Every Move She Makes (8 page)

He touched her shoulder. “Ask Ozzie for a sack lunch in the morning. We probably won’t be back until mid-afternoon.”

She nodded. “Good night.”

“Night, Rachel. Sleep well, girls.”

“What was that all about?” Lark kicked a rock in the path as they left the campfire area. “Where’s he taking you tomorrow?”

“For a hike.”

“I’m going on an art walk to paint flowers.” Ivy skipped ahead.

“So you’re just taking Jade with you?”

“Nope. I’m going to be in a race.”

Lark snorted. “That’s convenient.”

Rachel gritted her teeth. “All of you head down to the outhouse before getting ready for bed. You don’t want to have to get up in the middle of the night.”

“And run into a bear.” Ivy shivered.

Lark stopped as Rachel stepped off the path. “Where are you going?”

“Up the hill so Daisy can do her business. I don’t want to take her out again later.”

The stars shone brightly overhead as the dog stopped to sniff a bush. Behind her, a branch snapped. Rachel glanced over her shoulder.

“Come on, Daisy. Go pee and make it snappy. Ivy has me imagining bears behind every tree.”

Finally, Daisy squatted.

“Good girl.”

When the dog finished, Rachel took a quick trip to the outhouse then hurried back to the cabin. The girls were already in bed. Someone had lit the lantern, and a soft glow illuminated the room. She brushed her teeth at the basin, undressed and pulled on a pair of sweats then turned off the lantern before climbing into her bunk.

“G’night, Mom.”

At Ivy’s whisper, Rachel smiled. “Good night, girls. Sweet dreams.”

Jade turned in her bunk. “I’m glad we came.”

Ivy’s head poked over the edge. “Me, too.”

Across the cabin, Lark turned to face the wall, presenting her back.

Rachel sighed. “I’m glad we came, too. Now, go to sleep.”

* * * *

His heart pounded with a surge of adrenaline. He’d almost approached Jordan walking her dog, but the desire to talk to her—maybe touch her—battled with his cautious nature. In the end, he’d forced himself to wait. It was too soon. She needed time to get to know him before he made a move.

He lay still in his bunk, too excited to sleep. Today had been the best day of his life. He’d watched Jordan at the lake, wearing a bathing suit that revealed her beautiful body. The water had glistened on her flawless skin when she emerged from the lake, and her nipples were hard little points. Someday they would respond to his touch the way they had to the chilly water. Someday she would look at him with love in her eyes. Maybe not yet, but soon.

A frown drew his brows together, and his burgeoning erection wilted. The day would have been a perfect if Jordan hadn’t ruined it by sitting with Kane Lafferty at the bonfire. Jealousy roiled in his gut. She shouldn’t have sat so close to another man. She shouldn’t have let him put his filthy hands on her. She should save herself for the only one who truly loved her.

He was a patient man, a forgiving man, but there were limits to what he could endure. Watching Jordan with someone else wasn’t something he would tolerate.

He’d waited fourteen years for this moment, fourteen long years to make her his own. Failure wasn’t an option.

“Daughter number one off to paint flowers. Check. Daughter number two staring down her competition with a gleam in her eye. Check.”

Kane smiled at the humor in Rachel’s voice then raised a brow. “Daughter number three doing her own thing as usual, I suspect.”

“At least she’s not moping.”

His spirits lifted as he and Rachel hiked toward the north, following the Pacific Crest Trail on a steep uphill climb. Sweat stuck his shirt to his back and glistened on Rachel’s brow before he finally stopped near a stream. The temperature was climbing, and looking at this woman with her toned arms and slim hips made him even hotter. Definitely time to cool off.

She tipped back her water bottle and gulped then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Daisy teetered on the edge of the creek. When the dog’s front feet slipped, and she landed nose first in the water, Rachel laughed.

Kane grinned. “You have a weird dog. Doesn’t she know retrievers are supposed to like water?”

“I don’t think she even knows she’s a dog.”

“That’s because you treat her like one of your kids. Are you ready to go, or would you like to rest a while longer?”

If they didn’t keep walking, he wouldn’t be able to keep from touching her, and the last thing he wanted was to scare her off.

“I’m ready.” She shoved the water bottle back into her daypack. “Where’re we headed?”

