Saving Shelby

by Nicole Taylor Eby

  As a mom, you would think she would be better at functioning on a lack of sleep.

  Okay, if she was honest with herself, it was Ian’s presence that had made it hard to concentrate. Why did it always come back to Ian? So, she had made a fool out of herself. It wasn’t the first time she had done that, and it wasn’t likely to be the last. Of course, she usually didn’t have to spend hours everyday listening to the deep voice of her humiliation or watching his muscles flex beneath his shirt. Usually, she could just slink away and then avoid that person forever.

  I’m going to enjoy the hot pools and not think about any of it. Not first aid and certainly NOT Ian.

  On a positive note, they were done the first-aid test. She had passed it, and now she could focus on other things, like enjoying the spa part of this adventure.

  And if the welcome guide was to be believed, it was going to be amazing.

  The hot springs, known locally as the “Potholes”, had been carved out into the rock by the river. The spring nearest the source was almost too hot to enter, but as the water cascaded down into the pool below, the water cooled, creating a series of hot springs of varying temperatures to enjoy. The first of the hot springs was just a few kilometres from the Base Camp, and that’s where they were headed now.

  As the hike progressed, Shelby had let herself fall behind the rest of the group. She could still hear Ginny up ahead having a blast, if her laughter was anything to judge it by. This was what Ginny had been waiting for, and she had been claiming all morning that this was the only reason Shelby had been able to twist her arm into coming. Shelby hadn’t refuted Ginny’s claim, but the way she remembered the whole thing, it had clearly been the vodka that had convinced her friend to come.

  As it was, Shelby was content to mosey along enjoying the scenery and the fresh air. She was still exhausted, but she was determined to enjoy the experience like Ginny had suggested. This was what she loved about the outdoors—the way breathing the fresh, unspoiled air made her feel free.

  Up ahead, Kirk waved at her. She waved back to indicate she was doing fine, and he gave her a thumbs up before disappearing around the corner. Kirk was leading the gang up to the Potholes, and Shelby didn’t mind. It gave her a chance to clear her head without the distraction of having Ian around.

  Maybe she would be able to gain some perspective on the matter.

  “Not lost, are you?” Ian’s voice popped out of nowhere, as if her thoughts had summoned him.

  “Um... no,” she said, ducking her head to hide the blush spreading like wildfire across her cheeks.

  “So, you don’t need to be rescued?” Ian winked at her.

  Even as her mind was trying to process what he was doing here, her body responded with a mind of its own. Her nipples hardened into little buds, and there was a tightening in her groin making her want to moan out loud.

  Why does he have such an effect on me? she thought, as she fought to keep her body’s reaction from showing on her face.

  Trying to divert attention from her physical response to him, Shelby answered playfully, “Nope, I’m good. Celeste doesn’t need you to carry her up the hill though?”

  He laughed heartily. “No, she opted out of the hike, so I’m flying solo.”

  “Whatever will you do with yourself?” she quipped coyly, surprising herself with her flirting. Her heart beat quicker, as she realized what it sounded like she was suggesting.

  “Well now, that depends on what’s on offer.”

  Her blush deepened. He was definitely flirting with her. The practical part of her mind tried to caution her to quit while she still had some pride left, but her mouth didn’t seem to be getting the message.

  “I hear there’s a natural spa just around the bend that’s divine. Worth even sitting through endless hours of listening to Ian McLean go on about first aid.”

  “Is that a fact?”

  “Well, I’ve never experienced it myself, but it’s the rumour.” What are you doing? What if he doesn’t get you?

  His eyes glinted, and his voice dropped low and husky. “Have you signed up for the full treatment?”

  Her heart stuttered. He wasn’t just flirting; he was hitting on her, for real.

  Suddenly, the flirty words that had been slipping out so easily seemed stuck to her tongue. She didn’t know what to say as her inner voice panicked. He was too close, and his offer was too real.

  “I’m not really sure, what does it entail?” she asked feebly.

