this extreme temperature. He exuded the type of strength that anyone would like to cling to in a storm-
He looked downright dangerous, she told herself sensibly, putting a few healthy feet of fresh air between them. But the lake was beautiful, and neither of them was in any hurry to move away. It stretched for miles and was framed by towering mountains whose jagged peaks were lost in cloud. A thick pine forest crept up these craggy slopes until there was nothing for the roots to cling to. But it was the silence that was most impressive, and that was heavy and complete. It felt almost as if the world were holding its breath, though she had to smile when Emir turned to look at the cabin and an eagle called.
'I'll grab our bags,' he said.
As he brushed past her on his way to the Jeep she shivered with awareness, and then smiled as she walked towards the cabin. She was always happy here-always in control. There would be no problems here. She'd keep things light and professional. Here, she could put what had happened between them in the boardroom behind her.
Emir caught up with her at the door, and his first question was how far was it to the mine? With her back to him, she pulled a wry face. Putting what had happened behind her was going to be easier than she had thought. They hadn't even crossed the threshold yet and Emir's mind was already set on business.
Which was exactly what she had hoped for-
Was it?
Of course it was, but she wasn't going to pretend it didn't sting. Everyone had their pride, and everyone wanted to feel special-
Hard luck for her, she thought ruefully.
'So, how far exactly is it to the mine?' he said. 'How long will it take by road?'
'Depending on the weather?' She turned the key in the lock. 'I'd say around ten minutes.'
'Is there any chance we can take a look around today, in that case?' Emir asked as he held the door for her.
He was in more of a hurry than she'd thought. Well, that was fine with her. She could accommodate a fast turnaround. 'The mine is a twenty-four-hour concern. We can visit as soon as you're ready.'
'Then I'd like to freshen up and go see it right away-if that's okay with you?'
'That's fine with me.' She had to stop herself laughing at the thought that she had never met anyone quite so much like her before.
As she used to be, Britt amended, before Emir came into her life. Taking charge of her bag, she hoisted it onto her shoulders. 'Welcome,' she said, walking into the cabin.
'This is nice,' Emir commented as he gazed around.
He made everything seem small, she thought, but in a good way. The cabin had been built by a big man for big men, yet could be described as cosy. On a modest scale, it still reflected the personality of the man who had built it and who had founded the Skavanga dynasty. With nothing but his determination, Britt's great-grandfather had practically clawed the first minerals out of the ground with his bare hands, and with makeshift tools that other prospectors had thrown away. There was nothing to be ashamed of here in the cabin. It was only possible to feel proud.
'What?' Emir said when he caught her staring at him.
'You're the only man apart from my brother who makes me feel small,' she said, managing not to make it sound like a compliment.
'I take it you're talking about your brother, Tyr?'
'My long-lost brother, Tyr,' she admitted with a shrug.
'I can assure you the very last thing on my mind is to make you feel small.'
'You don't-well, not in the way you mean. How tall are you, anyway?'
'Tall enough.'
She could vouch for that. And was that a glint of humour in Emir's eyes? Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, after all. Maybe bringing him to the cabin wasn't the worst idea she'd ever had. Maybe they could actually do business with each other and have fun.
And then say goodbye?
Why not?
'Are you going to show me to my room?' Emir prompted, glancing towards the wooden staircase.
'Yes, of course. '
Ditching her bag, she mounted the wooden stairs ahead of him, showing Emir into a comfortable double bedroom with a bathroom attached. 'You'll sleep in here,' she said. 'There are plenty of towels in the bathroom, and endless hot water, so don't stint yourself-and just give me a shout if you need anything more.'
'This is excellent,' he called downstairs to her. 'Thank you for putting me up.'
'As an alternative to having you camp down the mine?' She laughed. 'Of course, there are bunkhouses you could use-'
'I'm fine here.'
And looking forward to tasting some genuine Nordic hospitality, she hoped, tongue in cheek, as she glanced out of the window at the snow-clad scene.
'Britt-'
'What?' Heart pounding, she turned. Even now with all the telling off she'd given herself at the tempting thought of testing out the bed springs, she hoped and smiled and waited.
'Window keys?' Emir was standing on the landing, staring down at her. 'It's steaming hot in here.'
Ah... 'Sorry.'
She stood for a moment to compose herself and then ran upstairs to sort him out. The central heating she'd had installed was always turned up full blast before a visit. She could operate it from her phone, and thoughts of turning it down a little had flown out of the window along with her sensible head thanks to Emir. 'I suggest you leave the window open until the room cools down.' Fighting off all feelings about the big, hard, desirable body so very close to her, she unlocked the window and showed him where to hang the key.
'This is a beautiful room, Britt.'
The room was well furnished with a thick feather duvet on the bed, sturdy furniture, and plenty of throws for extra warmth. She'd hung curtains in rich autumnal shades to complement the wooden walls. 'Glad you think so.'
Now she had to look at him, but she lost no time making for the door.
'Are these your grandparents?'
She did not want to turn around, but how could she ignore the question when Emir was examining some sepia photographs hanging on the wall?
'This one is my great-grandfather,' she said, coming to stand beside him. The photographs had been hung on the wall to remind each successive generation of the legacy they had inherited. Her great-grandfather was a handsome, middle-aged man with a moustache and a big, worn hat. He was dressed in leather boots with his heavy trousers tucked into them, his hands were gnarled and he wore a rugged jacket, which was patched at the elbows. Even the pose, the way he was leaning on a spade, spoke volumes about those early days. Family and Skavanga Mining meant everything to her, Britt realised as she turned to leave the room.
She had to ask Emir to move. Why was he leaning against the door? "Excuse me...'
Straightening up, he moved aside. Now she was disappointed because he hadn't tried to stop her. What was wrong with her? She had brought a man she was fiercely attracted to to an isolated cabin. What did she think was going to happen? But now she wondered if sex with Emir would get him out of her system. Would anything?
At the top of the stairs she couldn't resist turning to see if he was still watching her.