Born To Protect

by Christina Tetreault

  “Let’s look at this outside.” He held up the folded trail guide.

  She fully supported his idea.

  Once surrounded by nothing but fresh air he said, “Depends on traffic. Today it only took me forty minutes to get to your place. During the week it’d be a minimum of an hour.”

  Connor unfolded the map and held it so they could both see the various lines crossing the mountain. Each line was marked by a colored blaze that corresponded to the key at the bottom. The key listed the name of the trail, its length, difficulty level, and the estimated time it would take to complete it. “Thoughts?”

  Becca studied the picture and the key below. She skipped over the hikes marked as easy and jumped down to the section listing the moderate ones. It might be ridiculous, but she didn’t want Connor thinking she was so out of shape she couldn’t handle more than a leisurely stroll through the woods.

  The Cunningham Falls Nature trail immediately jumped out at her because, according to the description, it would take them by the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland. She’d always found something about running or falling water peaceful. Unfortunately, the last sentence in the paragraph mentioned it was the most popular trail in the park. She’d prefer to not be disturbed too much while she enjoyed nature and, more importantly, Connor’s company.

  “How about this one?” She pointed to the description for the Thurmont Vista Loop. The guide listed it as a moderate hike that would take them to the Thurmont Vista Overlook. The overlook had an elevation of 1,499 feet and would provide them with an excellent view of the area. That was assuming she could tear her eyes away from the view of Connor Anderson. Honestly, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to manage it today—or any other day for that matter.

  “Looks good to me,” he said, folding the map back up and sticking it in a side pocket of his backpack.

  Leaving the center and crowd behind, they started on the trail. At the beginning, it was wide enough for them to walk side by side. Soon it narrowed, making that impossible, and Connor stopped. “Do you want to take the lead?” he asked.

  She enjoyed being in charge, but allowing him to take the lead at least for now would give her the perfect opportunity to admire him. She couldn’t do any admiring if he was walking behind her. “Why don’t you do it now, and we can switch later.”

  With a slight nod, he started off again.

  “When you need a rest or a drink, just say the word,” Connor called over his shoulder. “Don’t wait for me to stop.”

  Her mouth suddenly went dry as her eyes followed his sexy jean-clad butt, and she considered asking for her water then and there. Instead, she fished a Vitamin C drop from her front pocket and popped it into her parched mouth.

  “If you weren’t here with me today, what would you be doing?” Becca asked as she followed him around a fallen tree.

  “Depends. I might be working. My job often includes nights and weekends.” Connor’s voice drifted back to her. “If I’m not on an assignment, I hang with friends or hit the gym. Occasionally I’ll go to a baseball or football game.”

  She doubted the man lived as a monk. He hadn’t mentioned it, but he must date. Again she wondered if he played the field like he had in high school, sleeping with a different woman every weekend. Or had he outgrown that and now gravitated toward stable, long-term relationships? Becca had always preferred the stable type. Yeah, she’d been out with numerous men thanks to all the blind dates her brother and other friends liked to set her up on, but she hadn’t slept with any of them. The only men she’d been intimate with had been those she’d been in serious relationships with. She’d never gone straight from dinner to a guy’s bed in her life, which meant she hadn’t had sex in four long years. Considering their past, she would go straight from this mountain hike to Connor’s, though.

  “What about you?” he asked.

  Becca watched the way his jeans stretched across his butt as he climbed up on a large boulder on the path and wished she had a fan handy. When he straightened, he turned and held his hand down to her.

  “Sometimes I’ll see friends.” She accepted his help and climbed up. “My dad and stepmom visit the area a lot. When they’re around, I’ll see them. And my sister and Max come to D.C. about once a month or so, and we usually get together.” She hoped by mentioning her family, he’d open up a little about his. She’d avoided the topic but was dying to know more about his current relationship with his parents and sister.

  “Max?” Connor asked.

  She nodded. “Max Shelton, Giselle’s fiancé. They’re getting married this November. He graduated with us.”

  “Oh, I remember the jerk,” he said. “You dated him most of our senior year.”

  She tried not to think about the time she’d spent with Max. Although not quite as full of himself now as he had been back then, the man still considered himself far superior to everyone else. She didn’t know how she’d managed to be with him for so long in high school, or how her older sister managed to be around him now. The only plausible explanation Becca could come up with was that Max behaved differently when he and Giselle were alone.

  “Please don’t remind me.” She stepped in front of him and started walking again. If she stayed walking behind him much longer, she was going to self-combust and possibly burn down the entire forest. “I’ll take the lead for a while.”

  Connor chuckled and followed her. “I couldn’t stand him in school. Everyone on the football team referred to him as the class asshole.”

  She hadn’t known that little tidbit of information but, considering the Max she knew, it didn’t surprise her. “He’s changed a little since then, but I swear he still thinks the sun rises every morning just for him.”

  “I never understood how you two were together. He didn’t seem like your type.”

  “Our dads are close friends. They grew up together, and our grandfathers are longtime friends too. My dad and Mr. Shelton wanted to join the families. Giselle’s three years older than us. Now the age difference isn’t a big deal, but back then she didn’t want anything to do with a high school boy.”