  “A little bit of courage. Are you game?”

  Warning bells went off in her head. She needed to be careful. Ian was just a smoking-hot man looking for some fun. He had proven that before, and her reaction last night had shown that she wasn’t very good at keeping things casual. Every neuron in her brain knew the safe thing to do was just walk away and end the flirting now.

  But he was so sexy, and her body had other plans. Besides, she had always played it safe, and it hadn’t gotten her anywhere but married to a man who couldn’t even see the real her. What harm could there be in having a little fun?

  His gaze never wavered. Her throat went dry. No words would form, so she mutely nodded her consent. His eyes glittered hotly as he motioned her towards a trail disappearing into the forest. It was a different trail than the others had taken, and as soon as they were ensconced in the trees, shivers of anticipation danced up through Shelby.

  She was alone with Ian.

  Exactly where she shouldn’t be.

  The trail was narrow, only wide enough for them to walk single file. Leading Ian into the woods, she swore she could feel the warmth of his eyes on her back, watching her. It was making it hard to concentrate on placing her feet, so that she didn’t trip on the exposed roots. The last thing she needed to do was fall on her face in front of him again.

  His nearness had her mind running through all the things she should have done differently this morning. Why hadn’t she taken the time to brush and style her hair properly? Or put make-up on? As ridiculous as that might be in the woods, it might have given her confidence. Why hadn’t she bought new clothes instead of going to the thrift store? The cargo pants were baggy, hiding the few feminine curves she had.

  The rational part of her knew, of course, that none of that stuff really mattered. She couldn’t hide her age or the fact that she didn’t have the long legs and nipped-in waist of a model. She had the body of a woman with two kids and not enough time or energy to exercise regularly.

  And let’s be real, even if she exercised every day, she didn’t have the genetics to pull off the sex goddess look that Celeste seemed to achieve effortlessly.

  Shelby groaned inwardly with frustration. The real reason none of it mattered was because she wasn’t looking for a relationship. She was trying to uncomplicate her life, and if she had learned anything so far this week, Ian was complicated. Of course, like Ginny said, Shelby did need to relax—nothing wrong with a little fun between adults.

  Her mind went around and around until she stepped out of the trees. In an instant, the chaos stilled, as the ground fell away beneath her. The view was stunning, taking her breath away. As the trail emerged from the trees, it turned sharply to the right, leaving her standing at the edge of the earth. The leaden grey of the jagged cliffs plunged down until it met the aqua-green river meandering along the bottom of the ravine, polishing the cliff’s sharp angles smooth. She was so awestruck by the wild beauty of the Potholes that she barely noticed when Ian came up behind her and placed his hand on her waist.

  She felt a new freedom standing on that ledge.

  “So, was it worth it?” Ian asked, his warm breath fanning across her face.

  “Yes. It’s stunning,” she breathed.

  “It’s moments like these that keep me coming back for more,” he murmured next to her ear.

  The heat of her attraction swirled around her. She didn’t know if he was referring to the view or being there with her. But at this moment, with the world seemingly laid out at her
feet in all its glory, she didn’t care. She felt free and alive, like anything was possible. She could fix the mess of her life.

  “I think this is where I’m meant to be,” she said, not quite understanding what exactly she meant.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against him. His chest was warm against her back. She could feel herself melting into him and could imagine staying just like that forever.

  But time wasn’t on her side. Just as she was fully relaxing into the warmth of his embrace, a shriek rang out. She pulled away from Ian, her mom instincts instantly kicking in. Her heart thudded wildly, as she scanned the valley for someone in danger.

  A second later, she laughed and shook her head, holding one hand over her chest to calm her heart. It was only Ginny playing around. A bit further up the valley, she could see some of their group already in the water. The cliff walls were funnelling their voices along the canyon. The first happy shriek was followed by more—this time from Piper, Paula, and Karen.

  “The water will be cold here, but it’s really amazing to climb from pool to pool as it gets warmer,” Ian said softly.

