Swept Away. Kristina Mathews

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СКАЧАТЬ That’s okay,” Carson was quick to decline. “You should get some rest.”

      “We could light your fire,” Cody offered, and his brother gave him a quick elbow to the ribs. “In the fireplace. To make sure you stay warm.”

      “Oh, that’s not necessary.” She wasn’t sure if Cody was trying to be funny, but the way Carson glared at him made her suspect that Cody’s over-the-top flirtation was a sore subject between them.

      “Is there anything else you need?” Carson’s concern was a little overwhelming. She needed to get a grip on her emotions. Her hormones. All she had to do was finish her tea and thank them for saving her life. She wasn’t looking to create a new life with either of them.

      Chapter 2

      Carson leaned against the counter and watched Lily sip her tea nervously. She was obviously still rattled. “Are you all right?” It really wasn’t any of his business. He shouldn’t get involved. Yet, here he was, involved. Wanting to help. Caring about her.

      “Sure, I’m fine.” Lily opened the door of the old refrigerator. “You sure you guys don’t want something to drink?”

      “That would be great.” Cody would accept her offer. “Can I use your bathroom?”

      “Be my guest.” She swept her arm in the direction she’d just come from, fresh from the shower. Carson wondered if it was still steamy.

      “This is a sweet old fridge.” Carson tried to shake off the image of her in the shower. Naked. “Classic.”

      “Thanks.” Lily pulled out a couple bottles of beer and shoved the door closed with her hip. “I’m sure it’s horribly inefficient, but it reminds me of the good old days.”

      “Our Granny had one just like it.” Warm memories flooded him. She’d always kept it stocked with gallons of milk for two growing boys. Plenty of fresh fruit they could help themselves to. And a bottle of sticky, red grenadine for those special occasions when Granny made them Shirley Temples while she enjoyed a glass of wine with Granddad. They had taken the boys home from the hospital and had done everything they could to give them the life their daughter couldn’t have.

      Lily handed him a beer and reached around him for a bottle opener. Her right breast grazed his arm.

      “Sorry.” He pulled his arm away. She must really think he was some kind of jerk.

      “It’s okay.” Lily laughed—a crystal-clear sound, like the deepest pool on the river. “It’s not like it was the first time.”

      “No. Sorry about that too.” Carson felt his cheeks warm. He’d really hoped she hadn’t noticed.

      “Hey, no big deal.” Lily struggled with the bottle opener, a blush creeping across her cheeks.

      Carson took the bottle and the opener from her, setting both on the counter. “You don’t have to entertain us.”

      “I don’t mind. Really. Entertaining is one of the things I’m good at.” There it was again. Her vulnerability tugged at his heart, making it impossible for him to just walk away.

      “Oh hey, Sierra Nevada.” Cody returned from the bathroom, making himself at home by prying the caps off both the bottles. “One of my favorites.”

      “Sit down.” Lily indicated the heavy oak chairs at her kitchen table. “If you won’t stay for dinner, let me at least put out some snacks. I think I have some chips and salsa.”

      “That won’t be necessary.” Carson was on edge.

      “Great.” Cody sat back and took a nice long pull on his beer. He seemed to have no intention of going anywhere anytime soon. Not unless Carson dragged him out of there by his ankles.

      What had gotten into him? He’d just met Lily, and he was ready to club his own brother for just looking at her. He’d never reacted to a woman like this before.

      Sure, he’d been with his fair share of women. He enjoyed their company. Liked to be able to please them. Give them what they needed. Some women just needed someone to talk to. He was a damn good listener. Others needed someone to hold them, a warm body to keep them from feeling the chill of loneliness. Then there were the women who needed to be touched. To have him stroke both body and ego, letting them know just how incredible and powerful and sexy they were.

      But with Lily? He didn’t have a clue. He didn’t know what she needed or what he wanted from her. It was like heading down an unfamiliar stream in the dark, without a map, or even a paddle.

      * * * *

      “So tell me more about your rafting company.” Lily put a dish of salsa and a basket of tortilla chips on the table.

      “We run several one- or two-day trips a week from April to October.” Carson spoke with enthusiasm. “We take kids as young as eight and as old as eighty. We take families, scout troops—”

      “Singles groups and honeymooners.” Cody chimed in. “And we have a campground that’s open year-round.”

      “We got a late start this year, though.” Carson’s tone took on a more serious note. “The late storms, while great for the water reserves, put a damper our business. But things are picking up. Come Memorial Day we’ll be booked pretty solid.”

      “Isn’t all that rain good for business? In the long run?” Lily was curious about their way of life. So different than the life she’d led. So much more relaxed. So much more real.

      “The American River is dam controlled.” Carson leaned forward with a sparkle in his eye as he talked about the river he called home. “The first few weeks the river is higher from the runoff, but mostly it’s pretty consistent.”

      “Except for drought years,” Cody added. “Some years there’s barely enough water to release. But every season is slightly different—the rapids change with higher or lower water, the river changes course, and we’re always meeting new people.”

      “The tributaries, like Hidden Creek, are much more affected by the heavy snowpack,” Carson informed her.

      “Tell me about it.” Lily had learned that the hard way. She’d come here, hoping to start over, to stand on her own two feet, to be the strong woman she knew she could be. If it wasn’t for these two, she wouldn’t be standing at all. “I’ll be sure to steer clear of the river from now on.”

      “That would be a shame.” Carson glanced over at her, trapping her in his gaze. The sensation of being pulled under was stronger than it had been in the river.

      “Yeah,” Cody added. “The river is life.”

      They talked for a while, the guys becoming more and more animated as they discussed their lives on the water. Their passion for their jobs and the outdoors was clear. They had been shaped by the river. Not just their bodies—those sculpted arms, shoulders, and abs certainly didn’t come from a gym—but who they were on the inside was a result of the years spent guiding.

      “You should come rafting with us,” Cody suggested.

      “No, СКАЧАТЬ