Page 21 of Enticing Her Love

“Because we work together every day, and before this trip, if you weren’t barking orders at me, you barely said two words to me. But you praise Andi for her work, and you’ve gone out of your way to recommend her for a job. That doesn’t seem strange to you?”

“Not at all.” I’m not attracted to Andi. Getting to know her doesn’t hold the same threat as getting to know you does. “She mentioned she was studying marine biology, so I reached out to my brother. It wasn’t a big deal, but Noah doesn’t have any positions available right now, so you shouldn’t mention it to her.”

“I won’t.” She fell quiet, worrying with her hands, like she was stewing over something.

“Spit it out, Steele. What’s on your mind?”

“It’s just…I’m trying to figure out why you’re such a jerk to me all the time.”

He’d known she’d bring it up sooner or later. He’d been hoping for much later. Like never. “I’m your boss.”

“That’s not an excuse. Most bosses aren’t jerks.”

“I told you why I push you.”

“I get that you push me to do a better job, and you’re right. I do work harder when I’m challenged. But it’s more than that.” Her voice escalated. “You come into the break room or pass me in the hall, and you physically change. You get your back up like I’m the enemy.”

“You’re not the fucking enemy.”

It started raining, and she groaned. “Are you freaking kidding me?”

“Welcome to the rainforest. Let’s get this fire out.” They rose to their feet and used the sides of their boots to push damp dirt onto the smoldering embers. “That’s good. We should use our raincoats to collect rainwater overnight.”

“Damn it. I should’ve thought of that.”

“Instinct leads you to get out of the rain. It takes stepping outside of that to think like a survivor. You’ll get there.”

“Here’s my instinct.” She opened her mouth and tipped her face up to the sky, catching the rainwater in her mouth.

He laughed. “That works, too.”

They stretched their raincoats between four logs, using rocks to hold them in place, and left the middles drooping to collect the rain.

“In the morning we’ll put the water in the canteens, and once we light a fire again, we’ll purify it. We should do this every morning before we leave camp, too, to catch whatever rain falls while we’re gone.”

“Good idea. I should’ve brought a bucket instead of a sleeping bag.”

“You’ll know for next time.” He snickered at her eye roll. “Brush yourself off to make sure there are no bugs on you before we go into the tent. I’ll check your back.” He moved behind her. “Take your ponytail out. I’ll check your hair, too.”

“Great. Now I’ll be thinking about bugs in my hair all night.”

She pulled out her hair band, and her long blond hair tumbled over her shoulders, thick, shiny, and so alluring, he wanted to wrap it around his fingers and show her exactly why he was trying to keep a modicum of distance between them. Fuck. Those thoughts were going to get him in trouble if he wasn’t careful. He tried not to notice how soft her hair was as he sifted through it, plucking out dirt and a few bugs.

“Are those all bugs you’re taking out?”

“No. It’s mostly dirt.”

“Mostly?” She eyed him over her shoulder, rain wetting her long lashes.

She looked so beautiful and vulnerable, he wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her fear away. “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything get to you.”

“Thanks,” she said softly.

He threaded his hands into her hair, massaging her scalp as he checked for clingy critters, trying not to think about how good those silky strands felt. She breathed a little harder. “Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“No,” rushed from her lungs. “It just…It feels good.”

Fuck yeah, it does. “Are you saying I’m good with my hands, Steele?”