Wilde Side

by Jannine Gallant

  His other arm came around her waist to steady her when she swayed. “Oh, yeah. I’m definitely in.”

  Bright eyes sparkled up at him. “Maybe we should wait until we get off this hillside to start.” She waved toward the plunging drop to the valley below. “Living life on the edge is one thing, but rolling around near a cliff exceeds my thrill-seeking aspirations.”

  He grinned. “I imagine I can control myself for an hour or two. Maybe even until everyone turns in for the night. No point in providing fodder for the newshounds.”

  “Somehow, I doubt they’d care what I do with my personal time unless it negatively impacts the congressman.” She squeezed his hand. “Shall we head back down?”

  He wasn’t in a rush to join the rest of the group. Hanging out with Devin was a hell of a lot more fun than listening to Dwight bitch about the lack of cell reception or the TV crew argue with Charles over baseball. Still, as the late afternoon sun slid behind the mountains, the shadows crisscrossing the valley below had lengthened considerably.

  “I suppose we should go. Gregor is probably at the campsite prepping dinner by now and wondering what the holdup is with the rest of the group.”

  Walking beside Sawyer, she tilted her head to look up at him. “Your cook is a colorful character.”

  “Literally, with all those tattoos.” He gripped her arm when she slipped on some loose dirt then slid his hand along soft skin to clasp her palm in his. “Gregor might look like something of a renegade, but he’s a classically trained chef.”

  “No offense, but what’s he doing working for you?”

  “He needed a break from the pressures of a high-end restaurant. You could call this summer something of a sabbatical for him. Then there’s Jon.”

  Her fingers twined with his. “Love him. You have to appreciate that subtle sense of humor.”

  “Oh, I do, and his laid-back attitude keeps us all on an even keel.”

  When the trail narrowed, she fell behind to let him lead the way. “What’s Roman’s story?”

  “He drifts from job to job. I picked him up in California along the American River.” Sawyer glanced over his shoulder and shrugged. “When one of my regular employees was sidelined by an accident, Roman volunteered to fill in for the rest of the season. So far, the kid’s worked out okay.”

  As they reached the ledge across the cliff face, she edged up to stand next to him then let out a slow breath. “He hit on me yesterday but took my rejection in stride.” A grin flashed. “I don’t think he was too broken up by my lack of enthusiasm.”

  “I figured he’d give it his best shot but didn’t see any need to intervene. You seem more than capable of taking care of yourself when it comes to men.”

  Her eyes darkened. “You’d think.”

  He touched her shoulder then gestured toward the narrow trail. “Are you going to be okay on this section?”

  “Sure. Slow and steady may not win many races, but it’ll get me to the other side.”

  “Yes, it will. Hold on to me if you feel wobbly. We’ll be across in a couple of minutes.”

  When she had a firm grip on the waistband of his shorts, he set out. Heights had never bothered him in the least, even when the walking surface was only a foot wide. But the feel of her cool fingers down low on his back sure got his attention. When they reached the far side, and she slid her hand out of his shorts, he let loose a sigh of disappointment.

  “Easy-peasy.” Her voice held only a tiny quaver. “Nothing to it.”

  He turned to pat her shoulder. “You’re a natural born tightrope walker.”

  “I don’t think I’ll run off to join the circus just yet.” She pointed. “Shall we head down?”

  “Yep. Go ahead. You can set the pace.”

  As he followed her, admiring the view of sleek muscles flexing as she scrambled down the hillside, he couldn’t help thinking she’d been setting the pace since the moment they met. Not something he was used to, and more than a little disconcerting. He was the one who usually took the lead. Knowing exactly where he was headed in a relationship removed all the guesswork and kept him on a straight course toward his goal. But with Devin—

  “Almost there.” She turned to flash him a bright smile.

  He responded with one of his own. Maybe a few unexpected detours would prove to be a good thing. His life could stand to be shaken up a bit, and he was one hundred percent certain Devin would deliver excitement. And then some.