“There’s a pretty little lake about an hour from here. I thought we’d stop there for lunch.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

A short distance later, the trail leveled out and they were able to walk side by side with Daisy leading the way. A light breeze set the pine trees swaying as Rachel tucked a stray curl behind her ear and lifted her face to the sun.

Kane gave her ponytail a gentle tug. “Did you put on sunscreen? At this altitude, people burn easily.”

She nodded. “I slathered it on all of us this morning before breakfast, and the girls have strict instructions to reapply. What about you? You look awfully tan.”

He glanced down at his nut-brown arms. “I wear it, but I still tan. Jed does, too, so it must be in our genes.”

“I’ve been wondering how your brother owns a camp in the middle of all this.” She spread her arms wide. “Isn’t this area part of the Tahoe National Forest?”

“Yes, but Jed has some sort of ninety-nine year lease from the Forest Service. I’m not sure exactly how it works.”

“What does he do in the winter?”

“He lives up here year round.”

“Surely not at the camp! It must be buried under twenty feet of snow by February.”

“Sometimes more.” Kane laughed. “Don’t look so horror-stricken. He has a cabin near Norden, the little town just off the freeway. He works out of a ski rental shop, offering guided cross-country tours.”

“Your brother’s obviously the outdoorsy type. What about you?”

“I am, too. I hike and mountain bike in the summer and ski in the winter whenever I have time. With my job, it isn’t as often as I’d like. Sometimes I envy Jed his lifestyle.”

She was quiet for a moment then blurted, “I know about your partner getting shot and the boy you killed. Grace told me.”

Kane sucked in a breath. Pressure weighed on his chest like a ten-ton boulder. The day had been going so well, too. They’d been getting to know each other, taking it slow. Now this.

“Nolan has a big mouth.”

She touched his arm. “Grace was concerned about me. She noticed the chemistry between us right away. I’m sorry. I don’t want to spoil the day, but I wasn’t comfortable keeping it a secret.”

The trail meandered out of the trees onto a ridgeline, which dropped off in a sheer descent to a valley below. Kane stopped and turned to face her, holding her gaze.

“Are you attracted to me?”

A blush colored her cheeks, but she didn’t hesitate to speak. “Yes, my sister knows me well.”

A bit of the weight eased. “The feeling’s mutual.” He bent to pick up a rock then sent it soaring into space. “So, Nolan and Grace wanted to warn you I’m a head case.”

“It wasn’t like that.”

“Then what was it like?”

Rachel sighed. “My marriage ended in disaster, and I haven’t dated much since. When it comes to men, Grace is overly protective. She doesn’t want me to get hurt again.”

“And based on a half-hour conversation, she thought I would hurt you? Or was that Nolan’s idea?”

“Grace wanted me to know you have some personal issues to deal with. She thought you might not be a great relationship risk at the moment.”

“All I did was walk you to your car.”

Rachel crossed her arms and gazed out at the view. “She didn’t say a word until I told her I was coming up here. Then she got it into her head I was planning this vacation as a way to see you again.”

His heart jumped. He reached out a finger to stroke her cheek. “Was she right?”

“I had several reasons for wanting to make this trip.”

“Was I one of them?”

She nodded and licked her lips. The flick of her tongue destroyed his self-control. Stepping forward, he gripped her arms as his mouth covered hers in a quick hard kiss. When it ended, he didn’t release her.

“I like being a reason.” His breath stirred the hair at her temple as he inhaled an intoxicating scent of floral shampoo, sunscreen and woman. “Are you sorry you came?”

“No.” She rested her forehead against his chest for a moment. “Should I be?”

He pulled back far enough to look her in the eye. “I hope not. Seeing you again has made me happier than I’ve been in months, but Nolan was right.” The tightness in his chest returned. “Shooting that kid screwed me up. I’m not sure what I’ll do when I get home. When I think about going back out onto the streets, I want to chuck my whole career.”

“What would you do instead?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. I’ve never been anything but a cop. My dad was a cop, too, and I always wanted to be just like him.”

“I’m sorry, Kane.”

“Yeah, so am I. Your sister was right to warn you about me. I probably am a bad relationship risk.”

“Well, I have plenty of baggage of my own. I have a business to run and three girls who will always be my top priority. Right now Lark isn’t exactly a pleasure to be around, and I have a feeling her reaction wouldn’t be positive if I started dating someone seriously.”

