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“Observations.Magazines. Why? Am I not performing wellfor you?”

I’d worked with new models who needed a little guidance here and there, but Forrest just picked it up as if he’d modeled for years.

“You’re a natural at this. Hold that look. Just one last photo and we’ll be done.” I snapped more than once.

“No, we’re not done.” His expression shifted, the lust in his eyes clear through the camera lens, and my heart jolted at the impact.

In just a few steps, he stood inches from me. Dropping my hands down beside me, I held onto my camera as I tilted my head back, looking up at him. Even with my average height, I had to take a step back to look up at him. He stood like a warrior, well over six feet tall, with eyes that captured my reflection. I didn’t know why, but I liked seeing myself in them. When the sage color around his eyes becamea forest green, my heart felt like a new sprout bursting to life.

With his thumb and finger, he gripped my chin and examined my face. Our eyes locked, and the restraints I’d held against him snapped free, releasing me to all these feelings. If there was ever a moment in my life where I had an out-of-body experience, this would be it.

Time stood still. If I were watching a movie, it would be the scene where the dust motes rose into the air like magic. A butterfly hovered around us, and the birdsongs became a gentle hum as the scenery faded into a blur.

“I’m also a natural at this.” His mouth pressed to mine, and my body automatically fell into the hard wall of his body. Unlike the urgent kiss at the hotel, this one was slow and attentive. Like he wanted to savor me.

My body sagged into his, but I kept my grip on my camera because it contained precious pictures of him.What was it about him that could disarm all my senses and ignite them at the same time?

The power of his presence shifted my organs.I wouldn’t be surprised if my kidneys swapped places and my liver flipped upside down.

I pressed a hand to his bare chest, moaning. “Forrest.” My lips opened to welcome his skillful tongue.It twirled around mine, igniting fire running along my skin.

Pebbles crunched somewhere, and brought me back to reality. What was I doing?

I drew back, breathing like I’d hiked up to Mt. Everest.

Licking his lips, he grinned at me. “You’re a natural too. No one kisses better than you.”

“It shouldn’t have happened.”

“Why not?”

A branch cracked, disrupting the space, startling me. I released my hand from his bare chest and looked toward the noise.

Hank stepped into view, looking flustered. “The p-police are looking for y-you.” His hand was trembling a lot more than usual. “Y-you should go back to the l-lodge. They’re w-waiting for y-you.”

“Is everything okay, Hank?” I asked.

He shook his head. “A c-criminal is on the l-loose.”

What the heck was going on?

“Hurry b-back.” He scanned the area and stared out at the lake. “Not safe h-here.”

Forrest and I exchanged an inquisitive glance. I should have been nervous around Hank, because I didn’t know him well. But Forrest’s presence soothed my unease.

Without being asked, Forrest packed all the clothes and shoes back into their appropriate bags, arranged them into the wagon, and got ready to go.

Forrest clasped the handle of the wagon and turned to Hank. “You lead the way, buddy.”

The friendly gesture surprised Hank, but also relaxed him. Though it was a subtle difference, it was there. Hank studied Forrest for a few seconds, nodded, and hopped back onto the trail. He walked faster than I imagined.

I had to speed walk to keep up with him and Forrest, whose long legs ate up the distance quicker. Though Forrest didn’t say it, he slowed his steps for me to keep up and called out to Hank. “Let’s slow down, okay? We’re not used to this rocky path.”

Nodding, he slowed his pace.

If it was an emergency, why hadn’t I heard any sirens? Maybe they did blast them earlier, but I’d been trapped inside a passionate bubble that prevented me from hearing anything but my heartbeat against his.

I stole a glance at Forrest’s captivating profile. I wanted to study the way light and shadows played across his face as sunlight streamed down between the openings in the trees. I shouldn’t be staring at him, considering the urgency that Hank had described. But I couldn’t help it.