Page 66 of Love By a Landslide

A deep rumble of laughter vibrated through Jonathan’s chest. “You know, I was fantasizing about that very thing.”

“Really?” Lucy rolled and rested her chin on his chest. She was radiant—directing that shine toward him—and he basked in her glow. Her sweet, sleepy grin and heavy-lidded gaze swept away any lingering animus he’d been feeling at the prospect of her ex showing up in Leavenworth.

“Mmm-hmm. Though in my scenario, we stayed until . . . oh, I don’t know . . . winter.” He flashed a wicked smile.

“Oh, thatdoessound appealing.”

“Alas . . . we should probably get a move on.”

“Killjoy,” Lucy playfully accused as she shifted away from Jonathan and propped herself up on her elbows. She took a deep breath and then sighed. “I’d forgotten how at peace I feel in nature. Landslide notwithstanding, places like this are like natural recharging stations. It’s been way, way too long.”

“I still can’t believe how many lies you fed me,” he teased, leaning in to nip her ear. “How can I ever believe a word you say?”

She reached over and playfully pinched his side. “I used to hike a ton. With my brothers, friends, even short trails solo.” A dreamy look danced across her face. “I always dreamed of hiking The Enchantments or Wonderland.” The glimmer in her eyes faded and was replaced with something else. Regret? Shame? She turned and faced the lake. “But then I met Brodan, and he was such a city guy. Different from the guys I dated in the past. He seemed so worldly, and it was enticing to dip my toe into a different lifestyle. But the trade-off was his aversion to hiking. And nature. And going outside, really.” She cringed.

Ugh. That guy again. How could Lucy have gottenso wrapped up with such a tool?

“And you gave it all up because he didn’t enjoy it?” His words sounded more accusatory than he intended.

Careful, Johnny, your jealousy is showing.

“Not at first!” she blurted defensively, tossing a scowl over her shoulder. “I still went with my friends from time to time and my brothers when they visited me in Seattle but you know how new romances are. You want to be around that person all the time. So, I let him plan what we did, and everything he planned was in the city: concerts, dinners, art shows, drinks, and dancing with his friends.”

“Oh, the horror.” Jonathan gasped.

Lucy rolled her eyes. “So sarcastic.”

“No, really, most of that sounds horrible.” He chuckled. “I am not big on crowds or anything that requires me to dress up in more than a plaid and jeans. Did you ever ask him to hike with you?”

“So many times, but I’d never been able to convince him until I planned this trip. To which he finally caved.”

“What a catch.” Jonathan shook his head in disgust. “Did I saycatch? I meant uncompromising prick.” The idea that someone could refuse such a sunny and vibrant woman something so simple was beyond him. She radiated joy. Her smile was a tractor beam that drew him in; he was powerless against the pull.

Brodan’s loss.

She shrugged. “Yes, but I didn’t realize that until recently. Every day since the breakup, every second that passes, I realize how much better off I am without him. It’s like I’m waking up from a crappy dream and returning to my own life. I’m figuring out what I want. It’s kind of intoxicating. Call it cliché but he did me a favorby ending things.”

“And I am happy to help you explore those wants in any way possible.” Jonathan gently lifted her arm. He dusted a kiss on the inside of her wrist and began to trail up her arm, pausing momentarily at the sensitive spot on her inner elbow. The taste of fresh sweat and sunshine lingered on the tip of his tongue. Blood rushed from his brain and settled into his cock, taking with it the responsible thoughts that tended to rattle around his preservation-focused mind. They should be on their way, but all he wanted to do was take refuge in this luscious woman one more time before returning to the trail. He dismissed the voice that begged him to remember their plight and uncharacteristically zeroed in on the present. “I’m a full-service guide, you see.”

Lucy sucked in a sharp breath. “Is that so? What other services have I yet to take advantage of?

“Well . . .” he started, trailing up to her shoulder, tracing his fingers along her collarbone. “I happen to be an experienced cartographer and am extraordinarily gifted at scoping out the local terrain.”

“Oh? I may be in the market for a little surveying. Tell me more.” Her husky giggle sent shivers down Jonathan’s back. He could bathe in that sound.

With a quick movement, he swept her arms out from under her and gently lowered her to lay flat. “For instance, I see two peaks to summit.” Jonathan bent his head down and slid hot kisses along her skin until he reached her breasts. Lips, tongue, and teeth trailed over her sensitive flesh, paying particular attention to each rosy nipple. They tightened under his mouth. The unconscious way she arched into him and responded to his touch was intoxicating.

“I’d better carry on; my expedition must be thorough.” Lazily, he trailed a finger down her ribs in a meandering path. “What do we have here?”

Lucy writhed breathlessly beneath his perusal. “What did you find?”

A surprised squeak escaped her mouth as Jonathan splashed a little water from his bottle onto her stomach. A few of the icy cold drops settled in her belly button. “A little pond! Oh, thank god. I was getting so thirsty.” Leaning down and bracing a hand on each hip, he circled then dipped his tongue into her navel. Lucy squirmed and bucked slightly under his hold. “That’s riiight. You’re ticklish, aren’t you?”

“Y . . . yes,” she managed to say through giggles and groans while sliding her fingers into his ruffled hair.

Jonathan raised his head. Their eyes connected. Two blazoned emeralds bore into him. The uninhibited expression on her face would be forever singed into the back of his mind. A look he’d be able to recall in vivid detail during lonely nights if . . .

If he couldn’t convince her to stay.

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