Once Upon A Half-Time 1(44)

“I’ve already promised you a second date.”

“But you haven’t said those three magic words.”

“Temporary Restraining Order?”

“Run all you like, but you’ve seen my time on the forty. I’ll catch you soon enough, and then you’ll have to admit what you feel.”

I wished my heart hadn’t thudded so hard, fierce and raging. That damn adrenaline he loved so much was drowning me in my own fluttering panic.

Why did he have to look so sexy in his pads and uniform?

“What do you think I feel for you?” I asked.

“Utter enchantment.”

“Your nickname shouldn’t be Charming—I should call you Conceited.”

“I’m taking you out on our day off.” He wasn’t asking me. “Clear your Tuesday. I’ve got something perfect planned. You’re going to love it as much as you love me.”

“Setting the bar kinda low, aren’t you?”

Lachlan didn’t ask permission. He pulled me close, crushing me against his pads for a kiss. I should have fought him off, but his lips brushed me for only a moment before they were gone.

“Just wait, Red. I got some magic planned for you yet.”

He left me on the sidelines, sprinting to the field as Coach Thompson flipped shit. Lachlan didn’t stay with the team—he owed the coach a lap around the field at full speed for being late.

Idiot boy.

Sexy man.

Unwanted complication.

He shouldn’t have made me feel better. I still shook with rage and fear and painful betrayal, but Lachlan had calmed me. I could think a bit more logically. And I formed a plan for putting out the giant fire that was my life.

First, I’d do everything I could to build a case against the Rivets that didn’t implicate anyone innocent. Emails. Files. Pictures. Conversations. Everything documented and completely transparent.

And then I’d plan for my next date with Lachlan.

One down, two to go.

He still thought he could make me fall for him in three nights.

It was crazy…but I’d started to hope he was right.





10





Lachlan





“You want me to do…what?”

Elle was gorgeous when surprised. Her eyes widened and her voice wavered with that innocent quiver that practically whispered good girls don’t do this.

I leaned in close. Encouraging her. Teasing her. “Come on, Red. I think you’re gonna like this.”

“It’s a little too…adventurous.”

“Nothing to be afraid of. It’s just us. Together. Sweating. Pumping.” I took a chance, nibbling her bottom lip. “I promise you’ll be wet.”

“But it’s so dangerous.”

“We’ll use protection.”

She hesitated. “But what if the rubber breaks?”

“Never had it break on me yet.”

“Are you sure I can stroke good enough?”

“You won’t let me down.”

“And if I go end over end?”

“At least I’ll get a good look at you.”

Elle arched an eyebrow out the car window. She wasn’t impressed with the riverside town, but I’d heard amazing things about the rapids in this area.

“You’ve really never white-water rafted before?” I asked.

“I’ve always tried to avoid slamming my head on razor sharp rocks.”

“What a coincidence!” I pushed her out of the car. “That’s the whole point of rafting. You’re a natural. A match made in Heaven with the other people in our boat.”

“Excellent. We can all share the elevator up to the Pearly Gates when we drown.”

Elle stretched, and I enjoyed every second of her curves on display. It took a two-hour car ride to get here, but I blocked the whole morning and afternoon for a river adventure she’d never forget.

“The rapids here aren’t too rough,” I said. “I’m starting you off easy.”

Elle searched the wilderness surrounding the river. The trading post rented bikes and organized tours from a path leading into the hills. Granted, it wasn’t like trekking the Yukon, especially with the McDonalds a quarter-mile back, but the air was clean, sun warm, and the whole valley smelled of sweet pine and adventure.

Elle was up for a challenge, though she preferred to stay away from the danger. Her camera hadn’t left her hands the entire drive up, begging me to pull over so she could get pictures of the trees, the sunrise, a damn garbage can with a bottle broken next to it that she decided was a great illustration of the human condition.

At least she liked the camera. Made the astronomical price tag almost worth it.

She snapped a picture of the warning sign in front of the outfitters, detailing every which way someone could lose their limb or life on the river.