The engine of the heavy black snowmobile came to life, vibrating against the thick ice of the staging deck.
Axel straddled the seat, adjusting his helmet over his hair before looking down at me. "Get on, Hazel. We're losing the light."
I hesitated, looking at the second machine parked by the columns. "I told you I can ride my own, Axel."
"You’re riding with me," he countered, his voice flat as he squinted against the rising ice mist. "That’s not a suggestion."
I climbed on behind him, my knees framing his legs. I didn't want to touch him, but as he slammed the throttle forward, the machine lunged over the snowbank, forcing me to throw my arms around his chest to keep my balance.
He felt like solid iron beneath his winter gear, his back blocking the worst of the oncoming gale.
"
