Survival Mission - Chapter 4

“Whoa.” The hiker, whose blue eyes appeared sapphire in the firelight, took a step back and raised his hands, palms out. “So sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“And yet you did.” She brushed off her bottom.

“Here.” He bent and picked up her mug, handed it to her. She reached out to grab it but misjudged the distance in the dim light and her hand wrapped around his fingers. Awareness sliced up her forearms, to her chest, to her—

“Again, so sorry.” He covered her hand with both of his, pressed the mug into it. For the second time that day their gazes locked. Valerie gulped in a breath as if she was drowning. In truth, she was flailing amid the very physical sensations this man triggered, and the part of her brain that warned her away from strangers, no matter how tall and handsome.

“It’s alright.” She snatched the mug away, breaking their contact. “You startled me, is all.”

“Yeah, well, it’s a beautiful night. An amazing distraction.” His voice rippled around her, underscoring her observations on his attractiveness. “I came over to ask if you happen to have biodegradable TP? I normally use leaves, but I’ve waited too long, it’s dark and I don’t want to—”

“End up with a poison sumac rash in a most inopportune area?” She nodded.

***

Trevor almost groaned at his too-obvious request. He sounded as though he’d never had any undercover training. No, it was worse. He sounded, and acted, as if he were an adolescent who’d come face-to-face with their dream woman. His goal was to appear amiable, another friendly hiker. Since she was the only other solo hiker amid the overnight campers at Lake Loon, he figured it was easier to break the ice with her first. If need be, he could get her alone and get information from her about the other traffickers, see if she knew any of the mules by name.

What he hadn’t expected was to be lambasted by her sheer presence. Definitely one of the most attractive women he’d ever met, but it wasn’t only because of her body, the long sexy hair or her smile. Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen her smile. Not yet. Would a touch—

“Here. Bamboo TP is all I carry.” She held out a wad of toilet paper with a rueful twist to her mouth. She was trying not to laugh at him, he was certain. Still not a smile, though.

Keep it in your pants.

“Ah, thanks. I feel like an ass…” He stopped, realizing the unintended pun.

Her eyes, amber in the daylight but now a deep brown, widened. And then she threw back her head and laughed. Not a titter or a giggle, but deep, from her belly.

Nothing sexier than a woman’s sincere laughter, and the way he had to fight back an erection proved it.

What if she’s an innocent civilian? She needs my help if she is.

He shoved back the thoughts, refocused. He was talking to a probable narco-trafficker. They were surrounded by male hikers, most likely her fellow mules, who’d have no compunction at eliminating anyone they thought suspected them of—or witnessed—their criminal acts. If he was going to complete his mission, staying alive had to be his priority.

But damned if he didn’t wish he’d met—

“I’m Trevor, by the way.” He didn’t even know her name.

She watched him but didn’t answer. For a heartbeat he thought she wouldn’t. But then, very quietly, she replied.

“I’m Valerie. Enjoy your, er, hike.” She flashed him a broad grin and turned back to her camp. Ignoring the tremendous urge to follow her footsteps, to sit next to her on the fallen log, to talk and laugh until the sun came up, Trevor instead took the prized camping accessory and headed into the woods.