“Do you think they’ll notice?” she asked.
“I don’t know. They’ll probably see an empty raft and wonder, but I’m hoping they don’t realize we’re trying to hide from them. I guess if we hear them shoot their rifles, we’ll know.”
She searched for his hand, and he grasped hers tightly. Her chest rose and fell quickly, and he was sure his was doing the same. He wished he could hear any shouts from the men, but the water was just too loud.
Holding his breath, he waited for the raft to carry them farther. Why couldn’t they be on the rapids now? At least they wouldn’t be creeping by at a turtle’s pace.
His stomach twisted. This wasn’t a good sign. Something was going to go wrong. Why would a raft just float on the water by itself? If those men saw it, they’d be stupid to think it was normal. Unfortunately, this was the only plan Kurt could come up with on short notice. Perhaps they should have jumped into the water and held onto the side.
“It’s going to be all right,” she whispered. “Rafts tip over all the time, right?”
“True, but they are usually upside down, instead of right-side up.”
“I can hear the rapids up ahead. If they see us, it’ll be too late.” She gave him a smile that wavered.
He couldn’t believe Riley was actually trying to cheer him up. Something was wrong with this picture. “You’re right. I’m worried for nothing.”
“Exactly.”
Moving slowly, he turned onto his side. Cautiously, he lifted the corner of the blanket, but he couldn’t see them. He finished crawling out of the blanket so he could see better. When he finally located them, they were all facing the water watching the raft. As soon as they saw him, they aimed their rifles.
Kurt swore and jumped down, laying his body over Riley to protect her. In the distance, he heard the rifles exploding with shots. He closed his eyes, and prayed they were too far away to get hit.
EIGHT
Holding her breath, Riley clutched the front of Kurt’s life jacket, not wanting him to move. Hearing the shots being fired at them over the roar of the water, frightened her more than she was prepared for. She was also mad. Kurt had warned her that these men had guns and they’d shoot at anything. If they were Mark’s cousins—or Mark himself—then why were they shooting? Didn’t they care that she might get hit?
When the raft finally hit the rapids, she sighed with relief. At least they were out of the bullet’s range. But now they were being tossed inside the raft. Kurt scrambled to get into his seat, but just before he reached it, the rapids jerked him back into the center. She couldn’t even turn onto her knees without being bounced around. So instead of trying to reach her seat, she gripped the ropes attached inside the raft and hung on tightly.
Kurt continued to struggle as he tried to maintain the raft, but every time he was tossed, he swore and tried again. She was proud of the man for not giving up. That certainly defined his character, and made him a superhero in her eyes.
Would Mark have done any of this for her if she was in danger? Deep down inside, she knew the answer was no.
As she clung to the rope, she closed her eyes and rode out the rapids. Her mind swirled with confusion as she thought about Mark. Why had she fallen in love with him so quickly? What had he done to soften her heart? He made her laugh. He was well-liked by his friends. He walked around campus like any stud would, and when he picked her out of all the other girls who had wanted to go out with him, she felt like the luckiest woman alive.
They argued a few times, which is normal for most relationships. He’d accused her of not trusting him, which was also true, but mainly because she had a hard time trusting any man, thanks to her father. However, Mark hadn’t really done anything to make her want to trust him.
Had he done anything at all to make her proud of him? Had he done anything in her eyes that would make him into some kind of superhero? The simple truth was that he’d done nothing to earn her love. So why had she fallen in love with him?
Or, was she really in love at all?
She tried to remember when she’d finally realized he was the man for her. She recalled dating him a few times and enjoying his company, but it wasn’t until her mother told her to stay away from him when Riley decided to do just the opposite. Had she almost married a man just to get back at her mother? Was Riley really that spiteful?
When the movement in the raft seemed to become smoother, she opened her eyes and looked toward Kurt. He was sitting in his seat, steering the raft. She quickly scrambled to her seat and grabbed her paddle.
