Melt Read Online Free PDF Page B

some things prepared.”
    “That’s very conscientious of you,” he said lightly.
    “That’s because I don’t have long to get my work done here.”
    “Yeah, but you know they stock really nice beer in the bar?” He wanted her to stop for a minute and enjoy the scene.
    That got a good smile from her. “I’m sure they do, but I really need to do some work.”
    Hunter frowned as she left the room. He was the first to work extra-long hours, but this was her first night on the ice… She didn’t want to stay and mingle with the other residents at all? She was too quiet, too reserved, only observing when she should be having even just a little fun. He wanted to show her some fun.
    Her determined retreat bothered him more than it should. Why did he have this urge to chase her and bring her back to appreciate what she was missing? Hell, there were plenty of other women to talk to and tease in the base bar if he wanted. But it wasn’t merely the tease he liked. He wanted to know what was behind those walls she was building—and why. Worse, he wondered why it was only her laughing response that warmed him the way it did.
    He glanced out the window at the bright white scene. A slow smile curved his mouth. Surely she was too smart to be able to resist that view for long.
    …
     
    Emma escaped the crowds, needing some alone time and knowing that five minutes in the bunkroom was probably all she was going to get, for tonight anyway.
    She picked up her e-reader but soon discarded it for her sketchbook. She needed to get her head in gear for working hard over the coming days. But she couldn’t settle to that either with her blood zinging around her body like she’d had fifteen coffees in a single sitting. No way was sleep hitting anytime soon. How could it when she was in Antarctica and it was broad daylight in the middle of the night?
    She pulled back the thick curtain and stared out the window until Bridget came in, eager for an early night, given she was going to the camp ultra early in the morning. Emma went back to the lounge so Bridget could sleep. She could at least keep her eyes on that amazing view—thanks to the unending light—and she figured most of the other residents would have gone to bed by now, too.
    She walked back along the corridor, peeking out every window she passed. So busy absorbing the brilliant landscape she didn’t see the figure waiting at the door to the lounge until she was right next to him.
    “I knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep.” Hunter grinned at her startled jump. “First night on the ice, first chance to experience midnight sun. Come on.” He jerked his head toward the view and started off down the corridor. It wasn’t any darker than when their plane had landed in the late afternoon. It was weird.
    “We’re not allowed out, are we?” she whispered, half scandalized as she scurried to keep up with him.
    “Not without our decent gear on.”
    “No, I mean at all.”
    “You’re allowed to go five paces down the path. In fact, once you’re done with your safety training, you can go hiking for miles around the recreation areas. Do you want to?”
    Of course she wanted to. She was dying to get out there.
    “Come on, put on your jacket.”
    She put it all on—gloves, trousers, hat, big jacket—but not her goggles or her sunglasses. She wanted to see this world with bare eyes for a few minutes.
    Stepping outside and breathing in the sharp air was a painful pleasure. She walked alongside him over the stomped snow path toward the boundary markers. He bent and scooped up some snow, flinging a ball in her direction.
    “I’m not play fighting with you.”
    He looked like a little boy who’d been told he couldn’t have pudding. She ignored him and looked at the sky, unable to walk as she tried to take it in. It was indescribable. She closed her eyes, wanting to blink and blink to ensure it wasn’t a dream.
    “You’re supposed to be looking at the view,” she heard him say.