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Cooking for lunch and dinner was different this time. We still worked together seamlessly, but he watched me. I watched him too. And my heart kept singing.

Night air carried the scent of woodsmoke and river mist as I dried the last of the dishes and put them away after dinner. Ruugar worked nearby, stacking the cookware. Every little motion, from the way his broad shoulders moved to the quiet motions of his hands, kept tugging my attention away from my task.

Heat ghosted across my back as he stepped behind me. My breath wrangled its way up my throat. Him moving past me, reaching for something, should feel like nothing. It was anything but. Not after the way he’d held me today.

My hand trembled as I bent over the wooden dining table, scrubbing away the last traces of supper. Ruugar helped with his own cloth. His hand brushed against mine, his fingers rough and warm against my skin. Neither of us pulled away.

The air between us charged. I forced myself to look up from our hands, meeting his gaze across the table. His dark eyes burned into mine, their intensity stealing the breath from my lungs.

A smile tugged at my lips, small but true. Was I dreaming? If so, I didn’t want to wake up.

Ruugar’s lips quirked up in return, the movement settling deep inside me. Heat slid low in my belly.

A log cracked in the fire pit, sending a shower of sparks toward the sky. The sound jolted me back to reality, reminding me we weren’t alone. I pulled my hand away from his, returning to the sink to leave the cloth.

The intensity of his gaze remained on my back, and I caught him nodding once when I looked over my shoulder.

Our guests sat in chairs near the campfire, talking about tomorrow’s activities, their voices low and easy as the night deepened. The flames cast flickering shadows across their faces, the glow reflecting on the dark river beyond the edge of the camping area.

As we left the cooking gazebo, Ruugar nudged his chin toward the fire. “Come sit.” He didn’t wait, just strode toward the pit. Instead of choosing a spot apart like he usually did, he dragged two chairs together before dropping into one.

Flames streaked up my spine.

Struggling to swallow, to think, I made my way over and eased into the seat beside him. A moment later, his gentle fingers enclosed mine, his large palm engulfing my hand.

I could’ve pulled away. He wouldn’t have stopped me from doing so. But I didn’t.

Carol nudged Pete with a smirk, and Mary and Joel shared a knowing glance, but no one said anything. Instead, the conversation turned back to the day’s ride, to the beauty of the land and the plans for this part of our adventure. It was hard to believe that in a few short days, we'd have to turn back, taking a shorter route toward town with only one night at a dry camp before the trail ride would be over.

“We should swim tomorrow,” Mary announced, stretching her hands toward the fire. “The pools under the falls look perfect for it.”

“I’m in.” Joel grinned her way. “Outside of this amazing trip, I haven’t gone swimming in forever.”

Carol hummed, glancing toward the river. “The falls must be beautiful under the moonlight.”

“I’d bet on that,” Joel said, glancing toward Ruugar and me. “Probably looksreallyromantic about now.”

Carol sighed dramatically and leaned into Pete. “Taking a stroll with someone special in a place like this would be unforgettable.”

Pete chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Guess we’d better experience the magic, huh? Maybe tomorrow night, however.”

“Yes,tomorrownight.” Her mouth stretched in a yawn. “I'm much too tired after riding today to walk to the falls. I think I'd rather go to bed. Like, now.”

“Agreed.”

She and Pete rose and strolled toward their cabin, holding hands.

Mary and Joel stood, murmuring goodnight before disappearing into their own cabin. Before their door shut, my cheeks were on fire.

Only the quiet crackle of the fire remained, plus the warmth of Ruugar’s eyes on me.

Neither of us spoke.

Then he stood, towering over me, offering his hand. His deep voice came out quiet but with a touch of hope. “Would you like to walk? Walk with, err, me, I mean. I hear the falls might be…pretty tonight. Under the moonlight.”

I could almost feel his ears burning. There wasn't anything he could say that would upset me outside of rejection. And I sensed this was anything but that.

My heart pounded as I slipped my fingers into his. He wrapped his hand around mine and tugged me gently to my feet.