Page 73 of His Mansion

The zipper on the tent opened and both of them swung to look. Melanie’s hair stuck up in a tousled mess as she poked her head out the front flap. Her gaze snapped to Nathan, her cheeks flushed bright.

Derrick waited. It felt like he’d been doing a lot of that lately.

“Can I have a washcloth, please?”

Nathan rose and stepped to Derrick’s side. “I’ll take over supper prep. Give her a hand. Can I use a little of that water as well?”

Derrick nodded, pouring a container half-full and adjusting the temperature with cold water from another jug on the ground. “There’s another bowl in the rubber tote by the table. Help yourself. Just give us a few minutes.”

He left the tent unzipped to let in more light and allow the fresh breeze to play over them. Melanie waited with her arms curled around her legs, the vivid red spots on her cheeks making her look healthy and full of life.

Derrick stroked her cheek, loving how heat radiated off her. “Lay back, sweetheart, and let me help you.”

The washcloth remained warm even after he wrung out the moisture, and as he slid it over her, she relaxed on the sleeping bag, a contented expression playing over her face. One long, satisfied sigh escaped her lips. “That feels marvelous.”

“How you doing? Did I wear you out?”

“Not completely. I’m still up for more climbing this evening.”

He rinsed the cloth a few times, enjoying the chance to wash every inch of her so intimately—her total trust in him clear as she watched him intently.

“I told Nathan the rest of the trip—what happens is up to you.”

“I heard.”

Derrick put aside the cloth and lay next to her, his head supported on an elbow as he stared admiringly into her face. “Is that okay?”

She nodded, then pulled him down for a slow kiss that reassured him the fires between them weren’t going to stay banked for long.

They dressed, crawled out of the tent, joined Nathan at the table—all normal activities and far more comfortable than it could have been. Melanie laid a hand on Nathan’s shoulder for a moment before seeming to change her mind and wrapping him in a huge bear hug. The man’s pleased smile lifted Derrick’s heart.

Whatever happened, they were all in it together.

After a bite to eat,they went back to climbing. Nathan snapped photos. He stopped at times to join in and attempt a few moves. They talked non-stop—about Nathan’s previous assignments, his travels. Derrick shared climbing stories. Melanie’s laughter flowed easily. The whole situation was easy and comfortable, like three good friend sharing time together. Nothing more than casual hugs and easy caresses occurred between them, but more importantly in Derrick’s mind, Melanie allowed pictures to be taken regardless of whether her scars were in the picture or not.

She was slowly accepting. Hesitantly opening up more.

They called it quits for the day when the sun started to fade around eight, and made their way back to the campsite to grab a snack.

The discussion ebbed and flowed. Derrick rearranged one of the logs in the fire. Bright sparks flashed upward, and Melanieoohedin delight. Derrick took his seat on the blanket they’d draped over the ground, and she crawled into his arms. Quiet peace settled as he stroked her hair and the back of her neck. Streaks of brilliant sunset filled the western sky, and the red glow of the fire added a layer of intimate relaxation to the setting.

He squeezed the arm he’d wrapped around Melanie’s shoulders then turned to face the other man. “Spill the beans, Nate. You never did explain how you ended up in the middle of a game of spin-the-bottle with Melanie.”

Nathan shook his head, firelight reflecting in his eyes. “Stupidest move ever. I was back from college for the holidays and wandered downstairs to discover Katy’s Christmas party had devolved to the point of darkened lights and giggles in the corners of the room. I slipped out of sight as fast as I could, but I didn’t know they were doing some weird variation on the kissing game. They had planted girls in each of the downstairs rooms and blindfolded them.”

Melanie held up a hand in protest. “We were trying to make it less embarrassing for the people who didn’t get picked to be kissed. It was your sister’s idea.”

Derrick laughed. “Let me guess. You walked into a room and found Mel.”

Nathan swirled a finger around his head, as if wrapping it with something. “And they’d covered her eyes completely, so she had no idea it was me and not one of her teenage boyfriends.”

“That’s what you thought,” Melanie muttered.

“It’s true. You finally squeaked out like a mouse and asked why I wasn’t kissing you.”

“Not a mouse. Just trying not to give away I knew it was you. Because there was a slight chance you might kiss me if youthoughtI didn’t know it was you.”

“Bullshit.”

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