He snorted and returned the jab. “I waspullingyou out of that river.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t fall in. I had a firm grip on the rock.”
He shrugged. “Your hands might have been wrapped around a stone, but the rest of you dangled over the water. You’d have been swimming in less than a minute if I hadn’t shown up.”
She tipped her head at him, curiosity slipping into her gaze. “What were you doing there anyway? It was early in the morning.”
The memory of that day slipped back through. “I’d come to the falls the night before, trying to get away from all the drinking and noise at the rendezvous. Ended up sleepingthere. I saw you come that morning, but I didn’t want to disturb you.” He cut her a look. “I figured realizing you were alone in such a remote place with a strange man might be alarming.”
A smile curved Faith’s mouth. “Little did you know that wouldn’t worry me overmuch.”
A pang twisted in his chest. That was exactly the problem. And it meant he had to worry enough for both of them. Or rather, he needed to stand strong and keep his hands to himself.
But just as he prepared to step away from her, putting more distance between them to clear his head, Faith stopped and turned to him.
He reluctantly did the same. When she fixed those clear blue eyes on his, her earnest gaze seeing all the way to his soul, he couldn’t summon enough moisture in his dry mouth to speak.
Her voice started tentatively. “Grant, I...” She paused, her throat working. Did her gaze just drop to his lips?
He had to clench his hands to keep from reaching out to pull her close. If only she knew how much she undid him—her words and everything else about her. But he couldn’t let her know, or else he’d lose the last remnants of his control.
Her focus flicked up to his eyes again, and he could see her nervousness. Did she feel something for him? He’d thought it before. Maybe. But if it were actually true . . . if she experienced even a thread of the overwhelming pull that gripped every part of him...
When her gaze dipped to his mouth again and lingered there, his entire body heated, burning away his resolve. He reached for her...
...and she came to him.
He cupped her shoulders, savoring her warmth, relishing her beauty, the rich tan on her cheeks that proved her adventurous streak. He lowered his mouth, and she rose up to meet him partway.
Faith fought the nerves in her middle as she pressed her lips to Grant’s. But then the warm intensity of his mouth took over, clearing every thought from her mind.
Dear sweet Rosa. This man filled her senses and overwhelmed every one of them. She lifted her hands to his chest, but they wouldn’t stay there. They slid up to wrap around his neck, her fingers tangling in his wet hair. The taste of him was intoxicating, mixed with the wild scent of the trees that had brushed against him as they rode, and even a hint of smoke from that morning’s campfire.
He slowed the kiss, though she was nowhere near ready to stop. Grant was so much more ... She couldn’t string together enough words to finish that thought.
But the one thing she did comprehend clearly—oh so vividly—was that Grant admired her. As she did him.
He pulled back, just enough to allow them both to breathe. She inhaled gulps of air as his chest heaved too. She couldn’t stop the smile that tugged her cheeks wide.
But then he eased a little farther back, enough that she could focus on his eyes. They weren’t smiling. In fact, a touch of worry clouded their earnest depths. “I’m sorry if I took liberties I shouldn’t have. I didn’t mean ... I don’t...”
He seemed to be struggling for words, and a flash offear rose in her chest at what he might say if she let him continue. So she placed a finger on his lips, silencing him. “Don’t apologize, Grant. I wanted that too.”
Realization of what she’d just said surged the moment the words left her mouth. Heat flushed through her, and she cringed. “I mean...” She pulled back a little, wanting to cover her face with her hands.
He chuckled, and his hands rested on her upper arms, keeping her from going far. “It’s nice to know the feeling is mutual.”
She dared only a quick glance at his face, but the softness there eased some of her mortification. She let out a long breath, willing the embarrassment away. Letting herself rest in his hold, soaking in the chance to study his face—every handsome feature there.
His expression turned more sober again, but she didn’t fear this time. She wanted to know what held him back. They could face it together if they spoke of it.
At last he said, “I told myself I wouldn’t get close to anyone again. It’s too hard to lose them.” He didn’t addbut you’re worth that risk. Which meant fear still held him too tightly.
Perhaps he only needed time. She could give him that.
So she pressed a hand to his chest, her palm flat against the warmth that rose through his shirt. She could feel a little of the pounding in his heart too. “We don’t have to rush this. There’s so much else happening. We can take time to see where we want this to lead.”
He paused a moment, as though he wasn’t sure he wanted to agree. But then he nodded. “You’re right. There’s a lot happening.” He gave her arms a gentle squeeze, then releasedher. “You should get back before White Horse comes searching.”
