Just Trust Me…

10

KAYLA STOOD next to Brett with the other nine people who comprised their group. Everyone went around and briefly introduced themselves. In addition to their guide, Paolo Trucero, there were Alberto and Miguel, Paolo’s younger brothers, who were serving as the porters, and their sister, Ana, the cook for the excursion. All of the siblings possessed dark hair, deep-brown eyes, and friendly smiles.

Eileen and Bill Carlson turned out to be high-school social studies teachers who’d embarked on this trek-which they called the trip of a lifetime-as a gift to themselves for seeing their twin sons graduate from college.

“We deserved a reward and a vacation,” Bill said with a laugh.

Another couple, Shawn Deavers and Ashley Laine, were newly minted college graduates from California taking a break before plunging into their new post-college lives. Dan Smith, a soft-spoken man traveling alone from Chicago, whom Kayla placed in his late fifties, rounded out the group.

“Bienvenidos, welcome,” Paolo said, addressing the group after collecting everyone’s tickets. “Today we begin our hike along the Camino del Inca, or Inca Trail. This footpath through the Andes will lead us directly to the gates of Machu Picchu, one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites and important archeological finds in the world. I want to congratulate all of you on choosing this adventure, for this trail is the most authentic and scenic way to see Machu Picchu, to understand the Incas’ extraordinary architectural achievement and their deep regard for nature.” His white grin flashed. “And you’ll have lifetime bragging rights against the gringos who take the train to the ruins.”

Everyone laughed and he continued, “As you already know, the journey will be arduous, especially given the high altitude, but I guarantee that by the time it’s over, you will not be the same. The mountain scenery, the exotic vegetation and animals, the Inca ruins, the dazzling cloud-forest vistas-they will all work their magic on you. We are fortunate that the high tourist season has not yet begun, so the trail will be less crowded, affording you the opportunity for the quiet contemplation this place inspires. I will provide commentary along the way, but please do not hesitate to ask either me, Alberto, Miguel or Ana any questions you may have. Their English is not fluent, but they know sufficient, like to yell, ‘Hey, that gringo tourist just fell off the cliff!’”

Kayla’s stomach dropped at his words, but again Paolo’s smile flashed.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “That hardly ever happens. Especially when we obey the first rule, which is…?”

“Stay on the trail,” everyone dutifully repeated.

“Excellent. I ask that you take a few minutes now to check that your gear is secure and that you have water and sunscreen handy. Then we’ll be on our way, first crossing the Rio Urubamba, then beginning our ascent.”

Knowing how her fair skin burned and freckled-the curse of redheads everywhere-Kayla slathered on another layer of sunscreen, then plopped on her floppy straw hat. She and Brett checked each other’s backpacks to make sure they were secure, then faced each other.

“Here’s to our Big Adventure and getting our lives back in balance,” she said with a smile, lifting her palm for a high five. “No change, no gain.”

He lightly slapped his hand against hers, then cupped her face between his hands. “Gotta tell ya, Kayla,” he said softly, his gaze serious on hers, his thumbs brushing lightly over her cheeks, “I’m feeling changed already. As if my Big Adventure started yesterday afternoon at that outdoor café. And it’s all your fault.”

“Is that a complaint?”

“Hell, no.”

A lump lodged in her throat. Because, in spite of her already sore butt and her trepidation about embarking on this way-outside-her-comfort-zone journey, she was happier than she’d been in a long time.

And it was all his fault.

Yet poking holes in that happiness was the knowledge that it would soon deflate, courtesy of her deception. Reality would hit once they returned to New York, so all she could do was live for the moment. And that’s what she intended to do.

That and pray she survived this four-day hike.

Damn. Why couldn’t Brett have decided to get his life back in balance on a tropical island adventure where the most strenuous thing anyone had to do was decide if they wanted a mai tai or a piña colada? A fancy hotel where “packing light” meant stylish sundresses and cute shoes and teeny bikinis folded in a Louis Vuitton carry-on bag. Definitely much more her style. As opposed to sleeping in a pitched tent and lugging a backpack. While she’d still be spying and deceiving the man, at least she’d be comfortable.

