He expected her to drift off, but instead she moved against him until he was fully aroused. They didnt speak, but it was clear what she wanted. And when he sheathed himself and gently pushed inside her, she moaned softly. It wasnt like their previous encounters in the bedroom-wild and passionate, desperate.
This was gentle, almost soothing. For a long time, he barely moved, enjoying the warmth that surrounded him. To Charlies surprise, he found himself dancing perilously close to the edge, the power of his release relegated to his mind rather than his body.
Reaching around, he touched her, slipping his fingers between her folds and caressing that spot that made her crazy with need. She arched back against him, resting her hand on his hip. And when the spasms rocked her body, it was more than enough to send him over the edge.
They didnt say a word to each other, yet Charlie was aware of a silent pact that theyd made with each other. Her body was his refuge, a secret place hed found that no one else could share, a place where he could lay his soul bare without fears or doubts.
Evie had given him that gift and with it came a grave responsibility. Her happiness had become inextricably intertwined with his. They were no longer two separate people. They had a relationship now, a bond that couldnt easily be broken.
He closed his eyes and nuzzled his face into the hair at her nape. Was he feeling the first stirrings of love? Or was he merely trying to convince himself that he was capable of experiencing that emotion?
In the end, it didnt matter. Everything would become much clearer with time. And Charlie had more than enough time to invest in the woman lying next to him.
YOU NEED DECENT FOOTWEAR, he said, staring into the window of the outdoor equipment store. If were going to do any hiking, you have to have boots. Come on, lets go inside and get you a pair.
Charlie grabbed Eves hand and she reluctantly followed him inside. Hed become particularly obsessed with taking her hiking and Eve had to wonder what was behind the obsession. She had been quite content to spend the previous week in bed, but Charlie seemed to be growing less interested in marathon sex and more interested inexercise.
Eve wondered if this was just a prelude to the inevitable, a way to ease her into the notion of him leaving again. Though his first lecture at the university was scheduled for the end of the week, and the second four days later, it was conceivable he could pack his bags and leave the moment he was finished.
Eve had to prepare herself for that eventuality. And though shed done her best to maintain an indifferent attitude about the future, she knew their parting would come with at least a small amount of pain.
Shed grown used to having him near, to coming home to him each night, to exhausting herself in his arms before she fell asleep. It would be so simple to fall in love with Charlie Templeton, if shed only allow herself that luxury. But Eve had learned a few things from her failed marriage, the most important being never to depend upon a man for her happiness.
Charlie picked up a hiking boot from a display and handed it to her. These are the best, he said. I have a pair. Theyre easy to break in and theyre waterproof.
Why would they have to be waterproof? Were not going hiking if it rains.
We may have to walk through streams, he said. And if your feet get damp, they get cold and you get blisters. Believe me, dry feet are important.
These boots weigh a ton, she said.
Theyre sturdy. You cant hike in Birkenstocks, he said. Or those silly plastic clogs you wear in the kitchen.
Why do we have to hike at all? There are perfectly decent sidewalks all over Boulder. We could juststroll, Eve said.
Nope. Were going to get some real exercise. Youre feeding me far too much and I have to work it off. Since I want to spend as much time as possible with you, I figure you can come along and get some exercise, too.
I hate exercise, Eve said.
For someone who is so conscious about what you eat, you dont do a very good job with the rest of the equation. He turned to the salesperson, a petite college student with a nose ring. Wed like to see these in a size
Seven, Eve said.
Bring us a seven and a half, too, Charlie added. You should wear heavy socks with them.
Eve sat down on a nearby bench and kicked off her Birkenstocks. You know, I eat well because I hate to exercise. Ive had to make compromises.
Charlie sat down next to her, wrapped his arm around her neck and kissed the top of her head. Youll like it. I promise. Ill make it fun. Well go camping. And you can cook over an open fire. Wont that be a challenge?
Eve had been so busy at work the past weekend, she and Charlie hadnt had much time together beyond their time in bed. But carving out hours in the day for recreation seemed a bit strange-and a waste of what little time they had left. But shed given him a peek into her world at the restaurant. Maybe he was interested in doing the same. His world was the great outdoors.
Since the moment shed set eyes on him again, Eve felt as though the connection theyd made five years ago had survived their time apart. Everything felt comfortable and easy with Charlie. And there was no denying the sex was good.
