“Wait. Is he the guy who sleeps with everyone under the sun?”
Faith rolled her eyes. “Who told you that?”
“Vivian, of course.”
She was going to kill her! “God. When?”
“I don’t know. A few weeks ago? The weekend she was at your place, I think.”
“Well, he doesn’t anymore, thank you very much.”
“Huh.”
She pictured Charley’s hand on her chin, her index finger tapping her cheek, the way she did when she was contemplating marine biological things Faith couldn’t begin to understand.
“Before you overscrutinize my boyfriend, I need your help.”
“With the boyfriend? Yeah, not really my field of expertise.”
“No kidding. We’re going on an overnight rafting trip, and I was searching online for ideas about what to pack. I hadn’t even thought about going to the bathroom in the woods. Char, what am I going to do?”
“People do shit in the woods, Faith.”
“What about toilet paper? Will it attract bears? Not only that, but how about—”
“Hold on,” Charley said in her shut up now tone. “Before you get into a panic, it’s not nearly as bad as you’re building it up to be.”
“So I shouldn’t cancel the trip?”
“Ohmygod. Really? Because you might have to pee in the woods?” Charley laughed. “I love you, sis, but only you would consider such a thing.”
Charley filled her in on biodegradable toilet paper, digging holes and covering the waste, and other not-so-pleasant things she really needed to but would rather not know about.
“But I thought Sam owned a rafting company?”
“He does.”
“Then he’s got this shit down pat. Ha! Didn’t mean that pun. You have nothing to worry about. Pack comfortable clothes, shoes, sunscreen, and little else.”
“Are you sure you’re not part guy? That’s pretty much what Sam told me to bring.”
“I like him already.” Someone hollered, and Charley said, “Gotta go. Good luck and don’t stress over this. You can hide, he won’t see you, and no bears will eat you. Love ya.”
Faith stared at her cell phone, shaking her head. She loved her whirlwind sister to death, but don’t stress over this? Like going to the bathroom in the woods with Sam around wasn’t going to be the only thing she thought of until she actually did it? Maybe she could hold it…for two days.
**
THE RAFT MEANDERED down the channel like a snake in the grass, smooth and easy for the first half hour or so into their trip, flowing faster the farther away from civilization they went. Sam paddled from his seat in the rear, keeping an eye on Faith, who was paddling like a pro. Sam had given Faith a quick safety course before they left Rough Riders, and he was sure she’d listened to exactly none of it, because she’d been too excited to get on the water. They’d been rafting for well over an hour, and by the position of the sun, he’d guess closer to two.
Faith looked over her shoulder, flashing a bright smile that reached her eyes. He couldn’t remember ever seeing her look so beautiful, or so happy, as she tipped her face up toward the sun, then turned her attention back to the river.
“Are you related to a guy named Dane Braden?” she asked.
“He’s my cousin. You know of him?”
She glanced back again, and he leaned forward and kissed her. They lingered there, their mouths barely touching. Sam felt their almost kisses in every ounce of his body, as enticing as a full-on, mind-blowing French kiss.
“Mm,” she said, turning back to the river. “Charley interns for his foundation.”
“Cool. I forgot Dane was out in Harborside. I think he and his wife are due to have a baby soon.”
“Well, apparently that didn’t slow him down, because they were tagging a shark this morning.”
“Nothing will ever slow Dane down. He’s one of those guys who has a vision and makes it happen. He’s relentless.”
“Kind of like someone else I know.” She glanced over her shoulder. “This is so beautiful. I’m glad you suggested it.”
“There aren’t many things more life affirming than a river. Isn’t it hard to believe that a little trickle of water can become a stream and eventually a river?” His eyes skated over the rocky riverbanks, dense trees, and greenery sprouting up from the dusky water. “Think of how many plants and animals this river feeds. She gives and gives and gives—food, water, transportation.”
“You talk as if it’s a person.”
