by Kate Tilney
But I’m still not sure.
“Is there much danger do you think? Besides the global factors.”
“Absolutely. You have visitors who come through leaving trash and trying to steal pieces of the landscape as souvenirs.” To prove his point, he leans over and picks up a discarded soda can and stashes it in a canvas bag carrying other litter he’s found. “That’s why my company uses energy efficient equipment. We bring reusable materials. We do whatever we can to lower the impact we leave.”
“It sounds like you’re pretty passionate about taking care of this place.”
“It’s worth it.”
I should probably let the subject drop. Then again, he knows my area of expertise is environmental law. Of course I’d be interested in knowing about the local environment, right?
“Do you have any issues with businesses causing problems?”
He squints his eyes, considering the question. “I suppose it’s alway a threat. The biggest issues involve developers who’d like to put in resorts to boost the local tourism.”
“How about chemical companies?”
“Not that I’ve heard of, but it wouldn’t surprise me.” He points ahead at the hills. “You see that? Underneath the surface, you’re bound to find coal. There’s even more the closer you get to Canada.”
“Does anyone ever try to mine it?”
“Not without breaking federal law. That would be a pretty big risk to take.”
“But only if they get caught.”
He cocks his head to the side. “True. But it’d be tough to get away with it. If anyone tried, they’d deserve to rot in prison.”
It’s clear he’ll be an ally and not the enemy. I really should tell him. I turn to do just that, but catch my heel on a rock and tumble to the ground.
Chapter Three
Max
Reaching Ash’s side, I do a quick check. Besides a couple of scratches on one of her hands, she doesn’t appear any worse for the wear.
Pressing my lips to the side of her head without thinking, I pull back to look into her eyes for any hint of concussion. They look clear—and beautiful—as ever. Still, I have to ask, “Did you hurt your head?”
“Just my butt and my pride. It’s a good thing I have plenty of both to spare.”
I grin at that, relief rushing through me. At least her stumble didn’t do anything to her sense of humor. “Do you think you’re good to stand, or do you want to rest a bit?”
“Let’s keep going.”
Though I’d rather she sat a few more minutes, I help her up. I grab her bag, and a few items fall out.
A test tube rolls to a stop against my boot. I reach down to pick it up. “What’s this?”
Then I notice the other items she’s hurriedly stuffing in her bag. Evidence bags. Envelopes. Latex gloves. I may have been out of the business for a while now, but I’d recognize an evidence kit anywhere. Now her list makes sense.
“You’re gathering evidence?”
She opens her mouth, I can practically see a lie forming, but she stops. Her shoulders drop and she nods. “We have complaints of a company doing some illegal drilling and dumping in the park. I’m here to get evidence to support the witness statements.”
“What company?”
She hesitates a moment then gives me the name. It’s one I’ve heard of, a smaller operation in the area, but they shouldn’t be in the park.
“You think they’re drilling here?”
“That’s what our witnesses say.” She eyes me curiously. “Why? Have you heard anything?”
“I haven’t. But I wouldn’t put it past them.”
Like so much of the Rockies, the park is practically teeming with energy resources like coal, oil, and gas. Resources that are strictly off limits to protect the park and the plants and animals that live here, not to mention the glaciers.
If someone is trying to get to that coal or oil, they’re putting everything else at risk.
My jaw tightens. “Why didn’t you just tell me from the start? I would’ve helped you.”
“Client attorney confidentiality.” I give her a sharp stare and she blanches. “Okay, honestly? I haven’t seen you in five years. The last time I did you were working for a law firm that represented companies like this.”
“And you thought I still might be in their pockets?”
“I couldn’t take the risk.”
I swallow hard. I don’t know what ticks me off more. That she doesn’t trust me. Or that she thinks I’m anything but my own man.
She was wrong about me. Just like I was apparently wrong about her. It’s a mistake I won’t let either of us make again.
“Well, it sounds like you had your reasons,” I say at last. “Come on. We can get at least another mile or two in before we make camp for the night.”
Ash
I toss and turn in my sleeping bag after catching what might amount to ten minutes of sleep. I’m not sure how I could possibly rest after the way Max has given me the cold shoulder. When he suggested we call it an early night I figured I’d be able to escape his ice out in my sleep.
I was wrong.
Opening my eyes, I find the tent empty. A jolt of panic slices through me. I bolt upright, struggling with the zipper on my bag until I budge it enough to escape. It’s only as I’m reaching for a flashlight that I notice the light shining through the partially open tent.
Taking a deep breath, I tug the rest of the tent door open. I find Max seated on a log, poking the fire with a stick. I can only make out his side profile, but the stance of his shoulders seems contemplative. The way he used to look when he puzzled over a difficult case.
If I had to guess, right now he’s probably trying to figure me out.
I was wrong not to tell him the full truth from the start. I see that now. It was wrong to think he could ever be in cahoots with the alleged criminals. Mostly, it was wrong not to trust him.
The least I can do now is be totally and completely honest with him.
