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When Troy is out of earshot, she comes toward me, eyes wide. “What was that about?”
I frown. “I’ll bet you have an idea.”
She glances around, taking in our isolation on this trail. “You think your friend had an alternative agenda?”
“Yes to the alternate agenda. No to him being my friend.”
“Wow.” She blows out a breath. “You told me about him and Clem, but I never thought he’d make any moves on me.” She lifts her chin and takes a step forward. “I sent no signals. I turned him down when he asked me out. I’m just …”
Her words trail off, so I duck my head and meet her gaze. I’d been ready to throw Troy off the mountain, but her nearness drains my anger. “You’re just what?” I ask. “Beautiful? Funny? Kind? Warm? Generous? Spontaneous?” I shrug. “Whowouldn’twant to make a move on you?”
“I don’t know.” Her voice is soft, and her tentative smile is all the balm I need. “It sure tookyoulong enough,” she says.
“I’m an idiot.”
“Werean idiot.”
She takes the last two steps that separate us and goes up on her toes. I gather her in my arms, pulling closer until we’re pressed against each other. Without thinking—very unlike me—I let my mouth slowly sink. My lips are nothing but strips of nerve endings that explode when they meet hers.
I gasp, and she answers with a sigh. I want nothing more than to kiss this woman senseless. I’d wait two years. Two weeks. Two minutes. An eternity. Time doesn’t matter.
Make it not matter.
“Wait. Did you hear that?” she whispers, breaking away from me. I want to shout into the canyon.Noooo!
“It was like a tree branch cracking. Or a rock being kicked.” Her eyes dart around. “I think someone’s coming.” She covers her mouth to giggle, and I want her even more. I want my lips pressed to her grinning lips. I want to kiss that smile forever.
“I don’t think—”
“Shhh.” She puts a finger up. “They’ll hear us.” Then she grabs my hand, still giggling. Still playful. Totally Tess.
When she drags me toward the bushes on the side of the trail, I can’t help asking. “What are we doing?”
“We’re hiding!” she whisper-shouts, but there’s laughter in her voice.
“Hiding?”
“Yes!” More laughter leaks from Tess. Two minutes ago, I was furious. Now I’m having the time of my life.
“All right, then. I work for you. I’ll do whatever you say.”
“Andthat’swhy you’re my favorite employee.” She grins over her shoulder. “Spencer Crane, I’m giving you a raise!”
While she’s still looking at me, she takes another step and trips, stumbling headlong into the shrubs. Now we’re both laughing. This situation is ridiculous. I reach a hand out. “Are you okay?”
“Of course I am,” she says. “You know me. I’m Tornado Tess.”
Above her laughter I hear the rattle.
And that’s when the snake strikes.
