Page 15

E MILY HEARD B RANDON’S voice in her ear much too early the next morning. “Sugar. Wake up. It’s gorgeous outside. Let’s go to Icicle Creek today.”

She let out a groan. “No. I wanna sleep.” She pulled the pillow over her head. He took it away from her.

“If we go now, we’ll have the place to ourselves.”

“AaaaaAAAAGH.” This time, Emily pulled the blankets over her head. Her chances were better of escaping detection this way. Actually, it would be moments before Brandon tore off the blankets, too, but a girl could dream.

He let out a laugh. “We’re playing the pillow game today.”

“Why do you have to be so cheerful when you wake up?” she complained.

“Because you’re not.”

“Please tell me you have a hangover,” she moaned. His typically sunny outlook was adorable. Well, it was sweet after ten AM. The rest of the time, it was annoying.

“Hell, no. Don’t make me haul your pretty little ass out of bed.”

“Let’s snuggle for a while instead.”

He pushed her hair aside, and kissed the back of her neck. His lips lingered on one of the more sensitive spots of Emily’s body. “We can stay in bed all day if you’d like.”

“Mmm,” Emily purred. He pulled her closer. Finally they were alone, and they were about to get naked.

The bedroom door flew open, hitting the wall with a bang.

“Hey, McKenna. Top Pot says ‘hi.’” Greg shoved a paper tray with two cups of coffee and a box of doughnuts onto Brandon’s dresser. “Breakfast in bed, guy.” He nodded at Emily. “Hey, Em.”

“Hey,” she said weakly, and pulled the blankets up over her head again.

I CICLE C REEK WAS located ninety minutes east of Seattle, and just outside of Leavenworth, WA, a small town with Tyrolean flair. Brandon had promised Emily an “easy hike,” but his idea of an easy hike would probably incapacitate the average woman. They’d walked for a couple of hours already. Despite working out five days a week, Emily was getting tired. Her steps slowed. She pulled the water bottle off her belt, and took a swallow.

As they hiked, Brandon was still musing over the beatdown he was going to give Greg at his earliest convenience. He couldn’t actually hit him. Maybe he’d just get Greg in a headlock, or tell his girlfriend about last year’s road trip to Tampa Bay. Greg seemed unfamiliar with basic Man Code: Stay out of another guy’s room without knocking first.

Above all, his house wasn’t a frat.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Brandon was currently feeling the most intense sexual frustration he could remember since he was sixteen and got caught messing around with his junior prom date in the guys’ locker room. If he’d waited till later in the evening, things might have gone better for everyone concerned. Then again, he’d seen Missy at a few school reunions since. She didn’t seem mad about it.

The whole pretend engagement thing had him thinking; only an asshole would seduce a woman he didn’t really have a relationship with. When he and Emily first met, it was a business thing. Somewhere along the way, they’d abandoned “pretend” and went straight for “let’s give it a try.” Their relationship—and they sure as hell had one now—started slowly. The physical side took time, too. Emily’s ex had done such a number on her that at first she had jumped every time he touched her. In other words, he was all for casual sex, but this was something more. Plus, he really liked Emily. Nailing a woman for the sheer enjoyment of it was poor form. Well, unless she wanted him to. He was fairly positive she wanted him to, after last night’s fun in the shower.

If Greg hadn’t come busting into his bedroom right about the time Brandon felt Emily rubbing up against his junk this morning, it wouldn’t be an issue. They would have spent the day in bed, and his frustration would be gone.

He hadn’t spent time with anyone he was more interested in. If he was really honest with himself, he didn’t think he’d meet anyone he’d be more interested in again.

“Asshole,” he muttered to himself.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.” He spotted a clearing off the path. “Hey, let’s rest for a minute.” He pulled a blanket from his backpack, spread it out, and dropped onto it. He pulled his smart phone out of his shorts pocket, noted he had coverage, and dashed off a text to Greg: YOU’RE AT YOUR GIRLFRIEND’S TONIGHT.

“Please tell me you’re tired.”

“Hell, no. I could go another five miles. It’s a gorgeous day and we’re out here all alone ...” His voice trailed off. It was one of those rarities in Washington—several days of over-seventy degree weather in May, and he could take advantage of the situation.

