Page 2 of Wilde Sanctuary

With a squeak, she slid off the chair and braced herself to hit the ground, eyes squeezed shut. But strong arms wrapped around her instead, pulling her against his firm chest.

Chapter Two

Rhett

After back-to-back multi-day guided hikes, Rhett West was beyond tired. Working for weeks on end without a break used to invigorate him, but the last year or two had been exhausting.

Be your own boss, they said. It would be fun, they said. He grunted and shook his head as he climbed the short flight of stairs to the deck that ran along three sides of Wilde Brews’n’Blues.

Rhett stopped by the side door into the main bar, taking a moment to scrape the dried mud off his boots. Mud was an occupational hazard for a man who was the owner and primary guide of Cape Wilde Outdoor Adventures.

The peak summer tourist season had only just begun, and Rhett was already exhausted. All he wanted was to get a bite to eat, shower, and sleep for a week.

Satisfied that his boots wouldn’t leave mud all over the floor, he pushed open the door and stepped inside. He didn’t make it more than a pace into the bar before he pulled up short, stunnedinto stillness by the woman who was crossing the space towards him.

Well, hello.

She was like sunshine after a week of rain. Long, glossy brown hair spilled over her shoulders in a tumble. She hadn’t seen him yet, approaching the near-empty bar as if on a mission.

She was shorter than him—not that it was hard. At well over six feet, Rhett towered over almost everyone he knew. She would fit perfectly in his arms.

Wow, where had that thought come from? He flexed his hands to get himself under control. What was wrong with him? He was never like this. He wasn’t a sailor, and she wasn’t a siren calling him to his doom, no matter how beautiful.

And she was beautiful.

He shifted from foot to foot, resenting his lack of control. Rhett West was nothing if not always in control.

Not right now.

He grunted in frustration, intending to ignore the woman who was obviously from out of town. Probably a holiday maker here with her family. She had that polished city look, despite the sneakers and jeans she wore. Her bag thudded onto the seat beside her, and he couldn’t help himself, saying the first thing that came into his head.

“What have you got in that thing? Rocks?”

Oh, real smooth. No wonder she’s staring at you like you’ve got horns.

She slid off the barstool with an adorable squeak, and he couldn’t let her fall, so he covered the short distance between them and gathered her in his arms.

She was all soft curves and perfume, just the right amount of floral without smelling like a department store. Her hands had come up to rest against his chest, her nails painted a pink thatcould only be described as ‘intense’. The color suited her. As if she was daring anyone to comment on her choice.

Rhett smiled ruefully as he held her against his chest, sliding one arm up to cradle her head. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of her shampoo. He’d never smell jasmine again without thinking of her. He knew that as clearly as he knew his own name.

“Oh!” she exclaimed in a breathy voice that sent a jolt of heat to his groin. Is that what she’d sound like when she came?

He swallowed and opened his eyes. Jaw clenched, he put her gently back on her feet and stepped away. His hands slid down her arms from her shoulders to her wrists, as if he couldn’t bear losing contact with her.

“I promise I’m not normally this clumsy,” she said, stepping back to let her go. She brushed her hands on her jeans, her cheeks pink.

Rhett watched as she fussed with her hair, smoothing the strands and putting herself to rights.

This was a woman who just got on with things. The world moved on, and she wasn’t about to let it move on without her. He smiled, preparing to wish her well and walk away, but she reached out and put a small hand on his forearm, stalling him.

He looked down at her hand; the pink painted nails standing out against his tanned skin.

No engagement ring. No wedding band.

He blinked, still staring at her hand. She snatched it back.

“I’m sorry. I should have thought…” she said, trailing off.

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