Page 25 of Double Booked

It was a perfect setting, made even more perfect because of the beautiful woman posed there. Afterward, he flipped through the photos as she continued sitting there, looking more peaceful than pensive now. “These are really good. I think you’ll like them.”

“Does anyone ever like their own picture?” she said.

“See for yourself.” He held out his hand to help her down, but when she reached out, she lost her balance. He saw her panicked expression right before she toppled forward and crashed into him.

With her phone still clutched in his hand, he wrapped his arms around her, cushioning her fall as they tumbled backward into the brush. They were sprawled out, their bodies pressed together from chest to hip. She gazed down at him with shock and embarrassment.

“Ohmigod, I’m so sorry,” she said, attempting to disentangle herself.

The jostling around made their bodies rub together even more. If she wasn’t so panic-stricken, he would have found the contact more pleasurable. “Wait. Let me help you up.” Cupping her elbow, he hoisted her off him, and then he stood too. They spent the next few minutes brushing themselves off and pulling plant matter out of their hair.

Finally, he said, “Well, that was fun.”

She looked at him and burst out laughing. He assumed it was due to his droll sense of humor, but he was mistaken.

“You still have a leaf in your hair.” She leaned in, plucked out the leaf, and handed it to him. “A souvenir.”

He smiled. “I’ll always remember this, even without the souvenir.” He meant it, even if it sounded like a cheesy line from a romantic comedy.

She returned his smile. “At least we didn’t fall in the water.”

“Hold on. Are you looking on the bright side? I think I’m rubbing off on you.”

She smiled even wider. “I think you might be right.”

As they returned to the trail, he decided it was the best hike he’d taken in a very long time.

Nine

Eden gingerly climbed out of the Jeep while Cole held open the door for her. She ached everywhere and winced with every step. “I feel like an old lady,” she grumbled as she slowly climbed the porch steps.

“It’ll get easier,” he said.

“I do Zumba three times a week. I shouldn’t hurt this bad.”

“You’re not used to hiking, and you fell.”

“Thanks for the reminder.”

He chuckled as he unlocked the door of the cabin and pushed it open. Once inside, she slumped down on the couch.

He removed his coat and boots. “I’ll get you some ibuprofen.”

“There’s a bottle on my bathroom counter.”

“Is it okay for me to go in there?”

“Why not?”

“I thought it would be breaking one of your rules.”

She laughed weakly. “These are extenuating circumstances.”

“Okay. Be right back.”

He disappeared into her bedroom, and suddenly, she remembered something. Maybe he won’t notice. He came back out, went into the kitchen, and filled a glass with water. Then he returned to the living room and handed her the pills and water.

She took them from him and studied his face. It looked like he was trying not to smirk but failing. Averting her eyes, she swallowed the pills while he remained standing.