Taking a deep breath, I tug on my boots and step out of the tent. Shivering in the cold night air, I sit across from Max on another log. He doesn’t acknowledge my presence.
“I’m sorry,” I say before I can chicken out. “It was wrong of me not to tell you everything.”
He gives a grunt, which could count as a response, I guess.
My shoulders droop. “I’ve just been so caught up in this case, I let it cloud my judgement about everything else. Especially you. I should’ve known you weren’t involved.”
“You’re damned right you shouldn’t have.”
The venom in his tone burns my heart. I suppose I deserve that.
“I wouldn’t blame you if you said we should turn back first thing in the morning. If you handed over my evidence to the police.”
“I’m not going to make you go back.” His jaw clenches. “Besides, the cops here wouldn’t know what to do with it.”
I should feel relieved, but I don’t. There’s no way I can feel good about what’s going on as long as Max still hates me.
I really don’t want him to hate me.
“Look, I know you’re a good guy.” I link my fingers together, squeezing till they turn white. “But when I thought about the clients you used to have, and where you used to work—”
“Why do you think I left?”
His hands ball into fists and he lifts his head to meet my gaze.
I swallow hard, and my voice is shaky when I say, “You said you were tired of the daily grind.”
“That was part of it. But mostly I couldn’t stand representing people I couldn’t stomach.”
“I get that.” It’s the same reason I changed my own legal focus.
“And I guess I get why you would’ve thought I might still be in a big corporation’s pockets.”
“Friends?” I ask.
He gives a short nod. “Friends.”
The mood now lighter than it has been in hours, I can finally breathe again.
“We should probably turn in. We’ll want to get moving as soon as the sun comes up.”
“You’re the expert.” Normally I’d balk at a before dawn wake-up call, but my body is still on East Coast time. Wanting to keep the mood light, I nudge him in the side as we walk toward the tent. “You always were kind of an expert in everything.”
“You were always a smart ass.”
“And you were always too sexy for your own good. It’s why all of us ladies had a crush on you.”
I clamp my mouth shut too late. Before I can cover my tracks, he turns to face me.
“Crush?”
“Yeah, well, you know?”
“What about now?”
My heart tumbles. “I . . .” Oh, what the hell. “Like you even have to ask. You in your Brawny man flannel and beard.”
Now I’ve really done it. I’ve given him all the ammo he needs to tease me within an inch of my life. I wait for what seems like an eternity for a comeback. Instead, his hands reach out to take my shoulders. He pulls me closer to him. My skin tingles wherever he touches. He slides one hand down my back and the other up to my neck.
“I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“Why?” I ask in a breathless whisper.
He lowers his face. He pauses, his lips an inch away from mine, his breath warming them, sending shivers of delight down my spine.
“Because I’ve been wanting to do this for years.”
Then his lips are on mine, and everything around and inside of me erupts like fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Chapter Four
Max
Her body responds to mine instantly, seeming to melt as she presses herself up against me. With only the thin fabric of our undershirts between us, her nipples rub against my chest. My dick grows hard, cradled between her thighs as my hands lower to grip her ass.
She moves against me, caressing my cock against her. I groan and tear my lips from hers, moving them to her neck as I lift her up. Wrapping her legs around my waist, I carry her toward a nearby tree. I press her back against it and grind against her. My mouth nibbles and sucks at the curve of her neck.
Letting her down slowly, I move her hands back to grip the tree.
“Don’t let go,” I order as I lean down to lift one of her breasts in my hand, bringing it to my lips. I tug her nipple through the T-shirt. Her back arches as she cries out.
The sound of her pleasure goads me on. My other hand slips down under the waist of her leggings. I moan when I discover she isn’t wearing panties. She’s already wet for me.
I lift her shirt up and take her nipple again, sucking on her tit as my middle finger slides through her folds to find her. I move my finger around her nub slowly, teasingly, applying just enough pressure to have her calling my name.
Pulling back, I gaze up at her with hooded eyes. “I have to taste you.”
Lowering to my knees, I inch the leggings down over her shapely hips. My cock grows thicker with every second.
Her legs spread apart, I nuzzle her cleft, letting my beard scrape against the smooth skin of her thigh. She gasps. I do it again. Already her pleasure is mine. And I have to take it.
My hands splayed on her hips, I pull the lips of her pussy open, and my tongue finds her core. On a gasp, she releases her hold on the tree and slides her fingers into my hair. She moves against me in a rhythm as old as time itself as my tongue strokes her. She tastes both sweet and salty. Even better than I knew she’d be.
I slip one of my hands back to her ass, digging my fingers into her, pulling her even closer as I lap her up.
Her breathing quickens. She grinds toward me, urging me on. When I feel her thighs squeeze against my face, I know she’s close.
With a scream, she tenses as her orgasm takes control. I’ve never tasted or felt anything better in my life. I stay with her through the end, till the waves of pleasure ease up.
When I pull back, she looks down at me, her dark eyes hazy with pleasure.
“Now it’s my turn to kiss and make up,” she says, licking her lips.