  She looked down at the river and then gave Ian a dubious look. Was he crazy? From here the water looked like it was freezing.

  Ian chuckled. “Don’t worry. It’ll be warm in the sun when we get down there. It’s worth it, come on.”

  “Okay,” she said, not at all convinced.

  He winked and then led her further along the trail to where it split. The right-hand fork continued along the top of the cliff, and the left-hand fork plunged down towards the river. Ian took the left-hand fork, scrambling down the trail, stretching his legs from one rock to the next. Shelby watched him descend.

  I don’t think so. She took a tentative step away from the ledge. Is he part mountain goat? I will fall. I know I’ll fall, and I’ll probably take him down with me.

  Then she stopped. She had promised herself this morning she would face this course head on. She could do this if she just believed in herself and took the first step. Besides, Ian was her instructor, he wouldn’t have brought her here if it wasn’t safe, would he?

  Shelby tightened the straps of her backpack, buying herself some time to rally her courage. Then she sat down on her butt and dangled her legs over the edge. But even sitting down, her legs weren’t long enough to reach the first rock. She would have to push off and let herself fall a bit to reach the ledge. It seemed like an enormous first step.

  This is just one little thing. Reaching deep inside for her courage, she lined up her foot, closed her eyes, and pushed off.

  That first step was all it took. Her foot landed with ease, and then her other foot found a spot. She descended sliding on her butt the whole way. It wasn’t graceful, but it worked. When she arrived on the ledge overlooking the pool, Ian had already stripped down to his bathing suit. Her mouth went dry at the sight of him.

  “You’ll want to get out of your clothes now,” he said, not commenting on her method of descent.

  Shelby reddened, wiping the dust off her butt while trying not to make eye contact with him.

  Steady girl, he only means to get into your bathing suit. Didn’t he have any idea what it did to her when he said things like that? What her body heard and what he meant weren’t the same thing.

  To hide her blazing cheeks, she turned and started stripping off her outer garments. She was glad she had changed into her bathing suit just before they had started on the hike.

  Opening her backpack, she found the bag she had been given to keep her stuff dry and sealed her clothes up in it. When Kirk had given them all a dry bag, she hadn’t really understood what they would need them for. Now she thought maybe she knew.

  “Ready?” Ian asked. He had his toes lined up at the edge.

  “Whoa, wait. We’re not jumping from here, are we?” Suddenly she felt vulnerable standing on the edge of a cliff in only her plain black bathing suit and water sandals. She had chosen the simple black suit because it had good coverage of her less desirable parts and seemed slimming and elegant. Now, it felt woefully skimpy, like she was just all hanging out.

  Maybe she could do this if she was fully clothed, but not half naked.

  “Oh yes we are. Getting back up from here would be pretty tough.”

  Shelby backed herself up against the cliff face. “I don’t think so. It’s not safe.” Oh God, oh God, oh God, her insides quaked. The only thing she liked less than heights was the dark.

  Ian held his hand out to her. “It’s safe. The water is deep here. Just aim for the middle.”

  She didn’t move. She didn’t take his hand.

  “It’s the best way down. We’ll jump together.”

  “No, I’ll just go back up,” she said stubbornly. She frantically looked back up where she had just come from. Oh God, I can’t go back up that way. I’m trapped. I’ve trapped myself. I need to be rescued from the spa. Shelby’s mind spun out of control. What the hell? Why did I come here? I knew he was trouble.

  She felt him step closer, but she refused to look at him. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for his words. This was it. This was when he would tell her that he had been wrong about her. He would tell her that she was weak and just wasting everyone’s time.

  Instead, Ian wrapped one of his hands around hers, squeezing gently. With one finger from his other hand, he drew a gentle line down the side of her face from her hairline, along her cheek to her chin. Her body shivered both from the fear and his touch. He took hold of her chin and turned her face gently towards him. He held it there softly, waiting until Shelby opened her eyes. When she finally did, Ian’s brown eyes gazed into her blues ones.

