Getting through the Hug-A-Tree session with her sitting in the back of the room had been tough. He’d fought to keep his gaze from straying her way, wondering if any of it was ringing a bell, triggering a memory of their night together in the woods.

The semi-admittance of guilt and the expression in her eyes had told him it had.

He showered and dressed quickly. Contemplated shaving, then decided against it. He’d seen the way she’d eyed the scruff along his jawline a few nights ago. He gelled his hair and sprayed cologne on his sweater. Then he stared at his reflection.

“Hope you know what you’re doing, man.”

Pulling up in front of Snow Trek Tours ten minutes later, she was waiting on the sidewalk. In that too-tight ski suit.

Damn. He’d been secretly hoping she’d buy her own suit. One that was big and bulky and hid the body beneath. His only chance of survival on the treacherous snow hills that day had depended on it.

Looked like he was screwed.

She waved, and her smile was tentative as she opened the passenger-side door. She was feeling as weird about this as he was. The only time they’d ever hung out together was with Cassie and usually a group of other friends. They’d never had a reason to be alone—except that one night.

Now, they were completely alone.

Alone in the silence of the cab of his truck with a thick sexual tension nearly fogging up the windshield. He could feel warmth radiating from her even though she sat as far away from him and as close to the door as possible, her gaze surveying Main Street and her hands toying with the tag on her gloves.

Hopefully, by the time they reached the Chugach Mountain Range, things would feel less awkward.

After all, this wasn’t a date. It was just him playing tour guide to a friend of his sister.

A hot, tempting friend who smelled like vanilla frosting. He couldn’t figure where the smell was coming from exactly—her hair? Her skin? Her lip balm? His eyes fell to her glossy pale pink lips, and the urge to taste them to see if his suspicions were right made him clutch the wheel tighter and turn his attention to the road.

He cleared his throat. “Good morning,” he said as she clicked her seat belt.

“Hi.”

“Did Tank pick up Diva already?” he asked. His buddy had offered to take care of the dog while they were gone that day so they wouldn’t have to rush back. The day trip would have them on the slopes for most of the daylight hours.

“About ten minutes ago,” she said. “He seemed a little worried about this trip Cassie’s on... Is it dangerous?”

Reed shook his head. “Winter camping is always unpredictable, but Cassie knows what she’s doing.” He worried about her, too, but no one had ever been successful in telling his baby sister what to do. And she was a more experienced adventure guide than anyone else in Wild River.