On the left side of her, leaves shook. She jumped. Her heartbeat quickened and she breathed so fast she thought she was running a race. Somewhere in front of her, a branch snapped. She sobbed and stood, backing into the four-wheeler as if it would suddenly transform into a person and save her.
“K-K-Kurt?” she called out softly, only because her voice wouldn’t allow her to say it louder.
She’d see floating yellow eyes soon, she just knew it. There was some kind of wild animal out there, and Kurt was going to leave her to be eaten alive. Either that, or he was dead himself.
She climbed onto the four-wheeler, lifting her legs up high so they wouldn’t touch the ground. Who was going to save her now?
* * * *
Would it make Kurt a bad person if he admitted he enjoyed watching Riley as she tried to figure out a way to keep herself safe? She couldn’t see him since he stood back into the shadows, but because she had the flashlight, he could see her. Several times he tried not to laugh, especially when she’d scrambled on the ATV as if the ground were hot coals.
He wanted to think she deserved the terror she was experiencing, only because she couldn’t understand that he was trying to protect her. At the same time, he knew he must make his presence known. She’d never forgive him if she knew he’d been watching her the whole time.
Slowly, he stepped toward her. Riley heard him coming, but she probably thought he was a wild animal because of her frightened expression. Just when she looked like she was going to scream, he said, “It’s me. Kurt. Don’t be afraid.”
Relief filled her expression as he walked up to the ATV. She expelled a heavy breath and threw her arms around him, burying her head into his chest. On impulse, he wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. He smiled, but he hoped she wouldn’t catch him.
The sweet scent of jasmine wafted from her hair. Inhaling deeply, he closed his eyes and enjoyed her fragrance. Slowly, he stroked his palm down her wavy hair, so soft, so silky. When had she taken it out of the braid? She appeared more desirable this way. It took all of his willpower not to bury his face into her glorious hair and let his hands wander all over her…
“Oh, Kurt,” she muttered into his jacket. “I thought you’d been killed by an animal or something. I thought,” she took another breath, “that you’d left me out here to die.”
He mentally shook away the thoughts filling his head. Thinking this way about her was not good.
“Sweetheart,” he cupped her chin and lifted her face until she met his gaze, “I’m being paid to protect you. I’m not going to let myself be eaten by an animal. Not when I’m still carrying my glock.”
She licked her lips, and dang it if his attention dropped to her mouth. Why did she do that? Now he was hypnotized. Riley had such a lovely mouth, and incredible, luscious lips…
“Oh, I’d forgotten about your gun.” She pulled out of his arms and tightened the blanket around her shoulders. “Where did you go?”
“Uh, well…since there is no bathroom out here—”
“Too much information.” She held up her hand to stop him. “But, since you mentioned it—”
“Say no more.” He helped her off the four-wheeler before pointing in the direction where he’d been watching her. “Go that way about ten steps. Take the flashlight, but make sure you turn it away from you when you…you know.” He picked up the duffle bag and searched inside, pulling out a roll of toilet paper. “You’ll probably need this, too.”
“Yeah, I know.” She shook her head and took two steps before stopping to turn back toward him. “Here, take this.” She handed him the blanket. “It’ll only get in the way.”
He chuckled. “Or soiled.”
“Whatever.”
Grinning, he sat on the seat of the four-wheeler. All joking aside, men were after them. Deep in his gut, he knew it had something to do with Mark. Unfortunately, up here in the mountains, he wasn’t able to get a reception on his cell to call the judge. He needed to warn her. Thankfully, she didn’t have his address, so he didn’t expect that she’d show up at his cabin anytime soon. But he did need to figure out some plan to get him and Riley out of here and back to civilization. They didn’t have much food, and even if he snared a squirrel or something to cook, he’d have to build a fire to cook it, and of course, that would send smoke signals to the men chasing them. Kurt wasn’t foolish enough to believe these men would give up. These men would find a way to get them out of the woods.
