Page 72 of Bad For Me (Rock Canyon, Idaho 5)

“Sure I can; it’s not far.”

Callie shook her head. “You have lost your damn mind!”

She unclipped Ratchet’s leash. She usually let him walk off-leash when there was no one else around, and this trail by the river was definitely remote.

“Woman, get your cute little ass on my back and stop your caterwauling.” Everett had an evil gleam in his eye that made her wary. Not that she was actually scared of him, but he did have a mischievous side that usually didn’t bode well for her.

“If you don’t cooperate, I’ll just have to use my signature move and haul you off like a caveman.”

Callie pulled the backpack with their lunch onto her back and climbed up. Once she was situated on his back, she reached up and yanked on his ear lightly.

“Ow!”

“That will teach you to threaten me,” she said, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

Everett’s hands supported her thighs as he lifted her higher on his back. “You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

Then Callie hung on tight as he started moving. They hiked through the underbrush, and Callie resisted asking Everett if he was tired every five seconds. He’d been the one insisting he could carry her, calling her “woman.”

He deserved to suffer.

Callie kept pushing low-hanging branches out of their way and had ducked her head several times already. “Are you trying to take my head off?”

“Nope, I like your head right where it is.”

Ten minutes later, they broke through the trees, and Callie let out a soft, “Oh.”

“See? You always doubt me.”

Everett came to a stop, and Callie slid off his back, hobbling a little until she caught her balance again. She stared out over the rush of rapids in the river and a small waterfall just below. This must have been the place Everett had been talking about the first time they’d met. It was about twenty-five feet above the Snake River and gave her a beautiful view of the canyon, the river, and the trees along the edge.

Everett took the pack from her and pulled out the large flannel blanket she’d said they could use. As he spread it across the flat rock they were standing on, Callie watched him with mixed emotions rushing through her. In just the short time she’d known him, he’d shown her that there were still things worth taking a risk for, whether it was a view or the chance to be close to another person.

It was amazing how comfortable she felt with Everett, almost as if she could see right into his soul. It was ridiculous, of course, but his mix of teasing and gentleness had a way of pulling her out of her shell, of making her feel safe and warm and able to be herself. The girl she used to be before—only better. More aware and not as naïve, but still able to find joy in a little banter and horseplay.

Everett brought out the best in her, traits she’d thought were lost and buried.

“Thank you.”

Callie sat down next to him on the blanket and he gave her a puzzled look. “For what?”

“For surprising and delighting me.” Callie reached out to cradle the back of his neck and bring him closer to her. Everett didn’t resist, and when their lips met, Callie jerked as a shock of electricity shot through her body.

His mouth opened wide, his tongue tracing her lips before thrusting inside. She scooted closer, her arms going around his neck, and pressed her chest to his. Her nipples hardened, and she sighed into his mouth.

Callie found herself being lowered gently onto her back as Everett covered her body, one of his hands gripping her waist. She wanted him to move his hand up and touch her breasts, to relieve the hard nubs, and she arched against him, hoping he would get the message. When his hand finally skimmed up her side, she wanted to cry out, “Hallelujah.”

Everett’s large palm covered her breast and squeezed gently, kneading her flesh through her long-sleeved cotton shirt. Whimpering against his mouth, she slid her hands down his back, settling on the waistband of his jeans. She needed to be closer to him, to feel him pressed against her, and she hooked her legs around his hips, raising her pelvis to his.

Everett’s hand left her breast and traveled down her body, until it reached the top of her jeans. She felt him working the button open and heard the rrrrft of the zipper before his warm fingers slid inside.

He broke the kiss, pressing his lips against her cheek, working his way down her neck. Everett didn’t try to move her shirt up, just kissing her through it until he reached the tips of her breasts. When his mouth closed over her nipple, tonguing her through her shirt and thin cotton bra, she cried out, gripping the back of his head. Everett sucked and pulled on her flesh, while his hands worked to push her jeans down her hips. She lowered her legs to help him.

The fact that they were out in the open for anyone to see was the last thing on her mind.

All she cared about were Everett’s hands on her body.

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