Page 66 of Bad Rio

Becca went to the cooler and pulled out a can of nuts, peeled another orange, and unwrapped granola bars. She didn’t mind waiting on him. Doing things for him felt nice. It seemed ironic, how the first time they’d come to the mountain shack she’d been the one cold, sick, needing care. Now, their roles had reversed and she was taking care of him.

Happily so. If she weren’t careful, she could get used to it.

That day they spent the time chatting and napping, only venturing outside to go in the trees, or take a short sunbath. Rio tired quickly and needed a lot of sleep. When he slumbered, Becca watched his face, knowing he was improving each hour, and would continue to each day that she managed to keep him quiet. There’d be time for action later, when he was better, and when he could think properly again.

Meanwhile, she decided to enjoy this interlude. It seemed an idyllic time, when no one knew where they were, couldn’t contact them by phone, couldn’t shoot at them. There in the mountains, there was no intrigue, no threat, no fear. There was only Becca, and Rio.

Was she falling in love?

She didn’t know, but found taking her eyes off him for more than moments seemed painful. At every opportunity, she ran her hands over his back, through his thick hair. She touched him, petted him, and caressed him.

He appeared to enjoy the attention, and when he could, he held her hand and kissed her back.

That night she lay facing the wall, and he curved his body to hers, his wounded side facing up, his arm around her. Before falling asleep, he brushed his fingers over her breasts, and predictably her nipples responded. She felt the rising of his desire against her bottom. In seconds, he was asleep, but she smiled to herself.

Rio was getting better.

****

On the fourth day,Becca told Rio she intended to hike back up the mountain again, to fetch the blue ice packs and more ice. In the cooler, most of it had melted. They still had a good store of food, and with careful management, enough left for a few more days. She wanted to make certain it remained safe to eat.

“I’ll go with you,” Rio said, swinging his legs over the bed with care. He grimaced.

“The trail is almost straight up,” Becca said. “You stay here. We can’t have your stitches pulling out.” She put on her coat and collected the plastic bags.

He studied her for a long moment. “Take the Glock. I don’t want you going out alone anymore without it.” From the floor, he picked up the gun, checked the chamber. “You know how to shoot, right?”

“I’ve been to the shooting range a few times.” She wouldn’t tell him it was with an ex-boyfriend. “But I won’t need the gun.”

“With the break in the weather, that mountain lion has probably moved on, but I don’t want you taking any chances. We don’t know who or what could be out there.” Showing her the gun’s safe action system, he explained that to fire it, she must depress both the trigger safety and the trigger itself at the same time. He pushed the weapon into her hands. “You’re taking it.”

Not liking to argue with him, she tucked the gun into her coat pocket and brushed her lips over his mouth. “Be back in a few hours.”

With difficulty, he got off the bed and followed her to the door. “Be careful,” he said.

“Yup!” As she let herself out of the cabin, he surprised her by coming with her, and although he moved slowly and carefully, he walked a few yards. After a dozen more steps, she stopped him with a hand on his chest. “I’ll be fine. Now go back inside. Rest.”

He scowled down at her. “I don’t want you to go.”

“You’ll probably die of loneliness,” she said, and gave him a saucy smile. “You’ll miss me something awful.”

“I’ll miss you something awful,” he repeated, searching her eyes. “I should be the one getting ice,” he said. “I should be taking care of you.”

Something inside her warmed. “For now, I want to take care of you.”

“Becca,” he said, and pulled her to him. His eyes lit to shimmering blue flames. Bending his neck, he kissed her thoroughly.

Her body flooded with pleasure. She pulled away an inch. “You’re feeling that good, huh? Well, when I get back, if I’m not too tired, and if you’re up to it, I could take care of you in a more interesting way.” With that, she deliberately ran her tongue across her upper lip. She allowed her eyes to half close withcome-hitherallure.

His gaze glowed. “I hope you’re thinking what I’m thinking.”

“Oh, I am,” she promised. “I am.” Turning, she walked away, toward the incline, and allowed her hips to gently sway.

Over her shoulder, she gave him a last smile.

“Hurry back, Buttercup,” he said, looking stronger than he had in days.

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