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A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. “Yeah, but I wasn’t going to touch it. It doesn’t matter anyways. I can’t do anything about it now.”
I heaved a sigh and pressed off my hands to get my feet underneath me.
The man must’ve understood my intent because he moved forward, sliding his shoulder toward me so I could grip onto him.
Every part of me would rather push him away, but I wasn’t entirely sure I could make it to my feet on my own. Hesitantly, I wound my arm around his shoulder and gripped his thick shoulders as he eased the weight from my legs.
Sharply inhaling, I ground my teeth, expecting pain to flare to life. Only a slight ache throbbed in my leg.
His arm circled my waist once we came to standing, and I gazed up at his tall frame. I was freak Amazon height. I rarely looked up at anyone, but he was a full head taller than me, and at least twice my size.
Stop gawking at him!
Sheepishly, I turned my eyes to the ground and then peered at the boulder I needed to climb to get back to the trail.
Oh, boy, this is going to suck.
The boulder was lodged between two other large rocks that led to drop-offs on either side. The dusty stone went to my chest, so smooth I couldn’t grip onto anything but the top. If I could leap a little off my good leg, then maybe I could shimmy the rest of the way over it on my stomach. That just might work.
Before I could take a step closer to throw myself onto the giant pillar, the stranger’s hands gripped both of my hips from behind. They felt strong on my waist.
I held still as he pivoted me to face him and briskly lifted me onto the top of the boulder. My hands grabbed the edge of the stone when my butt made gentle contact with the top.
Well, that’s one way to do it.
“Um, thanks,” I mumbled. “Here, let me help you up.” I reached my blood-streaked arms down to him, extending my fingers out to grip his.
A low rumble came from his chest as he laughed, shaking his head. “The offer is appreciated, but let’s not break you further.” He planted his enormous palms next to where I sat and then hopped onto the boulder in one swift jump.
Damn. That’s impressive. I should really work on squats. Hmm, maybe I should actually go to a gym. Better yet, maybe I should find a gym. Also, you should probably stop ogling him.
I leaned back to swing by legs around and stand, but two strong arms circled around my waist, delicately, lifting me to my feet.
Grinding my molars together, I didn’t push away his hands when he eased me upright. Once I stood firmly, I tried to wiggle free of the two hands firmly holding my waist. Instead of taking the hint, he slipped his arm underneath my thighs, carefully, and then swept me into his chest.
Oh no, I shouldn’t be this close to this much magnificent manliness.
He’s not Jason.
This man was so very different from Jason. Where Jason had a boyish flippant charm, this man had a rough… almost gritty demeanor, yes, that's the word for this man, gritty.
I squeaked breathlessly, in a wave of terror. “What are you doing?” I put my hand firmly on his chest, pulling back as far as I could.
His eyes met mine, crinkling in confusion. “I’m carrying you.”
“No, you’re not.” I went defiantly rigid, waiting for him to place me back on the ground.
“You can’t walk on that leg,” he said. His arms tightened around my back, and he strode down the hillside.
Blushing with rage and overwhelming amounts of embarrassment, I swallowed and stared at the auburn dirt. No one had carried me since I was a toddler. I wasn’t exactly lightweight. I could figure my way back on my own, no need for an audience.
“You can’t carry me the entire way back to the trailhead.”
“It wasn’t how I had planned my evening, but yeah, that’s what I’m going to do.” He pulled me into his chest and stepped carefully onto another smooth rock.
This guy is really not getting it.
“If you put me down, I won’t beat you,” I teased.
