“Want me to sing or something?” he asked.
“I want you to stop talking,” she said, hoisting him a little higher. She picked up her pace, allowing his weight to propel her forward down the slightly sloped trail. They were at least smart enough to walk out in a direction that was uphill—it made the trek back easier.
But the hot sun was relentless with little tree cover and she was panting pretty good by the quarter-of-a-mile mark.
Water would be helpful, but her bottle was empty and she’d die of thirst before she’d ask him for some of his.
“You doing okay?” he asked, and the concern in his voice was almost enough to weaken her to the point of admitting defeat. But only almost.
“Totally fine,” she said, her inability to breathe making a liar out of her.
Halfway there. She could do this. If only her mouth didn’t feel like a desert. If only that sun would fuck off behind a cloud or something.
Her vision started to blur slightly and the trees around her started to move...coming closer, then looming overhead... Then they disappeared completely, along with her consciousness.
* * *
IF THERE WAS an award for stubbornness that weekend, Kendra would win it.
Nolan applied the ice pack to her forehead and waved a smelling salt under her nose as she lay out cold on the trail about a quarter mile from camp. To her credit, she’d almost made it, but he wanted to ream her out for passing out instead of quitting.
Never in his life had he met a woman so determined to succeed. Her no-quit attitude was hot as hell even if in this case it was a little misguided.
Her eyes opened slowly and she smiled up at him. “Hey, you.”
Shit, had she hit her head when she’d collapsed, sending them both falling to the ground? There was no sign of her annoyance or irritation with him now. Instead, there was the woman he’d started to fall for. Beautiful, warm, open...deceiving.
Must remember that last one.
“Hey...you passed out.” He handed her a water bottle and her eyes widened as she sat up quickly and scanned the trail.
Mike and Cassie watched on carefully from a distance. Turned out their simulated emergency had turned into a real one and they were assessing his actions now instead.
“No, I didn’t,” Kendra said.
“Are you narcoleptic, then? Otherwise you passed out from dehydration because you overdid it,” he said, pressing the water bottle to her stubborn, sexy-as-hell lips.
She glared at him over the rim of the bottle, but she drank. Then she shook her head and started to stand. “Okay, I’m good. Jump back on,” she said, crouching in front of him again.
She wasn’t a quitter, he’d give her that. Too bad that trait obviously didn’t apply to her relationships. Instead of accepting her outstretched hands this time, he quickly scooped her up and into his arms.
Her mouth dropped when her face was just inches from his. “Do you want to get punched?”
“Not particularly,” he said, readjusting her in his arms. She was light, but she was hard to hold on to when she was squirming to get down like a toddler throwing a fit.
“Well, then, put me back down.”
His grip on her only tightened as he started walking toward camp. “Change of challenge—they are assessing us on this new situation.” He nodded toward Cassie and Mike, who looked more interested in this turn of events than evaluating. “We need to do what we would actually do in this scenario. We’re being judged, remember?” But, shit, could he actually carry her the rest of the way back to camp when the familiar smell of her was filling his senses now? When her neck was this close to his face and making him remember everything he shouldn’t be? He’d been able to hold his breath when she’d been carrying him. He couldn’t now. Both of them passing out in the one challenge would surely cost them a few points. In fact, they really needed to impress Cassie and Mike to make up for Kendra’s blunder.
“Fine,” she grumbled. She turned her head and refused to look at him the rest of the way back to camp. It was fine by him, because if he had to look into those gorgeous brown eyes this close up or see her absentmindedly lick her lips, he just might say screw the challenge and kiss her to remind her what she’d been missing these last three months.
In record time, Nolan set her onto the ground at their campsite and struggled for breath. Sweat dripped down his forehead and he could taste it above his upper lip.
“Out of shape?” she asked.
“Says the woman who passed out carrying me,” he said.
“I made it most of the way and you’re definitely sweating more than I was.”
Ignoring the temptation to be lured into her verbal sparring, he bent next to her and removed his shirt.
Her eyes widened. “Why are you getting undressed?”
“We need to finish the challenge. Sit still and give me your foot.” He could feel her eyes on his body as he worked to wrap the “injured” ankle and secure the fabric with sap from a nearby tree.
She caught him noticing her stare and instead turned her attention to his handiwork. “Did you learn that from a first aid course?”
“No. I’m just quick-thinking and logical,” he said with a grin.
“I refuse to be impressed by you,” she said. “And for the record, if this was a real injury, I could have taken care of it myself.”
His grin vanished as he released her foot and stood. “Don’t worry, you made it quite clear that you definitely do not need me,” he said and walked away before he could say anything more.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE ALASKAN WILD after sunset was no joke. As the sun disappeared over the mountains, it took the day’s heat with it, and the cool chill in the air mirrored the cold shoulder Kendra had gotten from Nolan for the rest of the afternoon after completing the simulated emergency challenge. They’d rejoined the other groups to gather berries and refill their water bottles in the designated stream, and had the option to take a hike or just relax around the central campsite fire—the guides had made one to help them all get their own started. All the while, Nolan had made sure they weren’t together, instead chatting with Roger or the other team members.
