She dried off her legs and arms and blotted her hair.Now that it was wet, her hair was going to get frizzy and out of control.Not the image she wanted to impress upon on Carson.
She pulled her hair tie free and rewrapped it in a messy bun.It would have to do until she got home.“Do you need the blanket?”Allie held out the blanket, unsure if he’d take it.Carson was sensitive about people seeing his body and scars.Not that she hadn’t seen it already.
“No, thank you.”Carson put his seat belt on and waited for Allie to do the same before backing out of the spot and heading back to her house.
“Thanks for a fun day, Carson,” Allie said when he pulled up in her driveway.
“Even though we got rained out?”
“That wasn’t until we were headed back.”Because of the rain, he’d held her hand, so she wasn’t going to complain one bit.“It was still a beautiful hike.”
“It was.It’s been a while since I was up there.I forgot how nice it was.”
“I’d love to go back again with my rock-climbing gear.”
“Red Canyon has better climbing, but I wouldn’t mind going with you if you’d like the company.”
“You rock climb?”She didn’t know why that surprised her.She knew he did all sorts of other crazy, dangerous things, but for some reason, rock climbing hadn’t been a thought.
“I know how to scale walls, but I wouldn’t say I’m a rock climber.Probably not up to your skill level.”
“I can help you out.I’ve been climbing for years.”Most men didn’t appreciate a woman showing them how to do things, but in this case, she was the more experienced.Unskilled climbers could get themselves injured or even killed.
“I’d like that.”
“Good.”She was excited.It had been a while since she’d climbed.Actually, it had been a long time since she’d done anything other than study and work.She’d forgotten how much she missed getting out and doing things.“We’ll have to plan that sometime.”Allie looked out the window toward her house.She wasn’t ready for their day to end.“Do you want to come inside?”
Carson’s gaze flickered toward her house then back to her.“I can’t.I have some things left to do today.”
Allie smiled, hiding her disappointment.“Okay, maybe another time.Well, I better get going so you can do that; thanks again for today.”
“What are you doing tomorrow?”Carson asked as she reached for the door handle.
She ran through her schedule in her head.“I have some errands with Sandy during the day, but nothing after that.”
“Would you like to come to my house for dinner?”
“Sure, can I bring anything?”
“No,” he shook his head, “Just yourself.I’ll textyou my address.It’s easy to find.”
“Okay, what time?”
“How does sixsound?Will that give you enough time?”
“Yeah, that works out great.”She and Sandy were meeting uplate morning so she would be home in plenty of time to get ready.
“Alright, I’ll see you then.”They stared at each other for a moment.Allie felt that magnetic pull once more.
“Bye, Carson.”She didn’t move to leave yet.Allie wanted to see what he would do.Carson leaned toward her across the console.Allie leaned toward him.They both paused when a few inches separated them.Allie closed the gap and gave him a chaste kiss.
Carson jolted under her lips but didn’t pull away.After a moment, Allie pulled back an inch.She could smell his musky cologne this close.Or was that deodorant?It didn’t matter.It was earthy and raw just like him.
She licked her lips, feeling a slight tingling in them.Carson leaned back toward her.Allie met him in the middle.His lips were firmer this time.More confident, less hesitant.His head canted to the side for a better angle as his lips parted.Allie’s opened as well, and her tongue darted out to meet his with a bold stroke.
Carson groaned deep in his throat.His left hand came up to grip the nape of her neck, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss.The hair tie that was loosely holding her hair up fell out, and her hair tumbled down her back.Carson’s fingers snaked up the back of her hair, gripping a fistful.Their tongues danced and dueled.Allie was half draped over the middle console, wishing the thing was gone so she could straddle his lap.
This would have to do for now.Allie’s left hand came up tocup the side of Carson’s face.She felt the harsh raised flesh, but she didn’t let it affect her—even though inside, her heart broke for him.
