That hadn’t stopped him from eventually asking me to watch out for her. He’d complained she was a wild child, refusing to follow rules and always getting herself into trouble. A half laugh surfaced. He’d been right.
She’d been the adventurous girl, finding herself in hot water more than once. If she learned the things I’d done behind the scenes, she’d really hate me.
Including threatening her prom date. He’d been a real asshole, his daddy richer than anyone else in town. When I’d found him in his car making out with another chick prior to the prom, I’d gone ballistic, giving him two choices.
Learn to live without one leg or break off the prom date with Kenzie.
Yep. That had been me. Balls to the wall. She’d stick a knife in my heart if she knew.
At this point, I had no intention of confessing my sins.
On top of protecting her like I had my own little sister, I’d honored our friendship, remaining loyal. Until one damn summer afternoon when I’d almost tossed the bond aside. She’d cajoled, pushed, and otherwise taunted me. With her body. With her soft lips. With her rounded hips. With her laugh. With the way her long dark eyelashes had skimmed across her rosy cheeks. And the way her copper hair had captured luminous rays of sunshine creating a halo around her beautiful face.
Well, fuck me. My cock was aching the same way I’d experienced then. Nothing had changed. She was still my former best friend’s little sister. She was still off limits, forbidden fruit.
Partially because it was obvious she hated me for how I’d acted after the kiss. I couldn’t blame her. She’d always been too good for me. I’d need to keep it that way. Fewer headaches. Besides, I doubted she’d return to Missoula. Why was I putting myself through torment?
Maybe because I liked pain.
And I’d seen her naked.
My dick twitched again in response.
Sure, I’d had a direct, solid reason including worrying about hypothermia. I’d needed to get the wet clothes off. I’d wrapped her in a robe, the gentlemanly thing to do. Right? At least that’s what I continued to tell myself.
Then why was it so difficult to think about her without becoming angry?
The best thing to do was to try to figure out if there was a way of getting her off the mountain. When I grabbed my phone, I laughed once again. No reception. The storm had obviouslyknocked out the internet. Maybe the walkie-talkies would work, but I was safe and sound, nothing about the situation an emergency.
Unless she drove me crazy.
Since I’d been scheduled off, no one needed me.
Well, fuck. What choice did I have? I’d need to make the best of the horrid situation.
My body bristled, every muscle suddenly tensing. Because I sensed her presence. However, I refused to turn around. Did I honestly think she was just going to hide in another part of my house? My mountain cabin wasn’t that large to begin with. Plus, I had to feed her. Another gentlemanly thing to do.
Since when had I ever considered myself a gentleman?
“I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here.” Her voice was rich with the same fury as before.
“There’s little we can do about it.”
After a few seconds and with a heavy sigh, I turned around. Acting childish wasn’t going to help the situation.
Her glare was harsh, eyes capable of leveling me to the ground from the flame throwers in them. Her personality was intact, exactly as I remembered. “There has to be a way.”
“Trust me, there isn’t. Like I said, we could slide down the mountain.” As before, her defiance yanked at the bad boy side of me. I’d adored egging her on before. Apparently, it was a trait I hadn’t lost.
Kenzie looked away. “Fine.”
“Fine.” When I mimicked her, she threw me another look. Back to the way we used to communicate.
She grumbled under her breath, yanking hair from her face with enough force I was surprised she hadn’t ripped out a handful yet.
“So you’re a smokejumper.” Her voice was stronger, with the same lilt I remembered yet no longer girlish. There was also a slight barb to the tone.
“Are you making fun of my career choice? I mean not all of us want to work out of some fancy office.”
