Midnight Reckoning (Leave No Trace Book 1)

by Jannine Gallant

  After he unlocked the door and held it open, she entered the charming space with a big bed covered with a white spread and a pair of upholstered maroon chairs near the window. “This is lovely. Thanks for taking me in, Levi.”

  “My pleasure.” He flipped the light on in the bathroom. “It’s all yours.”

  She stood on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. “Thanks. I’ll be quick.” After shutting the door behind her, she leaned against it and dropped her bag. Exhaustion weighed on her, but after a moment she peeled off her dirty tank top and shorts and dropped them on the tile floor. Flipping on the water in the shower to heat, she took a quick glimpse in the mirror over the sink and winced. “Ugh.”

  Her streaky blond hair straggled out of her ponytail, looking dull with dust, and shadows darkened the skin beneath her eyes. She looked . . . bruised. Felt that way, too. Like she’d taken a hard blow straight to the chest. A shuddering sigh slipped out as she released her hair from the band and gave her head a shake. Stepping into the shower, she let the hot water sluice over her. Washing away the grime and any remaining tears. She wouldn’t cry over Cooper and the waste of a life not fully lived, at least not tonight. Instead, she’d focus on her future and whether or not Levi could play any part in it.

  She sure hoped so.

  Chapter Six

  “That was amazing.” Raine dropped the square linen napkin on the table and let out a sigh.

  Levi laid his credit card on the tray with the bill and grinned. “After days of eating freeze-dried meals on the trail, I would have been happy with fast food. But my chicken cordon bleu was excellent.”

  “So was my Caesar salad.” She pulled her card out of the pocket of her leggings. “Put yours away. I’ll pay for dinner.”

  Shaking his head, he covered her hand and squeezed. “I don’t let my dates buy my meals.”

  “Why not? I’m an independent woman and gainfully employed, not to mention this is the twenty-first century. Anyway, you sprang for the hotel room. Dinner is the least I can offer in return.”

  “Not happening. How about I let you buy breakfast?”

  She rolled her eyes but put her card back in her pocket as the server swooped up the tray and hurried away. “Fine. I don’t have the energy to argue.”

  “Maybe you should have eaten more than bread and salad.” He took her hand again and rubbed his thumb across the soft skin of her palm. Noting the shadows beneath her eyes and tight lines at the corners of her lips, he wondered how she was really doing.

  “I would never have been able to eat a full meal. Now, all I can think about is crashing on that lovely, soft bed upstairs.”

  And with that simple statement, she answered his unasked question about where the night was headed. Disappointment dimmed his optimism, along with visions of Raine stretched out naked beneath him on cool, cotton sheets. But he wasn’t terribly surprised. After the trauma of finding Cooper dead, neither of them was in the best frame of mind to focus on building their relationship. And that’s what he wanted from her. Something meaningful with the potential to grow, not a quick night in the sack.

  When the server returned with his card, Levi thanked the woman, added a tip, and signed the receipt. “Let’s head up to our room.” He rose to his feet and pulled back Raine’s chair. “I think we could both use some solid sleep after roughing it on the trail for four nights.”

  She nodded and tucked her hand through his arm. “I seem to be fading fast. Sorry I’m not more fun tonight.”

  “Are you kidding? I had a great dinner with a beautiful, smart, charming woman. I’m not complaining since my normal dining companion is a giant furball who sheds and drools.”

  She stopped in the middle of the dining room and laughed. “I hope you’re referring to a dog.”

  “Woody is a sheepdog. Technically he belongs to my brother, but he likes hanging out with me since I don’t tug on his fur.”

  They left the dining room, which was nearly empty this late in the evening.

  “Your brother pulls his fur?”

  “No, but my four-year-old nephew does. Ursula is as big as a house with their second kid, so poor Woody is in for a double-dose of trouble soon.”

  “Wow.” She glanced up at him as they climbed the stairs. “Do you live with your brother’s family?”

