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“Together?” Reed asked.
“Okay.” She took a deep breath and jumped forward to clear the rest of the steps.
They plunged off the steps and into the ice-cold water. Esther forced herself to go under completely. She burst up out of the water and Reed was right there.
He grinned, wiping the water off his face and making it impossible to not notice how his biceps and shoulder muscles flexed with that move. “Whew! That feels awesome. Maybe the misery of the steam room was worth the cold plunge.”
“Did you really think the steam room was suffocating and miserable too?” she asked. Was he only trying to commiserate?
He nodded. His dark eyes were clear and guileless. Reed had nothing to hide. If only she could say the same. “I was starting to wonder what you loved about this hydrotherapy.”
She grinned and tugged on his hand. “Come on, sweetie, and I’ll show you.”
“Lead the way, beautiful.”
Esther doubted she looked beautiful. She was probably bright red from the heat of the steam room and the sting of the cold pool, and her makeup was probably smeared down her face. Reed didn’t seem to care.
She led him over to the large pool and they took their time trying out each of the different jets that massaged every stiff and tired muscle from the bottom of their feet to the crowns of their heads. It felt every bit as good as she remembered.
They went back to the neck and upper back jets and stayed there for a while. Then she took him to the bubble bed, and they floated as the bubbles relaxed them. Esther was so relaxed she probably would’ve fallen asleep. If she hadn’t been next to the handsome and invigorating Reed Peterson. “Hot sheriff” was such an insufficient label for the kind, patient, fun, smart, and intriguing man. Kari’s words kept going through her mind, and she wished they could hold each other while their worries floated away.
They finally looked like prunes and climbed out of the water. He wrapped a towel around his waist and she put the robe back on. They ate the delicious chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies and drank a few different teas and juices before settling on the pineapple juice as their favorite. They tried out the surprisingly comfortable and ergonomically correct tile beds for a while, then moved to the plush lay down beds. They started chatting about work and families and time flew by.
Esther wondered how late it was. Her skin felt tight, her hair frizzy, and her eyes were grainy, but she was loath to end the night. Would it be out of line to take Reed’s hand, without any hesitation this time, tug him back into that warm pool, pull her hot sheriff in tight, and kiss him for a really, really long time?
Kari would definitely approve, but sadly it was probably wrong. Especially since Esther was planning on not going on another date with him.
Tonight had been perfect. The dream date that surpassed every other date she’d ever been on. Even the memories of the steam room were good because Reed had rescued, soothed, and strengthened her afterward.
But all good things had to come to an end. Garret wasn’t a danger any longer and there was no reason to keep dating Reed … Except for Reed.
He looked at her with those deep-brown eyes of his and for a moment she forgot every fear she had of getting into another relationship. Yet if Reed realized how crazy she got and dumped her ... It would hurt much, much worse than when Roman had. She hadn’t let herself fall in love for over ten years, and she honestly didn’t know if she could stop the downward spiral if she lost Reed. At least Reed wouldn’t die because of her obsession.
At the same time, she’d acted pretty nuts at the waterfall, and again in the steam room, and he’d not only taken both in stride but he’d proven he was solid, steady, and wouldn’t make her feel stupid if she had a moment of insanity.
“We’d better go,” she said softly.
He nodded and stood, holding out his hand.
Esther stared at his lovely chest, shoulders, and arms. Her gaze made its way up to his handsome face. She knew and loved that face. How was she going to push him away after tonight? Could Papa come up with an assignment that got her away from the valley? She had the seniority and experience to request a move with the Air Force. That might take some time though, and she didn’t know how she’d resist Reed any longer.
She put her hand in his. He smiled and gently lifted her off the plush bed. Instead of releasing her hand, he tugged her toward him. Esther’s hands landed on his chest and his hands easily slid around her lower back.
A slow smile grew on his handsome face, and his dark eyes were full of her. He was gone over her. She could read that without being a romance novelist.
Warning bells should be clanging, but Esther pushed them away in the beauty of the moment and the romantic quiet of this place with the waterfall’s soothing sound, the smell of mint and eucalyptus, the low lighting, but most importantly the incredible man leaning closer and closer to her.
She arched up and slid her hands across his chest and around his neck. Anticipation and warmth swirled around them better than even the warm water and relaxing jets of the therapy pool.
No words were needed as their lips softly met. The promise of passion, love, and safety lingered in his incredible kiss.
The men’s locker room door burst open. They broke apart and turned to see a well-built, thirty-something guy with dark hair and eyes stride into the pool area. He saw them embracing and froze. “Ah, crap.” He pushed a hand through his hair. “You’re still here.”
Esther released her grip on Reed, but he kept one arm around her.
“Sorry, man,” Reed said. “We lost track of time. We’ll go change and head out. I really appreciate you giving us a private booking.”
“No,” the man grunted out.