He turned to Emily, quirking a brow. “Ever been skinny dipping?” She looked alarmed, and he tried to smother his laughter.

She scooted away from him. “No. No, no, no. We have no towels,” she argued. “The water’s cold. I don’t think this is a good idea ...”

He reached over and untied her hiking boots. She half-heartedly pushed his hands away, which made him laugh even more. Emily pretended to be upset, but he saw the flush slowly climbing her cheeks. She was more shy than fearful.

“Are you scared, little diva?”

“Of course not.”

He half-rolled toward her, stretching across the blanket and moving closer. Initially she scuttled away, but she stopped at the edge of the blanket. She wasn’t frightened of the water. From the way her arms wrapped around her midsection, trying to fold herself in half, she was a lot more afraid of being seen naked in the great outdoors than anything else.

A naked Emily was now number one on his “to-do” list, and he was going to talk her into it. All she needed was some gentle persuasion. Luckily, he excelled at talking shy women out of their clothing.

“Let’s go wading,” he coaxed.

“I don’t trust you.” She wrapped her arms around her knees.

“Oh, you shouldn’t,” he agreed, and reached out to pull off her boots and her socks. “You’re alone with me, and it’s the middle of the week. There’s nobody else for miles, and I have an agenda.”

She tried to brush his hands away, but he tickled the bottom of her foot. She mumbled, “I don’t know about this.”

He stripped off his own hiking boots, socks, t-shirt and shorts. They landed in a pile. The sun felt great on his skin, and he crawled over, sprawling out next to her.

Her voice trembled. “What are you doing?”

She was looking everywhere else but at him, and she blushed even harder, if it was possible. He’d never seen this side of Emily before. He couldn’t believe his bossy little diva was so shy about the whole thing.

“No one’s going to see us,” he reassured. He stroked her cheek with one fingertip. She opened her mouth, shut it, and opened it again.

“We don’t need to take our clothes off to go wading—”

“Oh, come on. Where’s your sense of adventure?”

Her voice dropped to almost a whisper. “This is not a great idea.” Her voice was muffled as he tugged her t-shirt over her head, and unzipped her shorts. “We’re in public. You’re taking my clothes off. Maybe this is an experience I don’t need to have.”

“It’ll be fun. Getting naked is always fun.”

She let out a groan, which made him laugh again. He unhooked her bra, slid it off, and pulled her panties down her legs. She looked like she wanted to argue with him some more, but she shut her mouth just as quickly. She lay on her side facing him, crossed her arms over her abdomen and her legs at the ankle, and reluctantly met his eyes.

“It’s warmer out here than I thought.” She sounded surprised. Her face was still flushed, but the rest of her—God, the rest of her ...

He looked at her, and then he stared. He hadn’t seen much last night, but right now he was seeing it all. His eyes traveled over her with glacial slowness, from toenails painted candy-apple red, up pale thighs she probably thought were too large, and over parts of her that never saw the sun. He reached out to brush her arms away.

“Let me see,” he breathed. She lowered her eyelids under his scrutiny, and he saw her eyes fix on the bulge in his shorts.

She was going to short out if this kept up. She colored. She stammered. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him.

He looped a lock of hair behind her ear.

“You look like one of those paintings I saw in Art History class,” he said. Emily was Christmas morning, and the presents were all for him. “You’re beautiful, sugar. You’re all lushness and curves. I can’t wait to touch you.” He watched her lips move into a smile, and reached out to tickle her.

B RANDON LOOKED LIKE a sun-kissed version of Michelangelo’s David, with better abs. Even though her fiancé still wore his boxer briefs, David suffered in comparison. Emily reached out to lay her palm on the mother of all six-packs. His skin was warm and his abdomen rock-hard; the hair curled around her fingers as she slowly drew them over the rippling muscles.

She was rapidly losing whatever resistance she’d mustered up.

“Come on, sugar.” He pulled off his boxer briefs, dropped them on the pile of clothing, and held out his hand. “Try it,” he coaxed. She struggled to her feet. He scooped her up in his arms and waded out into the water.