  “God, no.” He shuddered. “Not that I don’t like my relatives, but . . .”

  She giggled as he unlocked the door to their room. “I could see where they might cramp your style.”

  “Believe it or not, that hasn’t been much of an issue lately.” He followed her inside. “They live in private quarters attached to the lodge, and I have a one room cabin that’s shouting distance from the main property. It’s pretty rustic but suits my needs.”

  “Sounds nice.” Raine sat on the end of the bed. “This evening has been great. Getting to know more about you, sharing tales of my hectic city life. However, I feel braindead at this point. I know it’s barely nine-thirty, but . . .”

  He sat beside her and slid an arm around her waist. “We’ll go to bed.” He tightened his grip. “To sleep.”

  “Thanks, Levi.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m not trying to shut you down or put you in the friend zone. I just need to figure out a few things before I complicate my life any further.”

  “I’m a pretty simple guy. Not complicated at all, and I don’t make a lot of demands. Just ask Woody.”

  A smile curled her lips. “Maybe I will. But I need to get my ducks in a row first. That’s the kind of obsessive-compulsive person I am.”

  “No problem.” He bent to kiss the top of her head, and the clean scent of her shampoo teased his nose. It shouldn’t have been a turn-on but was. His body tightened in response, and he shifted on the bed. “As long as I don’t have to take up permanent residence in the friend zone, I’m fine with waiting.”

  “I promise to make some decisions soon.”

  He rose to his feet. “Get ready for bed, then. I think I’ll take a walk outside and be back in a few minutes.”

  Relief showed briefly in the smile she gave him. “Thanks.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. I just want you to be comfortable. It’s been one hell of a day.”

  “That it has.”

  He headed toward the door and gave her a quick backward glance before shutting it behind him. Leaning against the wood panel, he closed his eyes and let out a harsh breath. He wasn’t a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy. But he also didn’t normally fall for someone right out of the gate. Not the way he had with Raine.

  He mouthed an obscenity, wondering if he was setting himself up to get badly hurt. But he couldn’t seem to stop this mad need to rush into a relationship with her—one with a future. She was exactly the kind of woman he wanted. Athletic, adventurous, and smart. Independent but caring. Maybe he wouldn’t mind if she was a little less anal about organizing every detail of her life instead of just going for it, but no one was perfect.

  I’m sure not.

  Needing a huge dose of fresh air to clear his head, Levi pushed away from the door and hurried down the stairs. But once he’d left the hotel and stood outside in the meadow, staring up at the face of Half Dome in the moonlight, he still couldn’t dismiss the thought that, despite their differences, Raine just might be perfect for him. He sincerely hoped she’d give them both a chance to find out.

  And if that means persistent pursuit so she doesn’t let what we’ve begun to build fall apart, I’m up for the job.

  After strolling around for a while to give her plenty of time to get ready for bed, he finally went back inside. Nodding at the woman behind the front desk, he walked through the public rooms to the stairs and took them two at a time. Pulling out his key card, he slid it into the slot and pushed open the door.

  The room was dark, but she’d left the curtains open far enough to allow a hint of moonlight to soften the blackness. He could just make out a lump beneath the covers on the far side of t
he bed, and Raine’s hair spread across one pillow. He stood perfectly still for several moments, but when she didn’t stir, he went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Finished with the nightly ritual, he flipped off the light and crossed to the bed where he sat on the edge to untie his shoes. After stripping down to his boxers, he slid under the covers. What seemed like a mile of empty space separated them on the king-sized bed.

  A sigh slipped out as he settled on his side, facing away from her. Maybe if he thought about anything except the sexy woman, so close and yet so far away, he might be able to get some much-needed sleep . . .

