Page 36 of Need You
“I like it. I just thought we could go over how this’ll work.”
“Oh, okay.”
He gave her the safety-tip spiel and what to expect. Because it was only the two of them, he’d taken a much smaller raft than he had the last time. Colt figured he’d be doing most of the oar work and just wanted her to enjoy herself.
When they got to the spot where they’d put in their raft, he helped her with her PFD and helmet and made sure she slathered on plenty of sunscreen.
“You ready to do this?”
“I . . . uh . . . think so,” she said.
“Don’t worry.” Colt winked. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
It might’ve been his imagination, but he thought she blushed. Twenty minutes later, whatever he’d seen was replaced with sheer fear when they encountered their first rapids.
“What if we capsize?” she shouted over the roar of the water.
“We won’t. But if we do, remember what I told you.”
She nodded, then let out a small shriek each time they hit heavy water. After a while, she appeared to relax. He turned around a few times to make sure she was okay and found her beaming. With the wind whipping through her hair, excitement sparkling in her eyes, and the sun lighting her face, he felt his chest squeeze and everything in him constrict.
“This is fun,” she called.
“Yep.” He couldn’t stop staring at her and smiling.
He paddled them toward calmer waters so he could collect himself, afraid if he didn’t, he’d lose control of the boat. Considering these were Class II+ rapids, intended for novices, he’d never hear the end of it.
“Those were pretty big, huh?”
“Not bad. There are more up ahead. Let me know when you’re ready.” He’d never gotten so much pleasure from another person’s enjoyment. It made him yearn for more. To watch her light up like that ... well, it was everything.
“Okay.” She stuck her hand in to feel the water. “It’s cold.”
“It’s worse in winter. You ever go out in the lake?”
She shook her head. “We were going to get a boat but . . .”
Not for the first time, Colt wondered about Robert. What kind of guy let another man make a pass at his wife? Colt wanted to ask why they’d broken up, but he didn’t know her well enough to get that personal. Besides, it didn’t pay to become too involved. She was here to restart her company. As soon as that happened, she’d leave.
