Hers to Take(16)

She felt the need of it. Of him. Deep in her bones. And she couldn't ignore it any more.

"Where are we headed?" Nash drew her back into the moment. "I'm all about surprises," he smiled, "but I do need to know where to go."

She laughed. Something she found herself doing more and more when Nash was around. "Sorry. I maybe should have given you some more details. I was thinking we could go set up a camp across the river from the campsite, and just upstream from where the fish have been showing up. I think it's strange and I'm sure someone is putting them there."

"I totally agree with you." Without further instructions, Nash took the turn that would take them away from camp and across the bridge where they could backtrack and get to the other side without being spotted. As they got closer, he cut the lights and made the rest of the way in the dark.

"I think this is good right here." She whispered and then laughed at herself. "Do you want to stay here, or maybe come with me closer to the river?"

His hand reached across the cab and squeezed hers. "You know exactly where I want to be."

A shot of desire raced through her and straight to her core at his words. She forced a calmness into her voice and pulled her hand away. "Great. I brought a few things. I put them in the back. We should probably go and get set up so that if there is someone out there, we don't disturb them or scare them away."

She was a terrible actress, and there was no doubt Nash could see right through her, but she didn't know what else to do. She'd been putting him off from the moment they'd met, and she could tell herself it was because he was a wolf and she was a bear. Or that they worked together, or … .well, anything really. Kira could keep convincing herself of all the reasons it wasn't right. Or she could just take a chance, throw reason out the window and just go with it.

Out of the two options, there was one clear winner.

Nash nodded slowly and for a moment, Kira was afraid he would call her out. Instead, he smiled. "Well, we should get going then."

She'd packed a small bag of blankets, both to sit on and to keep warm with. A thermos of coffee and a few snacks. It wasn't much, but then again she didn't plan to be out all night. With any luck, they'd see what they needed to right away, and catch the culprit she was so sure was behind the dead fish. Because it had to be a person. There was no way the fish were dying naturally.

They found a sheltered spot where they could sit side by side and each have a pine tree to lean up against. Kira poured them each a mug of coffee and settled in.

"Tell me something, Kira."

She paused, the mug halfway to her mouth. "What's that?" She took a sip of her coffee.




 

 

"Why are you fighting this so much when you're so clearly attracted to me?"

Kira almost spat out her coffee. Instead, she swallowed hard in an effort not to choke on the hot liquid. It took her a minute to regain her composure. A minute that Nash spent staring at her, waiting for an answer. "What makes you think I'm attracted to you?" It was a stupid comeback and they both knew it, so she followed it up with a more truthful response. Her shoulders sagged a little. "Because you're a wolf."

"I've noticed." He chuckled. "But beyond using it as an excuse, I didn't think you had. Noticed, I meant."

She spun to face him. "What do you mean? Of course I've noticed. You're cocky and arrogant and … "

"Sexy as hell?"

Kira groaned in frustration.

"Does that mean I'm right?"

She put her coffee down and dropped her head into her hands. "I don't know what you want me to say. Of course I've noticed you. And yes, you're sexy. Happy? I said it."

Kira looked up to see Nash shake his head. "No," he said simply. "I'm not happy because all I really want is for you to stop fighting me and this attraction that we so clearly have for each other." He reached across the distance and cupped her head. His thumb stroked her cheek and he moved closer, so he sat directly in front of her. "And don't try to deny that it's there," he said. "I know you feel it when I kiss you. I know you feel the same need I feel."

His mouth was only inches from hers. She could feel his breath and when he finally pressed his lips to hers, she thought she might totally combust with the need for him.

Greedily, her mouth pressed up in an effort to connect. He was right; she'd been fighting everything and for the life of her, with his hands on her body, his mouth on hers, and sparks of desire coursing between both of them, Kira could not remember why.

The stakeout was forgotten as her hands slid up his chest, working their way under his jacket and t-shirt to find the hard, smooth, chiseled stomach underneath. His skin was hot beneath her cool touch. Kira leaned back, and Nash adjusted her on the blanket until she lay down and he straddled her. His mouth left hers and moved down to the sensitive skin on her neck. He was gentle but demanding as he nipped and sucked. Her back arched and she pressed her hips into him.