Page 154 of Rough and Rugged

“Well, I can’t just leave you here, sweetheart, and a truck can’t make it to the water. I can carry you up to my place if you’re okay with that?” It comes out as a question, and I pray she’ll agree so I can feel her in my arms.

“One condition,” she says, holding up an index finger. Fear skitters through me, wondering what her demand is, knowing I’ll agree to anything that’s within my power to provide. “I don’t let strangers carry me up ridiculous hills.” Her hand reaches toward me. “I’m Briar Collins.”

Chuckling, I wrap her small hand in my much larger one. “Emmett Holloway.”

“Nice to meet you, Emmett Holloway. Now, take me to your home.” She grins, and it transforms her face from beautiful to intoxicating, and I can’t look away.

Standing, I reach a hand down to help her stand before giving her a wink as one of my arms settles at the small of her back as I sweep the other under her knees, scooping her up with ease to carry her bridal style.

“Wait!” she exclaims as I turn to start the arduous hike up the trail. “My bag!”

I scan the rocks, spotting the small black bag only a few feet away. I lean down, keeping her firmly against my chest, and she reaches out to grasp the handle, holding it with one arm as the other goes around my neck.

“Ready,” she says, giving me a wide, toothy smile that has my cock hardening. I hitch her up a bit higher in my arms so her ass doesn’t accidentally brush against my erection. The last thing I want is for this angel to think the devil has taken her captive.

Chapter Six

Briar

WhenIsawhimwalking toward me, I nearly fainted with relief, and now, the longer I’m in his stoic presence, the more I feel like swooning. He’s gorgeous, and he freakingrescued me, like some sexy hero in one of my romance novels, but even better, because he’sreal.

“What were you doing out here alone?” he asks as he makes his way up the trail toward his house. Maybe I should be wary of going to a stranger’s house with no means of escape, but his voice is like a drug, instantly calming my nerves and making my heart race with desire. I couldn’t tell how big he was when he was crouching in front of me, but when he scooped me up as if I weighed nothing and I was suddenly high above the ground, his size became obvious.

“It was just supposed to be for one night,” I argue, feeling ridiculous when his question highlights the obvious stupidity of my decision. “I need to get some photos of the flora and fauna of the Buffalo River for my class project so I can graduate. I didn’t have anyone to come with me, so I came alone.”

Even in the near-darkness, I can see his jaw clench.Is he angry?Biting my lip, I watch the trees as he walks, not even breathing heavily despite the extra weight he’s carrying. I have a million questions I want to ask him, but I’m suddenly shy.

A few minutes later, he steps into a clearing, lights from a large house illuminating our surroundings. Turning to look at him, I gasp when I see his profile clearly for the first time. “Oh my god, it’s you!” I whisper-yell, my panties growing damp as I take in the handsome stranger I saw outside of Sweetie’s just this morning.

He turns to look at me, his eyes wide.

“You were walking past Sweetie’s,” I say, knowing it’s him. Surely, Shady Rock doesn’t have more than one ridiculously sexy, bearded giant wandering around. “I was eating breakfast and saw you walk past the front window.”

He nods, ducking his head.

“Home sweet home,” he says, changing the subject as he carries me through the front door.

“It’s beautiful,” I gasp, looking wide-eyed around the open-plan main level. It’s immaculately clean, and suddenly, I’m overcome with shame that I didn’t ask if he’s married. “I-is it just you here?” I ask shyly.

“Just me, sweetheart,” he says softly. “First order of business, let’s get you cleaned up and look at that ankle. There’s a bench in my shower, and I’ll get you something clean to wear.”

With that, he carries me upstairs and into his bathroom; the spicy scent that permeates the air fits him perfectly. He sits me on the marble bench, helping me take my shoes off and showing me how to work the waterfall shower head directly above me. With a nod, he leaves me alone to strip and wash.

A towel is waiting for me on the shower door, and I wrap myself in the thick cotton.

“Emmett,” I call out softly, unsure of what to do.

The bathroom door opens seconds later, and I smile to myself, a thrill running through me knowing he was just a few feet away in case I needed him.

“Feel better?” he asks, refusing to meet my eyes.

“So much,” I say, waiting for him to scoop me up again, desire pooling in my core at the thought of being in his strong arms again.

“Then let’s get you dressed and settled in bed.”

I bite my tongue to keep myself from asking if he’s going to join me.

Briar Jane Collins!Control your darn hormones. We donotproposition strangers!

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