Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
She pointed to the map. “That’s the trailhead we want.”
He leaned in as if he couldn’t read where she was pointing, which brought him up close and personal. Lord, he smelled good. It wasn’t cologne or aftershave, but him, his maleness.
She jerked away from him, covering up the move by striding to the trailhead. “I’ll lead the way.” She held up her phone, where she had a trail guide on the screen. But truthfully, she wouldn’t be able to handle walking behind him and watching every flex of his delectable butt.
They’d gone only a short distance when he asked, “How are the boots?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “I’ve never worn anything that’s felt so comfortable right from the get-go.”
“They don’t rub your ankles on the inside? Sometimes that’s an issue.”
She kept walking. “They’re perfect. I don’t feel my toes rubbing either.”
“Good. The ones I’m wearing are fantastic.”
“You’ll carry these in your stores and online?”
The trail started to rise, getting a little steeper, but she marched on while he walked close behind her, so they didn’t have to shout to be heard.
“I’m trying to work a deal with them now,” he said. “I like to provide footwear that’s cost-effective for everyday hikers.”
She smirked at him over her shoulder, before turning back to the trail to make sure she didn’t trip. “I checked out your site. You’ve got some pretty hefty price tags on there.”
“True. But I’ve also got middle-of-the-road equipment. And high-quality bargain-basement deals too. I try to provide for a variety of customers.”
Though they hadn’t reached the scrambling part yet, the trail had turned quite steep. But she was doing it. She wasn’t even breathing that hard and began to feel pretty good about her fitness. “I was afraid I might not be able to keep up with an Olympian.” The comment popped out, though maybe she should have kept her mouth shut.
He snorted behind her. “Are you kidding me? I’m trying to keep up with you.”
She stopped, turning to look at him with a narrowed gaze. “I don’t hear you breathing hard.”
He laughed and said in the sexiest of voices, “Not yet. But I’m pretty sure I’ll be breathing hard at some point today.”
It could have been a sexual innuendo. Especially the way he said it. But maybe that was her thoughts conjuring what she wanted to hear.
Because she was still thinking about that kiss. Thinking about what it would be like to do it again. Would the next kiss be even better?
Instead of acknowledging her thoughts, she flounced around once more and stomped on, saying over her shoulder, “I’m sure you’ll have no opportunities to breathe hard.” And to make sure he got the message—in case that had been an innuendo—she added, “And may I remind you, this isn’t a date.” Then she changed the subject completely. “Tell me more about these talks you give at youth groups. I’m sure when I’m trying to find a match for you, the ladies will want to know about that.”
Chapter Fourteen
Now, if that wasn’t a slap in the face, Troy didn’t know what was. Especially after Michaela’s stern declaration that this was not a date, even though he’d already told her the only woman he would date was her. Or maybe because of it.
He had to set her straight. “Didn’t we already discuss that I’m not going on any more dates with any of the women you pick for me?” She huffed. Which made him smile. “But since you so politely and sweetly asked about the talks I give, I’ll tell you.”
The trail began heading down again, and she stopped so abruptly he almost ran into her. “Look at that view,” she said with a gasp of awe.
The mountains were spectacular, the morning sun bathing the branches of the redwoods and firs in a golden glow. The massive trees seemed to go on, ridge after ridge, obscuring any view of the ocean they might have had.
He stood beside her, breathing in a hint of her perfume or body lotion and the sexy, sensual scent of perspiration she’d worked up on their climb.
She seemed to gather herself—or maybe she sensed what he was up to—and strode away.
As they walked, he told her about the youth talks he was committed to. “All my brothers and sisters were so freaking supportive of what I wanted to do—the diving, the challenges, the Olympics.” It wasn’t just the scholarships that Ava and Dane made sure he got. It was the way they believed in him and his dreams. “I had a family who supported what I wanted to do. But so many kids out there don’t get that. They’re from foster homes, broken homes, poverty, or maybe just from parents who are so busy they can’t see what their kids need.”
Her voice whispered back to him, “My mom always believed in me.”