Page 63 of Iron Willed Warrior

A gun lay beneath.

Brynn snickered. “I figured you had a strategy worked out for this excursion. But doesn’t it seem a bit early to be picking off Westwick’s men?”

I covered the gun, zipping the pack and slinging it onto my shoulder again. “I’m being a good boy. The bodyguard is safe, so long as he stays smart and keeps his distance.” But I didn’t expect anything more than surveillance. Sure, it was possible that Ryker had ordered O’Hanlon to get rid of me. But Westwick was busy with his guest, a man who’d given every indication of being important. Westwick wouldn’t want the mess and distraction of resort guests going missing, especially attendees of his seminar who’d tussled with his head of security last night. Westwick was too smart for that.

No, this was an opportunity. Not just to solidify our cover story, but to assess the security team’s abilities. So far, I wasn’t impressed.

“What do you want to do?” Brynn asked. “Keep going andsee if he follows?” She sidled over and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Or should we put on a little show?”

As if I had to give that any thought. “I suppose, if you’re that eager to get your lips on me again…”

“More like, you’re happy for any excuse to get your lips onmine.” The tip of her nose nudged my cheek, a tease more than anything else. “Do you think he can see us right now?”

I hummed, turning slightly to assess the surroundings with my peripheral vision. “Probably not. I assume he brought binoculars, maybe even a camera with a long lens, but we need higher ground.”

“Guess we should keep hiking then.”

“In a sec.” Now that Brynn and I had given in to our attraction, I didn’t need any excuse to kiss her. My lips brushed softly over hers, just to make sure she wanted this, but she grasped the collar of my shirt and kissed me back. The rest of me responded, longing to get her as close as possible. But too soon, she pulled back.

“Come on,” she said. “Let’s find a better spot so he’s sure to see us. O’Hanlon will need something exciting to report back to Ryker and Westwick.”

“There you go again, wanting to get dirty in public. I’m going to think you’re an exhibitionist, B.”

She reached around to smack my butt cheek. “I’m still waiting for that naughty side you promised.”

Grinning, we continued hiking uphill. It was nearing midday, so the sun was getting intense, despite the cooler temperatures of spring. The other hikers from the resort had already made their way back for showers and the cool oasis of the pool, so aside from our shadow, we had the trail to ourselves.

About a mile later, we reached an overlook point. A flat area jutted out over the valley, a perfect spot for a break. The cliff above provided shade from the unrelenting sun, andthere were a couple of smooth rocks that we could spread out on.

Brynn took the pack from me and unzipped it. “Lunch?” she asked.

“Yeah. I’m starved.”

She handed me a sandwich and took one for herself. While I took a bite, I went to the edge of the overhang, stretching my arms up like I was catching my breath and admiring the view of the valley leading down to the resort grounds.

I caught a brief flash of movement. Red hair beneath a dark cap, then sun reflecting off of glass. Our watcher was about half a klick downhill, off the trail and partially hidden buy some scrubby bushes and rugged looking trees.

Perfect.

I finished my sandwich in a few bites, then washed it down with water. Brynn was turned away from me, bent over to dig through my pack, which she’d set on the long, flat rock. I came up behind her, sliding my hands up her sides as she rose to standing, and I pulled her against me.

“Our friend can see us,” I said in her ear. “O’Hanlon is watching.” And I had to admit, even though I was no exhibitionist, the thought had my skin tingling. Especially when Brynn turned her head, eyes flashing with interest.

“I’m game if you are.”

Keeping her back to my chest, I spun us and sat on the rock, pulling her down with me onto my lap. I splayed one hand flat on her stomach and brought the other to drape loosely at her neck. Her behind nestled against my crotch, and the warm weight of her was impossible for my body to ignore.

Burying my face against her hair, I said, “This okay?”

“Yes,” she breathed.

She craned her neck so she could see me. I nipped at herlip with my teeth before slanting my mouth over hers. My tongue pushed inside. More salt, the taste of clean sweat. Her scent and the fresh dry air mingled in my nostrils.

In this spot, with us facing the valley, our watcher would have a perfect view of everything we were doing.

I trailed kisses along her neck, pausing to speak while being careful that O’Hanlon couldn’t read my lips. “If you want me to stop at any time, tell me you’re still hungry,” I said. “I’ll act annoyed, but we’ll head back to the resort. Okay?”

She nodded. “I’m good.”

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