It didn’t take her very long before he heard her footsteps breaking branches and stepping on leaves. The flashlight she held bobbed up and down with her steps. When she reached him, she put the roll of toilet paper back in the duffle bag.
“I’m surprised you thought of everything when you packed that bag.”
“Well, after moving into my log cabin, I decided to take up hunting, but I had to take a hunter’s course, first. I learned a lot of things from that course, which was why I had a bag prepared.”
“Smart thing.”
“What?” He cocked his head. “You’re now saying I’m smart, when not too long ago, you’d made reference to my brain as puny.”
She lowered her head. “I know, and I’m sorry. I’m just upset over the way this day has turned out.” Sighing heavily, she leaned against the ATV. “I’m supposed to be married, and tonight was supposed to be my wedding night.” She shivered and ran her palms up and down her arms.
He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten about what she had more than likely been looking forward to with her new husband, and how Kurt snatched that away from him. If he were in her shoes, he’d be mad, too.
When she shivered again, he handed the blanket back to her. She wrapped it around her and sat, leaning her back against the ATV. He joined her, scooting next to her. He, too, was starting to feel a little cold. He tugged his black jacket underneath his chin, trying to ward off the chill in the air.
“I suppose I should share the blanket,” she said in a small voice.
“Yes. It’s going to get cooler tonight, and sharing each other’s body heat is the only way to keep us warm.”
She shrugged off the blanket and he took the edge, fitting it around him. But the covering still wasn’t enough to completely cover them. Inwardly, he groaned. There was only one other way.
“Actually, this won’t work,” he said. “We need to get closer. In fact,” he paused looking into her shadowed face, “you will need to sit in front of me, between my legs. That’s the only way the blanket will cover both of us and we’ll keep warm tonight.”
She hesitated, and during that moment, he witnessed several emotions passing over her expression. Funny thing was, he felt the same—curious, scared, eager, and…slightly aroused. He gulped hard. Hopefully, she’d say something to him to make him mad, because right now, he didn’t know how he could cuddle with her and not be affected.
Slowly, she moved toward him, so he helped her get situated, and then he wrapped the blanket around them. It worked perfectly. And speaking of perfect…she fit wonderfully in his arms. He couldn’t recall ever thinking that about a woman.
Her head was just below his chin. The position they were in was very intimate. A lot of things could happen as they sat this way, under the blanket, as the stars sprinkled the dark sky like glittery diamonds. But he couldn’t let that happen. The judge was paying him to protect her. He couldn’t become attracted to her at all. Look at what happened the last time he was put in this kind of predicament. He’d lowered his defenses, and his partner and the eyewitness were nearly killed. He couldn’t allow that to happen again.
“Kurt?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“How are we going to get out of here and back to civilization? I realize we can’t stay in the mountains forever.”
“Yes, I know. I’ll think about it tonight. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. I’ll get us back home.”
He tightened his arms around her and lowered his face into the crook of her neck. He d
idn’t mean to do this, except he didn’t want to leave. His face was warmer this way. Suddenly, he felt the pull of desire once again, and his breathing turned ragged. He even detected her breathing had sped up. Not good!
“Sweetie, why don’t you try to get some sleep?” He spoke softly in her ear. “You’re going to need your strength for tomorrow.”
“All right.”
He waited for her body to relax, but it didn’t. If she was anything like him, sleep was not going to be part of their agenda tonight.
SIX
Groggily, Riley cuddled closer to the warmth surrounding her. Against her face, the sun’s brightness tried to bring her out of her sleep, but the strong arms around her and the muscular body against her made her want to stay asleep. Sighing, she moved her face, rubbing her cheek against the softness of his shirt, and she breathed in the masculine spice of his cologne. A button pinched her cheek, so she sleepily lifted her fingers to move it aside. Within moments, a strong heartbeat thumped against her skin, and she cuddled her face closer. Instead of the cloth of the shirt, supple skin—and a few soft hairs—met her cheek.