But shed fooled herself once before with Matt, imagining that everything was perfect between them, only to discover that shed been wrong all along. Shed have to try harder to maintain her objectivity with Charlie, especially when he was doing everything in his power to charm her.
I thought we could leave tomorrow afternoon, he said.
Leave?
Well drive up into the mountains. I know a beautiful spot to camp, right by a lakeshore. Its about a two-hour hike in. Well spend the night and then hike back out in the morning.
Leave?
Well drive up into the mountains. I know a beautiful spot to camp, right by a lakeshore. Its about a two-hour hike in. Well spend the night and then hike back out in the morning.
I have to work, Eve said.
Come on, he replied. You know as well as I do that the restaurant can do without you for a night. Its a Tuesday. No one eats out on a Tuesday. He leaned closer. Have you ever had sex in the great outdoors?
No, she said. Have you?
No, he said.
You are such a liar.
Eve, when Im with you, everything feels like the first time.
There wasnt much she could say to that, Eve mused. She knew exactly how he felt. When they were together, her past experiences with men seemed to fade away until her only memories were of Charlie. Good answer, she said.
The salesperson handed Charlie two shoeboxes and he removed the larger pair and strung the laces through the hooks and eyes. Then he retrieved a pair of wool socks from a nearby rack and slipped them on her bare feet.
Eve watched as he tucked her foot inside the right boot and laced it up. This was his world, she mused. She was comfortable with knives and graters and small electric appliances, the smells and sounds of the kitchen. Charlie lived in a different world, a world of skies and streams, fresh air and rocky ground.
How do they feel? he asked after hed laced up the second boot.
Like Im wearing cement overshoes, Eve replied, rising to her feet. And theyre so attractive.
He looked up at her and gave her an impatient glare. Youll get used to them. Just wear them for the rest of the day to break them in.
Eve glanced at her watch. She and Charlie had shared a late lunch together, eating at one of Eves favorite Chinese restaurants a few blocks from the Garden Gate. I need to get back, she said. My sous-chef took the day off and Ive got a lot of prep to do for this week. Especially if Im taking tomorrow off.
He handed the sales clerk his credit card and Eve reached for it. You dont have to pay for these, she said.
I want to. Im pretty sure you wouldnt be buying them yourself, so theyll be my treat. And just to make sure you wear them today, Im keeping your Birkenstocks. He put her shoes in the empty box, then leaned over and kissed her softly. Ill see you later tonight.
Why dont you come in for a late supper? she suggested.
Ill do that, he said. Ill see you later.
Eve hurried out of the store, nearly tripping over herself in the hiking boots. Though she knew she looked foolish in them, the residents of Boulder were quite forgiving when it came to outlandish outfits. Boulder was a city of wildly diverse individuals. On her way back to the restaurant she saw plenty of tie-dyed T-shirts, Western wear and bicycle shorts.
The dining room was empty when she walked in the front door. She smiled at Sarah, who was stacking glasses behind the bar, then strolled into the kitchen. Lily had the luncheon receipts spread across the worktable.
There you are! she said, spinning around to face Eve. Her gaze took in the boots and she frowned. What are those on your feet?
Hiking boots, Eve said. Charlie bought them for me.
What happened to lingerie or perfume or a nice bouquet of roses?
He said Id need them if we go hiking, Eve explained.
And youd need a parachute if you were going to jump out of a plane. But I cant see you doing either of those things.
I can be outdoorsy, Eve said. Besides, hiking is just walkinguphillover rocks and branches and stuff. How hard can it be?
You must really love this guy, Lily said.
No! Eve cried. Far from it. Im trying my best not to love him.
Be careful, Lily murmured. I know how long it took you to get over Matt.
This is different. Im not planning to marry Charlie.
The kitchen door swung open and Sarah poked her head inside. Eve, you have a visitor.
Oh, good grief, Lily said. Cant he spend a minute away from you?
Its not Charlie, Sarah said. Its your ex-husband.
Eve glanced up at Lily and winced. What does he want?
He didnt say. He looks a littlenervous?
Eve nodded. I cant imagine why hes here, unless hes looking for a free lunch. She pointed at Lily. You stay in the kitchen. I dont need you stirring things up with him.
Lily had never been fond of Matt and she wasnt shy about letting her hatred show. Theyd met while Eve was going through her divorce. When it had come time to buy Matt out of the restaurant, Lily had decided to come in as a partner. It had been the best thing to ever happen to the Garden Gate. Lily was a wonderful business manager and a good friend.