It was important for him to get to know everyone... He already knew her far too well, but Kendra couldn’t help feeling jealous as he continued to avoid her. She wanted to avoid him, obviously, but it annoyed her that he, too, was pulling this attitude.
What the hell had she ever done to him?
“Okay, everyone, time to get a good night’s rest, because tomorrow we have another full day,” Mike said, standing up from a log near the fire.
The others all stood and dispersed toward their shelters. Kendra’s anxiety rose.
Sleep. Right. Next to the man she found both insanely attractive and intensely infuriating. Sleep wouldn’t be happening unless the shelter collapsed on top of her and knocked her out cold. She groaned inwardly. Passing out on the trail that day had been humiliating, but the worst part was waking up in a dreamlike state, seeing Nolan’s face above her illuminated by the sunlight filtering through the trees. She’d reacted to the sight of him as though it were a fantasy, like all the others she’d had...and for a split second she’d let her guard slip. What if she couldn’t keep up the pretense of not caring that he just wasn’t into her, that he hadn’t hurt her?
She looked around. Everyone had disappeared inside their shelters. Including Nolan. She stared at the debris hut. Could she really climb in there with him? Maybe she could sleep outside. As long as she survived the night against the weather, the bugs, the bears...that was all that mattered, right? Technically, the debris hut was more comfort and they were supposed to be surviving on none.
A large dragonfly buzzed straight at her face and she quickly dove into the shelter on her side of the divider. Suddenly, taking her chances with the man who’d broken her heart
seemed like a better choice. Slightly.
She lay on her back on the moss and branch bed and stared upward toward the sky. All was quiet on Nolan’s side. Could he actually be asleep already? Unbelievable. He really didn’t care about her or this crazy, awkward situation at all.
Don’t worry, you’ve made it quite clear that you do not need me.
His words had replayed in her mind all afternoon. What the hell did he mean by that? Should she ask?
She sighed. Nothing good would come from starting an argument.
Just go to sleep, Kendra.
* * *
WITH THE DIVIDER in place between them, Nolan lay on his bed of brush and tried to get comfortable. Twigs dug into his neck, so he sat and removed what remained of his ripped shirt to make a pillow. He positioned it behind his head and was immediately more comfortable. Crazy how when stripped of the everyday things he took for granted, the littlest “luxury” made a difference. Damn, maybe he should offer the shirt to Kendra.
Right, and risk another snippy comment about how she could take care of herself? No, thanks.
He placed one hand behind his head and took several deep breaths. Gaps in the branches above him provided a spectacular view of the starry night sky, but they didn’t provide a source of heat...
Was she cold? He really had nothing to give her, but he could add more wood to their little, contained fire...
Nope. If she was cold, she’d do it herself.
He closed his eyes and forced his body to relax.
Was she thirsty? She might still be dehydrated from that day. He might be annoyed with her, but he was still a gentleman. He cleared his throat and aimed for casual. “Hey, you okay over there?”
“Fantastic,” she said.
“Not too cold? I have extra brush...”
“I’m toasty.”
“I still have water if you need some.”
“I’m good.”
She was lying. Clearly she was out to prove that she didn’t need or want anything to do with him, but that message had already been sent loud and clear.
He shifted to his side, facing the divider, catching sight of her hand lying at her side. A hand he’d held and kissed and stroked...just one part of her that he’d explored that week they were together.
Damn, this was going to drive him insane. He had to know what the hell happened. What made her change her mind? Or had it always just been a fling for her? If so, why had she acted like she’d wanted more?
He cleared his throat again and opened his mouth to ask, but he couldn’t find the words. How could he ask her without sounding pathetic and desperate?
Best to let her believe he didn’t care. That he hadn’t been tempted to email her at the address on the business card she’d given him...or stop by her office that day a month ago when he’d been there for an interview.
He had his pride.
Still, this silence was torture. He deserved an answer. If they had any chance at a healthy working relationship, they needed to clear the air eventually.
“So, uh, how’ve you been?” he asked.
“Are we seriously doing this?” she asked, her tone cold.
Guess not. Why the hell was she so annoyed with him? He was the one who’d been made out to be a fool. Was she really that upset that she hadn’t successfully skirted him for the rest of her life? That he’d applied for and gotten a job at her workplace? It was the position she wanted—he did feel bad about that. It would explain her coldness toward him now, if not the three months of silence.
“Hey, if you’re upset about me getting this senior sales position... I am sorry that the promotion didn’t go your way.”
She scoffed. “You’re a man. Of course you were given the opportunity without having to prove yourself.”
Was that what she thought? “Actually, I’ve been busting my ass for this for a long time.” The edge that crept into his voice couldn’t be helped. He’d explained all of this to her in Seattle. How he’d worked three jobs while finishing school and how he’d had to support his single mother when she was sick. How he’d go into the office before 7:00 a.m. every morning and was the last one to leave. He’d also expressed his interest in working for a bigger company with opportunities for advancement, and she’d supported that ambition.