She smiled. Being married felt wonderful. Waking up next to the perfect man was the best thing she’d ever experienced. She hadn’t wanted to become intimate with Mark until after they were married, which he wasn’t too happy about. But the wait was worth it. Because being in his arms now felt better than it had ever done. Her body fit against his so much better, too. In fact, his chest hair wasn’t as bristly against her cheek.
As her mind started to come awake, she tried to remember the wedding night, but she couldn’t. In fact, the face that popped into her mind wasn’t even Mark’s. Instead, she pictured a gorgeous man with brown hair, and a trimmed goatee. He also has the most heart-warming smile that weakened her knees.
She struggled to open her eyes, because her dream wasn’t making any sense. She was supposed to be with Mark, wasn’t she? Yet, as her memory returned, she realized she wasn’t with Mark at all. Blinking away the sleep, her vision finally cleared. Slowly, she lifted her face. She was snuggled against Kurt Hamill…her bodyguard.
As she waited for anger to root itself inside of her, she studied his sleeping form. She was practically sitting on his lap, and yet, his arms were still around her. His head was tilted back against the four-wheeler, and his eyes were closed. She moved her focus from his face, to his neck…a strong neck, and then down to his wide chest. At least four buttons had come undone during the night. His chest was as masculine as she’d imagined—even though she really shouldn’t have imagined it at all.
Since her hand still rested on his chest, she slowly moved her fingers across his skin. The rhythm of her heartbeat quickened. Why was she enjoying this? She was still engaged to Mark. And yet, being so close to Kurt didn’t seem foreign at all. It actually felt…right.
Riley hoped her mind would return to normal quickly, because right now she enjoyed being in Kurt’s strong arms, and lying against his muscular frame. And Heaven help her, she didn’t want to stop touching him! Cautiously, she moved her fingers up to his neck, toward his collarbone. This man couldn’t be real, and she couldn’t be experiencing such interest in a man who wasn’t her fiancé…could she?
Kurt released a low moan and shifted, but he still kept her in his arms. She liked that because it meant his first instinct was to protect her. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open. He took in a deep breath and slowly released it as he looked around. Within seconds, his gaze dropped and met with hers. His beautiful, blue eyes met with hers. Gradually, his perfectly shaped mouth stretched into a smile.
“G’morning, buttercup.”
She should yell at him for calling her that—again—but this time when he said it, the word had more intense meaning. Either that or she was still in some kind of dream world where everything made her happy…where there were always rainbows and butterflies, and especially gorgeous, hunky men like Kurt.
“Morning.”
Silence snuck between them once again, however, she could hear the fast hammering of her heartbeat, but for some odd reason, she didn’t care if he could hear it, too. She should move out of his embrace, and she for certain should stop staring at his face—and lips—like she wanted to kiss him.
Do I want to kiss him?
His gaze dropped to her mouth, and the beat of her heart raced faster. His hand shifted as he lifted it to her face and cupped it. His thumb rubbed her bottom lip, sensually. She couldn’t stop her lips from parting. She especially couldn’t stop from wanting more… If her heart hammered any faster, she’d die, for sure!
His gaze jumped up to hers for a brief second, before moving back to her mouth. Slowly, he smiled as he lowered his head. She held her breath and closed her eyes, anticipating the moment of their first kiss.
Suddenly, he jerked up, and turned his head toward the trees. It was then when she heard the low hum of a vehicle.
“They’re coming,” he whispered before moving her so he could stand. “We’ve got to hurry.”
He grasped her hand and pulled her up. She wobbled, but only because her knees were still weak from the almost kiss. She couldn’t believe the disappointment flowing through her right now.
He quickly rolled up the blanket and shoved it into her arms. He stuffed the flashlight back into the duffle bag before grabbing his keys and climbing onto the ATV. He tried to start the recreational vehicle, but the engine was not turning over. Frustration coated his expression as he tried and tried to get the blasted thing started.
