I might not be ready to name my feelings for Jensen, but it can’t be love. I barely know him. Let’s call it lust. I’m comfortable calling it lust, but nothing more. Falling that fast would make me a damn fool.
My bucket list challenge was to embrace and reclaim a little of my wildness. But being wild and being an idiot are not the same thing. I hope I know that.
“There she is,” Rick says with a smile when I step outside. “You look a lot happier than you did yesterday afternoon.” He gives me a wink.
“It’s amazing what a night of sleep in an actual bed will do for you,” I tell him, returning the wink.
“I’m just gonna say, I don’t think you’re missing much with your friend. I doubt a week on thousand-count sheets at the Ritz-Carlton could wipe the permanent scowl off her face.”
My mind reels at that nugget of information. Kristen Quinn has a permanent scowl? I don’t know her in person, but her social media persona is a curated mix of Indiana Jones, Elizabeth GilbertcircaEat Pray Love, and the Dalai Lama, with a little Kardashian thrown in for good measure.
“Well, she was missing out. I love it here,” I say. “Thank you for letting us use the cabin.”
Rick nods. “I was just asking Jensen how long you guys are planning to stay. She had it booked through the weekend, but the final reservation for the season doesn’t arrive until later next week, so the place is yours until then.”
I meet Jensen’s gaze.
“I told him it was up to you,” he says. “My calendar’s open.”
I don’t believe that for a second, but I appreciate it.
“We should probably head out tomorrow,” I say, contrary to what I want. “You mentioned this place is accessible by ATV. I don’t suppose there’s any way we could arrange for?—”
“Already taken care of,” Rick says. “Although you did the hard part on the hike here. Getting down is easy.” He inclines his head toward Jensen. “Well, maybe not easy if your feet are still in recovery mode.”
Jensen laughs. “Yeah, these hikers are getting thrown away when I get back to sea level.”
“You can’t throw them away now.” Rick sounds scandalized, which is kind of hilarious. “Not after you’ve broken them in.” The older man gives Jensen a gentle nudge. “And who knows if you buy a new pair whether you’d have an angel to take care of you again.”
I blink when I realize he’s talking about me. Angel might be pushing it, but I did take care of Jensen. I was the prepared one with the tent, first-aid kit, moleskin, and antiseptic wipes. I patched him up and pitched camp. Not to mention got us here.
Jensen nods like it’s an established fact.
“Would you two like to come over for dinner tonight?” Rick asks, looking between us. “I’m used to myself for company, but I wouldn’t mind somenewcompany.” He laughs at his own joke like it’s the funniest thing anyone’s ever said.
Note to self: don’t live as a hermit full-time. Socializing is important.
But I return his smile. “We’d love to join you.”
Jensen angles his head. “There’s a box mix of brownies in the cabin. How about we bring dessert?”
“That would be great,” Rick says. “Plan on five thirty. We’ll have an early dinner so you all can get back here before dark.”
He heads off down the trail, and Jensen walks toward the porch, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. “My angel,” he says, with a theatrical bow.
“And don’t you forget it.” I say it like a joke, but my heart is slamming against my ribcage so hard it almost hurts. There’s nothing funny about my feelings for this man.
“I never will,” he says quietly. He climbs up two porch steps, pausing when we’re at eye level. “Can I kiss you, Sloane?”
I laugh. “You weren’t too interested in asking permission last night. Or this morning.” I wag a finger at him.
“It feels like the right thing to do in broad daylight.”
“There’s no one watching.”
His brows draw together like he isn’t sure how to explain, but I get it. Things that happen in the dark or while checked into a hotel room can be categorized as lust. A kiss shared on this porch with the sun high in the sky? That’s something else entirely. At least where we’re concerned.
“Kiss me, Nashville,” I whisper, and he presses his lips to mine so tenderly my breath catches. Everything’s different now. Most of all, me.
