Every Move She Makes (9 page)

“It’s easier if you just dive in.” He swam closer.

“I don’t think I can.” Rachel inched forward. “I’m not usually one to jump in with both feet.”

Kane reached out and caught her hand. “Then I’ll help.” With a quick tug, he pulled her into the water next to him.

“Oh, my God, it’s so cold.” Her teeth chattered.

“Right now, that’s working in your favor. I’m not the man I was before my swim.”

She grinned. “Maybe we should stay in here all day.”

“Not a chance. I think I’m turning blue.”

“A little exercise will warm you up. Let’s race.”

Rachel was a decent swimmer, but she was no match for Kane. He passed her and was waiting when she reached the far shore.

“It looks like I won.” He pushed a strand of wet hair out of her eyes. “What’s my prize?”

“Your choice.”

Slowly he pulled her against him. The wet cotton bra wasn’t much of a barrier as she hooked her arms around his neck. Skin slid against skin before a searing kiss stole her breath.

“Want a rematch?” His breath came in a gasp.

“You’re on.”

Rachel flipped backward into the water and swam hard enough to reach the shore seconds before he did, then climbed out onto the warm granite.

He flopped down beside her, water running off him in streams. “You beat me. What’s your prize?”

Lying on her stomach, she glanced up and blinked fat droplets off her lashes. “I get to dry off on your shirt.”

He grabbed his shirt, but instead of handing it to her, ran the soft cotton over her back and down her legs. “How’s that?”

“Nice.” She closed her eyes, afraid to see the expression in his. Afraid the temptation to let him do more would destroy her control.

“Turn over.” The words were a whisper in her ear. When she rolled onto her back, he dried her arms and bare stomach. “Look at me, Rachel.”

Slowly, she lifted her lids.

“We can leave now, or we can stay. Your call.”

She met his direct gaze. “I don’t want to be a tease. If we stay, I don’t intend to make love to you on this rock. I’m not good at casual sex, and we haven’t known each other very long.”

His finger ran along her rib cage. “I won’t push you.”

“It isn’t fair to let you kiss me then ask you to stop.”

“Why don’t I decide what’s fair?”

Rachel glanced over his shoulder. “Daisy might object. She looks ready to pounce.”

“You don’t need a furry protector. Tell her to stay.”

“Daisy, sit.” She cleared her throat. “Stay.”

“Will she behave?”

“She’ll only disobey if she thinks I’m in danger.”

“I won’t give her a reason to think anything close. Just a few kisses, and then we’ll go.”

He took her in his arms and rolled with her until she was laying full length on top of him. Their bodies fused, leaving little to Rachel’s imagination. The hard length of his need pressed against her. She caught her breath.

“The effect of the cold water appears to have worn off.” She stared down into the depths of compelling blue eyes.

“Holding you would make a monk horny. You’re beautiful, Rachel Carpenter.”

She leaned down and touched her lips to his. “So are you, but it’s more than attraction. I genuinely like you. That’s what’s making this so difficult.”

He cupped her head and brought her mouth down to meet his. Their tongues mated and explored as the kiss went on and on. Rachel squirmed against him, and he groaned.

“Move like that again, and I’m going to disgrace myself.”

With a nervous giggle, she dropped her face onto his chest, loving the way the hair tickled her nose. She wanted to take off her bra and feel its softness against the sensitive tips of her breasts. She wanted to reach between them and touch the part of him that poked so insistently against her belly.

“We should go before I forget I promised not to rush you.” One hand stroked her hair.

“I want to. I really do, but then what? When this week is over, I’ll go back to my bookstore and my girls, and you’ll return to a job that’s killing you. We might see each other once in a while and have great sex, but we won’t really be a part of each other’s lives.”

He winced. “A real relationship can’t survive on sex alone, great or otherwise. Maybe we should take a step back and see how we work as friends first. We’ve gotten a little ahead of ourselves.”

“Smart idea. I’m not like my sister. I can’t indulge in a quick fling without winding up with a broken heart.”

Kane ran a finger along her cheekbone. “I don’t know if I’d be able to either. Rule number one: No more getting almost naked when we’re alone.”

“Rule number two: Kissing is okay, but not the soul-sucking kind that makes me forget rule number one.”

He sat up and handed over her clothes. “You’d better get dressed before I forget rule number three.”