“I’m all yours.”
Ash
Max makes quick work of removing the rest of my clothes as he carries me back to the tent. I’ve never been carried by a man before. I’m a full-figured girl, and no man has ever tried. In Max’s strong arms, I feel every bit a woman. One who’s desired and cared for. After he gave me the best orgasm of my life, the least I can do is repay the favor.
Once he lowers me to the sleeping bag, I reach for him. I tug his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. Wanting—needing—to feel his muscles ripple under my fingertips. His mouth crashes against mine. Our tongues meeting, our lips gliding. Every touch, every whisper, ignites the fire within me even more.
I reach for the waist of his jeans and fumble the button open.
My heart pounds as my fingers reach under the cotton of his boxer briefs to find his full hard length. I give him a little squeeze, and he groans in appreciation.
Pushing him onto his back, I lean on my heels, tugging off his boots and removing his jeans with his help. Straddling his legs, I lower my head, raising my gaze to meet his as I take him into my mouth.
He throws his head back. The saltiness of his pre-cum floods my senses. Pumping my hand up and down his shaft, I bob my head taking more and more of him into my mouth.
He grabs hold of my shoulder with one hand, lacing the fingers of his other through my hair. He thrusts against me, groaning as I suck on him. Savoring his taste, his sounds, the strong—yet gentle—touch of his hands.
We’re both panting, and I feel his dick contract against my lips. I pull him in as deep as I can as his cum streams into my throat.
Releasing him, I lick his tip and then my lips as he pulls me up to his side. His chest rises up and down against my cheek as his breath steadies.
I press a kiss to his chest, splaying my hands against it. I hope what’s happened between us means all is forgiven. Even though I don’t know what kind of a future we can have, I’m not thinking about it right now. All that matters is him and me and the passion between us.
His hands caress my hips, and I can feel him grow hard again against my hip. If I’m not mistaken, round two isn’t far off. Good. This time, I want to come with him inside of me.
“You know,” he says, pressing kissing my temple. “If this is making up, we should fight more often.”
As he captures my lips for another searing kiss, I can’t fault his logic.
Chapter Five
Max
Though we linger in our camp a little longer than intended—which isn’t unexpected after we spend the better part of the night fucking—Ash and I are back on the trail early the next morning.
Now that we’re on the same team, and we aren’t keeping any secrets, gathering evidence for Ash’s case goes faster.
By my count, she has more than enough to bring charges against the bastards. I wish I could take a crack at them myself. But, much as I’d like to use a little old school frontier justice, I trust Ash to make sure everyone responsible pays the ultimate price.
Climbing up a boulder, Ash winces. I offer her my hand for the next one, and she takes it with a grateful grin. Though she hasn’t complained once, I’d guess these trails have been more difficult than she expected. Still, she hasn’t let that stop her.
That’s my girl.
“So what do you do back in D.C. when you aren’t bringing down the swift fist of justice?”
She gives a short laugh at that. “You make it sound so dramatic.”
“Isn’t putting the bad guys behind bars dramatic stuff?”
“Touché.” Her hand squeezes mine. “To be honest, I don’t do a lot besides work. You know how it is the first few years you’re at a new practice. The higher ups expect you to put in extra hours.”
“Burn the midnight oil.”
“Exactly.”
I remember it all too well. The grueling grind that makes my freedom today taste all t
he sweeter.
“Do you enjoy it?”
“The work? Sure. I sleep well at night knowing I’m doing what I can to make the world a better place.”
I help her up another boulder. “Do you like D.C.?”
“I guess.” She takes another giant step up, tightening her grip on me as she does. “I could really live anywhere though. I sometimes go days without seeing the sun. You almost forget how beautiful the world is that you’re trying to save.”
The way she says it makes me think she might not wish she could spend more time enjoying this big, beautiful world of ours.
I can’t seem to keep myself from prodding more, even as I try to keep my hopes in check. “Do you think you’ll stay put where you are?”
“Maybe.” She chuckles again. “I know that’s not a great answer, but right now I’m up for a junior partnership. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get there. And once I make partner . . .”
“It’ll be hard to leave.”
I know how much becoming a partner means to her. Still, maybe it’s she could be happy somewhere else. Somewhere closer to here. We haven’t made any promises. Haven’t said a word about what happens tomorrow.
We reach the top of another ledge. According to her coordinates, we should be able to see evidence of distributed ground. I scan the area then lift our raised hand.
“There.” I point just ahead of us. “Do you see that rock pile?”
She squints her eyes. “The landslide?”
“It’s not a landslide. Looks like it, but nature didn’t cause that.”
She gasps in excitement and leans up to press a quick kiss to my lips before releasing my hand and dropping her backpack to the ground. She pulls out her camera and snaps a few photos.
“We’re going to crush these guys.”
I grin at the intensity in her voice. I’m about to suggest we move on to the next spot before we lose steam, but the sound of an approaching vehicle draws my attention. When I see the name of the company Ash is investigating printed on the side, my guard goes up.