Page 45 of Recurve Ridge

Stopping just inside the tree line, I propped my shoulders against a sturdy pine, a smile sliding into place. Mari battled with never-ending fervor, lashing out in controlled jabs and kicks. Her breath was labored, her face flushed the hue of a ripe tomato, but her gaze narrowed, focusing on Miller.

She spun, semi-off-balance, and caught herself as he swung at her in a wide haymaker that would have knocked her into next week if she hadn’t ducked. Mari dropped, flicking out a leg as she twisted. Miller’s ass hit the forest floor with a muted thump that startled the odd dozing bird from the trees surrounding the clearing.

Mari stood over him, a proud smile curving soft lips as her color returned to normal, and offered him a hand.

She didn’t need me to tell her what a bad impulse she’d acted on.

He hooked a boot behind her ankle and pushed instead of pulled as he rose until they reversed positions.

Mari winced from her place on the forest floor and rubbed her rump.

“Either punch the fucker in the face or run like hell, little girl. Don’t offer chivalry. Niceties don’t count when his aim is to destroy that pretty soul you keep locked away in here.” Miller jabbed her between the breasts, anger creasing the deep lines of his face.

“Noted.” Mari hissed as she rose to her feet a little slower than I would have liked to see her move.

Before I could catch myself, I shoved away from the tree and strode forward, already reaching for her. Growling, I pulled my hand back and folded my arms to prevent myself from doing anything stupider.

“Have you worked her that hard the entire time I’ve been gone?” I spoke to Miller but kept my focus on Mari, taking in the quick rise of her chest, the deep red stain that refused to leave her cheeks. She returned my gaze, just as assessing, though with more…somethingin her eyes. Awareness, perhaps. “She needs to heal.”

“Sheis just fine, thank you.” Mari lifted her chin, and when I said nothing, she turned to Miller. “Thank you for the lesson. I appreciate the time you took.”

“You’re welcome,” he returned, his eyes hooded, his manic fury and coiled body quiet for once.

Something unspoken passed between them in that look that raised a green-eyed beast in my chest. I frowned. Respect between them had been my goal, but now that I’d achieved my aim, it tasted bittersweet.

I wanted Mari’s quiet looks, the unsated yearning in her eyes for me alone.

Swallowing back the urge to push away the man who’d had my back for so long, I clenched my jaw and promised myself I’d play nice. “Hungry? It’ll be dark soon.” The words came out harsher than I wanted, but Mari didn’t back away.

“Both of you get thanks. I don’t think I’ve spent that much time away from you since I first got here,” she murmured to the pine needles scattered around her oversized boots. Her cheeks flushed pinker, brightening the stain from her exertions.

“That keen to get rid of me?” I snarled back.Fuck, get your shit together. “I’m glad you learned something.”

“Want to take me on?” she blazed at me, all sass and filled with a desire for social proof.

Needy little thing, aren’t you?

The thought that she wanted—needed—my approval reduced my simmering rage, and the Kermit-colored beast retreated.

I shook my head. “No, Mari. You’ve worked hard enough. If Miller’s happy, then so am I.”

She tipped her head to one side. “You two have a lot of love for each other, don’t you?”

A challenge resided in her words, a sideward attack on our combined masculinity, but I shrugged it off.

“Yes, we do,” I said simply.

Mari blinked.

“Go get showered. Use the hot water before I do.” Miller gestured her forward.

“Thank you,” she whispered again as she passed by him, almost close enough to touch.

She hesitated, and his fingers flexed. The beast returned, roaring, almost obliterating Miller’s next words, low and softly spoken.

“Good girl.”

My words.

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