Page 40 of Explorer’s Revenge

“Hey, Dad, how did the doctor’s appointment go?

I’m sorry I couldn’t be there, but you know how it is.

We both know you would rather be here with me.

” She pans the camera around to show a mountain completely covered in snow, and there isn’t another soul in sight.

“Apparently it’s the gnarliest slide ever, but we shall see. ” She grins at the camera.

“I miss you so much, Dad. I wish you could be here with me. I always do, but I’m doing this for you.

I’ll leave your name everywhere, so you’ll see it with me.

” Her smile fades a little. “I’m sorry, Dad.

I didn’t know what to say when you told me.

I’m sorry you’re hurting and it stole your dream, but I love you.

I will always love you, and whether I’m across the world, trekking through jungles, or in your living room, enjoying the crackling fire, we’ll always be together.

My adventures are yours, and I’ll love them all for you.

I love you, Dad, so much. We’ll get through this together.

See you when I’m home. It will be soon, I promise.

” She’s gone, and I glance back, her camera falling into my lap.

I could hear her heartbreak and loneliness in every word despite her smile. I guess I never realized Maeve Carter was struggling before, so intent on hating her. She’s looking for a place to belong, just like us.

She groans, and I hide her camera, turning to her just as her eyes open. “Hey, are you okay?” I ask.

“I need to pee so badly,” she admits, making me grin.

“Come on.” I help her up, and her hand shakes in mine, something I don’t like. I guide her behind the nearest trees so she can have some privacy, and she looks at me.

“I can pull my own pants down,” she mutters when I just stare.

“Carter, I think we are past boundaries now,” I retort, but her eyebrow arches, so I turn my back. “I’m not going any farther. You’re hurt.”

“Perv,” she grumbles. I hear her fumbling, and then she groans and hisses, no doubt struggling to crouch since her leg is bad.

“Lean on me,” I murmur softly.

She hesitates but finally rests her head on my lower back, leaning against me as she does her business. When she stands, she rests against me for a moment more, her head on my shoulder as she pants. “I fucking hate being weak.”

“You’ve never been weak a moment in your life, Carter, not even now,” I tell her, and I turn, catching her as she stumbles at my sudden movement. She looks up from the safety of my arms, her nails digging into my skin. I let her leave her physical mark on me, since she’s already left a mental one.

My entire life has revolved around Carter for years, whether I was hating her or competing with her. It’s strange how easily my feelings went from hate to something . . . more.

“Liar,” she whispers. “Look at me, I’m useless right now?—”

“Never,” I interject, cupping her chin and tilting her head back until she meets my eyes.

“Even injured, tired, and smelly”—she huffs, and I grin—“you’re the strongest person I know.

Look at how far you’ve made it. No one else I know would have endured what you have. You brave, foolish, perfect woman.”

We both freeze as the words slip out, the warm darkness of the jungle closing around us, and my eyes lower, tracing her lips.

“You hate me.” I watch her mouth form the words, and I can’t help but swallow, wanting to feel them against mine.

“You hate me too,” I respond softly.

We don’t pull away, instead leaning closer like magnets are drawing us together. Years of fighting, of butting heads, all just . . . leave in this moment as my eyes meet hers to see her uncertainty.

“Let’s forget the world for a bit, forget our company and competition and all the reasons why we hate each other, and how about we just . . . do what we both want? How about we love each other for one stolen moment?” I murmur.

“One moment?” she asks.

“Maybe two,” I admit as I tilt my head down. “Say yes.”

From one heartbeat to the next, she tortures me, but then she speaks, her voice small and quiet. “Yes.”

My lips are on hers before she can second-guess herself or either of us can question this. I swallow her little gasp as my tongue invades her mouth. It isn’t a soft kiss—no, it’s a battle, a fight for dominance as her fingertips dig into me, and I back her up against the tree.

My hand cradles her injured head before it can hit the tree trunk, and I lift her with my free hand to relieve the pressure from her wounded leg so all she feels and tastes is me, not pain.

Deepening the kiss, I press her back into the bark, and she lets out a little moan that drives me crazy. I pull away, breaking the kiss. “Make that noise again,” I demand roughly. “Fuck, I’d give anything for you to make that fucking noise again.”

“Make me,” she retorts breathlessly, sass in her tone.

Grunting, I slam my lips onto hers, kissing her like our lives depend on it, and she finally emits that noise.

It vibrates through my body, making me tremble.

My cock hardens despite how hurt she is, and my desire rivals the storm that hit us, but then I remember where we are and her injuries and I slow it down.

She keeps up with me until we break apart, both of us panting.

“Two moments,” she murmurs, licking her lips, and I nod, ordering my hands to let her go, but they won’t listen.

“Maybe three.” I press my lips to hers again, tasting her smile.

This time, she pulls away first, leaning trustingly into my hold. “They’ll come looking for us.”

“Let them. They would be doing the same thing,” I admit, knowing I’m not wrong. I’ve seen the way they look at her. I can’t blame them. One simple yes from her turned me into a demanding dog who’s pawing at her.

“Who said I would let them?” she asks, arching a brow.

“Wouldn’t you?” I ask curiously. Surprisingly, it doesn’t bother me. I’ve always shared everything I have. It’s my duty as a big brother, but I never realized that would extend to someone I wanted. With her, though, it seems . . . normal.

“I guess they’ll have to find out.” She gives me a quick peck that has my eyes widening as she slips from my embrace and limps back to our camp.

My hand drifts up and traces my lips. She claimed them for her own.

I can’t even remember a kiss that wasn’t hers. Maeve Carter has ruined me.

Maybe she did the very first moment I met her, I was just too hardheaded to understand.