He cussed. “We’ll have to go on foot.”
Without waiting for an answer, he took her hand and pulled her through the woods. She followed behind him the best she could, but stepping on branches and rocks and bushes was slowing her down.
She could feel Kurt’s irritation, and it confused her. She did want Mark and his cousins to find her. Right? And yet, Kurt still thought Mark was a bad person and that he needed to protect her from her own fiancé.
Was Mark bad? Now that the feeling of wedded bliss—or engagement bliss—was starting to fade, she recalled the arguments they used to have. When Mark didn’t get his way, he’d yell at her and call her hurtful names. Once he’d even smashed his fist into the wall behind her. It had frightened her so much she cried, and of course, he took her into his arms and apologized by kissing her. He’d promised he’d never do that again. And yet, he still acted that way the next time they argued.
Mark had also been very possessive. He couldn’t stand her talking to other men, and he wanted her to only have a few friends, and yet, he didn’t want her spending time with them unless he told her she could. Mark thought he was more important than her friends—and especially, her family. So why then could he spend time with his friends, and not her?
The motors of the ATV’s following them grew louder. There was no way they could outrun the vehicles.
Finally, Kurt stopped. His chest heaved with fast breaths as his gaze scanned the perimeter. She was grateful for the break. Her lungs burned, and her legs ached from the exertion of trying to keep up with him.
His attention latched onto something, and she swung her gaze in that direction. Partially buried was an old, long steel pipe that appeared to have been part of the ground for many years. The only part visible was the opening because the rest of the tube was covered with the earth growing around it. The state must have started to build something up here, but then stopped the project and left the pipe.
He pointed to the large, round structure. “We need to hide in there.”
Once more, he pulled her in that direction without waiting for her answer. Apparently, he didn’t care to hear what she had to say. More and more, he was turning out like Mark. Well, only in a few things.
The closer they came to the pipe, the tighter her chest clenched. Were they going to hide in here? For how long? The pipe wasn’t large enough to stand in, so crawling was the only way through it. Just thinking of being in that enclosed structure caused her to panic. S
he was having a hard time breathing, too. She was claustrophobic. There was no way she could be in that pipe!
When they reached the entrance, Kurt released her hand and immediately started yanking bushes and branches together to hide the opening.
He pointed toward the tubing. “Hurry. Get inside.”
Words wouldn’t come out of her mouth because fear kept them lodged in her throat, so she shook her head and stayed stiff. After a few seconds, he turned to look at her. His eyes widened as he studied her face. Riley could only assume she looked as terrified as she felt.
He moved closer to her and cupped her face. When he smiled, it melted her heart.
“Riley, listen to me,” he said calmly. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
She shook her head. “I-I-I can’t go—in there. I won’t be able to…breathe.”
“No, my darling Riley. I’ll be with you. You have nothing to worry about. I’ll help you.” He kissed her forehead. “Trust me, okay?”
How could she not? He was being so sweet and tender with her.
He released her and finished putting the branches and bushes together to hide the opening of the tube. He took her hand and helped her go inside. Awkwardly, she crawled on one hand while holding the blanket with the other and trying to keep the duffle bag over her shoulder. Thankfully, it wasn’t as small as she’d expected. They’d be able to crawl on their hands and knees without any problem. But still, she was in an enclosed space and knowing this was what scared her most.
When he climbed inside, he pulled the covering with him, putting it into place. He, too, adjusted the bag he kept his weapons in as he scooted closer to her.
“How are you holding up?” he whispered.
She took slower breaths, trying to stay calm, but she knew it wouldn’t last very long. Panic filled her. The walls of the pipe slowly began to close in on her. She couldn’t breathe and her head spun out of control.
* * * *
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Altar (Your Every Day Hero Book 2) Page 5
