Page 53 of Stolen Kisses
Krista was wearing his flannel button-down shirt over her own T-shirt to keep her warm.How the heck could something like that look so damn sexy?
She pulled on a heavy jacket and a knit toboggan hat, too, because it was freezing outside. Then they started in the direction of the lake. After a few steps, Noah stopped and turned to her with one eyebrow raised. “What are you doing?”
She looked up. “What do you mean?”
“You’re lifting your feet about a mile off the ground every time you take a step.”
“I’m avoiding the snakes,” she said, looking serious.
“The snakes have all scared off by now. They’re typically more scared of us than we are of them. Plus, they’re likely hibernating.” He shook his head lightly, chuckling under his breath, and continued leading the way until Krista shrieked behind him.
“Oh!”
Noah turned and caught her as she came flying forward. His hands tightened around her, keeping her from face-planting on the ground. His gaze immediately surveyed the land and saw the culprit.
“You do still have to watch out for knots in the ground. The trees have thick roots that poke up out of the dirt. It’s not as flat as Blushing Bay.”
“Uh-huh. Got it.” She struggled to get her feet back underneath her. Noah didn’t release her until she was standing upright, and not even then.
“Um. You can let go now,” she said, her voice low because he was only a breath away from kissing her. But if he did, there’d be no fishing today. If they kissed, he might find himself tossing her to the ground and making love to her right here. It was freezing outside, but their bodies together could definitely start a fire. “Really. I’m fine,” she said.
“You sure? Don’t want you to fall for real this time.”
“I think I can take care of myself.”
“I’m well aware.” He let go and they continued forward in silence. When they reached the lakeside, Noah laid his tackle box and pole on the ground.
Krista didn’t move. She just stood there, staring at the slick water. So slick that it reflected every tree around it. “This is breathtaking.”
Noah looked out, seeing it through her eyes just like he’d wanted. “I used to play a game in my mind. Would I rather live here or in Blushing Bay? If I had to pick just one and never leave.”
Krista smiled. “I guess you chose Blushing Bay because you never left.”
He’d thought about leaving, though, that one time in college before everything had gone to shit. He shook his head. “Nope. I always chose this place. The tipping factor is that it snows here in the mountains.”
“And rarely does in Blushing Bay,” she said.
“You can fish and ski here, too. And roast marshmallows in the fireplace. Houseboats don’t have fireplaces.”
Krista shrugged. “Good thing you don’t have to choose between one or the other. Because I don’t see you ever giving up that houseboat.”
“I don’t know. Sometimes I think it’d be nice to have enough room to move around without hitting a wall.”
Krista laughed. “It’s funny. You’re a wide open guy who doesn’t want to be pinned in, yet you live in a shoebox on the water.”
“It’s bigger than a shoebox,” he protested, grinning at her. “But not much.” He grabbed a fishing pole and started prepping the line. “You think you love pole fishing at the beach. Just wait until you try this. You gotta take your shoes off and put your feet in the water, though.”
“What? It’s freezing cold in there. And snakes.”
Noah winked. “I’ll keep you safe, and I promise to warm you up when we get back inside.” He scrutinized her every movement to see if that was what she wanted. Because even though there was a war going on in his brain, his body had no reservations. His bodyreallywanted a repeat of last night. He’d be willing to cook her that romantic meal he’d promised. He’d be willing to strip naked and jump in this ice cold lake if that’s what it took.
Kicking off his own shoes, he pointed at her feet. “Fair’s fair.”
She didn’t look convinced.
“Do I need to pin you down and pull those shoes off you myself? Because I can.”
Krista rolled her eyes at him. “Fine,” she said, plopping to the ground and tugging off her boots. Then she rolled up the cuffs of her jeans until they were at her knees.