“Which is?”

“I can hold your hand, but I can’t feel you up.”

She threw back her head and laughed.

He bent and kissed her throat, his hand sliding across her breast in the process.

A quiver shook her, and her laughter quieted. “What happened to our rules?”

“They don’t go into effect until we’re back on the trail.”

“Too bad we have to leave, but it’s getting late.” She glanced at her watch. “After two now, and it’ll take a couple of hours to hike to camp.”

“Don’t worry. Jed will keep an eye on your girls. I told him we’d probably make a day of it.”

Rachel pulled her tank top over her head. “Did you tell him why?”

“He’s a smart man. I’m sure he’ll figure it out for himself.” Kane tied his boots. “Ready?”

She nodded.

The hike back was uneventful. The only time Kane touched her was to help her over a fallen tree in the path. By the time they ran into Chip a half-mile from camp, she was starting to regret all their new rules.

Chip’s brown eyes shone as he offered a friendly smile. “Fancy meeting you out here.”

Kane raised a hand in greeting. “This is a popular trail. I’m surprised we didn’t meet anyone else from camp.”

“Bob and I saw Olmstead earlier. Then, not long ago, I ran across the guy who brought the blond bombshell.”

“Curt Dawson. The blonde is Tiffany.” Kane pulled out his water bottle.

“Well Tiffany wasn’t with him. She doesn’t strike me as much of a hiker. Did you have a nice day?”

Rachel nodded. “We ate lunch up at a little lake. Where’s your friend?”

Chip shrugged. His gaze rested on her for a long moment before he glanced away. “I’m not sure. We got separated a couple of hours ago. Bob’s probably back at camp by now.”

When they reached the cabins, Chip went into his, and she walked down to the lake beside Kane to look for her girls. Ivy and Jade were with Hillary, a petite Asian woman, building a castle out of sand and rocks. Lark sunbathed on the dock with Lauren.

“Hi, Mom.” Ivy glanced up and smiled. “I painted the most beautiful picture. You’re going to love it.”

“I’m sure I will. Did you have fun?”

She nodded, her ponytail bobbing. “Hillary showed me how to paint shadows. It was so cool.”

Rachel smiled at the young woman. “Thanks for taking Ivy with your group.”

Hillary’s dark eyes sparkled with good humor. “We had a great time. Kane, I think Jed was looking for you earlier.”

“I’ll go find him in a minute. How were the games, Jade?”

“I won the running and swimming races, but this boy name Leo beat me at rowing. Of course it wasn’t exactly fair since little Rex was my partner.”

Rachel squeezed her shoulder. “Sounds like you had a good time despite the loss.”

“Yeah, it was pretty fun.”

“I’m going to go talk to Lark, and then maybe we should all take showers before dinner.”

Jade rolled her eyes and pushed Daisy away from the castle. “Geez, Mom, I was in the water half the day.”

“Yes, but it wouldn’t kill you to use soap.”

“I’d better go see what Jed wants. I’ll see you later.” Kane touched her cheek in a gentle stroke before hurrying up the path.

Rachel let out a breath then walked over to the dock and sat down next to the two older girls. “How was your hike?”

“It was really great.” Lauren flipped long hair over her shoulder. “Lark and I got tired after lunch, so Kevin brought us back to camp. Dad kept going. I think he’s still out there.”

Lark wore a hot pink bikini with her tattoo prominently displayed. “We’ve been here for hours. You were certainly gone long enough.”

“We hiked quite a distance before stopping to eat.”

Her daughter’s eyes narrowed. “Your cheeks and chin are pink.”

“I guess I should have used more sunscreen.”

“Or Kane should have shaved closer this morning.”

Rachel grasped the edge of the dock and counted slowly. “I’m taking your sisters up to the shower. Would you like to join us?”

“Maybe later.”

“That’s fine, but don’t stay out here too long. Both of you look like you’ve had enough sun for one day.”

“We won’t.” Lauren gave her a friendly smile. As Rachel walked away, the girl spoke in a low voice. “It must be so cool having a mom who used to be an actress.”

“She was just on a soap opera. It was no big deal.” Lark sighed. “My dad was really famous. I wish he hadn’t died.”

Silently Rachel cursed Bryce for the millionth time, damning him for leaving his girls without a father. If he hadn’t been skiing out of bounds, the tragedy never would have happened.

