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ALLISON

A llison’s breath hitches when Russell snakes his arm around her waist pulling her body flush with his. Her heart pounds even faster at the contact. She loves the way they seem to fit together perfectly. He lowers his head. Her eyes close, waiting for his kiss.

She waits and waits, but he doesn’t kiss her. He is so close she can feel his breath on her lips. She opens her eyes to see him watching her, waiting for her. His eyes are so intense and focused on her, like he is looking into her soul, waiting for permission. Her lips tip up just before she crashes her lips to his.

The kiss is a hot, wild battle of wills. Both of them taking what they want and need. Allison has never felt so much passion before. None of her former boyfriends had ever made her feel like this.

Wild.

Out of control.

Desperate for his touch.

Their hands are roaming over one another. One of his hands grips the back of her head, tipping her to one side as he devours her mouth. His other hand slides down to her lower back just above her ass. He pulls her as close as possible without their bodies fusing into one.

Allison’s hands slide up and down his muscular arms, then around to his broad back. His muscles flexing and bunching as his hands roam her body. She is never going to get enough of him. His strength, his touch, his kisses. Allison moans when his hand finds her breast, cupping it and kneading it gently. She’s already wet between her legs. God! She needs this man to take her, fuck her, and make her his. Without a doubt, he will ruin her for any other man, but in this moment, she doesn’t care.

“There you are!” Emma calls out. “We’ve been loo—, oops! Go back, go back!” Allison and Russell break apart, turning in the direction of Emma's voice. Allison notices Emma shooing Curtis back toward the clearing. Russell’s body begins shaking with silenced laughter. She leans into him, enjoying the feel of his body against hers. Russell’s arms tighten around her. This feels too good to be true. The thought crosses her mind, but she shoves it away. For now, she’s going to enjoy their time together, no matter how it ends.

A few hours later, the group is close to finishing their hike. Allison is exhausted, but pleased with how the rest of the day has been since she and Russell had their heart to heart. They’ve both been openly affectionate, not caring who saw them holding hands or how he couldn’t keep his hands to himself while helping her over a difficult portion of the trail.

They are taking a rest break before the last section. The group has found a small clearing just off the trail where they can sit and rest a few minutes without holding up other hikers. “So,” Allison begins, bumping her shoulder into Russell’s. “You were hurt I denied we were a couple?” Russell gives her a side eye, his lips pressing together. Allison is about to think she’s gone too far. She shouldn’t have brought it up, but it has been on her mind all afternoon. She needs more details about where his head is at where they are concerned.

“Yeah, I…I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but it did hurt that you were so eager to deny we meant anything to each other,” Russell replies, turning to look at her. He has such a serious look on his face. “I know we don’t know each other well. Hell, we just met a couple of days ago, but I’ve never been as attracted to anyone as I have been to you.”

Allison’s face flushes with happiness, hearing his words. She’s felt a connection to him from almost the moment she laid eyes on him, but she’s been rejected enough in the past to not let her true feelings show until she’s certain they are reciprocated. Still, there’s the whole issue of them living on opposite sides of the country.

Before she can voice her feelings or concerns, he continues. “I want to explore this,”—his hand waves between them—“whatever it is between us, but I need you to know, and I need to remember, I can’t get into a serious relationship.”

Allison is momentarily devastated. She’d known this from the beginning, but hearing him say it hurt. A lot. She looks away hiding the tears in her eyes and the pain on her face. “I’m sorry. It’s just I have so much going on with my mom and sisters. I have to be focused on them and what they need. I hope you can understand.”

Allison nods, but doesn’t try to speak right away, knowing her voice will give away her true feelings. He lays his hand over hers, which is resting on her thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze. Giving herself a mental shake to shrug off the hurt, she turns to him with what she hopes is a reassuring smile.

“Don’t sweat it, caveman. I can’t be in a serious relationship either,” Allison says. Her voice is stronger than she expects. “I agree I feel more for you than guys I’ve dated for months, but we live on opposite sides of the country and have busy lives. There’s no way it could work long term. How about we just enjoy it while it lasts?”

She can see the relief wash over Russell, his tense shoulders relax while he gives her hand another squeeze. “That sounds great, sugar,” he says with a smile. She returns his smile, forcing herself to be satisfied with what he is willing to give her.

The sex will be amazing if what they’ve already done together is anything to go by. She needs to be careful, though. She is self-aware enough to know if…no, when they have sex, she’s at risk of falling harder for him. The last thing she needs is to nurse a broken heart.

“I suppose we’d better get going,” Russell comments. The others in their group are getting up from their resting spots and heading back toward the trail. He holds his hand out to her, and she gladly allows him to help her to her feet. He doesn’t let go of her hand, even when they reach the trail where the rest of their group has gathered. Allison can feel Gloria and Bridget watching her, judging her.