Chapter 9
“You know what? I like you. I like you a lot.” Kyle had just blown Fisher’s mind with a series of orgasms that made her collapse against his chest.
He rolled them over onto their sides, grinning like a fool.
“You like me because I just rode you like a class-four rapid at high water.” Fisher laughed—exhausted, exhilarated, and a little elated.
“Class four, that’s good, right?” He propped himself up on one elbow. “Not like on an airplane, where first class is the best?”
“Right.” She had to remember he was still learning. “Most of the big rapids we run are a three, three-plus. A class five is pretty much crazy, a six unrunnable, so I guess you could say a class four is pretty fucking spectacular.”
“That was pretty fucking spectacular.” He chuckled, the sound warm and deep. “But I like you even when you’re not spectacularly fucking me.”
“Oh really?” Something warm bloomed in her chest. Warm and scary. “You like me?”
“Yeah. I do. And I know you like me too.” He brushed a lock of hair off her forehead. Yeah, she must be a hot mess.
“Maybe.” She didn’t want to talk about feelings. Not when she was so unsure of what all this meant. Hadn’t she and Brooke spent part of their evening convincing each other and their friends that it was perfectly reasonable for a woman to have a relationship with a man that was purely physical?
“Maybe?” He wasn’t buying it. “Is that why you keep coming back for more?”
“More sex? I think it’s obvious why I keep coming back for sex.” She was so full of shit. It wasn’t just about sex. As much as she wanted to believe that it was. She liked Kyle. Liked the way he made her feel. And not just in bed. He challenged her. In ways she couldn’t quite explain. Nor did she want to spend too much time talking or even thinking about it.
“You’re amazing.” He looked at her in a way that she’d never seen before. At least not in a man who was looking at her.
“I need to go to the bathroom.” She scooted away from him and made a dash for his surprisingly comfortable facilities.
She cleaned up and splashed cold water on her face. She ran damp fingers through her hair and then opened the door that led to the bedroom area of the RV.
“Your turn.” She tried to sound casual, but her heart was beating way too fast.
He jumped up, pulled her into his arms, and whispered in her ear, “Don’t you dare go anywhere. You’re spending the night. And we can talk. Or not.”
“What if I choose ‘not’?”
“I’m sure I’ll think of something.” He brushed a soft kiss on her forehead and then moved past her into the bathroom.
She fell onto the bed as waves of conflicting emotions washed over her. Satisfaction, fear, contentment, nervousness, hope, panic.
Kyle slipped back into bed with her and pulled the light blanket over them. “So what’s got you all worked up? And I don’t mean sexually. I think I’ve got that covered pretty well. But something’s bothering you.”
“Nothing’s bothering me. Really.” Except for the fact that she couldn’t just enjoy the moment.
“How was your night out with the ladies?”
“Good. I hope you weren’t bored all alone without me.” She snuggled against his broad, comforting chest.
“No. Not bored. We fellas had a little party of our own. With Leia and Dana to keep us company.” He held her, and it felt too good. “Your bosses came by, with their herd in tow.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. They hung out with us for a while, kicking back, drinking beer, changing diapers.”
“Diapers?”
“Oh yeah. It was quite entertaining.” He chuckled, as if there was something that went on that would be kept between the guys.
“I guess it’s weird to think of there being babies around here.” Fisher hoped he wouldn’t think that she was interested in babies. “And girls’ night out ended up being a preplanning session for Aubrey’s wedding. And baby shower.”
“Who’s Aubrey?”
“One of our core crew. Or at least she was until she announced her engagement, pregnancy, and upcoming move to follow her soon-to-be husband for his new job.”
“Well, I guess that’s exciting for her.” He was being far too supportive.
“Yeah. But now we’ll have to fill her spot. And I still don’t know who’s here looking for a job or who’s just looking for an adventure. I don’t even know what you’re looking for.” Great, now he was going to think she was trying to find out what he was looking for in a relationship.
“Sometimes you don’t know what you’re looking for until you find it.” He dropped a little kiss on her neck, ran his hand down her arm, and pressed against her. “When I signed up for this, I just knew I needed a change. I took a sabbatical hoping to get a fresh perspective. I didn’t think I’d spend more than a week up here, figuring I’d quickly tire of the slow pace, the woods with all the dirt and bugs and wildness. But the lifestyle is growing on me. If I was offered a job for the summer, I’d be a fool not to take it.”
“Who said anything about offering you a job?”
“No one. But if you need to fill Aubrey’s position, I’d like to be considered.”
“Then you’ll understand why I’m going to mix up the crews tomorrow.” Fisher turned around to face him. “I can’t have this getting in the way of what’s best for the company. I want to get a look at the other potential guides. And have my crew get a really good look at you. I’m going to hire the best man or woman for the job. No one gets any special favors.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He kissed her forehead. “Did I tell you how amazing you are?”
“No.” She closed her eyes, feeling the weight of everything. “You just told me you like me.”