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
She nodded. “I’m more than all right.” His forehead creased, and she realized she shouldn’t have answered him that way. “Yes, I’m fine. How are you?”
“A little rattled, but at least the bullets missed us and the raft. I think it’ll be smooth sailing from here on out.”
She sighed with relief. “I sure hope so.”
She didn’t dare to think of what would happen next. Ever since meeting Sheriff Kurt Hamill, her life has been one adventure after another. And yet, for some odd reason, she didn’t regret a minute of it. She had experienced several different emotions since meeting the handsome stranger—none of which she was prepared for. Did he know he helped her realize Mark wasn’t the man for her? Did Kurt know she’d never really trusted any man before he came along? Because she could honestly say, she trusted Kurt with her whole heart.
Riley still didn’t know if the kiss they’d shared earlier today had been real or not, but it was definitely a kiss that shook through her entire body and melted her to the core. He’d been skittish around her since the kiss, and she figured he wasn’t sure of his feelings, either. That’s all right. She still needed time to sort through her thoughts. She didn’t want to fall for a man as quickly as she had Mark. Of course now she knew why she’d fallen for Mark. Thank goodness Kurt was completely opposite. And to think he was friends with her mother!
There was no reason she had to figure out Kurt. Not yet. He was her bodyguard, and so far, he was doing a fabulous job. Until the time he delivered her to her mother, she’d just sit back and enjoy his company. Sure, she wouldn’t mind another kiss like the one they’d shared earlier, but then she realized it was too steamy and passionate, and if they kissed like that again, it might lead to other things. She wasn’t ready for that.
Soon the raft floated toward civilization. Immediately, she recognized the resort that she and Mark were supposed to have their wedding night in. It was almost over, and she didn’t like the feeling of gloom that came over her. She wanted more time with Kurt to get to know him. She wanted more time to live in a fantasy and not have to worry about the real world. Unfortunately, until Kurt could arrest those men who were chasing them, Kurt would still be suspicious of anyone. So for now, the real world—as she thought of it—was being with Kurt and feeling protected. This was a feeling she didn’t want to lose.
* * * *
Kurt was grateful his friends, Ron and Mary Martinez offered to help him. They put Kurt and Riley into a hotel suite, but wrote different names in the registering book just in case. Mary even found some clothes for them to change into. Kurt wasn’t going to ask where she found these clothes, but since there was a clothing shop in the resort, he had a pretty good idea where they came from.
While Riley was in the shower, he decided to check his phone to see if the judge had left him a message. Surprisingly, there were several messages…but none came from the judge’s phone number. How odd. But two calls were from Kurt’s former boss, Captain Martinez. Kurt clicked to listen to the message.
“Hey, Hamill. This is Captain Martinez. I wish I could say this was a friendly call, but I really need your help. Remember arresting Bill Phillips? He was taking down a drug lord and you witnessed the murder. Anyway, don’t ask me how, but the guy broke out of jail. We think he’s armed and dangerous. I need your help finding him. You’d tracked him so well that you know how this man thin
ks. You’re the only one who can help. Brittany Russell doesn’t know the guy as well as you did, and she suggested I call you. Let me know if you can assist us in finding him.”
Blowing out a frustrated gush of air, he lay back onto the bed and looked up at the ceiling. Kurt wanted to become a police detective again, and yet there was a part of him who enjoyed the lazy life he had here in Big Sky, Montana. Unfortunately, he couldn’t help the captain now. Not until he could capture the guys after Riley and get her back to her mother.
And speaking of her mother…. He sat up and quickly dialed the judge’s phone number. It rang five times before going to her voice mail. Where are you Judge Peterson? “It’s Kurt again. I’ve been waiting for your call. I’m anxious to get Riley off my hands so I can return to my normal life. Call me, please.”
He sighed and threw the phone on top of the bed. Riley wasn’t really difficult to protect. But Kurt did want to return back to his life as a sheriff, just as Riley needed to return to her life—as long as it was without Mark. That man was bad news, not only to Riley, but to all women.
