Preferring Zac’s company to Christy’s?

She was in deep trouble.

Feeling Zac’s gaze on her, she shrugged.

“What?”

“Are you all right?”

She had no intention of telling him how she felt. Imagine that. I like being with you, Zac.

“Of course I’m all right. Why wouldn’t I be?” She stretched out her muscles. “This is a cute place. And I prefer to be in a cabin called Reindeer than one called Wolf. It’s friendlier. And I like all the trees. Feels cozy here.”

The cabin was similar to the last one in style, but there was no view of the lake this time. Instead, they were nestled deep in the forest, their privacy assured by snow-covered trees that surrounded them like frozen sentinels.

“Robyn said this is popular with honeymooners.”

“Well, there you go. And here you are stuck with me,” she said, flashing him a smile, “when you deserve to be here with someone soppy and adoring.”

He hung up their coats and secured the outer door so that the interior stayed snug and warm. “You’re not going to be soppy and adoring? Damn. I might have to ask Robyn for alternative accommodation.”

“I can try and be soppy and adoring if you like. I’ve never done it before, but how hard can it be?” She cleared her throat, lifted her chin and fluttered her eyelashes. “Oh Zac, Zac, thank you for bringing me here and making all my dreams come true.”

He took a step back. “What’s that face?”

“What face?”

“That face you’re pulling.”

“It’s my soppy, adoring, alluring look.”

He held up his hand. “Don’t ever give me an alluring look again. It’s scary.”

She was affronted. “You think I’m scary?”

“Do I find normal you scary? No. Soppy, adoring, alluring you? Yes. Terrifying.”

“Oh.” She couldn’t tell if he was joking or not, but her competitive side woke up. “In that case I’m going to try again. It’s a question of practice, I’m sure.”

“Please. You don’t have to—”

“Concentrate. Give me a minute.” She adjusted her stance and composed her features. When had she last had this much fun with a man? The answer was never. But for some reason, it was easy to have fun with Zac.

Zac folded his arms. “You look as if you’re about to pick up a sword and impale me. And you’re definitely looking scary again. Unless that’s the intention. Are you threatening me with your allure?”

She ignored him, tugged off her hat and tousled her hair with her hands. “Oh Zac, Zac,” she said with a pout, “you’re so strong and handsome and—”

“Your hair is covering your eyes. You can’t see anything. Stop, I beg you stop.”

She brushed her hair away, trying not to laugh. “This is my sexy look.”

“Not being able to see where you’re going is sexy?”

She sighed. “Okay, forget it. Looks like you’re stuck with unromantic me for a few days.”

“Fortunately for both of us, soppy and adoring have never been high on my wish list for a partner, so we should manage to navigate a few more days in reasonable harmony.”