  It was like lightening striking. Her breath caught, and she held it, unable to keep moving the air in her lungs. He’s going to kiss me. Her mind began to panic. I don’t want him to kiss me. Not now. Not here when I’m making a fool out of myself.

  He didn’t kiss her. He didn’t move, and his eyes didn’t shift from hers. For a long moment he just held her gaze. It was like he could see her fear, because at the instant it began to ebb, he said, “You’ve got this.”

  That was it. That was all he said. Not one word about her being a coward. Not some lecture about how she wasn’t good at anything and always needed to be rescued. Just the plain fact of his belief in her ability.

  He moved towards the edge. He still held her hand in his, but he let her come at her own pace. He didn't pull her forward. There was no impatience in his stance. He was quiet and still. It appeared like he would wait forever for her to be ready. His stillness began to calm her fear.

  “What about my backpack? It’s going to get wet.”

  “It will, but that’s why we put everything inside dry bags.”

  She knew that, of course. She had been stalling. He must have known she was stalling, but he didn’t belittle her for being silly. He just talked her through it and then waited, giving her time to process.

  She stared at the water below. She could hear a waterfall, but beneath where she stood, the water was still, like it was waiting for her. And suddenly, standing there on the edge of the cliff with Ian’s gentle support right there beside her, it all came clear. She could do this.

  Letting go of Ian’s hand, she stepped off the ledge.

  For a moment there was nothing, only the sensation of falling. Shelby’s stomach lurched, as fear tried to take her again, and then she plunged into the freezing cold water, the shock stealing her breath. She broke the surface gasping for air and swam quickly towards the nearby rock ledge separating this pool from the one above it.

  Spray from the water spilling over misted her face, and she smiled. This world of adventure—waterfalls and stunning views—would be her workplace when she qualified as a wilderness guide. Which was the entire reason she was here tackling all the hard stuff. She needed to remember that.

  Her stiff limbs refused to cooperate, as she clamoured onto the rock ledge, finally flopping onto the warm ro
ck with a less than lady-like grunt. She lay in an awkward heap on her back laughing. This was all too glorious.

  As she wriggled out of her pack and sprawled out to soak in the rock’s warmth, she vaguely registered a splash in the pool below. A moment later, Ian hauled himself onto the rock, and her attention was suddenly very focused.

  He climbed out with ease, like he had done it a million times before; he probably had. Shelby took in the spectacular view, both his naked chest and the cliffs beyond, as he shook out his hair and dropped his dripping backpack beside hers.

  His crimson bathing suit sat low on his hips, a trail of hair disappearing beneath the waistband hinting at hidden treasures. His skin glistened with beads of water running trails across his muscular chest and across his flat abs. A familiar heat grew in her groin and snaked its way up through her belly. There was no denying Ian McLean was hot—any woman would notice that.

  And just because she wasn’t supposed to be indulging in men right now, didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy the view.

  The exhilaration of the jump and the dip into the cold water combined with the sight of Ian half naked and dripping water suddenly overwhelmed her. A giddiness erupted somewhere deep in her belly, and before Shelby could rein herself in, she launched herself at Ian, tackling him to the rock.

  “That was amazing! Let’s do it again.”

  Ian laughed a deep belly laugh, as he caught her. As soon as her skin touched his, Shelby’s logical mind clicked in, dampening her excitement. She froze.

  What was she doing? She could feel the heat of his bare abdomen against her naked thighs. She was astride, like she was ready to ride him, and she could feel his animal maleness.

  She leaned forward; her eyes locked on his. His lips seemed to be pulling her in. His pupils dilated, his eyes darkening.

  She felt his desire beginning to swell against her, causing reciprocal responses deep in her womanly core. White lightening flashed from her centre, lancing up through her body, leaving her helpless to resist him. Her lips were slowly approaching his, moving under their own volition. She was helpless to stop them.