  * * * *

  Had she completely lost her mind? Settled back on her sleeping bag, Devin pressed a hand to her chest and forced herself to breath. A fling with Sawyer had seemed like a perfectly logical way to put all thoughts of Porter behind her. A terrific scheme with no downside—as long as it remained just that. A conceptual strategy instead of the real deal. Thanks to her big mouth, any minute now her nebulous plan was destined to become reality.

  Somewhere in the woods, an owl hooted, long and lonely. Branches on a nearby spruce swayed in the strengthening wind, casting shadows across the tent. Light from the campfire flickered. The perfect setting for a midnight tryst. So why did her stomach feel like she’d consumed a swarm of bumblebees for dinner instead of some truly excellent penne pasta with asparagus?

  She hugged her arms around her knees and prayed she could pull off the brash composure she’d advertised out there on the mountain. Her reality wasn’t even close with nerves stretched tauter than the tightrope they’d joked about. What had she been thinking to make promises she wasn’t quite ready to keep? Not that she didn’t want to follow through, because she did. Didn’t she?

  The zippered door of the tent slid apart. Her heart pounded out a rhythm worthy of the best percussionist. Sawyer crawled through the opening then turned to close the gaping door. All the better to keep mosquitoes out. And him in. She let out a shaky breath.

  “I thought Jon and Liam Kennedy would never stop arguing about the stock market and go to bed.”

  “Is that what they were discussing?” Did her voice sound as high and whiny to him as it did to her? She cleared her throat then took another breath.

  His warm chuckle filled the tent, taking the edge off the chill that shivered down her bare arms. She missed her penguin pajamas, but they were hardly appropriate for the grand seduction she’d so blithely offered.

  “I’d say discussion is an understatement. I’ve rarely heard Jon get so riled.” The sleeping bag rustled as Sawyer pulled off his shoes then slid up beside her. “I was afraid you would have fallen asleep by now.”

  “No, still awake.” Damn, she’d squeaked like a little chipmunk. Again.

  One arm settled around her. “Good.” Lips nuzzled her ear. “Devin?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Is there a problem?” He pulled away slightly to look down at her in the dim light from a moon shining through the thin nylon above them.

  “Why would anything be wrong?”

  “Maybe because your back is straighter than the lodgepole pines outside, and you have your knees locked in a death grip.”

  She unwrapped her arms from around her legs then let herself lean against him. “Maybe I’m a tad nervous.”

  His thumb stroked along her cheek. “We don’t have to do this tonight. We can talk instead, get to know each other better first.”

  “We can?”

  “Of course.” The arm around her tightened momentarily then let go. “What did you imagine would happen if you said no?”

  “I didn’t think you’d be thrilled since I led you to believe I’d put out.”

  He made a strangling sound then bent over in a coughing fit.

  After a moment, she pounded him on the back. “Are you okay?”

  “No, I’m not okay.” The coughing slowed to a stop. “Jesus, Devin.”

  “What? It’s true.”

  “Maybe, but you’re allowed to change your mind.” Silence fell between them. As one minute passed and then another, he le
t out a long sigh. “Can I ask why you reconsidered?”

  “After I thought about it for most of the evening, revenge sex just seemed so…wrong.”

  “I don’t get it.” His voice hardened. “Why do I get the feeling this isn’t even about me.”

  She laid a hand on his arm. Beneath her fingers, warm skin over firm muscle sent a dart of feeling zinging through her. “It is about you. And me.” She couldn’t look at him. “All right, mostly me.”

  Down near the river, a bullfrog croaked, deep and resonating. Inside the tent, her discomfort hung between them, thickening the air until she could barely breathe.

  “Hey, no reason why you need to explain. Obviously I should just leave.”

  Her grip on his arm tightened. “I’m sorry.” Releasing him, she hunched over up-drawn legs. “I just got out of a relationship that lasted most of the summer. I found out the guy’s major motivation for dating me was to get hired as one of Walton’s staffers. He didn’t have a lot of experience so figured he’d need an in to land the job.” She shrugged. “The irony is Porter’s actually good at what he does. If he’d simply presented his qualifications, I bet the congressman would have hired him without my prompting.”

