Page 35 of Love in the Time of Wildfires

River poked a finger into his chest. “Hey, Dad, I’m an adult. I’m allowed to scamper wherever the heck I want.”

“I swear to God if you call me that one more time . . .”

She lifted her chin defiantly. “Don’t like it? Do something to change it.”

He didn’t have an answer while they shared a stare-off. Well, this wasn’t entirely true. Logan did have an answer, but it wasn’t anything verbal. He’d always been more of an action guy anyway, and all this was more than he could take. He grabbed her by the waist, pulling her toward him until she was pressed against every wet inch of him, which might have been the reason she gasped. Holding her with one hand, his other went to her neck just below the jawbone, his thumb sweeping along her cheek. She was softer than he’d imagined, those big, dark eyes gazing at him in surprise.

“Are things changing yet?” he said roughly, dropping his face closer, his body sensitive to detecting any resistance, but she didn’t move as his lips met hers. In fact, her hands on his chest gripped the fabric tighter as she tilted her head, releasing a moan and—

Fuck. He’d really stepped in it now because she kissed him back, her lips moving with his. As hard and as cynical as he was, and as much of a non-sweet tooth he had, he’d never tasted anything better. She was delicious and delicate and about to convince him that maybe there were some things still worth living and fighting for—that not all of the world was terrible. There existed a balm that could soothe his burns, and she was right here in his arms.

Now that he discovered it, he couldn’t let go. His arm wrapped fully around her, his other hand going to her neck. He slid his tongue into her mouth to taste her more fully, and it was wonderful. Logan might have kissed her forever. He probably would’ve tried to find a way to take her clothes off even in an environment full of dried pine needles. His blood was burning so hot, he no longer felt the cool, damp fabric of his clothes. All he could think about was that he needed this and he needed more of it.

A call from a noisy blue jay snapped him back to reality. Logan had to remember they were near a popular hiking trail. This wasn’t the time or place to do anything. Plus, this wasn’t what she wanted him for. He was supposed to be finding foxes, not kissing her.

He tore his lips away, his breath continuing fast through his lungs. He tried not to notice her mouth was slightly swollen because of him, doing his best to keep from falling back into it.

“Um,” River said, licking her lips and touching her mouth. “I guess you showed me. I don’t think I can ever call you Dad again.”

“Sorry.” Logan let her go. It was over, but he knew exactly what kissing her was like. It made him agitated to stop, like his skin was squeezing over his bones too tightly. All he could do was scratch the back of his head as he walked away from her toward the lake.

They should probably talk about this, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to. Logan was certain the only conclusion would be that they should never do it again, that it was a mistake. The longer it was put off, the longer he could continue to live in the fantasy.

From there it took five minutes to reach the shoreline. He stood there, hands on his hips, drinking in the view. The lake reflected the same vibrant blue as the atmosphere above it, appearing almost unreal. The trees were green and hadn’t been decimated by the fires yet. The snow-capped peaks surrounding the lake were as pristine as he remembered from childhood. Logan closed his eyes to bask in the sun, letting it warm him and possibly dry his clothes. His peaceful moment was ruined upon opening them, finding River gazing at him with a sly smile as though holding a secret.

“You kissed me.” The fact that she didn’t appear upset about it didn’t bode well for his self-promise never to kiss her again.

He took a seat on a long, flat granite rock by the water’s edge, removing his shoes and socks, laying them out to dry. She sat near him, crossing her legs and propping her chin on the bent arm resting on her knee, continuing to stare at him.

“What?” he asked, wishing to forget the whole thing while also wanting to do it again. It was complicated. Logan sighed. “You pushed me into it.”

“How’d I do that?”

He didn’t have a ready reply. She was cute, attractive, and dressed like Lara Croft, but it was also something more. Maybe it was her determination to find some silly fox in the middle of the wilderness and mark it off some old homemade bingo card she’d made when she was a kid. Obviously, it wasn’t a good idea to tell her this. He pulled something out of his ass. “I was cold and wet. Don’t judge me.”

This might have been the wrong thing to say because she threw her head back, laughing loudly, and all he wanted was to wrestle her to the ground and kiss along her neck until he could feel the vibrations of her mirth with his lips. Oh god. He was becoming a huge sucker. This could only lead to trouble.

“So, you’re saying I could have been just anybody then?” River raised her brow in amusement as if already knowing the answer.

“I used to be married.” Good god. Logan had no idea why that came out. It was one sentence to sabotage things, and he couldn’t help pulling the pin.

She didn’t even bat an eye. “Oh yeah? And I used to be engaged.”

“Mine didn’t end well.”

“Mine either.” She shrugged. “But then you already knew this. What was it for you guys?”

He didn’t want to tell her everything because there were some remnants of pain—not because he still wanted to be married to Amelia. It was only the idea of not being enough for someone. Logan went with the simplest explanation. “The job. I’m not someone you want to get involved with.”

“Ah,” was all River replied, picking up a tiny pebble and flicking it into the lake. “Well, I knew it wasn’t your kissing skills because you definitely have some.”

It was such an unexpected compliment, he barked a laugh, which only made her smile grow. She stretched her legs in front of her, leaning back on her hands. “This lake is beautiful. I’m really happy we ended up doing this hike after all.”

“No foxes, though.”

“Nope,” she agreed, scratching her collarbone where a mosquito bite was already appearing. “That’s okay. It was still . . . unexpected and worth it.” River slid him a look, her eyes glittering.

“Okay, okay. I kissed you.”