  “You were forced to date him?” Connor asked, sounding angry on her behalf.

  Her dad had never forced her to do anything but clean her bedroom and eat her vegetables with dinner. “No, but I was strongly encouraged, I guess. Our two families regularly got together when I was staying with Dad. And Dad dropped hints all the time. When Max finally asked me out, I said yes.” Becca used a small tree to balance herself as she climbed. “I swear Dad and Mr. Shelton were about ready to reserve a church just before Max broke up with me. They were more upset than me. Actually, I was a little relieved when he called it quits. It meant I didn’t have to.”

  The trail grew wider, and Connor stepped alongside her again. “I was damn glad when he did.”

  It was the first time either of them had referred to the short fling they’d had all those summers ago. She’d avoided it during their picnic lunch and Monday night, afraid it would bring up too many unpleasant memories. Instead, they’d talked about everything from movies and music to the places they’d traveled over the years.

  Her curiosity made it impossible for her to let his comment go, though. “Really?”

  “Hell yeah. All year I wished you’d dump the jerk.” He stopped walking and turned toward her. “You were the hottest girl in that damn school. Trust me, all the guys wanted you—including me.”

  Connor registered the surprise and slight embarrassment on her face, but he didn’t regret his words. He believed in being honest and up-front. It might make some situations uncomfortable, but it made life simpler in the long run. “And that hasn’t changed,” he said, stepping closer.

  He’d seen the way she watched him. She might not be willing to make the first move today, but he had no problem doing it. He covered her lips with his, slowly taking his time to learn the feel of them against his. Connor kept up the gentle massage until her fingertips touched his neck. Then he teased
her lips with his tongue until she opened for him. Blood thundered in his ears as her tongue tangled with his and he pulled her closer, loving the way her body aligned perfectly with his. She shifted in his embrace. The feel of her against him had the head below his belt reminding Connor exactly how long it’d been since he’d had sex.

  Before he did something stupid, like make love in the middle of a hiking trail, Connor pulled back, ending their kiss. His arms, however, refused to let Becca go now that they were finally where they wanted to be. Around her.

  Her sunglasses kept him from seeing her eyes, but there was no missing the erratic pulse in her neck.

  “I’ve never kissed a man with facial hair before,” Becca whispered. “I like it.” Her fingertips left his neck, and she took her sunglasses off. Then she pushed his sunglasses up on his head and let her fingertips brush across his cheek. “I’m glad to see you’re still honest and straightforward.”

  The heat from her fingers burned into his face despite the short, well-trimmed beard he’d adopted earlier in the summer. “It’s always the best way to be.” He grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss against her palm. “When I like something, I’ll let you know. If I disagree with you, you’ll know it. And when I see something I want, I go after it.”

  Becca’s eyes gleamed with the same heat that was coursing through his body. “I agree it’s the best way to be, and I’m the same way.” She leaned in and pressed a whisper of a kiss on his lips. “C’mon, let’s keep walking before anyone else comes along.”

  They hadn’t passed any other hikers so far on this trail, but the visitor center had been packed. At some point, they were bound to run into other people. He didn’t care if people came upon them in some intimate embrace, but Becca might. The most unusual things embarrassed women.

  Connor took her hand and started walking. “So Giselle is engaged to your ex. Sylvia is married, and Kassidy lives with you.”

  “Well, when she’s not having a slumber party with whatever random guy she’s picked up,” Becca said.

  In school, he’d never gotten involved with Kassidy, but he’d heard the rumors about her. Although incredibly smart, she had liked to have fun. Sounded like that hadn’t changed. “What are Eddy and Graham up to?” He knew it was a long shot, but a conversation about her brother and stepbrother might help get rid of the erection currently tormenting him.

  As they continued, Becca gave him the 411 on her family. Unfortunately, as he’d anticipated, his physical state didn’t change. By the time they took a break, he knew he’d need either a freezing shower or some time naked with Becca to get rid of the erection pressing against his zipper.

  “What’s your sister up to?” Becca asked, accepting the water bottle he handed her.

  Until now she hadn’t asked about his family, and he hadn’t offered up any details. Now that she’d asked, he couldn’t blow her off. Especially since she’d answered all his questions without any hesitation.

  “Stephanie lives in Boston. Right now she’s practicing law, but she’s planning to enter local politics in the next election.”

  Becca twisted off the bottle’s lid and took a sip. “Unless she’s changed a lot since high school, I can picture her working on the Hill someday.”

  He nodded, then pulled out a package of dried apricots and tore it open. He offered Becca some before taking a handful. “She’s about the same, only even more headstrong. Yeah, I know, hard to imagine.” He loved his sister, but once she made up her mind, there was no changing it, regardless of the situation. “Our grandfather keeps trying to get her to move and take a position in his Los Angeles firm. He’s offered her every incentive he can think of. She refuses. Insists she loves Boston and the East Coast.”

  “I don’t blame her. California is nice, especially the northern part of the state, but I can’t imagine living there.” She nibbled on her bottom lip, her expression suggesting she was considering her next words before she spoke. “Do you see your family a lot?”

