“Don’t worry, Olive. I’ve got you. Nothing bad is going to happen when you’re with me.”
Tell that to her throbbing body parts that ached for him to finish what he’d started, but he hadn’t and that was bad. Very, very bad.
Conceding, he followed her inside.
Ryker came inside. “Let’s do this. Stand here and look out the door.”
Handing her the binoculars, he gently gripped her shoulders and moved her into place.
“Look at the rocky ledge directly in front of you and you’ll get a great view of the spot where the Dall sheep hang out.”
A warm feeling spread in her chest. He’d brought her up here to show her some sheep. The binoculars adjusted easily, giving her a clear view.
“Do you see three trees hanging off a ledge just ahead of you?”
The binoculars were so powerful that she could see blades of grass and small white flowers peeking out between jagged rocks.
“I see the trees.”
“Look up.”
Two white furry bodies appeared in the lenses. Thick horns curled from the male sheep’s heads, their jaws working back and forth as they plucked grass from the slips between the rocks.
“They’re beautiful!”
She scanned the ledges and found more sheep, one with a lamb that peeked its curly head from between its mother’s front legs. With a spurt of energy, it jumped onto a boulder and scurried to the very edge of the cliff. Miraculously, it balanced on tiny hooves before bucking its back legs and bounding back to its mother.
“There’s a baby. Look!”
Ryker brought the binoculars to his eyes. The corner of his mouth turned up, his thumb and forefinger turning the wheel sohe could get a clearer look. His profile was striking—strong jaw, arched cheekbone. The binoculars concealed his straight nose and the breathtaking blue of his eyes.
A swirl of unwelcome emotions churned in her chest. They shouldn’t have kissed. It was only going to make things worse. Things were brewing under the surface that made her future uncertain. Cara had been talking about selling the building and putting the boutique in an updated and newer location. If she did, Olive would lose her apartment and there was no way she’d find another that was remotely affordable. Not in Estes Park.
It was a big ‘what if’ but it could happen, and she could be homeless again. She’d never survive Colorado winters living in her car, so she’d have to go somewhere warmer. She’d have to leave this place. This is why she couldn’t have a kitten, and she certainly couldn’t have a man.
Shit. Speaking of trying not to be homeless again, she had an appointment tonight to look at a camper van. Pulling out her cell phone, she checked the time and exhaled in relief to find she still had time.
“What’s wrong?”
He handed the binoculars back to her.
“I have an appointment in a couple of hours, so I need to keep tabs on the time.”
“I’ll do inventory now and then we can head out.”
She spent the time scanning the mountains for wildlife, enjoying the view, and the comfortable, intimate sound of Ryker moving quietly around the room. But it was over too soon.
“I’m done. Ready for the hike back?”
No. She’d stay right here with him all night if he asked her to.
“I’m ready.”
Making a half spin to hand him the binoculars, she was startled to find him right next to her. He grabbed her elbow to steady her but didn’t let go as she fully faced him. Their eyeslocked and her lips tingled with anticipation. She drew in his scent, comforted by the shelter of his tall, strong body.
A line formed between his eyes as his brows knit. They’d moved into each other’s space like it was the most natural thing, just like kissing him had been. Running her hands over his naked body while she straddled his hips would be, too.
His fingers thread into her hair. Gripping his wrist, she fought with herself over pushing him away. She didn’t want to, but she should.
