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Finn noticed the goosebumps popping along her dark brown skin. The rain was freezing; Jewel was soaked, and he couldn’t stand idly while she struggled on her own.
His first thought was to swing her into his arms and run. They’d make much better time that way. But he’d already received two very stern warnings about Jewel’s fragility.
Jewel herself had made it clear that his touch was unwelcome and if she’d trembled just to put her hand in the crook of his elbow, she’d probably pass out if he lifted her, bridal style, and held her to his chest.
Finn quickly moved on to another solution.
Keeping her dry.
He flipped his suit jacket off his shoulders and lifted it high, using the material to shade her from the storm. Jewel glanced up and gave him a stunned look.
“It’s okay.” He blinked the rain out of his eyes and nodded reassuringly. “We can take it slow.”
Jewel’s nostrils flared. “Don’t worry about me.”
Finn ignored her and stared straight ahead. Matching her pace took more precision than he’d expected. He was used to long, urgent strides. With Jewel limping, they’d slowed to a crawl.
His fingers itched to carry her, but he dug them into the cloth of his jacket instead and took his pummeling.
Jewel pointed to a tree near the entrance of the park. “We can wait for it to calm over there.”
“Are you sure?” Finn glanced at storm clouds that seethed angrily at him. “We could be waiting a while.”
She nodded.
Finn shrugged and shifted that way.
Jewel hastened her steps.
In less than a minute, they took cover under the leafy branches.
Finn kept a close eye on Jewel as he pressed in beside her. The tree wasn’t that big and he had to duck just to fit under it. This wasn’t an attempt to seduce her and he had no intentions of pushing her so hard that she clammed up with him.
But Jewel didn’t seem to notice. Her chest heaved with every breath and her gaze scanned the Mayan ruins.
Finn studied the soft line of her cheek. The way her curls clung to her soft, dark brown skin. This close, he could smell her hair. Something sweet but tropical, mango or papaya.
Jewel glanced up then.
Their gazes locked.
She swallowed hard and tried to inch away, but the minute she stepped too far, the rain pummeled her shoulder. She winced and, reluctantly, slid back to where he was.
Her fingers trembled and slid up to her chest where her collar had scooped low and exposed her bra. His eyes lingered on the smooth dark skin and protruding collarbone before he got a hold of himself.
Finn forced his gaze up, noticed her discomfort and dropped his jacket over her shoulders.
The blazer was soaking wet and her chances of getting a cold had just increased by fifty percent, but the grateful look Jewel shot at him quieted all the doubts.
Finn shuffled away—not too far that he was getting doused, but just enough so their bodies didn’t touch.
He saw Jewel relax even more.
“Sorry you’re stuck with me,” she mumbled.
“Are you kidding? This is the most interesting wedding I’ve ever been to. Mayan ruins.” He glanced around. “Beautiful sceneries. What’s not to love?”
Her lips curled upward. It wasn’t a full-fledged smile, but he did see her dimples poking out. She turned fully to him and lifted her chin in an uncharacteristically bold move. “I’m Jewel.”