So much for glamour.

Sure, Brett had thought she was attractive yesterday, but no doubt his ardor would cool when after a few days on the trail, she looked like roadkill. She had no doubt that he’d still look supremely sexy-in that unfair way that men had of looking good while women seemed to…deteriorate. Well, her hat and oversized sunglasses would hide a multitude of sins. She hoped.

After everyone had on their gear, Paolo handed each of them a plastic-coated pocket-size pamphlet that unfolded like an accordion. “These show pictures of just some of the vegetation and the more than two hundred and fifty species of orchids that grow along the trail, as well as many of the birds and insects. You’ll be able to spot hummingbirds, waterfowl and an extraordinary abundance of butterflies unique to this region. However, the most prized and rare sighting along the trail is the spectacled bear.”

Kayla’s insides chilled. “Bear?” she repeated, unable to keep the note of alarm from her voice.

“Bear?” Ashley echoed, earning Kayla’s gratitude that it wasn’t just her who didn’t care for the word.

“Not to worry,” Paolo said. “The spectacled bear is very shy-much more afraid of you than you are of it.”

“I sincerely doubt that,” Kayla said with feeling. “Did I, um, mention that I’m allergic to bears?”

Paolo chuckled. “This bear is an herbivore, so unless you suddenly sprout leaves, you are in no danger. The species is very rare and close to extinction. It is a sign of extreme good fortune if we see one.”

“As long as we see it from a healthy distance,” Kayla muttered, ignoring a sound from Brett that sounded suspiciously like a snicker.

They set out, with Paolo in the lead, followed by the Carlsons, Dan Smith then Shawn and Ashley. Brett and Kayla went next, with Alberto, Miguel and Ana bringing up the rear.

Brett entwined his fingers with hers, moving slowly so as to leave a gap behind Shawn and Ashley for a bit of privacy. “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

A frisson of annoyance rippled through her, stiffening her spine. Humph. Smug male. “I’ll have you know I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time, thank you very much. So I’m used to more…uptown accommodations. Without bears. I’ll adapt. And run fast.”

“Sweetheart, you won’t be able to outrun a bear.”

She glanced over at him and smiled. “I don’t need to. I only need to run faster than you.”

“I see. So you’d leave me behind for bear bait.”

“No, I guess not. I’d protect you.”

“Oh? I’m not the one who’s, um, allergic to bears.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you laughing at me?”

“Absolutely not.” His lips twitched. “Are you allergic to hummingbirds, orchids and butterflies, too, princess?”

“Nooo, but I am allergic to annoying men.”

Instead of looking abashed, his lips curved upward into a wicked smile, creasing that sexy dimple in his cheek. The pad of his thumb drew slow, intoxicating circles around her palm. “You won’t think I’m annoying when I’m massaging away all your aches and pains tonight.”

She lifted her chin. “What makes you so sure I’ll give you the chance to do so?”

He lifted their joined hands to his mouth and pressed his lips to her inner wrist. He gently sucked, his tongue swirling over the sensitive skin, and a soft gasp escaped her as tingles raced up her arm, melting all vestiges of annoyance, along with more than a few brain cells.

“That’s how I know,” he said softly, his gaze on hers, his breath cooling the damp spot on her wrist his warm mouth had left. “Because it’s only been a few hours since we made love and I’m already impatient. By the time we make camp tonight, I’m going to be halfway to insane.”

“Ah. The proverbial mad scientist.”

“Exactly.” His gaze ran down her length and unmistakable appreciation fired in his gaze. “Have I told you how incredibly sexy you look in your hiking gear?”

“Not since we departed Cusco almost four hours ago.” She gave an injured sniff. “I’m feeling very neglected.”

“You look incredibly sexy,” he said immediately, placing another warm kiss against her wrist.

