Chapter Four
Glorious blue sky greeted them for the first day of the tour. With the weather cooperating, Pam checked out the other hikers with a wary eye. This was the biggest concern she’d had with Maggie’s suggestion she take part in an organized expedition—you never knew who your companions would be, and at times too many people made for trouble.
Keil called for everyone’s attention before pointing at the stack of supplies piled on the picnic table.
“We’ve got light daypacks for everyone, already loaded with snacks and water bottles. Don’t try to race up the hill, take your time and enjoy the journey. There are a number of set places we’ll stop and have photo ops, but anytime you need to stop and take a stretch break, feel free. We’ve got enough guides you can all go at your own pace.”
Pam nodded in satisfaction. It appeared there were a few different fitness levels within the group, and while she wasn’t sure how fast she’d be hiking, it was nice to know Keil didn’t expect them to stick in one mass pack. She stared up at King’s Throne peak towering over her and adjusted the light pack to sit a little easier. Clear sky, soft fragrant breeze—should be an awesome day ahead. She turned and bumped into TJ.
“Hey there, ready for the hike?”
She pretended to be annoyed. “Are you planning on dogging my heels the entire week I’m with the excursion?”
He wrinkled his nose. “Umm, pretty much the plan, yeah. Or at least until you accept my apology. I didn’t mean to desert you the other night.”
Pam laughed softly. The guy was nothing if not persistent. “I know, you were called away momentarily and when you got back I was gone. It’s okay, I forgive you. Really.”
“Why are you acting like you’d enjoy seeing me…fall in the lake or something?”
Tempting thought. Only because she bet he’d look great dripping wet, his clothes clinging to him. Maybe she could convince him it would be better to let them air dry and he would hike in the nude.
Yeah, right, with eight other people around?
He gestured down the path and she fell into step with him. “I was upset, but I’m done. It just wasn’t how I expected to spend the evening.”
She heard his quick intake of air. Yeah, his response was pretty much her response.
She’d given it a lot of thought over the past two days as she got ready for the trip—especially after finding out TJ was one of the guides. She could stay mad and pout, or turn it around and have some fun. Since this was her chance to get out and have a good time, she chose to give him a break. There was too much attraction between them to be upset for any length of time, and really, wasn’t it a waste of energy? She’d be gone in a couple of weeks and in the meantime he could show her some Northern Hospitality.
But making him squirm was still fun.
They walked easily along the wide section of trail. “Is this an old road?”
“Logging road. The trail narrows when we reach the Cottonwood Junction. Then it’s single file until we reach the meadow.”
They chatted about the Yukon Territory. TJ pointed out some of the more unusual plants at their feet. “The wildflowers are pretty much all gone by now, except the fireweed.”
“It’s pretty.”
“It’s a weed, but yes, a pretty one.”
Hours passed, and she fell into a rhythm, gazing out over the scenery and enjoying the chance for a physical challenge. A couple of the hikers in the group had fallen a fair ways behind, and soon there were only two others in the group with her and TJ.
“How long are you spending in the Yukon?” one of the men asked. She slid a little farther away from him. While he wouldn’t be a physical challenge to her, she didn’t feel like flirting with anyone. Anyone other than TJ, that is.
“Couple of weeks, right?” TJ stepped between them before gesturing to the right and directing their attention to a lookout point.
Pam hid her smile.
The panoramic views when they reached the top were staggeringly beautiful. Pam wandered aimlessly and clicked picture after picture. Tufts of clouds clinging to the mountaintops. A ribbon of glacier ice trailing off into the distance. The sun reflecting in a million dazzling light spots on the surface of Kathleen Lake.
Every time she glanced up she found TJ’s gaze fixed on her.
“Don’t you have anyone else you need to take care of?”
He shook his head slowly. “I set up the picnic already, and everyone else is eating. I had to make sure you didn’t stroll too close to the edge of the mountain or anything.”
Oh dear, it was hot up here, under the blazing heat of his stare.
“If there’s a picnic, I guess I should go join them.”
“I kept some out for us. We can eat here. Alone.”
Pam concentrated hard. Okey dokey.
They sat together, TJ pointing in various directions and naming the local mountaintops visible from their vantage point. Pam nibbled on her sandwich, all the while trying to think of a good excuse to bring up the aborted kiss from the other night. As in, maybe they should find a way and means to try it again.
She’d never been so attracted to a man and so tongue-tied. There didn’t seem to be any appropriate openings, and she wasn’t about to simply jump him.
Well, not yet.
“So, I was thinking.” TJ passed her a juice box, condensation beading its surface.
“Dangerous thing to do.”
He grinned. “I’d like to make it up to you, I mean, leaving you in the lurch the other day. I kinda hoped you would forgive me enough to accept a little peace offering.”
Hmmm, bribery totally worked. “Like extra chocolate bars? Dark? I’d be willing to forgive just about anything for chocolate.”
His laugh rolled over her as he grabbed his daypack.
“That’s not the surprise, but I think I can still help you out.” He dug out a Ziploc bag and reached in for an extra-large foil-wrapped bar. “Oops, it’s too warm today to be hauling chocolate. Sorry.”
He pulled one out. Chocolate oozed from the edges and ran down his fingers. Hello opportunity. She grabbed his hand.
“No problem, I like it this way.”
She brought his hand to her mouth and sucked one digit in, licking the warm melted gooeyness clean before moving to the next one. His breathing sped up and her pussy grew wet. Okay, she was over being mad and there had better be private rooms available wherever they were staying tonight.
By the time she removed all traces of chocolate, she could barely breathe. He leaned toward her, his dark eyes fixing her in place as their lips touched.
Bells rang. Cool, they weren’t even kissing and she heard bells.
TJ pulled away with a sigh and her hopes faded. It was a real bell and it was moving closer. “There’s the signal to round everyone up and start the journey down the hill.” He stared at her lips. “Remember where we were…”
Oh boy.
Pam gathered her wits as best she could and scrambled to her feet. He aimed her in the right direction, and she shook her head as she hit the trail. Okay, he was fine enough looking, but she must have some kind of altitude fever. She watched him out of the corner of her eye until he caught her.
Focus on the trail. There will be plenty of time to flirt later if I don’t trip and break my neck.
Half an hour later he caught up with her, tugging gently on her hand to get her attention.
“You interested in a little aerial sightseeing? My treat.”
“You serious? When?”
TJ grinned and pulled her against him, hiding her from the others as they disappeared around the corner. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “In about an hour. I’ve arranged for a chopper to pick us up back in the meadow where we stopped for our first snack break this morning.”
His warm breath caressed her neck and a shiver raced over her skin. Holy hell, the man made her horny without even trying.