Need a Hero?

Look no further! We have another sizzling, hot hero to share! Oh, and he also has a rather nice, erm, bum. The hero from Zanna Mackenzie’s latest book If You Only Knew is Zane Ferguson….

Five Facts About Zane:

He’s an extreme sports instructor and an expert ice climber
He’s just arrived in the UK from Austria where he’s been working for a few years and is ready to put the past behind him… or so he thinks
He’s confused, battle scarred, avoiding getting involved and wants to bury himself in his new role as co-owner of the Carrdale Outdoor Extreme Sports Centre… until he meets Faith and decides perhaps he can risk a relationship after all…
He hiked to the North Pole for a charity event in gruelling conditions and is super fit
He’s about to discover that Matt, his best friend, business partner and co-owner of Carrdale, just happens to be Faith’s first love and he’s not happy about it!

Extract of Zane in action:

Faith shielded her eyes in the sunlight, watching Zane as he abseiled down the cliff face.

It was the day of the pre-launch for the Centre, when all the locals were invited to explore Carrdale and try out some activities for free. Zane had just led an introductory climbing lesson. It had been the first time she’d seen him climbing, and she’d expected to spend the whole time with all her fingers crossed, holding her breath until he was safely back on the ground. Instead she’s been surprised by her reaction. He looked strong and confident, moving nimbly across the wall of rock as he expertly found gaps and crevices for his hands and feet. His students responded well to his easy-going, friendly and encouraging attitude.

“That was pretty impressive,” Faith said moments later, as Zane appeared at her side, removing his helmet. “But now I know I shouldn’t watch you climb.”

“It’s perfectly safe, honestly. I know what I’m doing. I always do all the checks and I’ve got all the proper equipment. You don’t need to worry.”

“It’s not so much that.”

“What then?” Zane frowned.

“Nothing.”

“Come on, tell me.”

“Honestly. It’s nothing. Forget it.”

By now Faith was feeling embarrassed and wishing she hadn’t said anything.

“Nope.” He shook his head. “Come on, spill. I want to know why you don’t like to see me climb. I don’t want you to worry about me all the time, Faith. It’s safe, I promise you.”

Faith looked away.

“I didn’t say I didn’t like seeing you climb. Just that I thought it best if I didn’t.”

“Because? Come on. You know I won’t let it go. I can be stubborn when I want to be. You may as well tell me now and save me pestering you about it.”

Faith held her hands up in a gesture of surrender.

“OK. OK. Seeing you climb has a strange effect on me. That’s why.”

“I thought you said you weren’t worried,” he said, looking confused.

“I’m not. It isn’t that kind of effect.”

Zane turned to her, a grin quirking the corner of his mouth as he twigged what she meant.

“I think it’s sexy, OK? I think seeing you up there on the cliff face, so confident, strong and capable.” She lowered her voice. “It’s really sexy.”

He took her hand and led her behind a nearby tree.

“Sexy eh? So watching me climb turns you on?”

She nodded.

“And while we’re on the subject,” she went on, “in the interest of full disclosure, your bum looks totally biteable in your climbing gear.”

“Biteable? You want to bite my bum?”

He laughed, pushing her back against the tree and kissing her, lightly, teasingly, on the lips.

“Not right now, but yes. You see? That’s why I really shouldn’t watch you climbing.”

“If it has that effect on you then I disagree. I think you should always watch me climb!”

Faith playfully swiped him on the bum.

“Oh, and feel free to try that biting my bum thing later,” he added.

“Don’t take the mickey out of me.”

Zane put a finger under her chin, tilting her face up so she was looking at him.

“Believe me, I’m not taking the mickey. I’m quite chuffed it has that effect on you. And I have to warn you: I intend to milk that effect to the full.”

“Come on, man. I know it’s been a while since you had a girlfriend, but can you stop feeling her up long enough to lead this group tour of the Centre?”

Faith and Zane turned to see Matt standing a few feet away glaring at them both.

“Duty calls,” Zane said to Faith. “Want to join the grand tour?”