Page 34 of In this Moment

The mountains always did that for her. Ever since she was a little girl, she would escape to the mountains and into the woods to clear her head and feel better. First with her mom and dad when she was young, and then friends when she was older, and then it was just her and Jonah. Something about being in nature stilled her thoughts. And made her feel better. So many people were surprised when they found out she was a outdoorsy girl, but she liked to surprise people.

Especially Declan. They both had a lot to learn about each other still, and even if it wasn’t ever going to be a real relationship, she knew she was going to enjoy learning everything she could.

She paused at the tree line on the outskirts of their little camp and watched him, bent over the fire pit. She resisted the urge to laugh as he was clearly having trouble getting the fire going. But she didn’t want to intervene, at least not right away. Might as well give him a chance.

But he must’ve heard her, because he turned around and smiled that killer smile ofhis.

“Are you just gonna stand there and watch me all day?” He sat back and propped his arm up on hisknee.

She crossed the space to him and dropped down on the ground next to him, examining his setup in the firepit

“Well, I’m happy to help. If you want it, that is?” He hadn’t outright asked for her help, and Evie knew enough about men that she knew their pride could be easily hurt. Although she had a feeling that might not be the case with Declan.

“Oh.” He stood and dusted off his pants. “I’m more than happy to accept your help. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I started a campfire.” He shook his head. “That’s actually kind of embarrassing to admit, but I haven’t really had the opportunity. The rules are different in other countries. And, I know this will sound totally stupid, but…I actually have staff forthat.”

She burst into laughter because it sounded so pretentious, and so unlike Declan, who was as far pretentious as one couldget.

“Don’t laugh at me,” he protested with a laugh of his own. “It’s not like that at all. It’sjust…”

“It’s just that you’re too busy saving the world to start fires.”

He smiled and nodded. “That’s exactly it.” He crouched down next to the fire pit again and looked up at her. “So what do you say you give me a fewtips?”

There was no way Evie was going to pass up on such a nice request, so she grabbed a stack of the kindling she gathered and went to work building the basis for what could be a strong, hot fire. Declan asked questions as she worked, and she was more than happy to show him what she was doing. When it was time for the match, she handed it to Declan so he could do the honors. Instantly, the dry branches caught the flame and the fire flared to life. Evie bent down and blew gently on the embers before rocking back on her heels to see Declan watching her. She couldn’t fully read the expression on his face, but whatever it was that he was thinking, the look in his eyes made her blush.

Declan was learning a lot. It had been a long time since he’d been camping. And even longer since he’d spent so much time alone with a woman he was interested in. Probably because he couldn’t remember the last time he was so interested in a woman.

And hewas.

They cooked a simple dinner of hot dogs roasted over the fire, and fresh vegetables that Evie had packed. It wasn’t until the sun started going down that Evie retrieved the bottle of wine she brought in. She poured them each a glass and handed him one before sitting across the fire again.

Declan liked watching the way the reflection of the flames danced against her skin. He never would’ve guessed that she like to spend her free time outdoors like this. But he liked it. A lot. She kept him guessing, that was for sure. The more he learned about her, the more he wanted to because as awesome as he thought she was before, he realized just how incredible the womanwas.

“What are you thinking about?” Evie took a sip of herwine.

He had to blink hard to keep from staring as her tongue darted out between her lips to lick up a stray drop. It was an incredibly sensual move, particularly considering she had no idea the effect she had on him. And she did have an effect. A big one. It wasn’t until she asked the question again that he realized he was still staring at her, mesmerized.

He shook his head and blinked hard, needing to look away for a moment. “Sorry,” he said. “I got distracted. What was the question?”

She giggled and it was such a cute and unexpected sound that he instantly wanted her to do it again. Hell, if he could make her giggle for the rest of his life, he would die a happyman.

The thought hit him out of theblue.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked again.

“You really want toknow?”

She nodded.

“I was just thinking how your giggle was the sweetest, sexiest sound I’ve heard in a long time.” It was honest, but he hadn’t meant to sayit.

Her mouth dropped open and then she quickly brought her hand up to coverit.

“I’m sorry, Evie. I didn’t meanto—”

“No,” she interrupted him. “You don’t need to apologize. I just…you make me laugh, Dec. And I need to laugh right now. Thankyou.”

The idea that he could do something for her, even something as small as making her laugh, made him swell up with pride. It turned out he liked doing things for her. He liked it alot.

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