His Outback Cowgirl(25)

She took a quick drink and then removed her boots and socks. The lake would cool both her feet and her attraction. She removed her hat and lifted her heavy hair from off her nape. The water last night had felt so good sliding over her bare skin. Without thought, her fingers flicked down the buttons on her blue shirt. She went to pull the shirt from her jeans waist band but stilled when she realized Ethan stared at her, gaze fathomless, and jaw tight.

“I’m sorry,” she said, “as well as needing to enjoy the journey, I also need to think before I act. But it’s so hot and the water looks so cool ... I’m not planning to skinny dip, if that makes it any better.”

Seriousness darkened his eyes. “It’s fine ... and Bridie, don’t ever apologize for who you are. It’s our differences that make us ... special.” The corner of his mouth curled into a smile. “Besides I was thinking the same thing.”

He pulled his shirt over his head.

Bridie stared, her own shirt forgotten. She didn’t know if it was the speed with which Ethan got semi-naked or just the muscled perfection beneath his shirt, that caused her mouth to hang open.

As Ethan removed his boots and then unclasped his silver belt buckle, she snapped her mouth shut and got busy undressing too.

If Ethan reacted to the sight of her dressed in nothing but a plain black bra and underwear, she missed his reaction. Toned back to her, and wearing charcoal-grey boxers he moved the back pack containing the bear spray and EpiPen closer to the water. Then, keeping his eyes above her collarbones, he smiled.

“Last one in has to cook dinner.”

Bridie didn’t take the bait. She returned his grin. “No way. I’d lose. Despite sometimes being too impulsive, I never take a risk when the odds are stacked against me.”

Ethan dipped his head in silent acknowledgment she’d outplayed him. Just for a second, the blue of his eyes burned, and then he swung away to walk toward the water.

Bridie too entered the lake and the chill soon soothed her heated skin. She lay on her back floating, gazing at the cloudless sky. The water lapped gently against her, muffling all sound. To her left, Ethan stood staring toward the forest. He’d run a hand through his wet hair and it stood in soft spikes. Water hugged his chest and beaded on his tanned shoulders. To get such an even tan, he’d have to spend hours without his shi–

He suddenly swiveled, face tense, to check where she was, before again looking at the shore. She lifted her head and trod water. Something wasn’t right.

Ethan backed toward her and lowered himself until his collarbones were submerged.

“Stay close and behind me,” he said, voice grave, not looking at her.



“What is it?” she said quietly into his ear. As her feet couldn’t reach the lake floor, she slid her arms around his neck. Her breasts brushed his back but he didn’t seem to notice as his hand settled on her wrist to hold her close.

“A bear to your right.”

Bridie peered over his shoulder and saw a large black bear walk from the pine trees to the lake’s pebbled edge.

“Look at its reflection in the water. It’d make a great photo.”

Ethan turned his head. His stubble scraped the inside of her arm. She only hoped he’d attribute her instant ripple of goosebumps to the cold of the lake.

“If you even think about heading to shore to get your camera you’ll have to get past me and trust me, you’d rather face the bear.”

“Very funny. I’m happy for this to be the ‘photo that got away.’ I would like to know though what your plan is, seeing as our bear spray is over there and bears are good swimmers.”

“No plan.”

“What?” She couldn’t strip the shock from her words. “You’re always prepared.”

“I am.” He turned his head again and smiled. “In an emergency. This isn’t an emergency ... yet.”

“So we just have to wait?”

“Exactly. The bear hasn’t seen us. We’ll stay low in the water so the wind doesn’t carry such a strong scent and wait.”

“Great. You know I don’t do waiting ... well.”

He chuckled. “You will now.”

She focused on the bear that continued to head toward their clothes and backpack. But with each breath she took she became hyperaware of how her breasts pushed into Ethan’s back. Within the circle of her arms, she could feel every slow exhale and inhale he took. She was so close she could see the water-darkened length of his lashes and smell the clean scent of his skin and hair. A sudden restlessness filled her that didn’t have anything to do with her usual need to move.

She bit her cheek in an effort to stay still. She’d need more than the pebble Ethan had given her in the cave, and that she still kept in her jeans pocket, to distract her this time.