Page 69 of Tragic (Lark Cove 3)

“You look good in hats,” he said quietly.

“So do you.”

The longer hair at the nape of his neck curled under the band. Those swoops were begging for some attention, but I used all of my willpower to keep my fingers by my sides.

My god, he had nice lips. His dark beard was such a contrast to the pale peach. My breath hitched as I remembered how it felt to have those soft lips on my own.

Kaine leaned in a fraction of an inch as the magnetic force between us tugged. It was tempting, so tempting, to do the same, but before I caved to the attraction, a bird squawked above us. The noise forced our bodies apart.

“Um . . . shall we?” I stepped backward, turning on the trail.

“Yup.?

? Kaine took up the space beside me as we walked. We both hugged the edges of the trail so we weren’t too close. But it was a narrow path, and the proximity of his hand to mine was noticeable.

The undercurrent between us was there, ever present and always flowing. It reminded me of the treetops today, and how they swished in the gentle breeze. They’d swing close to one another but just before they’d brush, the wind would ease and they’d whip in the opposite direction.

We continued up the trail until it got steep, and I took the lead. Kaine let me go first to set the pace. He took the hike to the ridge like it was a stroll through Central Park. I doubted his legs were straining or that his lungs were on fire. But the view from the top was worth breaking a sweat.

As we crested the trail, I breathed in the clean air, warmed up and ready for more. “Where are you taking me today?”

“I thought we could go east for a change.” He pointed in the direction of his property. “There’s a game trail that runs down the ridge. About two miles off, there’s another ridge.”

“Sounds great. I’ll follow you.”

He nodded and wasted no time in finding the path. It wasn’t as wide or clear as the trail we took up to the ridge so occasionally the brush would scrape against my bare calves. Kaine took it slow, holding those long legs back so it wasn’t too strenuous for me to keep up.

And though we were in dense forest, the view wasn’t too bad.

Walking behind Kaine gave me a great view of his ass and broad shoulders. Months ago, I would have sworn up and down that a nice rear end was impossible to beat. But Kaine’s shoulders were damn sexy. They were so big and brawny. They were so powerful and—okay, that’s enough.

I’d had my moment to drool and now it was time for my thoughts to head back to the safe zone.

I opened my mouth to drum up some friendly, boring conversation and distract myself from the way his triceps bulged underneath the tight fit of his T-shirt, but Kaine stopped short on the trail and held up a hand.

I nearly ran into him. “What?”

He shook his head, and I clamped my mouth shut. Then he looked over his shoulder and pointed down the trail.

I followed his finger to where a grizzly bear was standing on its hind legs, staring at us with a crooked head.

I gasped, clinging to Kaine’s shirt as my heart stopped.

I was going to be mauled and eaten by a bear today. There would be no huckleberry pie for dessert. Instead, I’d be this bear’s treat.

And I wouldn’t have any more nights with Kaine. When faced with an animal four times my size, that was the regret that popped to mind first. I wished I had gotten one more chance to kiss him.

“Don’t. Run.” He reached behind him and put a hand to my stomach, gently pushing me backward.

The bear watched us as we backed away with shuffled steps. It dropped down on all fours and took three steps in our direction. I nearly threw up my breakfast. Then finally, it let out a snort and ambled away in the opposite direction.

My sigh of relief rang through the forest.

Kaine didn’t relax though, his eyes glued to the spot where the bear had been standing. He urged me on faster and, with one hand, reached into the side pocket of his backpack to retrieve the bear spray.

I had to spin around to keep from tripping as I hustled, though I was careful not to run. Every third step, I glanced over my shoulder to make sure the bear hadn’t changed his mind about making me his afternoon snack.

It was only when Kaine turned, walking close to my side, that I began to breathe again. My hands didn’t stop shaking until we were on top of the ridge and out of the trees.