Page 27 of The Jade Stone Sleuth

They walked the two miles to the river and the mile up the river. They chatted about Lincoln’s baseball game last weekend and the high school team’s chances of making it to the state championship this year. Lincoln had high hopes. She’d seen Brex at the game but he hadn’t sat with her. She wanted him by her side, cheering for Linc with her, and by her side in every other part of her life.

The conversation didn’t distract her from what she hoped was happening between her and Brex. Was it smart to fall deeper for him? No. Would he be in danger? She glanced sidelong at him, and he gave her an alluring smile. Maybe. Her stomach turned over.

The red rock walls grew ever closer together and the magic of the mystical setting washed over her as she saw the water spray from the falls.

As they reached the moss-covered ladder, she stepped in front of him to go first but turned to face him, leaning against the ladder. Brex didn’t disappoint as he eased in closer and rested his hand against the ladder. Should she tell him about the risk he was taking if they were in a relationship? Maybe after they kissed.

“If I’m so irresistible,” she said, studying him for his reaction, “why do you resist me?”

He gave her a brief smile. “Because of my job.”

“Oh.” Disappointment filled her. “And you can’t tell me what your real job is yet?”

“No.” His gaze swept over her face, hungry. He leaned down. “If I fail at resisting you … is that fair to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Clara.” His voice was husky and meaningful, the look in his eyes even more so. “I’m dying to kiss you, but I don’t want to confuse you or hurt you if things don’t go right with my job or I have to move on.”

He wanted her. That was all she cared about at the moment.

She flung her arms around his neck and arched up toward him. “I’ll deal with the confusion and hurt.”

“Oh, Clara.” He wrapped his hands around her waist, drawing her closer. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Then don’t.”

“But I’ll have to leave the first part of June. Leave you behind.”

“Maybe I’ll leave you behind first.” She raised a challenging eyebrow. “My first mission trip of the summer is in a month. Maybe I’ll be the one who rips out a piece of your heart when I go.”

He didn’t smile like she thought he would. “Being without you would rip my heart apart, no matter the reason.”

She knew he was right, but she also knew that he craved her and cared about her and for now, maybe that was enough.

“So are we going to waste time jabbering about who’s leaving who and who’s going to hurt worse, or are we going to enjoy the time we’ve got together?”

He did smile then. “You jabber, I’ll enjoy.”

She grinned. “What are you going to enjoy?”

“Kissing you in this spot.” His voice was gravelly, and he lowered his head until their lips were mere centimeters apart. “I’m going to kiss you deeply and thoroughly like I’ve been dreaming about since our last kiss in this magical haven.”

“You do that,” she challenged, “And no regrets. The hurt might come, but I’d rather savor these moments with you.”

“Agreed.”

He tenderly cupped her face with his palms, trailing his thumbs underneath her bottom lip and making her quiver. His dark eyes searched hers, full of yearning and promises she didn’t know if he could keep. Slowly running his fingertips along her jawline and into her hair, he massaged her scalp, bringing tingles with his touch.

Then he captured her mouth with his.

This was the kiss to end all kisses. He was true to his word; he kissed her deeply and thoroughly and it was even better than their first kiss in this mystical and beautiful refuge.

Brex’s hands slid down her back to frame her hips. He lifted her off her feet and into his arms. They moved closer to the gurgling water. She wasn’t sure how it happened, but they ended up under the water. The kisses grew even hotter as cool water intermingled with their warm lips.

This was a kiss unlike anything she’d ever known.

When they pulled back, Brex’s skin was glistening with water and his eyes were sparkling at her. “Deeply and thoroughly?”

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