She called to Jade and Ivy then headed back toward the cabin. As they reached it, Kane approached.

“Get your shower stuff and a change of clothes, girls. I’ll be with you in a minute.” They went inside as Rachel waited by the door.

“What’s up?”

“I have to go.” He swept a hand through his hair. “My dad threw his back out playing golf, and he’s confined to his bed for a few days.”

“Is he going to be all right?”

“I think so. It happened once before, and he recovered fairly quickly. That time my mom was still alive to take care of him. Now it’s up to me and Jed, and obviously I’m the logical choice for the job.”

“Of course you should go. Where does your dad live?”

“Down in Reno. I’m really sorry about this. I was hoping to spend a lot more time with you this week.” Lines radiated at the corners of his eyes as he squinted against the sun.

“Maybe you’ll get back before we leave.”

“Let’s hope. Damn.” He pulled her roughly into his arms and kissed her.

She was breathless when he let go.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a business card. “I wrote my cell number on the back. If I don’t see you again before you leave, I hope you’ll call me when you get home.”

“I will.”

“I’m sorry, Rachel.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her one last time. “I’ll see you.”

A giggle distracted her as Kane strode away. She turned slowly. Ivy’s face was pressed against a crack in the door.

“Kane kissed you.”

“It was a good-bye kiss. He has to leave. Are you ready for a shower?”

Her youngest nodded. “Is Daisy coming with us?”

“No, you can fill her water bowl while I get my things together.”

Rachel showered then went to dinner. She chatted with the other campers and toasted marshmallows with her girls, but her heart wasn’t in it. The spark that had made the previous evening so much fun was missing. Sternly, she told herself to get over it. They had five more days in camp, and she was determined to enjoy them. Kane was only a temporary fixture in her life. She’d do well to remember that.

Rachel lay between Mimi and Tiffany, soaking up the late afternoon sun by the lake.

“I think Curt brought me along just to stick it to his mother. He’s tired of her trying to run his life.”

Rachel turned her head and smiled. Despite her centerfold figure, the younger woman was charming and witty, and Rachel suspected even Mrs. Dawson was warming up to her.

“That’s what mothers do best. Just ask my three girls.”

“My mom is still very free with her advice. I don’t think it ever stops.” Mimi propped herself up on one elbow. “So, Tiff, are you and Curt serious about each other?”

The blonde shook her head. “We see each other now and then, but we aren’t exclusive. I was surprised when he asked me on this trip.”

“Is that why you think he had ulterior motives?” Rachel reached for the sunscreen and added another layer to her nose and cheeks. “Men.”

“Most of them are a pain in the ass.” Tiffany shrugged one shoulder. “But I’d hate to live without them.”

Mimi laughed. “I doubt you’ll ever have to. When you walk by in a bikini, they drop like flies. There’ve been times when I thought Chip might need mouth to mouth resuscitation.”

Sitting up, Tiffany wrapped her arms around her knees. “I wouldn’t mind volunteering. He’s cute in a rebel hippy sort of way, but the scraggly beard would have to go.”

Rachel squinted into the sun. “Is there any man here you haven’t thought about in the biblical sense?”

“Let’s see. Bob has a reflective quality that probably hides a volcano waiting to erupt. Guys like that are either amazing in bed or go off too soon, if you get my meaning. Then there’s Dennis Olmstead. I’m afraid he’s just pathetic. Anyway, he has a huge crush on you, Rachel. The poor guy practically drools at your feet. And don’t get me started on Jed. I nearly cream my panties just looking at him. Oops, here comes Curt. I guess our little gossip session is over.”

Curt joined them, bragging about the fish he’d caught earlier. The man was easygoing and had a certain charm, but Rachel didn’t see the attraction. When he finally got up to leave, Tiffany went with him.

Mimi looked over at Rachel and raised a brow. “Have you ever wondered what she sees in him?”

“Actually, I was just thinking about that. She’s so vivacious, and he’s kind of a dud. He does seem like a nice guy, though.”

“He’s a dud with a secret weapon. I was up early this morning and caught him outside his cabin taking a leak. Let’s just say his generous proportions might have something to do with the spring in Tiffany’s step.”

Rachel’s smile broadened. “This place is better than a college dorm for gossip.”