“She doesn’t want you to have a life of your own?”

“Fourteen year olds tend to be a tad self-centered. She’s still struggling with her father’s death. It’s been rough on her, and she’s acting out. Hopefully with therapy and support, she’ll work through it sooner rather than later.”

“What about Jade and Ivy? They seem to like me.”

“They do. I don’t think they’d mind if we saw each other after our vacation ends, but it’s hard to know for sure.”

“So is this going to be our first and only date?” He tilted her chin, caressing the soft skin.

Concern clouded her eyes. “I hope not, but I have to consider my daughters and their feelings. My choices affect them.”

With an effort, he forced a lighter mood. “So, no making out while the kids are watching?”

Rachel smiled, and some of the worry in her eyes faded. “I’m afraid dating a woman with three children has its drawbacks.”

“It also has rewards.” He ran a finger across her lips. “I’d rather have you, your girls and your dog than Tiffany the Temptress any day.”

“That’s because mine are real.” She stepped back, and his hand fell away. “Where’s that lake? I’m hungry.”

Time to recapture the easy companionship they’d enjoyed before the conversation turned serious. No matter how attracted to her he was, she was right. He probably wasn’t ready for anything else. Not yet. Not until he figured out where the hell his life was headed.

He released a long breath. “Our destination is just ahead.”

They reached it a few minutes later. The lake was small but beautiful, surrounded by trees on one side and a granite apron on the other. Located a short distance from the trail, the spot he chose was sheltered from the breeze.

They stretched out on the warm granite to eat their lunch. Daisy wandered around the shore, sniffing here and there before coming back to settle near Rachel.

“This place is gorgeous. Thank you for bringing me.”

“My pleasure.” Kane finished the last bite of his sandwich and polished an apple on his shirt. He bit into it with a crunch. “We can take a swim after lunch if you’d like.”

“I’m tempted, but I didn’t bring my bathing suit.”

His pulse jumped then raced ahead. “We could always skinny dip.”

Rachel peeled a banana. “I’m a little too old to get caught swimming naked. I’m not seventeen anymore.”

“No, you’re a whole lot better.” His gaze moved over her curves, and his fists clenched at his sides. “Anyway, no one will see us. The lake is hidden from the trail.”

“It is hot.” She scratched a mosquito bite on her elbow. “Maybe I could wear my underwear.”

“And I’ll leave on my shorts if it’ll make you feel better.”

Rachel took a bite of the banana. “I’m pretty sure that’s not what would make me feel better.”

Two seconds later, he had her flat on her back with the banana lying on a nearby rock. He cradled her head in his hands and kissed her. When she kissed him back, desire surged even stronger.

So much for the slow approach.

“Do you know how much I want you right now?”

She bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I wish I could say yes, but I can’t.”

“I know. Can we do this?”

He trailed kisses down the side of her neck, burying his nose against her skin. She smelled like fresh air and woman. His breath came fast as he moved back to cover her mouth with his, his tongue stroking until he wasn’t certain he could stop.

A cold nose thrust between them. At a blast of stinky dog breath, they separated in a hurry.

“My savior.” Rachel’s smile shook as she gave Daisy a shove.

Kane stretched out on the rock with an arm over his eyes. His chest rose and fell. Frustration filled him, edged with disappointment and a touch of guilt. “I wouldn’t have pushed.”

“I know. It wasn’t you I didn’t trust.”

He sat up slowly. “I’m ready for that swim.” With swift, jerky movements, he untied his hiking boots, shucked his T-shirt and took a running dive into the lake.

* * * *

Kane’s powerful body cut through the water as he swam to the far side of the lake. The woods were still except for the buzz of a mosquito. Rachel swatted at it and untied her boot laces, then waited for her pounding heart to still. She’d been so tempted…

Daisy sniffed the banana.

“I’m not sure if I should thank you or tell you to get lost.” Rachel scratched the dog’s ears. “I know what I’d like to do.”

She pulled off her boots, socks, shorts and tank top, leaving them in a neat pile. Wearing only a pair of cotton bikini panties and an electric blue jog bra, she walked down to the lake to wade slowly away from the shore. The water was freezing, and the pebbles on the lake bottom dug into her feet.