  “No. I see Stephanie the most. She was down this way in March. I haven’t seen Mom and Xavier since last fall.” He didn’t add that he hadn’t talked to his mom since April, either. Unless something drastic had changed, Becca had seemed close to her family when they’d been in school. Even before the FBI carted off Dad’s sorry ass, the same couldn’t be said about the Anderson home. After Dad’s arrest, it had simply deteriorated even more.

  He prepared himself for more questions related to his family. In his experience, women like Becca liked to dig into your personal life. It was one of the reasons he usually dated women more like Candy from the pub. Women like her only wanted some fun and a good orgasm. They didn’t care what kind of relationship you had with your mom, or whether you wanted a couple kids and a minivan someday.

  “Since most of your family lives in New England, it’s understandable you don’t see them often, especially with your rather unique profession. I see Graham and Kassidy all the time because they live around here, but usually months go by between visits with anyone else.” Becca took a granola bar from his backpack and tore it open. “I think it was the hardest thing for me to adjust to when I moved down from Connecticut.”

  She offered him the second bar in the package then ate in silence for a few minutes. He was about to ask what she’d done before going to work for Senator Lynch, when she looked in his direction. “Can I ask you something?”

  Not what he wanted to hear. “Go for it.”

  He braced himself for a question about his good-for-nothing dad, a person he never talked about to anyone, including his sister.

  “After the party at Leslie’s house, I tried calling you.”

  Her statement transported him back, but rather than focusing on finding the Feds at his house, his mind went straight to them alone in the pool house.

  “You don’t have to answer,” she said.

  Yeah, right. Whenever someone offered up those words, they were thinking something else entirely. Whatever question she tossed out next, he’d either have to answer it or write Becca out of his life again. And that wasn’t something he wanted to do.

  “But why didn’t you ever call me back?” Becca asked, sounding a little hurt even though they were discussing things that had taken place years ago.

  Never would he admit he’d been embarrassed as hell by his father’s actions. While she might understand, he refused to acknowledge some emotions. And embarrassment topped the list right along with fear. “When everything went down, I was pissed at my father. I needed to distance myself from him and everyone who knew our family well. You just got lumped in with that group. I’m sorry.”

  He hadn’t realized it until now, but he truly was.

  Becca looked off into the distance. “That makes sense.” She didn’t sound angry or hurt. Instead, her tone carried a note of understanding.

  Connor stuffed a handful of dried apricots into his mouth and waited for her next question. Whatever it was, he hoped it had nothing to do with his parents.

  ***

  It took a shitload of willpower, but he’d managed to keep his hands and lips off her for the rest of the afternoon. With Becca’s town house in sight, he wasn’t sure how much longer his willpower would hold out. Alone at her place, they wouldn’t have to worry about others hikers stumbling upon them while he got as well acquainted with Becca as she’d let him today. And he hoped to get very well acquainted.

  “Can you stay for a while?” She touched his thigh when he turned the engine off. She’d kept her hands to herself since their kiss too. If she hadn’t, all the willpower in the world wouldn’t have stopped him from slipping his hands under her T-shirt to see how well her breasts fit in his palms while kissing her until she couldn’t stand on her own.

  “Definitely.”

  No longer able to wait, he leaned across the SUV and took possession of her mouth. He didn’t need to urge her lips apart. Instead, she traced his bottom lip with her tongue, turning him on more than the striptease Candy had given
him the last time they’d spent time together.

  When she finally pulled back and opened her door, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to walk to her front door.

  “Oh, man,” Becca groaned as they headed up the walkway. “I thought I was in decent shape. Considering how sore my legs are right now, I need to step up my exercise routine.”

  He stopped her on the steps and ran his gaze over her body before meeting her eyes. “Your legs and everything else look damn perfect to me. No need to change anything.”

  The bright sunlight allowed him to see the slight blush spreading across her cheeks. “You’re definitely good for my ego, Connor.” Opening the door, she stepped inside and switched on the lights. “Next time it needs a little boost, I’m calling you.”

  He followed her inside. “We already established I’m always honest. Just being that way now.”

  “Then I’d better be honest too.” She leaned into him and covered his mouth with hers before he could question her statement. When she came up for air, she took his hand and started for the stairs. “Follow me.”

  He didn’t need to be told twice.

  Chapter Six

  “I’ve heard people butcher that song before but never like that,” Becca said as Connor turned into her driveway.

  No longer satisfied by the fruit she’d brought up to the room around four o’clock, they’d dressed and driven to a nearby restaurant and pub. She often visited the place because the food was decent, and every weekend the pub had live music. Usually, the bands brought in were great, but either the manager hadn’t heard this one perform before hiring them or he’d been wearing earplugs when he did. The group had attempted to cover a wide range of songs, spanning at least two decades’ worth of music. A few they’d managed to pull off. Most, though, had been way out of their league.

  “Someone really needs to suggest the lead singer stick with songs in his vocal range.”

  “More like find a new profession.” Connor put the SUV in park and killed the engine.