Page 38 of Thunder Pass

“Is this fun for you, watching me act like a kid when every new thing comes along?” Ruth asked him at one point, as she was fiddling with the chopsticks—definitely brand new to her.

“Oh yes. It’s the most fun I’ve had all summer.” He grinned at her. “I hope that doesn’t bother you.”

“As long as you’re not laughing at me, it’s fine.”

“Ruth, I swear to you, that’s not going to happen. Now try a sip of this.” He’d ordered some hot sake, which was his favorite form of alcohol, the only one he didn’t have a bad reaction to.

She tried it and a smile spread across her face. “You know I’ve only tried wine twice in my life. I liked it, but this is better. Sweeter.”

“Yes, but watch out because?—”

Too late. She’d downed the rest of the little cup and was already refilling it from the graceful little jug.

“It hits harder than you’d expect,” he finished.

Two spots of color burned in her cheeks, almost as red as the thick waves of her hair, which she’d left loose over her shoulders. Since they hadn’t brought much in the way of extra clothing, they’d made a stop at a thrift store, where she’d bought the first dress she hadn’t made herself—a slip dress with spaghetti straps and a subtle pink shimmer to it. It looked stunning on her.

“This is really fun,” she announced, her gray eyes shining bright, like lanterns in the fog. “What’s next?”

“I have an idea, if you’re not too shy.”

“Maybe I was too shy before I had this sake, but I’m not anymore! Let’s do it!”

“You don’t even know what it is.”

She leaned forward, dazzling him with her smile. “Will you be there?”

“Of course.”

“Then let’s do it.”

Ten minutes later, the two of them were onstage at the karaoke bar, belting out the lyrics to “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” by the Rolling Stones, which had been their favorite song to sing along to on the road trip.

Ruth was right—she wasn’t shy at all on that stage. Nor was she shy when they hit the dance floor together at Chilkoot Charlie’s, though it took her a good ten minutes to stop laughing at the name of that bar. She even danced with another man besides Gunnar, though he kept a wary eye on the dude the entire time. By the time they stumbled out of the bar, nearly delirious with laughter, the night was already hinting at becoming day.

Ruth clung to his arm as the predawn chill settled around them. Her cheeks were bright pink and sweat dotted her skin from the hours of dancing.

“This was the best night of my entire life. Thank you, Gunnar.”

He could think of a way they could make it even better. But was she ready for that? “You had fun?” he asked instead.

“Fun isn’t even the right word. There has to be a better one. So much music and dancing and singing and…I just feel so much right now! It’s like a golden balloon filling up my heart.”

She was so adorable, he could barely stand it. He was used to seeing Ruth restrain herself, hold her tongue, keep her thoughts to herself, move quietly so people didn’t notice. Kind of like a secret agent herself, he thought with amusement. She did her best to take care of the others without drawing attention to herself.

He’d always suspected there was more, much more going on behind those soft gray eyes. But up until now, during the time they’d spent together, she’d kept most of herself locked away. Now he was seeing the full glorious sight of Ruth Chilkoot being herself—and he felt the effects down to his bones.

“Damn, Ruth,” he murmured. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are right now?”

She gazed up at him, startled, then patted her forehead with the back of her hand. “I’m all sweaty from dancing.”

“Yeah. It’s sexy.”

Her lips parted. Now she was even more sexy. His body responded, hardened. He wanted to get sweaty with her in all sorts of other ways—naked, between the sheets, in their hotel room, or hell, in the truck, he didn’t care. He wanted her, badly.

But this was Ruth. Their first kiss had been a disaster of miscommunication. If she’d thought one kiss meant marriage, what would she think sex meant? At the very least, marriage.

He respected that. It was what some believed, and more power to them. But that wasn’t him. He didn’t want to mislead her or cause her any more pain or confusion, like he had before.

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