Page 21 of Fast Currents
“On my way. Ranger Robertson, clear.”
Clay’s game face was one I hadn’t really seen before. Gone was the cheerful goofball I’d spent the evening with. In his place, a serious mountain of a man stood, strong and ready for action.
“Let me guess: you need to head out?”
The urge to saypick mewasn’t even remotely appropriate in this situation, but it didn’t stop the pang of disappointment that he had to leave before we’d even ordered dinner.
He nodded. “I need to help run the search.”
It was the right answer. Still, it pressed on the tender spot I kept pretending wasn’t there.
“Say hi to Rae and the other SAR volunteers for me. Do you need me to cover anything here?”
He shook his head. “Nah. Just get dinner and miss me. Rain check?”
“Go take care of business, Robertson.”
He sketched a quick salute, one corner of his mouth hitching up. “You got it, Luce.”
The urge to kiss him goodbye was silly. But it didn’t stop me from popping out of my chair and wrapping around him in an impulsive hug. I’d underestimated his size. He was built so broad that it was difficult to wrap my arms around his shoulders. I lost my balance, tipping into his chest, forcing him to take my full weight. His hands branded my hips, sending a wash of heat thrumming beneath my skin. He handled me easily, steadying me with a quick grin.
“Good luck. I hope everyone makes it back safely.”
If he teased me over how breathless I sounded, I’d deny it.
“You gonna kiss me goodbye?” he asked instead.
The twinkle in his eyes sent a flare of competitiveness overriding the last of my good sense. His mouth was soft beneath mine. I could feel his smile against my lips as he kissed me back, the caress all too brief. I took a shaky breath, trying to hide how much I wanted to kiss him again.
He’d meant to provoke me, and I’d let him win. It was only a peck on the lips. Nothing special. And if I kept telling myself that, maybe I’d believe it.
“Be good, Lucifer.”
I snorted. It was like he didn’t know me at all. I watched through the window as he loped to his truck, his long strides eating up the space between him and his vehicle.
Becca appeared at my elbow, order pad in hand. “Change of plans?” She gestured to Clay’s empty chair. “You scared him away already?”
I lifted one shoulder. “Not every man wants to hear that you plan to buy him a toaster for his bathtub.”
“That might be more believable if I hadn’t seen you kiss him on his way out the door.”
“He got called out for a work emergency.” And before he’d had dinner. “I’ll get him his usual burger to go. What else travels well?” I asked, glancing down at the menu.
After placing an order that would feed us and the SAR volunteers, I carried the bags of food out to the car. For all I’d resisted calling him my boyfriend, it didn’t get more couple-y than bringing him food at work.
I could do something nice for him and not become a doormat. I could. Past wasn’t present. It didn’t define my future. I wasn’t a naïve twenty-something any longer. Bringing Clay dinner didn’t imply I was signing up to let him walk all over me.
Just because I couldn’t stop thinking about a simple kiss didn’t make me weak.
The parking lot at British Camp was full of familiar vehicles. Rae’s car, Lee’s and Drew’s trucks partially filled the lot. San Juan County was small enough to rely on volunteers to help fill critical roles to support emergency services like Search and Rescue and my friends were all volunteers.
A generator powered lights in one corner of the lot, and they’d erected a pop-up tent over the command station. Clay stood over a table, easily distinguishable by his height. A few people I recognized from the sheriff’s office and fire department clustered around him.
I stood just outside the glow cast by the lights, food bags in hand.
Clay looked calm, exchanging information with search teams over his radio, marking on what was probably a map. His commanding presence kept the crew around him humming.
As if he sensed my presence, Clay looked up, catching me staring. I shifted from one foot to the other, hoisting my bags. “I brought food.”