“I do. I like you a lot.” Kyle chuckled softly. “And I know you’ll do the right thing. You don’t know any different.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re not like any other woman I’ve ever known.”
“I know my shortcomings.”
“No. It’s a good thing, Fisher. Really.”
“I think I need to sleep now.” She closed her eyes. “I promised Brooke I wouldn’t be home before six.”
“Six a.m.?” He groaned. “I thought the breakfast crew didn’t start until seven thirty.”
“Yeah, but I have to do my hair and makeup and iron my clothes.” She couldn’t help but laugh at the idea.
“Or you could sleep in. And do me.” His suggestion was not without merit. Although, the way he pressed up against her, she had a feeling the order would be reversed.
* * * *
Kyle felt the bed move, but it seemed like they’d just fallen asleep minutes ago. He cracked one eye open and glanced at the clock. 6:02. He opened the other eye and watched Fisher get dressed.
“Sorry to wake you.” She slipped a T-shirt over her practical yet damn-sexy-anyway bra. “I was trying to be quiet.”
“What is it about you and early morning escapes?” He sat up even though he wasn’t even close to being ready to get up. Well, part of him was up. The part that wanted to entice her back to bed.
“What can I say, I’m a morning person.” She shimmied into her shorts.
“I can think of a much better use of your energy than to hurry on home.” He crawled across the bed to where she was standing. “Come back to bed. I promise to make it worth your while.”
“Didn’t you get enough last night?” Her cheeks turned a sexy scarlet.
“Nope.” He grabbed her hips and pulled her down on top of him. “I don’t think I can ever get enough of my strong blonde.”
“Oh please.” Her blush deepened.
“If you’re begging, I can’t say no.” He started to slip her shorts down her hips.
“Don’t.” She grabbed his hands. Her grip was powerful. “I can’t. Please understand.”
“Okay.” He let go. “So are you no longer satisfied?” She would have to be the greatest actress on the planet if that were the case.
“What?” She turned to face him, a puzzled look on her face.
“I don’t think you’re faking it, but if there’s something that’s not working for you, let me know. I’ll do what I can to take care of your needs. Sexually.”
“Everything’s fine. Really.” She shrugged her shoulders, rolled her neck.
“Yet you can’t wait to rush out the door.” He joined her in sitting up, the sheet just covering his naked body.
“I’m just busy. That’s all.” She glanced toward the door.
“You have plenty of people who can help you out.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I know I’ve only been here a few days, but it’s long enough to know the kind of people you work with. They’ve all got your back.”
“Yeah, but they’re busy. They’ve got a lot on their plates. And their high chair trays.” Was that longing he heard in her voice? And if it was, why wasn’t he pushing her out the door as fast as he could? Besides the fact that he still hadn’t had his fill of her.
“You’re scared.” He just wasn’t sure of what.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Yeah. She was scared.
“Are you afraid I’m going to leave?” He reached for her, grabbing her wrist and pulling her toward him with a playful grin.
“I know you’re going to leave.” She tossed her long blond hair over her shoulder. “It’s just a matter of when. I don’t see what the big deal is. Why can’t I just come over, have sex, and then go home to get ready for work? Why do we have to talk about it?”
“We don’t.”
“And why do I have to figure out every step of my future? I’m not even thirty.” Ah, the girls’ night out that morphed into wedding planning. And all those babies. That’s what was eating at her. “I mean a little more than a year ago, Lily was sure she was going to have to use artificial insemination to get a baby. And Miranda was busy traveling the world, writing about her adventures for a magazine that no longer exists. They didn’t have everything figured out.”
“I still don’t have everything figured out.” Kyle would have to ask for permission to apply for the guide’s job. He was pretty sure his boss would grant it, since it would give him more of an edge in buying out the company. “Hell, I’m seriously considering becoming a river rat. I might even grow my hair out—on my head, my face, and my chest.”
“I knew it. You do wax?” A grin escaped those perfect lips.
“Doesn’t everyone?”
“No. Not around here.” She laughed and shook her head. “But really, I need to get home. I need a shower and a cup of coffee before I can face the day.”
“You could shower here. I’ll make coffee.”
“I have my shampoo and conditioner and stuff back home.” She did give him an encouraging smile. “Thanks for the offer, but I also need a little bit of space. Time to paint my nails, read a magazine, or goof off on the Internet.”
“That’s fair. If you need space, why don’t you just say so?”
“Because I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” She got up and finished dressing. “And because, well, I like you too.”
“That’s good enough for me.” He rolled out of bed and helped her to stand. Kyle gave Fisher a good-bye kiss. A long, slow, deep, and meaningful kiss. He would let her go for now, but he didn’t want her to forget just how good it was between them.
As soon as she shut the door to his RV, he reluctantly headed for the shower. He made it quick and then dressed and made coffee. He opened his laptop and sent a quick e-mail to the boss. Before he had to head to the main camp to start working on breakfast he was given the all clear to do whatever it took to get the job.
And if he got to spend a little more time with Fisher, even better.