Page 24 of Weston

“I want to go back. I can help you.” Ellie looked up into Wes’ brown eyes, ready to convince him to allow her to return to Indonesia with the team. “I know the area pretty well and I madefriends with some of the local fishermen. You heard Hollis—they can help us.”

They had just left Old Glory and were on their way back to Wes’ house. She was preparing for him to say no when he surprised her.

“Wherever I go, you go.”

She blinked in surprise.Well, that was easy.Maybe too easy. “I thought you were going to put up an argument.”

“About keeping you by my side? Never. The last time we separated, I lost you. Not doing that again.”

As nice as his words were, she knew they were unrealistic. “Wes, you can’t always be with me,” she said, keeping her voice gentle.

“Wanna bet?”

His stubbornness was sweet and, she had to secretly admit, she liked the overprotective caveman vibes he was exuding. It made her feel safe and…loved. She pressed her lips together, trying not to smile. She was doing that a lot lately. Smiling. But she couldn’t help it. Every single time she met Wes’ deep brown, unwavering gaze she felt like a schoolgirl with the giggles, crushing on the cutest boy in class.

Of course, he would have to let her out of his sight at some point, but one thing at a time. Shifting her attention out the windshield, she focused on the gathering storm clouds. It had grown considerably darker outside and the smell of rain hung heavily in the air. Ellie breathed deeply, loving the ozone scent.

“Do the storms get violent here?”

“They can,” he said. “But I like them.”

“Me, too. Everything here is so raw and rugged. It’s wild and beautiful.”

As they pulled into the driveway, raindrops began to splatter against the car. Wes parked, turned the engine off and muttered a curse under his breath.

“I left the umbrella in the hall closet.”

But Ellie only smiled at him as the rain began to pound down harder. “Who needs an umbrella?” she asked mischievously, then threw the door open, stepping into the deluge.

Stretching her arms out, she tilted her head back and laughed. For the first time in a very long time, Ellie felt alive. Wes moved up beside her, rain streaming down his face, and she couldn’t miss the hunger in his eyes.

They were soaked in minutes. Clothes plastered to their bodies, Ellie fell back against the hood of the car, raising her arms to block the water streaming out of the hose. She’d been innocently washing the vehicle when Wes turned the spray on her. Playful moments like this were one of the things she loved most about him.

Absolutely drenched, she looked up as Wes leaned over her, closing the gap between them, and then captured her lips in a passionate kiss. God, she loved this man more than anything.

The memory hit Ellie out of the blue, and when she opened her eyes, Wes stood before her, dripping with rainwater. Just aswet and handsome as he’d been in her mind. But the passion had been replaced with concern.

“Are you okay?” he asked, reaching for her elbow.

“I remembered something,” she announced breathlessly. “We were at a car wash and you sprayed me with the hose. And we kissed.” Holy hell had they kissed. Her lips felt swollen just from the memory.

“That’s right,” he said, eyes lighting up. “I started working at a carwash to make extra money. You brought your car in and we got a little crazy with the soap and water. And then the manager yelled at us and said to get a room.”

Ellie burst out laughing as Wes closed in.

“What else do you remember?”

“Just…”That I loved you. So much it was like a beautiful ache.Instead, she said, “That you were, um, a pretty good kisser.”

“Pretty good?” he growled, eyes narrowing, cornering her against the hood just like he had in her flashback.

Stepping back, her rear end bumped against the SUV. “I don’t know. I don’t really remember.” She tossed him a devilish smirk.

“Maybe I should refresh your memory.”

“Maybe you should,” she challenged. He moved fast and before she knew it, Wes had her pinned against the Explorer. Their bodies were flush, clothes soaked, and Ellie could feel the hard lines of his firm chest, strong hips and muscled thighs.Melting against him, noses touching, she licked rain off her lips and nearly moaned when his mouth crashed against hers.

Even though he’d kissed her already, this kiss was different. It felt more intimate, more intense on every level. Completely epic. Her arms wound around his neck and his hips rocked against hers. There was no missing he was hard as steel, but she wasn’t scared or nervous—no, she was excited. Everything about him felt right and oh-so good. When he deepened the kiss, his tongue delving into her mouth, Ellie whimpered, her body arching against him.

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