“She is. Like a lover, she kisses the shore, captures your attention, and requires a great deal of respect.”
“As your lover, I hope I don’t ever smell like the river.”
“Ah, but you do. Earthy, alluring, and unspoiled, with an underlying scent of ‘I want Sam.’”
She laughed. “How do you make everything sound so wonderful?”
“Just telling it like it is.”
“Then tell me what all that white is up ahead of us.” She glanced back with wide eyes and whipped her head around.
They were nearing an area of small rapids, nothing to write home about.
“Speed bumps. They cause a bit of a splash but pose no threat.”
“Says the man who’s afraid of nothing.”
He heard the worry in her tone and reassured her. “Remember how I taught you to paddle through rapids?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Good. The raft will tip up a little, and you’ll get wet, but we’ll just keep maneuvering down the river. It’s a wide, clear channel, babe. I promise you’ll be fine.”
As the river picked up speed, the raft lifted and dropped, spraying their gear, which was secured to the front of the raft, and soaking Faith.
She shrieked, then laughed. “I’m soaked!”
“It’s my evil plan to get you out of your clothes.”
They rode the rougher water, laughing and teasing. Faith shrieked when water splashed over her face, but it was a shriek of delight, which made Sam even happier. Faith had been so cautious with him that her confident approach to rafting and camping had surprised him. He’d thought she’d be just as wary about the new experience. The difference, he knew, was that now she trusted him completely.
Faith turned her wet, happy face toward him. “That was so fun! I want to do it again.”
He leaned forward and planted a hard kiss on her cheek. “Don’t ever doubt that we were made for each other. You kicked ass, baby.”
Experiencing one of his greatest joys in life with Faith, feeling her excitement, watching her handle the raft without ever missing a beat, and knowing that sharing these adventures could be theirs, too, made Sam feel full to near bursting.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
WATCHING SAM DO anything was an effort in drool prevention, something Faith hadn’t quite mastered yet. But as Sam unloaded the gear, marking a site for the tent, stacking pots for cooking where he would later build a fire, and pulled out his guitar, much more than saliva pooled inside her. Her rough and rugged boyfriend had a romantic heart, and that made hers tumble in her chest.
“You brought your guitar?” She took it from him as he retrieved a smaller bag from the pile of gear resting on the rocky shore.
An easy smile lifted his lips. “Figured I’d play for my favorite girl, but I think you’ll like something else I brought even more.”
She rolled her eyes. “Condoms?”
“Well, there is that.” He held up a box of condoms. “But I thought you might like this even better.” He held open the bag and she peeked inside. “Biodegradable toilet paper, biodegradable baby wipes, and…” He withdrew a bottle of hand sanitizer.
She placed the guitar on top of the tent roll and hugged him. “I think you might be the best boyfriend in the history of the universe.”
“Who knew toilet paper had so much power?” He dropped the bag and kissed her longingly.
The sun began its slow descent, casting an ethereal hue over the site where they’d chosen to spend the night, and a gentle breeze rustled the trees. After a few more toe-curling kisses, they reluctantly parted and began setting up camp. Faith did more watching than helping, because her highly capable man whipped through the process of erecting the tent and digging a fire pit with lightning speed. They gathered firewood together, and Faith’s mind began to wander.
“We don’t have to worry about bears, do we?” She picked up branches to use as kindling.
“Nah. I’m pretty sure bears can take care of themselves.” He patted her butt as she bent to retrieve another branch.
“Seriously, are there bears around here?”
“Sure, bears live in the woods, but the chance of you seeing any is slim.” He stepped over a rock and picked up a thick branch. “You’re more likely to see snakes, spiders—”
She spun around. “Sam!”
He tugged her against him with his free hand. “Stop worrying. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” He sealed his promise with a kiss.
When their arms were full, they carried the wood out of the forest and set it beside the fire pit.
Sam brushed the slivers of wood and bark from her shirt. “We need to get you out of these wet clothes.”