Page 50 of Perfect Storm

His eyes lock with mine and we stare in silence for a moment. I’m almost certain I’m swaying towards him when his cell phone buzzes.

He shakes himself, like he is coming out of a trance, and clears his throat. I bite my lip and look away as he answers the call.

Shit, I wanted to kiss that mouth of his.

“Okay, great. Does the ranger know? Okay, we’ll head that way now.”

He hangs up and looks at me.

“Now?” I ask, excitement streaking through me.

He nods with a big smile, and I jump up and down, clapping. Of course, I jump on a loose rock and fall forward again. He grabs for me and keeps me on my feet.

I’d be embarrassed if the move hadn’t ended with me in his arms.

“Last thing we need is you breaking your ankle,” he points out, his voice rough.

“Uh huh,” I think are the words that come out of my mouth.

His hand moves and he resettles my glasses straight on my face, which I didn’t notice slipping. His hand lingers by my cheek.

“What would happen if I did?” I whisper.

“Well, I’d have to carry you down the mountain,” he says.

“Oh, that sounds heavenly.”

He grins and his whole face changes.

“Fucking hell, do that all the time,” I tell him, and his brow arches.

“Carry you?”

“That too, but I meant that,” I point at his mouth. “That huge smile.”

“Well, being around you gives me a reason to smile.”

“You smooth talking bastard,” I laugh.

“I have my moments.”

We stare at each other again. This could be something. If we both let it.

“Sandy!”

For the love of God, how many times are we going to be interrupted, just as things are getting good? But I would recognize that bark anywhere. Alessa.

“Oh fuck, we have somewhere to be,” I whirl around to hurry away, but Stone grabs my hand and then swoops me up, bridal style. “What are you doing?” I breathe out.

“Making sure you get where you need to be without hurting yourself. And giving them something to talk about.”

I laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck as he marches ahead towards the rest of the group.

They need a distraction. Being carried in by the burly bodyguard will work better than anything I can plan.

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