Page 3 of Force of Nature

“Actually, it’s our fifth,” I replied.

“Wow. You two must know your way around.”

Dad continued to make small talk with Duke about Yellowstone and our experience on the trail. Thankfully the man hadn’t spared me a second glance since we were introduced, but I couldn’t shake the sensation of an unwelcome gaze upon my skin. Sure enough, when I peered over my dad’s clenched fist, Martin was still watching me intently.

I didn’t have a chance to react before Zeb, the blond one, arrived at Duke’s side.

Duke snickered. “You and Ox done placing your bets already? That must be a record.”

“Well, I couldn’t let you monopolize our charming new companions now, could I?” Zeb winked at me. He was easily the most attractive man in the group, tall and athletic looking with an even tan that showed no signs of stopping at the low-slung waistband of his swimsuit. He must sunbathe naked, I realized, which made me blush.

Duke introduced us to Zeb, who kissed the back of my hand instead of shaking it.

“Aren’t you a sweetheart,” Zeb purred, tilting his lips into a boyish smile that made my belly flutter. His gaze wasn’t cold like his friend’s bottomless stare. It was warm and inviting, like the pool we were lounging in.

“How do you all know each other?” my dad asked. He grasped the hand that Zeb had kissed and lowered it into the water, running his thumb over the spot.

Zeb chuckled, obviously amused.

“We’re old college buddies,” Duke said.

“What school did you all go to?” I asked.

Zeb said, “Yale,” just as Duke began to say something completely different. Zeb waved his hand dismissively. “We didn’t actually go to the same school, but we knew each other through friends and extracurriculars.”

“What kind of extracurriculars?” my dad prodded, betraying only the barest hint of tension in his voice.

Duke grinned. “Chess club.”

“Anyway,” continued Zeb, “we can’t all hang out as often as we’d like to now that we’re scattered, but we try to plan a camping trip every year.”

I could tell they were waiting for one of us to respond.

“That sounds nice,” I said.

“Itisnice, sweet Willow.” Duke leaned back in the water, wetting the crown of his head. “There’s nothing quite like escaping into the wilderness where the laws of men are forced to submit to the laws of nature.”

My dad squinted. “Pretty sure the laws of men still apply here, bud.”

Duke didn’t let my dad’s pragmatism discourage him. “Oh, please. You think a few signs reminding people to pick up their trash will protect you from a grizzly? No. Out here, the only thing standing between your sweet little Willow and the Big Bad Wolf is a can of bear spray and some dumb luck.”

“You’re forgetting one thing,” Dad said.

“Oh yeah? And what’s that?”

“Me. As long as I’m standing, nothing will touch her. Nothing and no one.”

Duke’s sharklike grin made my pulse jump. He cocked his head slightly. “Are you sure that’ll be enough?”

“How old are you, Willow?” Zeb asked, staring freely at my chest.

I didn’t have much in the way of cleavage, but it was gratifying to have a hot older man take an interest in what little I had to offer. But that fleeting sense of pride was where my excitement ended and anxiety began. I wasn’t used to being the object ofso muchattention. I could still feel Martin watching me, and a glance across the pool confirmed that the big guy, Ox, had taken an interest, too.

I felt like a deer caught in a hunter’s scope.

“She’s eighteen,” my dad answered for me. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

Duke chuckled, and Zeb raised his hands.

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