  “How’d you find out?”

  “I overheard a phone conversation. The jerk thought I was still asleep and left the bedroom when his cell rang.” She clamped her teeth together. “Too bad for him my hearing is excellent.”

  “What did you do?”

  “Kicked his ass out of my apartment wearing nothing but a pair of boxers. When he put up an argument, I threatened to call the cops.” She grinned in the dark. “That got him moving. Then I threw his clothes out the window, just like in one of those cheesy romantic comedies. Except I’m not the forgiving sort. I can’t tell you how gratifying it was to see him pulling his pants off a rosebush. Those suckers have a lot of thorns.”

  “Wow, remind me never to get on your bad side.”

  “If I wanted to sink to his level, I could have influenced Walton to fire his ass. I didn’t.”

  “I’m not sure I’d have been as noble under the same circumstances. So, how does revenge sex figure into the picture?”

  She tightened her arms around up-drawn legs. “I actually thought Porter and I had something serious between us. Finding out he used me…hurt.” A long sigh slipped out. “I figured a fling with you was just the ticket to forget all about how stupid I was to fall for the jerk. And if he happened to hear a few subtle mentions of my extracurricular actives on the rafting trip, all the better.”

  “Interesting. So, why the change of heart?”

  “It didn’t seem fair. I like you a lot, and using you to build up my ego after it got kicked around isn’t any better than what that loser did to me.”

  He tipped her chin upward with one finger then moved in so close his breath caressed her face. “So, you aren’t going to sleep with me because you have a conscience?”

  “Something like that, yes.”

  “Are you still in love with this guy?”

  “No.”

  His finger fell away from her face. “I’m not sure I believe you.”

  “I don’t respect him. Love doesn’t work without respect.”

  “True. So, what’s the new game plan?”

  She scowled. “I’m not sure I have one other than time. And distance.” When the wind buffeted the tent, she stared up at the swaying shadows. “I’ll avoid Porter as much as possible after we get back to DC and stop obsessing over the fact that he totally played me.”

  “Then you’ll find someone new to date?”

  She shot him a quick glance. “I suppose. You can bet I’ll be more cautious about who I choose to spend time with in the future. Fool me once…” She pressed her lips tight. “Let’s just say I don’t like feeling stupid.”

  “Date me. I’m not after anything.”

  “Huh?”

  He tapped his chest. “Me. The nice brother. Remember? Just because you aren’t ready to jump into bed—or in this case a sleeping bag—with me doesn’t mean we can’t hang out together. Who knows where it’ll lead.”

  “Hmm…an interesting proposition.” The tension drained out of her, and she released her knees to lean back. “You’d want to do that?”

  “Why not? You said you like me. Well, I like you, too. You’re bright and funny.” He stroked her cheek. “And damn sexy. Why wouldn’t I want to get to know you better?”

  She smiled. “We’re sort of stuck together on this river for the next few days, anyway.”

  “Good point. Is that a yes?”

  “Sure.” She peeked up at him through her lashes. “Now what?”

  He leaned in to cup her face in his hands. “Since this was almost a date, I kiss you good night then get the hell out of the tent before I’m tempted to do more.”

  “Sounds like an offer…” She paused when her voice went breathless. “…I can’t refuse.”

  His lips settled over hers, firm and warm. One big hand moved to the back of her neck, fingers burrowing into her hair. When her mouth opened, his tongue slipped inside. The kiss went on…and on…and on. Finally, he pulled away.

  Breath coming in bursts, Devin leaned her forehead against his. “Wow. Maybe I was a little hasty in cancelling the revenge sex.”

  His whole body shook with laughter. “I’d have to agree, but this new plan is better.”

  “It is?” She touched his neck where the pulse beat strong and steady beneath her fingers.

  “Yes, because this way we have a shot at making something work between us.”

  She nodded as uncertainty wrapped around her. “We can give it a try, at least.”

  He pulled back then dropped another quick kiss on her upturned lips. “I hope so. Good night, Devin. Sleep well.”

