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Was he calling her darlin’ as a term of endearment or was he just being himself? I couldn’t tell. Either way, I didn’t like it. “Why don’t you both go, and I’ll take care of this myself? I have a first aid kit if needed.”
That turned Macey’s pout into a wide smile.
“That wouldn’t be prudent, now would it?” Ryder said smooth as silk. “I think the first rule of hiking is to never go by yourself.” He gave Macey a heart-stopping grin. “We’ll catch up.”
She sighed before trudging off.
“Stay on the trail; it leads straight to the lake,” Jaime called out as he led the rest of the group forward.
That left the two of us on the rocky trail standing under the shade of the pine and aspen trees. I bit my lip. “You’re such a liar.”
He knew exactly what I was talking about. “You were never one to go showing off your body for no reason. Not to say I didn’t mind when you had reason to,” he admitted under his breath.
My cheeks burned.
He got right to business, dropping my pack and taking off his own. “Let’s see what’s under that shirt.”
My brow raised.
He grinned wickedly before gently lifting my shirt only enough to see the damage my backpack had inflicted. I noticed the way he swallowed hard staring at my bare skin. He hesitated to reach out and touch my body around the injured area, but when he did, his fingertips elicited raised skin and skipped heartbeats.
“This doesn’t look good,” he informed.
I winced and shifted before peeking at my raw skin that had started to bleed, leaving a nice stain on my T-shirt.
“Why didn’t you say something?” He sounded angry.
“Why do you care?” I pleaded to know.
He slowly lifted his head and met my eyes. “Sometimes I wish I didn’t.” His response was delivered with honesty, not cruelty.
It ached my heart. “My first aid kit is in the side pouch.”
“Keep your shirt up and I’ll grab it.”
“Thank you.” I gazed deep into his eyes, wanting to do so much more, like kiss his lips and run my hand across his stubbled cheeks. Don’t even get me going on how my fingers wanted to dive into his hair.
“You’re welcome.” He hastily went to retrieve the first aid kit.
“Ryder.”
He looked up while bent down, unzipping my pack.
“I am sorry.” I did my best to keep my emotions in check. I knew it probably wasn’t the right time, but I needed to say it to him. Keeping it inside was killing me.
He breathed out a low growl. “I’m not ready for that discussion.”
“Of course.” My eyes hit my hiking boots. I contemplated hiking back to the Ranch by myself. I had a whistle, plus it would be mostly downhill. I could do it.
Ryder was back to me in no time with the first aid kit. I avoided making eye contact but reached for the kit. “I got this, thank you.”
He wasn’t letting go. “Shelby, let me help you.”
I lifted my head to face him. “Why would you want to?”
He closed his eyes and shook his head, frustrated. “Because, God help me, I can’t stand to see you hurt.”Chapter NineteenThe cool water felt heavenly on my tired feet. The hike was the physically hardest thing I had ever done, but the view of the stunning crystal blue water and gently cascading waterfalls that fed right into Falling Lake made it all worth it. Even if I had to swallow my pride and allow Ryder to carry my pack the rest of the journey. Not like he gave me much of a choice. After he patched me up, he picked my pack right up and refused to let me have it until we arrived at our destination. Or as I liked to call it, heaven on earth. I had never seen anything like this place in my life. It was straight out of an enhanced movie scene. Everything in view was more vibrant and alive than it should have been. The foliage was greener, and I had never seen water so blue. Even the flowers were sharper hues of blue and purple.
The best scenery was in the lake—a certain someone who was under one of the waterfalls letting the water wash over his beautiful head and glorious bare chest. He’d been there for so long I wondered if he was hoping it would wash the memory of us away. I could see how torn he was. He didn’t want to—or couldn’t—forgive me, yet he couldn’t stand to see me hurt. He’d hardly said a word to me as we walked alone on the path, trying to catch up to the group. His only communication was making sure I was all right.
I decided to give him his space, though I ogled him from afar between reading the book I had brought with me, How to Get Over Your Ex in Ninety Days. Jenna thought we should start a book club, and this was the first selection. Aspen only agreed to read the romantic, happily-ever-after comedy if we read a thriller of her choice next.
