Now the reception area was filled with a group of people, drinking sodas and nibbling on munchies-the custom pre-trip meeting. She took in the faces, and then one in particular-Keiths, and just like that, she was no longer quickly approaching her thirtieth birthday without a plan, but was a nervous eighteen-year-old.
Lily, he said, and crossed the room toward her. His sun-kissed-wheat hair was still long to his shoulders. His baby blues, always smiling, had a few more laugh lines, but as was typical of a man, they only added character. At five-ten, his body was still whipcord-lean and tough, ready for his next trip or climb or adventure or whatever.
One never knew with Keith.
Itd been part of his appeal. She waited for the onslaught of more emotions, but interestingly enough, they didnt come, and that disappointed her even as she knew it was silly. What had she expected, to immediately be transported back to herself?
Maybe a little, she admitted, no matter how unrealistic that had been.
Keith put his hands on her arms and pulled her in, kissing one cheek, then the other, lingering with both far longer than social decorum called for.
Not that Keith had ever been concerned with social decorum. Hed always done what he wanted, when he wanted, never caring what anyone thought. That had been incredibly appealing to her back then, and she smiled now, leaning into him as if he could infuse her with his strength, his zest.
You look amazing, he said for her ears only, handing her a drink from a nearby tray. Now let me introduce you to your group. Everyone, he called out, stopping the light conversation and chatter in the room with just the one word, apparently clearly still carrying charisma around in spades. This is Lily Peterson. He squeezed her shoulder, smiled down into her face. Ive put her bio in your packet, but heres your chance to meet her in person and ask her any questions youve stored up.
You look amazing, he said for her ears only, handing her a drink from a nearby tray. Now let me introduce you to your group. Everyone, he called out, stopping the light conversation and chatter in the room with just the one word, apparently clearly still carrying charisma around in spades. This is Lily Peterson. He squeezed her shoulder, smiled down into her face. Ive put her bio in your packet, but heres your chance to meet her in person and ask her any questions youve stored up.
Everyone began chattering at once, and Keith laughed.
Not Lily. She didnt often get nervous. After all, shed once been stuck on a mountain in a blizzard with no hopes of survival, and shed gone down a class-six rapid and had her kayak break apart on the rocks all around her. Hell, shed fallen off a cliff and broken her back, to be told shed never walk again.
But this first meeting of peoplethis got to her. She took a quick sip of her drink and forced a smile. Hello, everyone.
Lets start with Rose McCall. Keith gestured to the woman closest to Lily. Rose is a real estate agent from downtown, and is looking for something new and fun to do with herself. Hence the hike.
Rose waggled her fingers at Lily. Her nails were long and purple-tipped, encrusted with diamonds. Looking forward to this, let me tell you. She wore designer jeans, low on her curvy hips and so tight Lily had no idea how the woman moved. Her black halter top was covered in sparkles that matched her five-inch heels. Her carefully applied makeup masked her age, but Lily would have guessed late thirties.
The Woman on the Prowl, Lily thought as she shook her hand. Nice to meet you.
Rose smiled. Likewise. I have a question. How do you feel about sandals?
On the trail?
Yes. My feet like to be cool. My toes need to breathe.
Probably theyre going to want to breathe before and after the trip, Lily said as diplomatically as she could. Boots are definitely best.
Agreed, Keith said, and with his hands on Lilys shoulders, turned her toward the next group member. And this here is Roland Rocklin.
Roland was a twenty-something guy dressed in all in black from head to toe, black fatigues, black form-fitting T-shirt, black combat boots, and he was so gorgeous Lily actually blinked.
Rock, Roland corrected, and held out his hand, a movement that set off all kinds of rippling muscles to go with his engaging smile.
Wrestler? Lily asked, thinking The Hottie. Shed never say her labels out loud, but shed always had fun characterizing her groups. And she was already-shocking-having fun.
Boxer, Rock told her with a quick grin. My trainer bought me this trip for my birthday, said I was a pansy-ass-er, a wuss if I didnt make it to the end.
Oh, youll make it to the end, Lily assured him. No one was giving up on her watch, not even her, not if it killed her. We all will.
Good to hear. Rocks gaze slid over to Rose, who was retying her halter top. When the material slipped, she caught it just before exposing a nipple.
Oops. She laughed gustily. Sorry, dont mind me. But let me just say, I do like the idea of all of us getting to thegrand finish.
Rocks tongue fell out. Lily figured he was lucky he didnt start drooling.
