His Outback Cowgirl(26)

Ethan concentrated on keeping his breathing even and controlled. The bear was the least of his and Bridie’s worries. From the moment she’d removed her shirt to reveal pale, full curves cupped in nothing but a skimpy black bra he’d been a man drowning. The only way to stop himself from pulling her close and kissing her senseless was to not look at her. And now here he was practically naked, with a water-slickened Bridie pressed so close her breath caressed his cheek.

Against his back he could feel the swell of her breasts above the top of her bra. Across his shoulders the ends of her silken hair stroked his skin as they floated on the water’s surface. To think Bridie was worried about staying still. He was worried his self-control wouldn’t hold. He stared at the bear as though sheer willpower would make the animal retreat into the forest.

The bear lifted his head and sniffed. Bridie’s arms tightened around Ethan’s neck and his hold firmed on the delicate bones of her wrist. He told her that he didn’t have a plan. He did. He’d protect her in whatever way he could. As for the details of his plan he wasn’t willing to share them with stubborn Bridie until he had to.

The seconds stretched as the bear scented the air. Then his head lowered and he swung around to amble in the opposite direction to their clothes. Ethan didn’t relax. Until the bear disappeared, he’d remain uneasy. Silent, Bridie kept her arms looped around his neck. Through the thin skin on her wrist he could feel the rush of her pulse and the tension in her muscles. He rubbed his thumb over her fine-boned arm.

“Just give him a minute,” he said, softly, “something’s caught his attention in the trees. He’ll head into the forest soon.”

“I hope so. This water’s colder than a freezer. I don’t know how that moose calf swam with her mom for so long.”

The bear continued a few more paces then turned toward the treeline.

“There he goes.” Ethan released his hold on Bridie’s wrist, expecting her to slide her arms from around his neck as the bear vanished into the undergrowth. She didn’t.

He turned his head slightly. “I was planning to stay another night here but I think it’s wise if we head to a new campsite. We have time.”

She nodded but still didn’t relinquish her grasp.

His breathing quickened and his heart pounded so loudly she couldn’t fail to hear it. He had to get away from her before he did something they’d both regret.

“Shall I piggyback you to shore?” His voice emerged more strained than casual.

“No thanks.”

Her arms loosened. But when her chest brushed his shoulder as she slid from his back around to his front, his relief was short-lived. His hands settled into the curve of her waist to support her in the deep lake. Her palms curled around his biceps, water lapping in the small space between their chests.

He frowned. She now faced him and had access to his every expression. “Bridie?”

“Yes.”

She smiled and in her smile he saw more danger than what they’d faced from the bear. Her thick-lashed eyes reflected the blue of the sky and the brightness of an inner light. She was so close he could see the faint dusting of freckles across her nose and the flawless arcs of her high cheekbones.

His frown deepened. “We need to get back and pack up camp.”

“I know.”

Seriousness tempered her smile. Her gaze dropped to his mouth and then examined his jaw before her hand lifted.

“What are you doing?” His words were little more than a hoarse whisper.

“This.”

She slowly ran her fingers through the stubble on his jawline. His whiskers rasped against the soft pads of her fingers. The blood heated in his veins. He knew he should say something, do something, but he was powerless to move.

Her fingers stopped at the point of his chin. “I like you being not so clean-shaven. It suits you.”

She then traced the lower line of his bottom lip. His stomach clenched. She was killing him.

“Bridie ... I’m only human.”

Even as he rasped the words, he tugged her closer.

She smiled again and in her eyes he saw the same hunger and desperation that flayed him.

“So am I.”

Her words were so soft he barely heard them, only felt them as she whispered them close to his lips.

His hands abandoned her waist. His fingers tangled in her wet hair as his mouth met hers. The world imploded.

Kissing Bridie was like being seared by a flame, like feeling the warmth of a sunrise, like free-falling from a cliff. Heat, tenderness and exhilaration all merged until there was only a single need between them. Her legs wrapped around his hips and her breathy gasps deafened him to everything but the woman kissing him like he was her last breath.