“It is. It’s at least an hour’s ride on a horse from the main ranch house. I used to come out here when I was a kid. I loved the peace of it all.” He’d lost count of how many times he’d ventured down here to sit and watch the water flow since he’d returned home. He considered this his spot. Being so far from the main house and the guest houses, no one ventured out here. Mitch was grateful for that, he’d hate to think that this slice of heaven would get spoiled by people traipsing all over it.
“I can understand why you’d come here. I feel instantly calm. It’s going to take a lot to get me to move from here and go to work.”
Mitch nuzzled her neck. “Maybe I can talk you into taking your shift off?” That hadn’t been his plan, but it was one he could get on board with.
“Don’t tempt me, but I’m still new I’ve got to make a good impression. Plus, I don’t want to let people down by not showing up. They’ll be short staffed and the wait will be extra long for every?—.”
Mitch placed his fingers over her lips, stopping the flow of words. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have suggested it. You make me wish for things that I haven’t thought of in a long time. Things I don’t think I deserve.”
Her eyes softened at his words. “Oh Mitch, you deserve to be happy and wishful.”
He shrugged, not sure he believed, but he didn’t want to cast a dark cloud over their picnic. “Come on, I don’t know about youbut I’m starving and I want to make the most of this time before I have to take you back to work.”
Grabbing her hand again, he closed the short distance to the blanket and placed the cooler on the corner. “You can put your feet in the water if you want.”
Immediately Nadia dropped to the blanket and began yanking off her boots. “You don’t have to tell me twice.”
Mitch laughed, watching her almost kid like movements, as she placed her socks in her boots and began to roll her jeans up. Looking over, she stilled when she saw him watching her. “Are you going to join me?”
He knew how cold that water could be, even though it was a warm day, the water, for some reason, was always quite a few degrees colder than the air temperature. “Nah, I think I’ll sit back and watch you splash around. Get lunch ready.”
Her eyes narrowed, as though she was weighing up his words and the motive behind them. “Hmm, either the water is really cold and you’re a wimp. Or there are little fish that will nibble the dead skin off my feet and your feet are ticklish so you’ll be yelping like a baby if they decide yours look juicy.”
For a second Mitch looked at her before busting out a big belly laugh. “Those are quite interesting theories you’ve got going on there, Dr. Fletcher.”
“Maybe, so which one is true?” she challenged, propping her hands on her hips. “Is the big bad volunteer fireman afraid of some cold water or some tiny fish?” Nadia was laughing as she finished speaking and he was struck by how carefree and beautiful she looked in his favorite space.
Keeping eye contact with her, Mitch toed off his boots before removing his socks. “Guess there’s only one way to find out. Are you ready?” he teased as he finished rolling up his jeans.
Nadia winked at him. “Bring. It. On.”
In two strides he was by her side. “Just remember, Boston.” He leaned in and whispered in her ear. “You asked for this.” He hoisted her up and over his shoulder, her squeal of surprise echoing around the wooded area.
“You’re not going to throw me in fully clothed are you? I have to work later!” Nadia said between screeches and laughs.
“I wouldn’t be so mean—maybe.” Mitch walked into the water, grimacing at the coolness flowing around his ankles. He gritted his teeth and held his body stiff so as not to giveaway how much the cold had startled him. Adjusting Nadia in his grip so he could lower her to the ground, he braced himself. He made sure to slide her body all the way down the front of him. He paid for the move with his body tightening against the zipper of his jeans. Nadia tensed a little in his arm, a clear sign she’d picked up on the change in his body.
Mitch dangled her above the water. “You ready?”
“Already told you I was.”
Mitch lowered her into the water, and waited.
“Oh shit, that’s friggin’ cold.” Nadia gasped and did a little jig, as if that would warm her feet and body.
He crossed his arms and smiled smugly at her. “Not so tough now, are you?”
Nadia stopped dancing around and took a deep breath, he waited to see what she was about to do and say next. “Well, it’s bracing, that’s for sure. But, you know, after a while you get used to it.”
Mitch chuckled. “Sure you do, Boston. That’s why you’re trying so hard not to shiver.”
In response Nadia leaned down and flicked water at him. The droplets sparkled as the sun caught them before they crashed onto his chest. His cotton shirt was no match for the onslaught and, this time, he couldn’t hold back his gasp or a shudder. “Theonly reason I’m not throwing water on you is because you have to work.”
Nadia sloshed through the water and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her fresh coconut scent wafted around him and he gripped her waist, keeping her close. “You’re all gentleman, Mitch. All gentleman.”
Time suspended between them as they looked at each other. Mitch reached up and smoothed a hand over her head, cupping the back of her skull. Angling his head, he kissed her softly. Warmth spread through him, chasing away the chill from his wet shirt and feet. Nadia groaned. He was quickly becoming addicted to that sound. It made him want to see what else would make her groan that way.
His body was fully on board with the idea and the way her hips thrust against his pelvis it seemed she was ready to go on a ride with him as well. Their privacy was guaranteed. No one would stumble upon them if he did want to take the next step. The fact Nadia had to work in a couple of hours was the only thing stopping him from following through with the fantasy.
