He flashed another grin. Thanks.
Lily moved to the front of the group, ready to go, but before she could say so, Michelle sidled close once again. Ive got to talk to you, she said, sounding tearful. I really dont think I can carry everything
You could lose any of the five pairs of shoes youre toting, Jack suggested.
But I brought one pair for each day, and then an extra. Im not repeating, Jack.
Tell you what, Lily said. You lose the shoes, and Ill divide up your portion of the food and supplies between myself, Jack and Rock, who generously offered to help.
Rose looked at Rock, shooting him a sweet smile.
Rock blushed.
Great, Jack muttered. I get extra, and Rock gets lucky.
Oh, come on, Jack, Michelle said. Just help me here. After all, you like daddys money as much as I do.
Jack shook his head. Theres no arguing with you.
They moved aside to fix her pack.
Jared shifted next to Lily, and she looked at him, already tired. You have a request, favor or demand, too? she asked in that voice she used sometimes, the one that said, Hurry because she was a little too busy for this.
But damn it, she didnt want to discuss anything, especially not the kiss between her and Keith, or the fact that she wished it had been with Jared.
She really wished that.
He just arched an eyebrow.
At that, she had to let out a careful breath and remind herself that he couldnt read her thoughts. Is that a yes or no?
He shook his head, looking quite comfortable in his own skin. Nothing at the moment, thanks.
Uh-huh. But youre reserving the right to make a later demand, is that it?
His mouth curved, and he let their gazes stay locked for just a beat or so past what was comfortable.
Most definitely, he was thinking about the kiss.
And maybe, just maybe, he was thinking hed rather it had been him, too.
He let her absorb that a moment, then turned away.
Lily let out another careful breath. Oh yeah, it was definitely going to be a hell of a trip.
4
AS LILY CHECKED and rechecked each persons pack and straps, Jared moved to the front, just next to the trailhead sign. With some amusement, he watched his groups fearless leader take control of the trip with clear-cut and concise directions and expectations for her guests, her fawn-colored hair pulled in a single braid that fell between her shoulder blades.
He loved how she looked, wearing cargo shorts low on the hips, fitted, but with enough pockets to outfit a third-world country, and two tank tops layered over each other, the top one with Outdoor Adventures logo over a breast. She was the picture of efficiency and completely in charge.
She did like to be in charge, his Lily.
He understood the need. In his life, which until recently had been consumed with work, hed always been in charge, as CEO of an international, billion-dollar corporation that created and built parts for all things digital.
Until that control had been taken from him.
Any last questions? Lily asked, coming up next to him.
Yeah. He slid on his sunglasses and smiled. Are you going to hurt me?
She glanced at Michelle, flapping her lips at her husband, at Rock tying and retying his boots, at Rose applying lip gloss, and she sighed. Somehow, I dont think youre going to be the one hurting.
This close, he could see that there was something in her eyes, that light of vulnerability hed seen last night, and alsonerves. But you are, he said. Hurting.
This close, he could see that there was something in her eyes, that light of vulnerability hed seen last night, and alsonerves. But you are, he said. Hurting.
She looked away. Im fine.
Yeah, she was pretty damn fine. But no matter what she said, shed been hurt-the limp attested to that-and she wasnt all better yet. He felt a hard tug of empathy, because he knew what it was like to want to get better, to try to prove everything was normal when it wasnt. Yeah, hed been there, done that and bought the T-shirt.
They began to walk, Lily in the lead. Her pack covered much of her from view. There was a light morning breeze which had loosened some silky strands from her braid. They flew about her head like a halo, which he imagined would piss her off but he liked it. He could see her ass, which was sweet, and her legs churning up the path ahead of him, although a bit unevenly, as if she had something to prove.
He thought maybe she did.
They all followed beneath a nicely warming morning sun touching down on the jagged peaks all around them, the rays gilding the treetops. Jared looked up and felt surrounded by them, a huge awe-inspiring circle of rocky, remote mountains he hoped to know a lot more about before he got back.
This region is one of the most geologically young and tectonically active in North America, Lily said, looking in charge of her world as she turned to face them, walking backwards.
Their eyes met and Jared felt the bolt hed experienced the first time hed seen her. Hell, every time he saw her. At first, it had been a purely physical sort of bolt, and there was still plenty of that, but somehow also more.
Much more.
Which suited him just fine. Itd been a very long time since hed felt such a punch of attraction. Granted, hed had other things on his mind-like surviving
But he was past that now, and living life to its fullest, going after everything he wanted.
