Sydney knew she would never think of sex the same way again.
“Is it always like this for you?” she asked later as they lay entwined under a down comforter, their breathing in sync.
“Good gravy, no. This was…life altering.”
Of course he would say that and she knew her question had sounded like she was looking for reassurance. But she’d been genuinely curious. She’d read all the books. She thought she knew her way around the bedroom. But making love with Russ was something else. Something else, indeed.
SYDNEY DOZED AGAIN, and when she woke, the sun was up and she was alone in bed. “Russ?”
“Out here,” he called from the main room. “You were sleeping soundly, so I went ahead and showered. I have a surprise for you.”
“Unless it’s bacon and eggs I’m not getting up,” she called back, figuring he was concocting one of his imaginative meals.
“This has nothing to do with food.”
Hmm, that had possibilities. She hopped out of bed, too late remembering her injured ankle. But it didn’t hurt as much as before when she put weight on it. She was able to limp as opposed to hop. She grabbed her discarded shirt from last night and shoved her arms into the sleeves, then left the bedroom to see what Russ was up to.
She found him in the bathroom, pouring a pot of hot water into the tub. He’d made a hot bath for her. It was even full of bubbles.
It was such a sweet gesture, it made her eyes fill with tears. She quickly dashed them away with the back of her hand, not wanting Russ to see. “Thank you,” she managed.
The tub was short, but it was deep, and if she bent her knees she could immerse herself all the way to her neck in the steaming water. Russ made her bath even more pleasant by scrubbing her back and shampooing her hair for her. She loved having her hair washed and she fully indulged in the luxury of Russ’s strong fingers massaging her scalp. He occasionally placed a kiss on her shoulder or ear, something the shampoo girl at her salon rarely did.
“Mmm, why don’t you join me,” she said lazily as he rinsed the last of the soap from her hair.
“I don’t think we’d both fit in that tub,” he reminded her. “Anyway, much as I’d love to dally, we need to get moving if we want to get home today. Some of the ice melted yesterday, but it’s still going to be slow going. How’s your foot?”
“Better,” she said as he dried her off. “I think with the boot laced tight to provide some support and a walking stick for balance, I can make it. I’m not sure I can carry a pack, though.”
“I can carry what we’ll need.”
Yesterday she’d been impatient to see the last of this place, but today she hated the thought of leaving. Yeah, it was rustic, but Russ had made staying here seem like a grand adventure.
She knew, too, that when they returned to civilization, their romantic interlude would come to an end. She had to suck it up and deal with reality. Loathe as she was to call this a one-night stand, that was exactly what it was. A spectacular one, but still…
Russ didn’t disappoint her with breakfast. He fixed oatmeal with walnuts and raisins, not the instant kind out of an envelope, either. Sydney savored her last cozy meal with Russ. Then she stuffed her feet into her new hiking boots, wrapped herself in her borrowed jacket, gloves, knit hat and scarf, and prepared for the grueling hike.
RUSS HAD TO HAND IT TO SYDNEY, she didn’t complain. Though she took every steep incline on her butt rather than risk depending on her iffy ankle to support her, she bore it all stoically, with only an occasional hiss or ladylike groan.
She even asked him a few questions about the wildlife after spotting raccoon prints in the mud and hearing a birdcall drifting on the wind.
“The only birds I ever see are pigeons, sparrows and starlings,” she said glumly.
“Pigeons aren’t so bad. Everybody hates them, but did you know they mate for life?”
“No, I didn’t know that.” She sounded surprised. “But when I was a little girl, I watched a pair build a nest and raise babies right outside my window. They nested under the eaves of our garage. I remember admiring how tirelessly they took care of the babies.”
He was actually pleased to hear she took some interest in nature and wildlife. Maybe they weren’t quite as opposite as he’d first thought. Yeah, they lived in different places, but they’d found common ground.
Oh, hell, who was he kidding? They’d found common ground in the bedroom and he was trying to rationalize the fact he’d slept with her when they both knew it was going nowhere. Though neither of them had whispered a word about anything long-term, he was still old-fashioned enough to feel he’d taken advantage of her. Especially since it was his fault she’d been stranded at the cabin in the first place.
It was really too damn bad. Because despite everything, they’d gotten along remarkably well. They’d found lots of things to talk about. But their geographic differences were too big to overcome. Maybe it was selfish of him, but he’d made a home in Linhart and he wasn’t going to budge.
And he could hardly expect her to uproot her life. She had a business and a sick father back in New York.
Every time he looked at her, he felt an ache in his chest that troubled him. As short as the time was they’d had together, he suspected she was going to be harder to get over than any of the others. Much harder.
Chapter Twelve
What should have been a three-hour hike took them six. It was actually closer to five miles than four, despite what he’d originally told Sydney. The last section of trail was the slowest, even though the terrain was flatter, because Sydney’s ankle was starting to hurt more after having been put through so much abuse. But given that the trail was still slippery, she wouldn’t let Russ carry her.
“You’ll fall and then we’ll both go down on our heads,” she’d said. “I can make it, if you’ll just let me go slowly.”
He’d let her go, he thought, as slowly as she wanted. Because once they were back in Linhart, she would climb into her BMW and drive out of his life forever and he’d just as soon delay that event.
The final creek crossing was the most difficult; the water had risen in the past couple of days, and falling in meant a good soaking and instantaneous hypothermia. Russ insisted on taking Sydney’s hand as they crossed the slippery log, though if she fell she would probably pull him right in with her.
Somehow, they made it across without mishap. And a few minutes later, his Bronco came into view, parked exactly where he’d left it, partially covered with melting ice.
“Man, I hope your heater works,” Sydney said, picking up her pace slightly now that the end was in sight. “The boots kept my feet warm, but everything else is numb.”
“The heater in my car is like a blast furnace,” he assured her. “But I wonder what I did with the keys.”
“You’re joking, right?” The look of panic she gave him was priceless.
“I’m joking.” He reached into his jacket pocket and extracted the keys, walking to the passenger side to open the door for Sydney. But before he did, he turned to face her.
“I want to say something before we get back to town and everything gets crazy.”
“O-okay,” she said, looking apprehensive.
“It’s just that…I know this was hardly your idea of a dream getaway weekend, but I had fun. I enjoy being with you. And not just when you’re naked, either.”
She actually blushed. It might have just been the effect of the cold wind on her face, but he found it charming anyway.
“I’m sorry I’m such an obstinate ass about the money-”
“No, let’s not go there,” she said quickly. “We’ve said all there is to say about the money. I do understand.”
“Then you’re an extraordinarily understanding woman.” He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her until they were both out of breath, kiss her until she agreed not to hurry back to New York. But he didn’t like his chances. So he settled for a long hug and a less-than-passionate kiss on the forehead.
“I’m glad I met you, Sydney Baines.”