He glanced at the closed bathroom door. The water had stopped running, so he knew she was out of the shower. Hopefully, she’d want to sleep so that Kurt could have time to figure out a plan. These men that were after Riley needed to be stopped, but a small-time sheriff like Kurt couldn’t do it alone.
He left the bed and walked toward the closet. His clothes were still damp from the wild ride they’d had while riding in the raft, and he couldn’t wait to get out of them. He unbuttoned his shirt, and in a split second, a memory assaulted him. In his mind, Riley was cuddled in his arms, rubbing her face against his chest, which unlatched a few buttons. Then she’d ran her fingers through his chest hair.
Grinning, he shook his head. He hadn’t seen her expression, but his body had felt her electrifying touch. That had been a wonderful moment…one he shouldn’t dwell on unless he wanted to get into trouble again. Every time he focused on a woman, all hell broke loose around him. He couldn’t afford another mistake like that.
Just as he took off his shirt, the bathroom door opened and Riley walked out wearing the clothes Mary Martinez had provided. Riley looked sexy in the new white jeans and denim shirt with cropped sleeves that buttoned down the front. She was still barefooted, which of course, made her look even sexier. She had a towel wrapped around the ends of her hair as she tried drying it.
When her gaze met his, her eyes widened, but then her attention dropped to his bare chest, and seconds later, her cheeks turned pink. Warmth spread through him just witnessing the look of interest in her smoldering eyes that were more green then brown at the moment.
“Did you leave me some hot water?” he joked.
Without meeting his eyes, she nodded and quickly walked past him and dropped the towel over a chair. “Yes.”
“You don’t mind if I take a shower now, do you?”
“Of course not.” She flipped her hand through the air.
“Well, while I’m in there, don’t answer the door.”
She whipped around, her wet hair flying over her shoulders. “You don’t think those men know we’re here, do you?”
He shrugged. “I don’t want to take that chance.”
“I understand.”
He motioned to the king-size bed. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep? I know we didn’t sleep very well last night.” His body grew warm thinking about her cuddling into his arms, and he tried to push the feeling away.
“Yes, I think I will.” She moved to the bed and pulled down the quilt.
“I won’t be long,” he said, walking into the bathroom.
“I’ll probably be asleep by the time you’re done.”
“Good.” He gave her a wink. “You need it.”
As he closed the door behind him, he realized he needed more sleep, too. Unfortunately, he had too much to think about. He felt impelled to help Captain Martinez, but at the same time, he definitely had to stop these men who were after Riley. They were too careless with their rifles, and he could arrest them with the charge of intent to kill.
The hot water hitting his body relaxed him. This was nice. After the last twenty-four hours he’d been through, he needed some kind of relaxation in this large, expensive suite with a beautiful woman. All he was going to do was rest up, but it was needed.
He dressed into his new clothes, but left the shirt off. The material would wrinkle easy, and since he was just going to take a nap, he really didn’t need the shirt on.
It didn’t take long to dry his hair. He walked out into the bedroom, and curled onto the bed asleep was the sexy woman who wouldn’t stay out of his thoughts. He quietly moved to the other side of the bed, pulled back the quilt and climbed under.
Ahh! Finally! Rest and relaxation…until he got a whiff of her jasmine scent wafting around her body. Just as before, he had the incredible urge to snuggle against her and inhale her intoxicating fragrance and feel her softness against him.
Nope, it would not happen!
Growling in irritation, he turned away from her, facing the wall. Maybe if he didn’t have to look at her, he’d be able to drift off to sleep. Breathing deeply for a few moments, he began to relax. Her deep breathing was also lulling him off to dreamland. But then her breathing changed, and little sobs came from her.
He snapped up and turned. She was still curled up asleep, but her expression told him she was having bad dreams. Poor woman. Of course she was. He was used to being chased and shot at. She wasn’t.
