Maybe that was why? Maybe Nash knew exactly what had been going through her head from the moment Kira had laid eyes on him.
He reached out; his fingers wrapped around a thick, wet strand of hair that had escaped her braid. He tucked it behind her ear. At that exact moment, a flood of heat pooled between her legs. Kira's knees almost buckled from the intensity of the simple touch and the explosion of sensation it caused within her.
She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to shake her head, but his hand cupped around her cheek.
"Kira-"
"No." She struggled to keep her breath slow and even. His proximity was wreaking havoc with her. She'd never experienced anything like it. Not even with Ryan, and he'd been her fated mate. At least that's what she'd thought before he'd dumped her and left her with nowhere to go.
"Kira." Nash's voice was as tender as his touch had been. "Look at me."
Despite herself, she did. His steely, gray eyes were inches from her. So close that she could see there were flecks of black and green in them. Like marbles. They were captivating, and they were staring directly into her soul.
"I'm sorry I threw you in the river." He spoke softly and she believed him. "I just wanted you to stop for one minute and see that I'm not the enemy."
"You're a wolf."
The corner of his mouth flicked up into a slow smile that caused another wave of desire to crash through her. "I'm aware."
"I'm a bear."
"Again," he said. "I'm aware."
"That's … it … "
"What?"
What? How could he even ask that? How could such a casual question come out of his mouth when it was so obvious? He was a wolf. She was a bear. Two very separate and distinct species and although Kira honestly didn't know how it worked in Yellowstone, where she came from, that was a problem. A real one.
"I like you, Kira." His words sent a sizzle through her veins. "And I get the feeling you might like me, too." His eyes danced with mischief. "At least a little."
She swallowed hard. There was no point denying anything. Not when it was so obvious to both of them. "That doesn't mean it's okay," she said instead.
"Says who?" Nash took a step back and held his arms out. "Is there anyone around here telling us it's a problem?" He spun in a slow circle. And then faster. "Hello?" he called out, his voice laced with laughter. "Does anyone out there object to a wolf and a bear being friends?"
Kira jumped at him and clasped her hand over his mouth. "Quiet."
"Who's going to hear?" Nash laughed and removed her hand, holding it in his. "We're in the middle of the forest."
For the first time, she looked around. They'd walked a lot farther than she'd intended. Kira always had underestimated how fast she could travel when her emotions were heated. And he was right; there was no one around to hear them. She'd really noticed that about Yellowstone. At least around the main campgrounds, the tourists stuck pretty close to the public areas and didn't venture off the beaten track very much. The park services group did a good job drilling it into everyone's head that the animals were wild and their area should be protected. Ultimately, it led to a lot of privacy, as far as shifters were concerned. And at that very moment, it meant that Kira and Nash were very much alone.
Her hand was still in his. The touch that should have been so simple was lighting her up and causing all of her senses to go haywire.
"In fact," Nash said. "If I kissed you right now," he tugged her closer, "no one would ever know." His lips were so close to hers she could feel the warm puffs of air when he spoke.
"We'd know," she said in a lame attempt to deter his advances.
He licked his lips. "Oh baby, I guarantee we'll know. And it won't be something either of us will forget anytime soon."
Nash's free hand cupped the back of her head and pulled her into him until her lips crushed against his. There was nothing soft or tentative about the kiss. It was all passion and need, and it only took a second before Kira's hands found his shoulders, pulling him even closer into her.
His tongue pushed between her lips, exploring her mouth, twisting together with hers. She moaned, or maybe it was him. She couldn't be sure and she didn't care because it was the single best kiss she'd ever had.
For a moment-a long, delicious moment-she let herself fall into the sensation of it all. But when it got to be too much, Kira put an end to it.
She stepped back, pulling herself just far enough away from him that she could pull in a deep breath. Her fingers went to her lips. Confusion raced through her.
Neither of them spoke for a few seconds. At least it wasn't just her who was trying to regain her composure. Nash was clearly just as affected by their kiss as she'd been.