Page 77 of Building Courage

“Do you usually take a nap during the day?” Tucker asked as he followed.

“No, but I’m a little sore and stiff from all the extra activity. I thought I’d work some of that out in the shower. Besides, I smell like my wetsuit.” She shucked her tank top but kept her back to him. She dropped both shirts on the bed on her way into the bathroom. The tiled shower stretched the width of the room. She dropped her shorts and panties on the mat, then stepped through the three-foot gap at the end of the sheet of tempered glass secured from ceiling to floor that acted as an exterior shower wall and turned on the water. She sensed movement behind her and looked over her shoulder to find Tucker shedding his T-shirt and shorts. His body was so lean and masculine that her mouth went dry, and she ached with need down low. “I’ve never been like this with anyone, Tucker.”

His eyes had never seemed so green or his expression so intense. “Good.”

He brushed her hair forward over one shoulder, then pumped his palm full of the shower gel and used it as a lubricant as he massaged her shoulders. When he ran his hands down her back and over her ass, her legs went weak. He turned her to the side so the shower spray would activate the gel. Then he stepped close to rub his chest and abdomen against her from behind while his hands cupped her abdomen, holding her back against him. The brush of his erection against her intensified her arousal. She reached behind her to rest her hands against his thighs.

Tucker pumped more shower gel and spread it over her breasts and stomach. She turned against him, and he kissed her, his lips and tongue moving hungrily against hers. The spray hit his shoulder, splattering them both. He caressed her breasts while the water rinsed the soap away. He turned his back to the water, and it ran down over his shoulders. She skimmed her hands over his chest and well-muscled abdomen, where the soap had bubbled, rinsing it away, then lower to lightly stroke his erection.

Tucker caught her hand and drew her out of the shower. Their feet left puddles as he tugged her into the bedroom and urged her onto the bed. He got a condom from the bedside table and covered himself.

When he rose above her, she ran her hands up his chest and dragged his mouth to hers. Had she ever wanted anything as much as she wanted him at that moment? He thrust inside her, and pleasure caught her in its grip, building to a peak with every movement. It rolled through her in a rush.

The room was filled with the sound of their breathing. He eased away from her to lay on his side.

It was several seconds before she could speak. “How does that nap sound now?”

He laughed. “I’ll go turn off the water.”

Chapter 22

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“What difference does it make if you know where north is if you don’t have a clue where the spot you’re shooting for is to begin with?” Brynn asked in frustration.

He had never seen her irritable like this. Not irritable but truly upset. The hand that held the compass was shaking. “Look at your compass, Brynn. It will find north, no matter where you’re standing. If you want to go south, you move away from the north reading. If you want to go east, you face north, then to the right will be east, and to the left will be west.” He caught her arm. “You can do this. We took a bearing on where we started. We just need to get back to that bearing.”

“I hate being lost. That’s why I use my GPS when I go anywhere.” She looked down the street as though she’d never seen the houses they’d just passed.

Something occurred to him, and he caught her elbow. “Let’s sit down for a minute.” He directed her to a grassy patch between the road and the sidewalk. He waited for her to settle. After several minutes of silence, he asked, “Did you get lost on the mountain when you were attacked?”

She remained silent for a moment. “I had a concussion, and I was dizzy and sick. I could barely walk. I knew I needed help, but I kept staggering off the path. It was dark, and I was afraid I’d never find my way down. After I got out of the hospital, I was anxious every time I left my apartment. I’d get confused about directions. Even to places I knew. I still do. And I was anxious about being exposed and alone.”

“And you drove all the way across the country…alone.”

“With my GPS.”

She had joked about being directionally challenged when they’d first begun her training, but it was so much more.

He drew in a deep breath and put an arm around her. She was a fighter, and she was strong. This was just a small glitch, more emotional than intellectual, he was certain of it. And not worth the stress he was putting her through. “We use GPS in the field, too, but I keep a compass as a backup. But if you don’t want to learn how to use one, it’s okay.”

“You think I’m wimping out?” Her dark, sherry eyes searched his face.

“No, it was just a game, Brynn. Not anything that important.”

The muscles in her back relaxed. “How far away from your house are we?”

“Probably about six or seven blocks.”

“I’d like to try to make it back to your house from here.”

“Okay.” He got to his feet and offered her a hand.

She turned back the way they had walked. She scanned the area as she walked past the houses. He suddenly realized she was looking for landmarks, but she was also looking for threats. The realization triggered his rage toward Chad Gillespie. He swallowed it back and concentrated on her. “You’re doing great, Brynn.”

She started to turn down one of the side streets but paused. Looking down at the compass, she moved on up the street. He smiled.

When she reached his street and turned to go up the block, relief rushed through him. Before long, they stood in front of his house, and she said, “It wasn’t just a game, was it?”

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