He wanted her.
Or he had before shed kissed her boss
Are there volcanoes? Michelle asked Lily, sounding nervous.
Not here, Lily assured her. Though this mountain system does straddle several of the earths moving plates, huge forces that continuously build this sweeping arc of mountains-see how rugged and craggy the peaks are? It means theyre still very young, comparatively. Just babies, really.
Pretty big babies, Jack said beneath his breath, making his wife laugh breathlessly in agreement.
Were there dinosaurs here? Rose asked.
Oh, yes, Lily said. Back in the day.
The Mesozoic Era, Jared offered, then smiled when Lily looked at him, clearly startled at his knowledge.
Im impressed, she said. What else do you know about this area?
Other than there are big bears and that I shouldnt feed them? Not much.
Michelle scooted closer to Jack, a bright yellow spot of sunshine in her raingear. Bears?
Dont worry, Lily said. No ones going to be bear bait on this trip.
So how high are these babies anyway? Jack asked, pointing to the highest peak ahead.
Nearly fifteen thousand feet at the top.
Thats like, three miles high, Rock said, with a low whistle. Man, were going to be huffing and puffing.
They were already huffing and puffing. Jared sure as hell was. But the exercise felt good. Actually, it felt amazing, especially after so many months of being able to do so little. The air held a silence that he never heard in the city, and that felt good, too. Not having to think, work
Gradually, the distance between the group members widened as they moved up the trail that took them to breathtaking heights, along stark ridges and drop-away cliffs.
He kept up with Lily with surprising effort. Youre looking pleased with yourself, she said, breaking a long silence.
I am pleased, he said. To be here.
She smiled, a real one, he realized with some pleasure, and it lit up her entire face. I know. Me, too. Id-You know what? Never mind.
No, what?
Id worried that I wouldnt be able to hold up, she admitted.
He nodded, knowing that was quite a confession for her. You and me both.
She smiled at him, and it was a beautiful thing.
Its such a perfect day for this, she said. Not too hot, not too cold.
Im definitely just right.
She looked him over, and bit her lip.
Go ahead, he said on a laugh. Mention the clothes.
Okay, so you had the right clothes after all.
She was genuinely amused, and he liked the look on her, very much. She was naturally fair-skinned, which meant she had an adorable smattering of light freckles over her high cheekbones and nose, though he doubted shed appreciate the word adorable. Her eyes, so light brown they looked like crystal-clear amber, or a very expensive whiskey, sparkled. Are the jeans brand spanking new? she asked.
Ill have you know, Ive owned these for years.
She fingered his crisp T-shirt, worn beneath an open long-sleeved blue chambray shirt. You ironed this.
No. But probably his housekeeper had. Maybe.
She laughed and eyed his hiking boots. Those arent-
Not new. Theyre broken in, I promise. He grinned at her inspection. Lets hear it. Any complaints?
She took her gaze on a tour along his body. Did those eyes heat as she brought them back up to his, or was that his hopeful imagination?
No complaints, she finally said, sounding just a little breathless now.
Not his imagination
The words dissipated any last chill from the morning air, that was for damn sure. He might have been sick this last year, very sick, but apparently certain things, like a healthy lust, never left a man.
Thank God.
Thats when the digital ring of a cell phone pierced the air.
His.
Oh, no, you didnt, she said.
Sorry. He pulled the cell out of his pocket, eyed the ID, then sighed as he flipped the phone open. Hey, Candace.
Hey right back atcha, his fearless and irreplaceable assistant said cheerfully. Just calling to say its not too late to come to your senses. I could have a helicopter there to get you in half an hour.
Im doing this.
She sighed. Thought youd say that. All righty then, have a safe trip. Oh, and dont get bitten by a rattlesnake. We did not nearly lose you this year to watch you go down so easily.
Ill stay away from snakes, I promise.
Lilys pretty eyes were narrowed when he shut the phone. How did you get service up here?
Satellite.
No cell phones on this trek.
Is that a hard and fast rule?
Its just that youre paying me a lot of money to take you away from all that. If youd wanted to talk to the girlfriend, you should have just brought her with.
Assistant, not girlfriend.
Oh.
Was that just a smidgen of relief on her face, he wondered, or his own healthy imagination? Dont worry, Lily. Im ready to be taken away.
She looked at him for a long moment, then back at the others, whod slowed to their own various paces. He knew she was going to move away from him and go check on each of them in turn, that he was nothing special to her, but he wanted to be. Im curious. Why do you guide?