Dear God, she’d never be able to focus on the scenery if he kept that up. And speaking of looking sexy, she could sum him up in one word: yummy. Dressed in a pale-blue short-sleeved shirt, tan shorts and hiking boots that looked as if they’d trekked the globe, he looked rugged and tall and strong and muscular, and with his dark hair windblown and that hint of stubble on his jaw…

Yeah, yummy summed it up perfectly.

Kayla cleared her throat. “Thank you for the compliment, yet as much as I’m glad you think so, I feel compelled to point out that ‘sexy’ is not the way I’d describe myself while wearing dusty hiking boots, slouchy socks, khaki shorts and a plain white T-shirt, and lugging a bunch of crap on my back.”

“Then you don’t see what I’m seeing. Those boots make you look strong, like you could kick ass if you had to, and that’s very sexy. And your khaki shorts show off your gorgeous legs and what I’m labeling as the best ass on the whole freakin’ planet.” His gaze drifted over her chest, and her already hard nipples tightened further. “And the way that plain white T-shirt hugs your breasts…have mercy.” He leaned closer. “I’m going to have a hell of a time hiking with a hard-on.”

“Well, I guess then you’ll be the one ready for a massage tonight, won’t you?”

“Sweetheart, I’m ready for one right now.”

“Then you’ll be very happy to know that I recently bought a book entitled Mastering the Art of the Erotic Massage. Fascinating reading.”

The heat that flared in his eyes raised her temperature several degrees, as did the low groan that escaped him.

“Yes,” Brett said, his voice a husky growl. “I’m very happy to know that. Your timing in telling me, however, is less than stellar. Climbing rocks is going to be damn difficult when I’m as hard as one. I might fall down and break something important.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll kiss it to make it feel better.”

Another low groan. “Okay, now you’re just being cruel. How am I supposed to concentrate on the scenery when all I can think about is you? And kissing? And erotic massage?”

“Would it help to know that the book I read just prior to Mastering the Art of the Erotic Massage was The Art of Sensual Kissing?”

“That entirely depends on what you mean by ‘help.’ If you mean revving up my already raging libido, then yes. Unfortunately, it’s not helping to relieve the ache you started with your talk about erotic massage.”

“Can’t be worse than the ache you started on the bus when you mentioned getting me naked.”

More heat kindled in his gaze. “Ah. And I didn’t even tell you what I plan to do with you once I have you naked.”

She nearly stumbled. “Don’t tell me. Seriously. I need to concentrate here.”

“Good. Concentrate on the image of my tongue licking your-”

“Trail,” she interjected in a desperate hiss, glancing around to make sure none of the other hikers could hear them. “I need to concentrate on the trail.”

His sexy grin heated her down to the soles of her feet. “Right. On the trail I’m going to lick from your-”

“Truce,” she said, with a shaky laugh. “I’m now officially hot and bothered.”

“Welcome to the club.”

“I vote we focus our attention on the hiking trail…for now.”

“Good suggestion. Not sure how do-able it is, but I’m willing to try. Provided you behave and hold off mentioning your reading material until tonight.”

“Deal.”

Paolo halted, stopping the group. “We’re about to cross the river,” he said. “The bridge is strong, but narrow, so we’ll need to walk single-file.”

They fell into a line, with Brett indicating with a gentlemanly wave of his hand that she should precede him. “Ladies first.”

“How chivalrous.”

“I’m a very polite guy. But honesty forces me to admit I have an ulterior motive.”

“Which is…?”

His hand curved over her butt and she drew in a quick breath. “I really like the rear view.”

Another wave of heat rolled through her at the intimate caress. Given the fact that the sun was beating down with ever-increasing intensity, she needed more heat like she needed a hole in her head. And what had happened to the truce they’d called not thirty seconds ago? Well, two could play at that game. As she moved past him to assume her place in line, she deliberately brushed against him and dragged her palm over his groin.

“Like the rear view?” she purred softly so only he could hear. “Good to know. I’ll make certain you see plenty of it this afternoon.” She gently squeezed him, enjoying his quick intake of breath. “Happy trails, handsome.”