Just Trust Me…

The husky command was one he was more than happy-and beyond ready-to obey. He pulled a condom from the front pocket of his backpack and gave thanks that his sweatpants made for easy access. He pushed down the soft material and his boxers to his hips. His erection sprang free and he quickly sheathed himself. With his butt resting on his heels, he grasped her waist and positioned her wet opening over the head of his penis.

She slid down slowly, her sleek inner walls gripping him like a heated fist. When he was fully engulfed, her back pressed against his chest, he leaned forward and scraped his teeth across her shoulder, lightly biting her smooth skin, then fastened his mouth on the sensitive skin of her nape. A shudder ran through her.

“More,” she whispered, putting her hands over his, sliding them up her torso until his closed over her breasts.

His fingers played with her hard nipples, teasing, tugging, as he thrust upward, his movements measured and deliberate in an effort to hold off coming as long as possible. But she wasn’t helping him retain his control. She slowly circled her hips in such a mind-blowing way he saw stars. Urgent, brutal need churned through him. He wasn’t going to last much longer.

Cruising one hand downward, he curved his fingers over her mound and caressed her wet flesh. He thrust harder, faster, gritting his teeth, holding off coming by sheer will. The instant he felt the first ripple of her orgasm, he clamped his arm around her waist, surging up while urging her down, imbedding himself deeper and letting go.

They were both still breathing hard when she leaned back fully against him, and pressed her lips to the side of his neck where his pulse throbbed.

He closed his eyes and bent his head to breathe her in, her own unique scent mixed with the heady musk of her arousal.

“Wow,” she whispered.

“My favorite scientific term. More?”

He felt her smile against his neck. “That’s enough-for now. Check back in five, ten minutes.”

That’s enough.

His insides jittered at the words, instantly rejecting them. No, it wasn’t enough. And he couldn’t imagine it ever being enough. Not just the sex-which was inarguably outstanding-but everything to do with this woman. Her laugh, her humor, her determination to keep herself together on the trail today. The way she made him feel just by standing next to him.

She’d grabbed his attention from the first instant he’d seen her, and that fascination, that instant chemistry he’d experienced, hadn’t waned one bit. It had only grown stronger. Along with his feelings.

The realization ripped through him with the intensity of an atomic explosion.

He was falling in love with her.

Falling? his inner voice interjected. Who the hell do you think you’re kidding? You’re way beyond falling. You’re splattered all over the ground.

He went perfectly still, unable to deny it. He was in love with Kayla.

Probably that realization should have scared the crap out of him, but instead, a sense of calm settled over him that he’d finally found a woman who could make him feel this way. So what if it had happened fast? There weren’t rules about how long it had to take to fall in love. His own parents were a perfect example. This was right. Kayla was, unequivocally, “the one.”

The words I love you involuntarily rushed up from his pounding heart, and he had to press his lips together to keep himself from saying them out loud. They weren’t words he said lightly. And he’d never been tempted to utter them to anyone after such a short acquaintance. But then, no woman had ever made him feel the way this woman did.

It was definitely too soon to tell her. She’d not only think he was crazy, he’d probably scare her off. And there was no rush. They lived in the same city. Although they hadn’t yet discussed continuing their relationship after the hike, as far as he was concerned, it was a no-brainer. There was absolutely no reason for their adventure to end once they returned home, no long-distance issues to deal with.

That realization suffused him with a profound sense of peace, and he could almost feel the out-of-alignment parts of his life shifting back into balance-like car gears slipping into place.

No, this wasn’t enough.

And he intended to see to it that it didn’t have to be.

19

THE NEXT morning, Kayla walked carefully along the dirt trail as the group made their way single-file through a narrow pass toward their first stop of the day, the ruins of Runkuracay.

She knew Brett walked directly behind her and was probably ogling her butt-knowledge that should have made her smile, but instead pulled a frown between her brows and added another rock to the heavy weight already pressing upon her heart.

After enjoying a good night’s sleep, basking in the luscious sensation of awakening in Brett’s arms, a delicious bout of morning sex followed by a scrumptious breakfast, she should have been happy. Yet as many times as she told herself that, she remained troubled. A deepening sense of distress snaked through her, one that grew stronger with each passing hour because each passing hour brought her closer to the time when she and Brett would go their separate ways.

No more waking up in his arms. No more laughter or lopsided grins or enjoying his company or watching his eyes darken with desire for her. No more curling up against him after making love and just listening to his heart beat.

No more Brett.

And that knowledge, the absolute certainty that the end to this magical time with him grew closer with each passing minute, ticked in her mind like a giant, evil clock, mocking her, sneering at her, reminding her that not only would it end, but any feelings he had for her would go the way of the dinosaur.

Because, of course, he’d believe she’d only gotten close to him, slept with him, to gain information for La Fleur, for which she couldn’t blame him. How could she? The reality was that she’d followed him to another continent with the sole purpose of spying on him. Of finding out about him and his formula and steering him toward La Fleur. Of dishing out some payback for a perceived wrong. If the situations were reversed, it’s certainly what she’d think.

But her mission now left an impossibly bitter taste in her mouth. One that burned like acid every time she swallowed.

Maybe she should just tell him the truth. Hope he’d understand. But why would he? Why should he? No, he’d just toss her aside sooner rather than later and these last couple of days on the trail would turn into a nightmare- one that would continue back in New York after Nelson found out she’d spilled the beans. There’d be no more talk of bonuses, perks, or a promotion. Hell, she’d probably lose her job. Even if Nelson didn’t fire her, certainly her work environment would turn uncomfortable.

Bottom line was that regardless of what she did, at the end of this adventure, because of her actions, Brett was lost to her. And that harsh truth filled her with such an aching, profound sense of loss, she could barely catch her breath-in a way that had nothing to do with the thin air.

And on top of that sense of loss was her deep shame at her own actions. When, precisely, had she turned into the sort of person who would spy on someone else? Look through their belongings? Seek revenge, especially for a merely perceived wrong, and most especially without finding out all the facts?

She’d always prided herself on her integrity and sense of fair play, yet sometime during this past year, since she’d been promoted to director-and most recently during this past week-she’d become someone she didn’t like very much. Someone who was willing to do things she knew in her soul weren’t honorable, all in the name of furthering her career.

No, that wasn’t a person she liked at all. Not a person Brett would admire if he knew the truth. And he deserved better. Because he was, without a doubt, a decent, good man. A kind and honorable man. The sort of man a woman could envision herself sharing a future with.