  As dawn’s first light crept through the window, Levi woke slowly—warm, happy, and completely aroused. It took him several seconds to realize the source of his bliss, not to mention his morning boner, wasn’t a dream but the woman tucked snuggly against him like two spoons in a drawer. Afraid to move, he settled his chin on her head where her silky hair stuck to his unshaven face, and did his best to ignore the hand resting on her ribcage just below her breast. The only thing between his fingers and the tempting softness was a thin layer of cotton. But the T-shirt she was wearing didn’t extend far enough to cover her legs, and he’d somehow managed to insert his knee between her bare thighs while he slept.

  Exquisite pain held him in a tight grip as he tried not to disturb her, imagining all her trust in him evaporating like morning mist if she woke to find him manhandling her. If he could ease away slowly . . .

  Too late.

  She let out what could only be described as a contented purr and turned in his arms. Lids fluttered as she opened sultry green eyes to stare into his. His face heated as she made full contact with his arousal, and awareness sharpened her gaze.

  Her lips opened in a round O of surprise.

  “I just woke up.” His voice sounded slightly horse. “I’m not sure how we ended up like this since I swear I went to sleep on my own side of the bed.”

  When he tried to pull away, she let out a yelp. Her hair was wrapped around his wrist tucked beneath her.

  “Stop.” Her breath feathered across his throat.

  “Okay.” With her pressed up against him, every inch of his skin was on fire. “I guess we need to untangle first.”

  “That’s easily accomplished.” But instead of moving away, she pressed her face against his chest and breathed deeply. “You smell good.”

  He gritted his teeth. “You’re killing me, Raine.”

  She looked up, her eyes filled with a combination of seriousness, determination, and . . . desire. “I can’t remember ever waking up this turned on. It would be a real shame to waste the opportunity.”

  He buried his fingers in her hair again, hardly daring to believe what he was hearing. “You sure?”

  She nodded.

  He didn’t wait for a second invitation, simply lowered his lips to hers for the kiss he’d been dying to give her for days. Tasting every crevice of her mouth, he swallowed the little noises she made as she pressed even closer.

  “Oh, God.” Feeling between them, he pulled her T-shirt off over her head, exposing her perfect breasts to his gaze. “You are so incredibly beautiful.”

  She slid her hands into his boxers and squeezed his ass as she pressed kisses to his neck. “Can we . . .” Gripping the band at the top, she gave them a tug.

  “Oh, yeah. We definitely can.” After jerking off his boxers, he drew the scrap of lace she was wearing down her legs.

  Once she was naked, she rolled on top of him and wrapped her arms around him. “I needed this. I didn’t have any idea how much until right now.”

  Trying to decipher what she meant was beyond his mental capabilities when every cell in his body screamed at him to get even closer. “Protection.” The word came out in a horse croak.

  “I’m on the pill, but . . .”

  “I’ll use something.” He rolled her onto her back and kissed her long and hard. “In my shaving kit. I’ll be right back.” Levering off the bed, he practically ran to the bathroom and fumbled in his bag for the packet he prayed was there. Closing his fingers around it in the dark, he crossed to the bed and sat on the edge.

  Raine sat up and draped herself over his back as he covered himself. Her warm breasts pressing against his skin was nearly his undoing as he turned and flipped her over.

  “Now I’m ready.”

  “What are you waiting for?” She locked her hands behind his neck and tugged him down on top of her.

  “Just savoring the moment.” Looking into her eyes in the dim light, he brushed a strand of hair off her cheek. “You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to do this.”

  “For the last four days?” She traced one finger along his jaw to touch his bottom lip. “When I saw you in the campground on Wednesday, my very first thought was that my old friend Levi had gotten better with age and was . . .” As he drew her finger into his mouth, her breath hissed out. “Hot. Very hot.”

  “Hell, Raine. I’ve got you beat by ten years.” He moved slowly, touching her dampness. “I wanted you the first day we met at a Leave No Trace club meeting.”

  She smiled, a provocative tilt of her lips. “Then I think you’ve waited long enough.”

  With a smooth stroke, he pushed inside her. The woman he’d crushed on so hard in college, the one he’d wanted forever, was all his. At least for now.