“I’m sure you did,” she said now. “But so did I, and look which one of us got the position.”
“So that’s why you’re annoyed with me? That’s why you’ve tried to avoid me since I arrived?” And before?
“Oh my God, really?” She huffed her impatience. “Good night, Nolan.”
If that wasn’t it, then what the hell was wrong with her? Enough was enough.
Sitting up, he yanked down the divider. “Hey, I think we should clear the air about what happened in Seattle since we are going to be working together.”
She sat up and turned to face him. Her eyes clocked his shirtless state and her cheeks flushed slightly in the glow of the fire outside the hut, but her expression was challenging as she nodded. “Okay. You start.”
Shit.
He took a deep breath. “Look, what happened three months ago is in the past and I’m mature enough to move on and keep things professional in the office.” Not that he wanted to, but what choice did he have? She’d made it clear she had no interest in pursuing things anymore.
“Great. Me, too,” she said, folding her arms across her body.
He waited. No apology. No embarrassment. Just still annoyed.
“I mean it would help if there had been some sort of closure.”
She nodded. “Yes, that would have been nice.”
So why the hell hadn’t she made her intentions clear back then? “An explanation of some sort...” Did she need him to spell it out?
“I could use one... I mean, just for closure’s sake.”
He frowned. “You could use one? For what?”
Daggers from her eyes. “For ghosting me.”
Ghosting her? What the hell was she talking about? “What the hell are you talking about?”
She shivered slightly, but her voice never wavered as she said, “You never called.”
Was she for real? “You gave me the wrong phone number.”
She scoffed. “Nice try.”
“It’s true.” Was she fucking with him right now, replacing the blame because she didn’t want to admit she was in the wrong? Or did she really believe that he purposely hadn’t called?
No way. He’d been so transparent about his feelings.
“I think you’re full of shit and are making excuses now because you don’t want to appear like an ass when you are my new boss,” she said.
“Nope.”
She frowned, her confidence in her accusation clearly diminishing. “So you didn’t just lead me on and vanish?”
“Why the hell would I do that? We had an amazing week together.”
“I know!”
“Like mind-blowingly amazing.”
“I know!”
His heart raced. “And I thought we’d...connected. Beyond the physical, you know?”
“Yes! But then I didn’t hear from you,” she said, her annoyance returning.
He took a deep breath. “So you thought I was ghosting you and I thought you’d tried to ditch me with a fake number?” Oh no... All this time. Months of second-guessing his feelings, conflicted and tortured... It had all been a misunderstanding?
“Looks that way,” she said, sheepishly.
He stared at her and his mind reeled.
Then her challenging stare returned. “Okay, but if you had the wrong number, why didn’t you email or stop by when you were interviewing at the office?”
He’d definitely wanted to. Now he wished he had. “I didn’t want to seem like a stalker. I can take a hint.”
“One I wasn’t giving,” she said.
He ran a hand over his head. He knew that now, but was it a little too late? “Wow.” He really wasn’t sure what else to say.
“Yeah” was all she said.
He stared across the dimly lit hut at her for a long moment as he decided what to do next. So he hadn’t been wrong about their connection. She’d felt it, too. It was all just a misunderstanding. “And now we...work together.”
“Technically, you’re my boss.”
Pained, uncertain and confused, he was desperate to take her in his arms and kiss her, erase the last three months of torture and pick up where they’d left off...but he couldn’t read her. Was it too late? Had she built a wall up to keep him away since she thought he’d purposely hurt her? What did she want? He was more than willing to put the mistake behind them and move forward. He was ready to reopen himself up to the possibility of a relationship, but was it really even up to them anymore? Being boss and employee certainly changed things. “So...what now?”
She looked disappointed as she lowered her head. When she looked at him again, her expression matched his hopeless one. “I think there’s only one thing we can do.” She replaced the divider between them. “Get a good sleep, Nolan. We still need to win tomorrow.”
CHAPTER FIVE
AS DIFFICULT AS being around Nolan was before, it was even more excruciating now.
The guy hadn’t ghosted her, he’d just copied her number down incorrectly. Unbelievable. Three months of suffering, second thoughts, doubts, resisting temptation to reach out, countless tubs of ice cream and more tears than she’d ever admit to were all the fault of a misunderstanding.
All night she’d tossed and turned in their uncomfortable shelter, fighting the urge to bring down the divider and snuggle up with him. She needed to talk to him. There was so much she wanted to say, but how could they move forward until they knew the answer to the biggest question of all—was an office relationship possible now?
That morning, Kendra knew Nolan hadn’t slept either—he looked adorably sexy-sleepy as they ate a breakfast of wild berries he’d tracked down nearby. The same irresistible way he’d looked the morning after their night together when they’d reluctantly parted ways in the hotel lobby.
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