Keith cleared his throat. Moving on. Lily, meet Jack and Michelle Moore. He gestured to the young couple on the other side of Rose. They were both dressed to the nines, and built like they lived in a gym, not to mention California-perfect blond. The trip is their one-year anniversary present from Michelles father.
Presentor torture rack, Michelle said as they both shook Lilys hand.
No torture, Lily assured her.
Yeah. Um, I was wondering. Michelle leaned in. If theres any way you could just pretend we went on this trip. You know, if my father asked.
Lily blinked. Pretend?
Dont listen to her, Jack said. Were going. He looked at his wife. You agreed to go so you dont lose your allowance. If its that important to you, you go.
Michelle sighed. Fine. Butcould we arrange for a later start time so we dont have to get up quite so early?
Lily shook her head. Im sorry, no. We have to leave at eight.
Michelle pursed her perfectly glossed lips. Eight is ungodly.
That may be, but we have a schedule. Its the start time.
Huh. She considered that a moment. Well, what happens if someonessay, like, late?
Lily glanced at Keith, who simply raised a brow. Passing the buck. Something he was good at, she remembered. He didnt like to be the bad guy. If youre late, she said gently but firmly. Youll probably get left.
Michelle looked intrigued by that, but Jack shook his head. Michelle.
Oh, fine. Well be there.
Behind them, the office door opened, and in came
Ah, Keith said, with a welcoming smile. The last member of the group, Jared Skye.
The man who gave up parking spots, stopped to pet stray dogs and opened doors for temperamental women now had a name.
He smiled at Lily, and the oddest thingsomething happened low in her belly. It was a pit of knowledge-by the end of this trip, they would have a history, this man and herself. Somehow, in some way, she knew it.
She just didnt like it.
He slipped out his earpiece and shook hands with Keith, who turned to Lily and brought her close to his side. Jared, meet Lily, your guide.
Jared looked startled for one moment before carefully masking it, probably wondering how someone with a handicap sticker could possibly be a hiking guide. That, or worse, he was thinking she was some sort of fraud, and Lily ground her back teeth and cursed herself all over again.
Keith handed Jared a drink. A word of warning with this one, Jared. He said this with a warm, intimate smile for Lily. Dont be late for the takeoff, or trust me, your beautiful guide here will leave you standing in the dust. Ive been there myself.
Ill be on time. Jared tipped his glass toward Lily in a toast, eyes warm, smile genuine. To a good start and a great trip.
Again, she experienced an unsettling little sizzle, and she gave Jared Skye a second look as they all drank to his toast. Sure his eyes were compelling with that odd mix of chocolate and sea-green, and yes, he had that contagious smile which mixed self-deprecation and good humor, but those things werent enough.
Right?
Keith was dividing a glance between Jared and herself, as if he could feel the inexplicable electric current. You two know each other?
Not exactly. Jared smiled into Lilys eyes. But Im guessing that this time Ill be thanking you.
I havent taken you anywhere yet, she said. You might hate it.
You think so?
She scanned his lanky frame, and was surprised to find her gaze lingering. His face was clean-shaven, and while not exactly pale, certainly not tanned and rugged from any amount of time spent outdoors. His clean athletic shoes had clearly never seen a trail. His glasses were slipping again, and shed bet herself hed lose them on the first day unless he put a leash on them.
No, he didnt look like much of an outdoor guy. He looked more like an indoor, hunched-over-a-laptop guy, but before she could find a nice way to say so, something in one of his pockets beeped.
More digital equipment? she asked. What a surprise.
With a wry smile, he reached for the offending unit, flicking it off with his thumb without even looking at it. Sorry.
Keith shook his head. Youre going to want to leave all that stuff behind, man.
Really? Jared slipped the PDA back in his pocket. Whys that?
It takes away from the outdoor experience.
Jared turned to Lily, his glasses providing just enough of a glare that she couldnt quite read his eyes, even though she had a feeling he had no such problem reading her.
And again, an inappropriate zing ofsomething surged through her. Crazy. She really did prefer a stronger, tougher, more seasoned man, someone who knew his way on a trail, who could climb a mountain, kayak a rapid, someone with a love of an adrenaline rush. Someone likeKeith.
And yet she didnt experience that little frisson of heat when Keith looked at her
Huh.
Jared was still smiling easily. So you dont think I look like the camping, hiking type.
Im not here to judge you, just to guide you.
Come on, tell the truth.
Okay, no. Sorry. You dont seem outdoorsy to me. But I still think youre going to have a lot fun.