Evidence of Trust (Colorado Trust 1)

Strange that while she’d never been more uncomfortably aware of someone in her life, she didn’t fear his close proximity. After only a couple hours with him, her instincts completely trusted him to be an honorable man.

“You still awake?” he asked above the sounds of the storm outside.

“Unfortunately.”

“You said you brought a book?”

“Yes.”

“Mind if I read for a little bit?”

“It’s a romance.”

Another sigh. “Forget it.”

She smiled into the darkness and went to sleep.

* * *

Britt became aware of two things as she woke: her nose was cold, and something heavy spanned her waist, making movement inside the confines of her sleeping bag impossible. She remembered Ranger Morgan insisting she share her tent and stiffened with the realization she was snugged up tight against his six-foot frame.

Her heart pounded, and she wondered if she’d made a mistake trusting him so completely based solely on the fact he was a ranger. A slow, deep breath allowed her to take stock of both sleeping bags still between them and negated her anxiety.

She cast a cautious look in his direction to find his head rested not far from hers, dark eyelashes fanned against strong cheekbones, lips slightly parted. His even breathing told her he remained asleep, and she lifted her head to see his arm curved over her waist, holding her close.

Now what? She set her head back down on her small pillow. Her arms were trapped under the weight of his muscled forearm. She could try to shove him off, but would’ve preferred slipping from the tent instead of waking him.

Against her better judgment, she rolled her head sideways once more. He was something to look at. His lashes and eyes were beautiful, but when added to his dark, prominent eyebrows and combined with that stubble-covered jaw, ruggedly handsome was the more apt description. Her gaze drifted down to his mouth, that full bottom lip softened while he slept.

What would it be like to kiss him?

She closed her eyes to halt the path her traitorous mind started down, but then imagined his hands pressing her close as his mouth covered hers. Then he’d feather kisses across her cheek, down her neck, between her…

>

He muttered in his sleep, and his arm tightened. Appalled at the speed her impromptu fantasy had progressed, she was embarrassed to discover her breathing had quickened. After the past couple weeks, the absolute last thing she should be doing was fantasizing about a man. Even a sinfully sexy man such as Ranger Joel Morgan.

She took a slow, deep breath to calm her racing pulse and decided it was time to quit being a chicken and get moving.

“Ranger Morgan.” It came out low and husky, her voice still rough from sleep. He didn’t move, so she raised her voice. “Joel.”

Those thick lashes lifted, revealing his golden-brown eyes. In that heart-stopping moment, his body tensed and awareness gathered in his warm gaze. The weight on her waist lifted. With their gazes locked, she hesitated, and then it was too late. His hand brushed her hair from her cheek, cupped the back of her head, and urged her forward.

Her heart thudded in her chest. She should stop him. Common sense demanded it. Still…hadn’t she just imagined this?

His mouth met hers in a kiss that was an odd combination of confidence and caution. After a moment, his tongue slid along her bottom lip as he rolled her onto her back. Half-lying over her, he braced his weight on his forearm while deepening the kiss.

Nothing prepared her for the hot wave of desire that swept through her as his tongue coaxed her response. She lifted a hand to his shoulder, but instead of pushing him away, she fisted her fingers in the material of his shirt and hung on. The sexy rasp of his unshaven jaw contrasted with the smooth warmth of his mouth, and she wanted more. Like the daydream from a few moments earlier.

The thought jolted her back to reality.

She had to stop him. Stop herself.

As if sensing her withdrawal, he dragged his mouth off hers to bury his face in her hair. While they both struggled to regain control of their breathing, she was aware of a conflicting mixture of relief and disappointment.

She felt his smile against her cheek as he said, “And you gave your word you’d keep your hands to yourself.”

Chapter 4