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Nash
“I thought we were supposed to keep relationships with the hikers platonic, boss?” Don asked as he cleaned and packed away his cooking utensils.
I’d been watching Makenna—I know she said to just call her Mac, but that seemed too mannish, and she definitely wasn’t that as she went in and out of her tent. Her moves were slow and sensuous. I wondered if she even knew how sexy they were. I had a feeling she didn’t. She stepped back inside her tent, and I turned my attention to Don. What had he said? Something about platonic relationships with the hikers.
“Yes,” I told him. “We’re always in close proximity. Starting a relationship with one of them could get a little sticky.” I’d seen the way he looked at Rachel sometimes. I wondered if Don was asking if he could take it to the next level. I liked them both, so I wasn’t sure exactly how I should answer. “Why do you ask?” I wanted to make sure my instincts were right.
“Just seems to me that you’re pretty interested in Mac.”
I laughed outright at that, but stopped when I realized he was serious. I better put a stop to that kind of thinking right now. “She’s cute.” When he raised his eyebrows as if questioning my words, I clarified. “Okay, she’s sexy as hell, but believe me, the last thing I want to do is get involved with her. I can smell trouble a mile away, and she’s trouble.” Don was still staring at me as if he didn’t know whether to believe me or not. “She just went through a messy divorce. I don’t even think she likes men right now.”
In fact, she seemed pissed off around me most of the time. I frowned. I hadn’t done anything to her. Maybe it was men in general. I should’ve asked more questions when I’d spoken with her cousin.
“Okay,” Don finally said and changed the subject. “She says she’s an experienced hiker. Do you believe her?”
“I’m not sure. She did pretty good getting to the camp. Never once asked to take a break.”
“Yeah, but that was a walk in the park compared to where we’ll be going. I’m sorry, but she just doesn’t look as if she has the stamina for this kind of hike. I kind of wanted to explore some of the areas where we’re going. I’d hate to cut it short and have to take her back. I know it’s part of my job, but I’m just letting you know that I don’t like it.”
He walked off, having said his peace. Not that I could blame Don. Neither one of us was into babysitting. We always hit the trail knowing we could depend on the people who were with us. Why had I brought her?
She stepped out of the tent again. Okay, maybe I knew. When she’d gotten out at the resort looking all pissed off and glaring at me, I’d been turned on. That night, when she’d confronted me in the bar, I knew I wanted to fuck her, but then she’d taken a bite of the chip she’d dipped in hot sauce, and out of pure stubbornness, went back for more. That’s when I knew for sure I wanted to fuck her. Hell, I was thinking with my damned dick.
I let out a deep sigh as I wandered over to her tent. Normally, I left chasing girls to my little brother, Layne. He was a paramedic/firefighter and fell in love at least once a month. Well, I wasn’t about to start chasing them now. No matter how hot Makenna looked.
She’d gone back inside her tent, so I said, “Knock, knock.”
Makenna poked her head beyond the flap. “Oh, hi. I’ll get your bed.” She disappeared inside again.
I pulled the flap back and stepped closer, looking at the interior of her tent, then whistled beneath my breath. There were softly illuminated lights built into the walls and on the ceiling. The inside was roomy without being too large. Just right for one person. Maybe two. Two sounded good to me.
She abruptly turned, and we almost bumped faces. Her warm breath tickled my cheek. For a moment, she didn’t move. I couldn’t help myself, I leaned forward slightly, but before my lips could brush hers, she quickly moved back.
“Here’s the bed I was telling everyone about.” She nervously tucked a strand of loose blonde hair behind her ear as she thrust the small package toward me.
I gave her the space she silently asked for and turned the package over in my hand. “This thing will turn into a mattress like that?” I pointed to her inflated mattress.
She nodded. “We have larger sizes, too. Ones that will sleep two adults. All the way up to a queen-size bed.”
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, her face took on a rosy hue. I wondered if she was thinking the same thing I was thinking. Like, how nice it would be to wake up in the same bed. Yeah, I knew women, and Makenna wanted me as much as I wanted her, even though she was in the denial stage.
“We’ll be gone at least three or four days, you know,” I mentioned.
She wore a confused expression. “I’m always prepared to stay out for at least a week. What are you getting at?”
“Just that I make it a policy to keep all my relationships platonic when I’m working as a guide.”
She opened her mouth, then snapped it closed. I could see the anger building inside her. Damn, she was sexy as hell when she got pissed off.
“That’s good to know,” she said between gritted teeth. “Then I won’t have to worry that you’ll be bothering me, now will I?”
“Hey, I call it like I see it, and the signals you’re putting out are pretty strong. I know you’re divorced, and you’re probably pretty horny by now, so you just need to rein in your emotions. I mean, I don’t want any of the other guys picking up on the fact that you want to get laid.”
When she moved forward just a little, I stepped back. Her face was only inches from mine. It was all I could do not to pull her into my arms and kiss her until she begged me for more. When she slowly ran her tongue over her lips, it was almost my undoing.
“I don’t think I’m the one you need to worry about, hot shot. I’ve yet to get involved with anyone when I’m on a hike, and I don’t plan to start now.” She reached to the side and unsnapped the flap, letting it fall in front of me.
It was as effective as if she’d slammed the door in my face. I stopped myself just short of chuckling. I had a feeling she was right about dynamite coming in small packages. She was definitely a firecracker, and I definitely wanted to light her fuse.
But not while I’m out here. I’d known my words would piss her off, but it was the only thing I knew to do that would keep her at arms-length, at least while we’re in the wilderness.
Now, when we returned, all bets were off. I figured I could have her in my bed the first night back. Just thinking about what I would do to her gave me a hard-on. I glanced up at the starry night. There was only one thing I knew that I could do to find relief before I crawled into Makenna’s bed.
I groaned.
Not Makenna’s bed. I couldn’t think about the bed she’d given me as hers. It created too many fantasies.
I knew damn well she’d be trouble.