  They moved together—touching, loving, letting the momentum build. He stretched out the feeling until he feared he would lose his mind. When she quivered and shook beneath him, he finally let himself come apart in her arms. All wrapped up in Raine, he never wanted to let her go.

  She clung to him as their damp skin cooled, and finally he reached down to drag up the covers. “Am I smashing you?”

  “No.” She pressed her lips to the pulse thrumming in his throat. “That was . . . pretty incredible.”

  He could only nod.

  “I suppose we should get up.” Her tone lacked enthusiasm.

  “Or we could stay right here.” He tightened his arms around her.

  “Unfortunately, I need to shower and get moving since I was hoping to check in at the office this afternoon.” She stroked her foot down his leg. “I also want to tally the data from the trackers and report it to the hike-a-thon organizers.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” He ran a silky strand of her hair between his fingers. “I’ve played hooky from the lodge long enough. I should probably get cracking, too.”

  “So as nice as this is . . .” She looked up at him in the strengthening light, a hint of uncertainty reflected in the green depths of her eyes.

  “We need to face the day.” He bent to kiss her. “When can I see you again?”

  Her brows knit. “I’m not sure. I have a big wedding I’m working next weekend. I’ll have to check my schedule, but after taking all this time off, it may be the end of the month before I can get away.”

  “Don’t you have regular days off?”

  “I should, but something always seems to come up. The company I work for is small, and I’m the go-to person in a crisis. My boss was irritated enough about this long weekend.”

  He studied her for a minute. “That sounds awful. Why can’t he handle any problems that arise?”

  “She. Moselle has a lot of charisma and connections. She charms potential clients into booking her company, but then she expects me to make their events a success.”

  “So, you do all the real work.” Irritation on her behalf simmered. “Why don’t you quit and open your own business? Obviously, you have the necessary skills.”

  “Yes, but I don’t have the influence to get the type of clients Moselle attracts. And in San Francisco, I wouldn’t survive long working small parties. Overhead is sky-high in the city.”

  “You said you miss getting away from it all. What’s keeping you there?”

  She blinked a couple of times. “I do get tired of the frenetic pace. Originally, I moved to the Bay Area to prove to myself I could succeed in a competitive environmen
t. With my rural upbringing, and my family thinking I should simply come home and work on our farm after college, that was important to me. They weren’t exactly supportive of my need to have a career.”

  “That honestly sucks, but mission accomplished. You’ve both survived and thrived.” He stroked her cheek with his thumb, wishing he could ease the hurt he suspected she still harbored. “Maybe it’s time to focus on making yourself happy.”

  “Is that what you do?”

  “Damn right. I enjoy my work, but I don’t let it interfere with having fun. Or my life.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. Seriously, I will.” She pushed upright and looked down at him. “But for now, I still have obligations.”

  When she scrambled off the bed, he propped the pillows behind him and enjoyed the view as she searched in her bag for clean clothes. The sway of her bare breasts in the dim light made him wish they could stay in bed all day. Finally upending the bag, she pulled out underwear stuck to one of the mileage trackers.

  “Don’t you need to get Ava’s tracker? And Cooper’s?”

  Raine closed her eyes. “Damn. I hadn’t thought about that.”

  “Want me to call her while you’re in the shower?”

  Before she could answer, her phone rang. Frowning, she scooped her cell off the nightstand and glanced at the screen. “It’s Willow.” She swiped to connect. “Hi. How was your night?”

  As her conversation with their friend progressed, staying in bed seemed pointless. Levi slid out from beneath the covers and reached for his discarded jeans, then glanced over when Raine’s tone changed.

  “We were just talking about that.” After listening for a few seconds, she nodded. “We’ll head down to breakfast in about twenty minutes. I can meet you outside.” Another nod. “Cool. Thanks so much.”

  When she laid down her phone, he raised a brow. “What was that all about?”

  “Willow hung out with Ava for a while yesterday evening to make sure she was okay and got her tracker. She said she’d stop by here to give it to me before heading to the airport to fly home.”