Page 16

Here I thought because of my size and training that I was strong. That my normally ironclad willpower allowed me to resist any temptation that went against a resolution I’d made to myself. Hell, most people thought I was a stubborn asshole because I never swayed from my choices, even if sometimes it was me digging my heels in when I was wrong.

Never said I was fucking perfect.

I was the furthest from that, inside and out.

Earlier, I was adamant that I wouldn’t allow Aiden’s excitement to sway my decision to keep his new infatuation at arm’s length. I couldn’t get attached to her, considering I already harbored a crush on the woman based on her talent.

But then entered Aspen Carter, and my backbone of steel and rock-solid stubbornness vaporized to fucking dust. The moment she walked through the door, I knew I was in trouble, and fuck if I wasn’t right. The woman radiated genuineness, even with the sadness that lingered behind her dark eyes. While I expected her to be attractive after Aiden’s description earlier, he failed to tell me all the little things about her that made her stunning.

A scattering of freckles dotted her button nose and across her cheeks, which moved when she smiled. Big brown eyes stared into your soul as if excavating every dark thought and memory to heal with her brightness and joy. There wasn’t a speck of makeup on her face, which she obviously didn’t need with her smooth, fair skin that stood out against mahogany hair that fell around her shoulders in loose waves.

But what drew me in most was her smile.

It sucked me in, altered my perspective, and shifted something inside me every time it spread across her beautiful face. I wanted to see that happy, carefree expression every damn day and be the reason it was there.

Fingers tightly wrapped around my cocktail glass, I tipped the vodka soda back, downing the remaining contents in one go.

“How long are you here for?” I asked around the ice cube I rolled around with my tongue.

She didn’t look up to answer from where she was making funny faces at Jubie. “A week.”

My dog, who normally didn’t like strangers, was currently soaking up every kiss and pet Aspen gave her.

“That’s a good amount of time. Any big plans?”

Peeking around Jubie’s massive head, her big brown eyes met mine from beneath dark lashes. “Not exactly. This was a spur-of-the-moment, I-need-to-get-the-hell-out-of-Seattle trip. I’d love to pick your and Aiden’s brains about some trails with gorgeous views where I could stay overnight to capture the landscape in all different lights.”

“Not alone,” I ordered, tone harsher than I wanted. Thankfully, she didn’t shy away, just simply arched a single dark brow in question to my abrupt response. “I know you have all kinds of experience and can do it on your own, but this is Alaska.” I racked my brain, mentally scanning the week’s schedule, then nodded to myself when I found an opening. “Aiden and I would be glad to take you out for an overnight in-and-out hike the day after tomorrow. I know of a spot that could be perfect for the type of pictures you take.”

The sounds of the bar filled the silence between us as she thought over my offer while gently stroking a hand over Jubie’s head. “If you’re sure it wouldn’t be too much trouble, yeah, I’d like that. A lot, actually.” I caught the pink staining her cheeks before she tucked her head.

While we waited for Aiden to come back, I watched the slow strokes of her fingers through Jubie’s fur, growing more and more jealous of my damn dog. I didn’t like being touched and preferred to watch Aiden have all the fun and live vicariously through him, knowing the texture of my burned skin made most women uncomfortable, but I was unexpectedly craving hers. To have that soft touch brushing along my bare chest, slipping lower with every stroke?—

A glass bottle slammed against the table, shattering my erotic daydream.

“I got you a fresh one too.”

Giving my head a shake, I berated myself for not noticing Aiden until he was right beside me. Under normal circumstances, I was aware of everything around me, a natural habit after my time as a SEAL. Seemed the unique woman with us was even more captivating than I realized.

Folding into his seat, Aiden shot me a confused glance, no doubt noticing he’d snuck up on me, and placed the two unopened beers in front of Aspen.

“Choose the one that looks good to you, and I’ll take the other,” he offered, gesturing between the bottles.

She studied the labels, reading each carefully before choosing one and twisting off the top with her bare hand. With an impressed grunt, Aiden grabbed the other bottle, slid it close, and did the same.

“Just so you know, while you were getting our drinks, Miles offered for you two to take me on an overnight hike.”

Aiden choked on his beer, slamming the bottle to the table as he coughed into a tight fist, wide eyes locked on me.

“You okay?” Aspen asked.

“Yeah, perfect. Just surprised is all. Can’t wait,” Aiden said, still coughing. “Are you thinking true hiking or hitting the trails on bikes or four-wheelers?”

She took a sip of her beer, brows flying up. “Wow, this is fantastic. You weren’t kidding about this place having good beer. And I’d prefer to take the hiking trails, if that’s okay. That way, if I see anything along the way that I want to capture, I can grab the shot, and hopefully, with less noise, it will mean more wildlife.” She swiveled to face me. “Does that work for the trail you were thinking of?”

“Yep, works great. You mentioned this being an impromptu trip. Do you have the gear for a long hike?” I leaned back in the chair to look under the table at her shoes and nodded in approval at her well-worn hiking boots.

“Yes. I packed knowing I’d be going out daily. I just have nothing for the overnight aspect, but I could purchase a sleeping bag and?—”