Emily crossed her legs and pulled herself up against him, hoping to stay dry. “Aren’t you cold?”

“Of course not,” he said, but his teeth were chattering. “It’ll be okay in a minute.”

He waded out until the water was above his waist and glanced down at Emily. She grabbed for herself. “You’re looking at my boobs. Quit it.”

“Make me.” He pulled Emily closer and kissed her.

One of her feet slipped and dangled in the freezing water, but she didn’t care. She forgot she was naked. She forgot she was in a public place. She forgot everything but his lips and his tongue and the way he tasted.

Then Brandon tossed Emily through the air and into the water.

She came up sputtering. It was freezing. She’d never experienced anything so cold. She got to her feet and yelled, “What the hell was that ?”

Brandon waved a wet finger at her. She splashed him. Emily’s hair dripped liquid icicles down her back. The water was up to her ribcage as she moved slowly toward him.

“You’re gorgeous when you’re mad,” he said.

“You are so getting dunked, NFL Boy.” She hurled herself at him. He didn’t move.

“Now you’re talking trash. Bring it.” He shook the water out of his curls like an overgrown golden retriever. His teeth weren’t chattering anymore. He was too busy laughing at her. She didn’t miss the gentle amusement in his eyes.

She hooked her foot around his ankle, managing to pull his leg out from under him. They both fell into the water again.

He came up laughing. “That’ll teach me.” He pulled Emily closer. She felt something against her leg that wasn’t either one of them.

“Ewww. What was that? I don’t like it!” she shouted.

“It’s a fish saying hello, sugar.” He rubbed his ear. So, she was a little loud when startled. “Take it easy.”

Emily was getting used to the freezing cold. They were in one of the most beautiful places she’d ever seen. The mountains rose around them; the sky was a brilliant azure blue. The water flowed white over various boulders.

Suddenly aware of the water’s currents, Emily said, “We’re floating.”

“I’ve got you. Look over there.” He nodded toward the shore.

Two young deer stood in the clearing where they left their things. The doe regarded them with liquid brown eyes. The young buck bowed his fur-covered antlers toward them as if he were tipping his hat. He ambled to the blanket and nudged Brandon’s backpack with his nose. His lady friend followed him. They delicately picked their way to the water’s edge, and dipped their muzzles into the rushing water.

“Maybe they’ll steal your shorts,” Emily murmured.

“That’s not going to happen. Even if it did, you like me naked anyway.”

Emily could feel her face flaming again. Another look at that package wasn’t unwelcome.

“It’s so cold,” she said, “but I wouldn’t miss this for anything.”

The deer continued to drink from the river. Butterflies danced around the clearing in the sunshine. The gentle breeze ruffled the grass and the wildflowers. It was a Disney movie come to life, except for the whole “nude in the great outdoors” angle.

Slowly but surely, wherever Emily’s flesh touched his, she was warm. She rested her cheek against his chest, and the wiry blond curls there tickled her nose. Brandon bent his head and captured her mouth in another long, slow, sensual kiss. She brought her hips against his and wrapped her arms around his neck. His tongue moved against Emily’s, darting and slipping. Of course, her knees weren’t working.

“I’ve got you,” Brandon said. “But you’re cold. Let’s go lie down.”

He led Emily out of the water and up the bank. They slipped on the wet rocks a bit, but made it back to the blanket. The deer had wandered away. The only sounds besides their breathing were the rushing water, trees rustling in the breeze, and birds chirping in the distance. She lay down in the sunshine, rolled onto her back, and held her arms out to him. Even if they were both still dripping wet, Emily wanted him as close as she could get him.

“Still mad at me?” he asked.

Her fingers tangled in his chest hair. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His head rested on her shoulder. She dropped a kiss on his forehead. He circled one of her nipples with a fingertip. “They look like little raspberries.”

Brandon and Emily lay quietly for a few moments, drying in the sun, and then he shoved himself up on his elbow. “Where were we?” he murmured as he took her face in his hand. His leg slipped against hers, and he covered her with his body. He was hard against Emily’s belly, and she realized she’d been waiting for this since the moment they met.

“You were kissing me, and then you dumped me into the water.”