  “You, too.”

  “I’ll try.”

  She sat very still for several moments after he left the tent. Did I make a mistake? That kiss had seemed…personal. Unlike the quick romp in the sack she’d envisioned. He’d touched something deep inside with his kindness. Healed a bare and bloody piece of her heart with thoughtfulness and compassion.

  Eyes wide as she stared into the darkness, she lay back down.

  When the river trip was over, walking away from Sawyer might not be as easy as she’d anticipated.

  Chapter 5

  “Sawyer! Oh, my God, stop, stop! Now!”

  He dug into the current with his paddle as they rushed through a set of fast moving rapids then glanced over at Devin. She was twisted around, staring upriver, eyes wide.

  Turning to glance over his shoulder, he swore. Roman’s raft had run up onto a boulder and tipped sideways. All the occupants were floundering in the water.

  “Shit! Damn it, help me maneuver to the shore. On the left, paddle hard.”

  The raft swung around. Arms aching and legs braced, he strained to push the craft against a strengthening current. With a grunt, he rammed the nose up onto the rocky beach.

  “Alex, hop out and hold us steady.” When the boy complied, Sawyer gestured toward Devin. “Drop over the side and grab the rope. Pull the raft while I push.”

  With his crew following orders, Sawyer jumped off the back and shoved hard. The loaded raft scraped across gravel as they edged it up onto a narrow strip of beach.

  Devin grabbed his arm then pointed with her free hand. “I see Liam and Charles in the water, but where did Walton and Roman disappear to?”

  Sawyer scanned the river. Two heads bobbed in the water as they came through the rapids some distance apart. “Roman’s back near the raft. Looks like he’s trying to keep it from flipping. Shit, I don’t know where Walton is.”

  Alex’s lips pinched tight as he stepped up beside them. “Are they going to be okay?”

  “They’ll be fine. Grab a paddle and stick it out into the current to pull your dad and Liam to shore when they float past. Try not to fall in. Devin, come w
ith me.”

  Running up the rocky beach, Sawyer scanned the river, searching for movement beneath the water. The rapids were fairly shallow with only a few deep holes. Even if Walton had hit his head, his life vest would surely keep him afloat.

  A flash of color near some submerged rocks caught his attention.

  “Son of a bitch!” Ripping off his vest, Sawyer splashed through the shallows then dove into deeper water. Kicking hard to reach the rocks, he grabbed hold of slick nylon and tugged. The person—surely his godfather—didn’t budge. Wrapping his arms around the man’s waist, Sawyer pulled harder. Nothing.

  Lungs bursting, he released his grip to surge to the surface. Gulping in air, he dived again and felt his way down to the river bottom. Walton’s leg was wedged tight in a crevice between two boulders. With a hard shove, he moved the nearer rock a bare inch and jerked him loose. Holding tight to his arm, Sawyer towed him toward the surface. When his head burst free of the water, he drew air into starving lungs, gasping and choking.

  “I need help.” Chest heaving, he fought the current, making little progress with the heavy weight.

  Devin was beside him in a moment to take Walton’s other arm. Kicking hard in tandem, they hauled him ashore. Sawyer fumbled at the straps to loosen the life vest and pull it open. Walton’s face was colorless, mouth slack.

  “He’s not breathing.” Her voice broke. “We have to do something!”

  “Don’t freak out on me. I need you to stay calm.” He steadied his own voice as he checked for a pulse. “Breathe into his mouth when I tell you while I do the compressions. Do you know CPR basics?” At her nod, he positioned his hands over his godfather’s chest and pressed. “One, two, three, one, two, three, breathe.”

  Two quick, hard breaths.

  Sawyer pushed again…and again as Devin breathed between compressions.

  Long seconds later, Walton coughed and choked. After tilting him to the side, water poured out of his mouth. With a moan, he flopped onto his back as a bit of color seeped into his face.

  “Is he going to be okay?” Devin’s eyes were enormous as she pushed dripping hair off her face. Water, or possibly tears, ran down her cheeks.