I take a running leap up the stairs and find Blake shivering at the panels. “The heat’s not labeled. I’ve never had to use it.” We try different switches until we finally figure it out. Then we run about readying the boat so it doesn’t drift away while we’re thawing. When I go back down the stairs I can hear the heater cranking, and I’m so ready to get Anna dry and warm.
What I see stops me in my tracks. Kopano is taking off Anna’s shorts. His hand is on her calf. Anger rumbles through me at this blatant act of intimacy.
I can barely get the words out. “Get. Your. Bloody hands. Off her.”
He freezes, caught. I am shaking all over now. It is my job to care for Anna. My job to touch her. Only me. All of my unvoiced fury over his betrayal comes back, full force, driven by the day’s horrific events.
He always knew how I felt for her, and yet he still pursued. Even now he thinks he has the right to touch her.
Kopano moves away and stands to face me. The girls, like mannequins, open their eyes and stare blearily up at us.
“She is in the worst condition.” Kope points to Anna. “The wet clothing must be removed—”
“Not by you! I can’t believe you’d take advantage of this situation.”
Deep down, I know the truth. I know he was not making any kind of advance, but the familiarity and openness he shares with Anna kills me. I want it gone once and for all. I can’t handle her being close to any other man. Anna would point out my own insecurities, but whatever it is, I’m feeling irrational and I just can’t stop. I need to be mad.
Kope’s eyes slant at me, seething. “You go too far, brother!”
Seeing his wrath ignited thrills me. I move forward, and so does he. It would feel bloody good to throw a wobbler right now—to pummel each other until we’re too tired and sore to be angry anymore. I owe Kope an arse-kicking, plain and simple, for kissing my girl when I couldn’t be in the picture.
“You will never touch her again.”
Kope’s badge is pulsing dangerously. I’m ready, fists clenched, blood and adrenaline rushing through me at a dizzying speed. We are face-to-face, anger growing, until we’re suddenly shoved apart and Blake is looking back and forth between us. His intervention causes my hearing to clear a bit, enough that I hear him say, “Go. Take care of Anna.”
With sudden clarity I remember the reason for all this. Anna. Hypothermia. Shite! I am an epic idiot. I shoulder past the guys and rush to Anna’s side. Zania helps shield her while I get her shirt off. Then I wrap the blanket around her and carry her to the bed. Her skin is like ice. I spread another blanket on top of her and she whimpers.
I wonder why no one else is moving into action, and when I turn, I see exactly why. My anger has been diffused and diverted, but Kopano is still standing there, battling his wrath within. His eyes are closed and his hands are curled tight. His breaths are labored. A pang of guilt stabs me. I did this.
Like the others, I stay very still, thinking of a way to make this better. I feebly consider apologizing, but I’m not even certain Kope can hear through the beast right now. I meet eyes with Blake beside me, and he gives a small nod, showing we’re on the same page—the two of us might need to take him down if he doesn’t calm on his own.
“Brother Kopano,” comes a smooth, sultry voice. His stormy eyes open heavily. My head snaps to Zania in the chair across the room. She no longer looks frail as she sits slightly forward, chin up, gripping the edge, though she’s trembling when she says, “Warm me?”
Kopano and Zania stare at each other, and for a moment I’m worried his beast will change from wrath to lust. His attention has narrowed singularly to Zania, and he seems to fight for control as he prowls across the small room to her. Kopano takes off his shirt to show his broad shoulders, and Z starts to take off her own. I shoot a look at Blake, but Kope manages to stay in control as he approaches her. He grabs a sheet to shield her as she removes her wet clothing. Then he carries her to the bed and he lies behind her, spooning against her back. He is still rigid. Still fighting for control.
He glares at me for good measure, and I hardly blame him. Then he snuggles Z and closes his eyes. The girls, side by side, give each other little smiles. Anna rolls over and fits her back against Zania’s front, looking at me.
A tremble of deep cold shakes me as I try to relax. I lift the covers and mold myself to Anna’s curled form, where she buries her face against my chest. Blake climbs in and presses his bare back against mine, as we try desperately to warm ourselves after the hours submerged in frozen water.
The bed shakes with the tremors of five people. Anna, seeking more skin-to-skin contact, slides her knee between my thighs and I choke back a moan. This is not sexual, I tell myself. I scoot even closer, spreading my hand over her hip. She’s okay. We’re all okay. For now.
I close my eyes, letting myself remember the one good thing that came of today’s dreadful events. I finally told Anna I loved her. Life is too short to live as a coward. I swear to myself at this moment that I will never hold back from Anna again.
I’m happy when Anna and Zania fall asleep. I kiss Anna’s hairline and bury my nose in her neck. After an hour I finally feel warm again. I elbow Blake, who rolls out of bed behind me.
Kopano also rises, and sits on the edge of the bed with his back to us. Blake puts his wet clothes back on with a grimace.
“I’m gonna start the boat and get us out of here,” he says. Kope and I both nod.