“It was an accident. I’ll make it up to you,” he said.

“I’m not sure that’s possible,” Emily said.

“You don’t say.” He covered her breast with one hand, and teased the nipple with his thumb. Shocks of sensation rolled through her body. “There’s no Tiffany’s out here. I’m fresh out of the usual offerings. Will you take a rain check? I’d hate to think you were so mad at me that we couldn’t continue enjoying ourselves ...”

He pulled his hand away from her.

“It wasn’t ... It wasn’t that bad,” she burst out.

“Maybe we should go swimming again, then.”

“Oh, no. I want to!”

His hand resumed its previous position, and he nibbled at her collarbone. His voice dropped to a sexy rumble. “Tell me what you want.” He watched her through half-lidded eyes. “Don’t leave anything out.”

She tried to draw air into her lungs. “You,” she said. Her arms slid around him, and she pulled him even closer. “I want you.”

He took the nipple he’d been idly stroking into his mouth. His tongue swirled around it, and she wrapped one of her legs around his. She relaxed into his arms.

Everything was great, until an awful thought crossed her mind.

“Wait. Wait a minute.” Emily pushed him off enough to sit up, and scrabbled around for her clothes. “I have to get dressed. We don’t have any condoms. We can’t do this without a condom.”

“We’re fine, sugar.” He reached over, rooting through the pile of clothes, pulling something from his shorts pocket. He pushed the small foil packet into Emily’s hand as he eased her back down onto the blanket again. “All set.”

Obviously Emily wasn’t a virgin. He wasn’t, either. Even if she wanted this, she was nervous, and it was now a lot more than a no-strings encounter. This would change everything. “It’s broad daylight, we’re outside, and—”

She didn’t finish her sentence. His mouth came down on hers. She was too busy kissing him to think of anything else. His lips tasted like water. His tongue stroked in and out, lingering and exploring. He moved against her with exquisite slowness, his hand straying down her belly. His fingers mimicked what his tongue was doing, slowly, so slowly.

Emily felt the scratchy foil edge of the condom wrapper in her palm as she stroked his back with her fingertips. His fingers were making her tremble and shudder, and she arched frantically against him.

“Easy,” he said, his voice soft in her ear.

“I want—I want—”

“I know you do. You’re going to get there.”

He suckled and played with her breasts until Emily’s nipples were hard and aching. He stroked up and down, his fingers moving in and out of her. She let out a moan. He wasn’t done. He kissed his way over her belly, down, down, until she felt him spread her legs. He tasted her where his fingers had been.

“Oh. Oh. Oh, God.” He was making more of those little circles with his tongue and then his fingertips, and she gasped. She moaned. She begged him. “Please, Brandon, please.”

His voice was dark, rough, and it came from somewhere she’d never heard before. “Do you want me, sugar?”

“Yes. Oh, yes, oh, God, please.”

More licks, more stroking, more rubbing. Emily felt the waves start at her fingertips, the skittering rush of sensation over her skin, and the flashes of heat in her blood. “Come for me.” He pulled her into his mouth, suckled her, flicked his tongue over that small nub of flesh, and gently bit.

Emily came so hard she saw stars. She cried out and heard his soft chuckle. He rolled onto his side, gathering her into his arms. She let out a contented sigh. A few minutes passed. She was sated, drowsy, and warm, and all she wanted was to fall asleep.

He had other plans. “We’re not done yet.”

“Thank God ,” she said with feeling.

Brandon kissed her through his laughter.

His hands roamed over her body once more. He took the foil packet from her hand, tore it open with his teeth, and unrolled the latex disc onto himself. Moments later, he moved over her again. She felt the prodding at her entrance, and heard him say, “Ready?”

Emily’s eyelids fluttered closed. The sun beat down, the water rushed, the breeze blew over them. Brandon’s breath was warm on her cheek, and she felt the thin sheen of sweat on his skin. She wrapped her legs around his waist. She reached down to cup his butt in both hands and froze.

Maybe she was hearing things, but it sure sounded like voices coming from the path nearby. She let out a gasp. They weren’t done yet, she thought wildly. They hadn’t even started!

Emily heard him whisper, “Sugar. Don’t move.”