When her little cries grew louder, he crawled next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Immediately, a gasp sprang from her throat and turned toward him, burying her head against his chest. She wasn’t awake. It was her nightmare that made her seek protection from him, but to have her body so close to his, sent off warnings inside his head. Cuddling like this was not a good idea!
He couldn’t wake her, only because she needed sleep. So, there was only one thing to do. Relaxing on the bed next to her, he caressed her arm until her breathing grew slow and deep again. Of course now, her face and hands were touching his chest, and her warm breath blew across his skin, making him feel heated tingles he really shouldn’t be experiencing right now.
Silently, he cursed. Looks like he wasn’t getting any sleep now. But at least he could close his eyes and inhale her sweet scent just as he’d wanted to do a few minutes ago.
Stroking her arm and back was nice. Holding her like this felt even nicer. And that right there was the problem. None of this should feel nice, because it would only lead to him wanting more. It was hard to deny temptation when it was snuggled so softly against him.
She sighed, and he smiled, enjoying the sound of her voice. Of course, it reminded him of what she’d sounded like when they were kissing so passionately, and he couldn’t get enough of her throaty exhalations. If only he could calm his fiercely beating heart just enough for him to rest, then everything would be fine. He’d awaken without worrying about making the moves on her.
Closing his eyes, he kissed her head. He couldn’t push away, not now. Her mother was paying him to protect her, and if that meant protecting her during a nightmare, then he’d do it.
Gradually, his mind began to calm and he knew he’d soon fall asleep. But just then, she shifted into his arms. He didn’t want to open his eyes, mainly because he was so close to falling asleep that he worried if he looked at her, it would bring him fully awake again.
After a few minutes, he started to drift off, but then he felt something brushing against his chest. Her fingers were wandering again. Did that mean she was awake? He hoped not. But what were the chances she was dreaming of touching him so tenderly?
Suddenly, something else joined her wandering fingers… He gritted his teeth, swearing under his breath. What were her lips doing on his chest? This was not good at all! Yet stopping her was out of the question.
He tried to lay still and act as if he was asleep, but because the rhythm of his he
art was jumping all over the place, it should be obvious to her that he was awake. When her lips traveled up his neck, warm tingles shot through him again. It was if his arms had minds of their own because they wrapped around her, pulling her closer.
Temptation was winning, and he was losing, but right now, he didn’t care. Kissing this woman was the only thing going through his mind.
When her mouth moved toward his face, he lowered his head and found her seeking lips. A deep sigh rattled through her throat, but his groan of pleasure was louder. This was exactly as he’d remembered from when they were hiding in that pipe…except now the moment was more intimate. Access was much easier lying next to her on the bed with her legs tangled with his as he kissed her deeply.
Her hands moved up his body to cup his face, but then finished moving until her fingers threaded through his hair. His chest tightened and made it nearly impossible to breathe, and yet his breaths were so ragged, he thought he might be having some kind of attack.
Rolling her over, he loomed on top of her, continuing to kiss her passionately. His body was on fire, and all he knew was that kissing this woman would not be enough…it would never be enough. All the things he wanted to do to her filled his head, but he needed to make sure she felt the same way. A nagging thought in the back of his mind told him she was on the rebound from Mark. Kurt definitely didn’t want to take advantage of that.
He broke the kiss and raised his head to gaze deep into her eyes. Passion filled her green eyes, and her lips were swollen from his ardent kisses. Her breathing was as irregular as his. Mesmerized by her lovely eyes, his mind went blank. What he’d wanted to say had just disappeared.
She moved her hands up and down his chest slowly. Never had a woman’s hands made his body come alive like Riley’s hands were doing. He wanted to close his eyes and enjoy, but he couldn’t tear himself away from her beautiful face.
“What are you doing to me?” he whispered in a voice that was too deep to be his own.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Altar (Your Every Day Hero Book 2) Page 7
