Chapter 6

Leah

My singing along to the radio had not gone down well. It turns out alpha males don’t love pop music sung out of tune… or with the wrong words.

When Rex stared at me in horror before reaching over to turn it off, I didn’t bother fighting with him. I can take a hint. I thought we were bonding in the office. His expression was marginally less stony, and his stiff posture had relaxed as well. I swear I almost saw a smile. That’s the Rex equivalent of doing cartwheels. We even had a moment over schedules and hiking paths when our fingers touched. At least I thought we’d had a moment. Maybe it’s just my ovaries trying to trick me into making babies with this perfect specimen of manliness.

I don’t know what happened, but something soured Rex’s mood since he offered to show me around, so I’m just leaving him alone. He drums his fingers against the leather steering wheel and seems to be deep in thought. About what, I’ve no clue. Rex has retreated into his shell and is mulling something over in that beautiful head of his. He’s a reserved guy, and I don’t want to drive him crazy in our first few days working together. I’ll allow him a brief adjustment period.

Most people only see one side of me, the slightly loud, super positive, extroverted side. However, just like everyone else, I need to recharge my batteries. Hayley told me Rex regularly disappears off into the wilderness for days at a time for some peace and solitude. That’s not quite my thing, but going for a hike, or staying in with a good book and a roaring fire, is my idea of heaven. What I’m looking for is someone who wants to do those things with me instead of partying and going out. I’m sick of dating jocks who think they’re god’s gift to women and only want a meek girl to parade around and take care of them.

I’ve seen how happy Hayley and Cooper are together, and it has given me hope that there is a genuinely good guy out there for me, too.

Rex couldn’t be more different from the guys I’ve met before. I’ve never encountered someone I was this into before, and now I understand why. They were just boys. Rex is all man… and he has me intrigued. His every movement fascinates me. I’m drawn to him, even though he hasn’t given me any sign that I’m anything more than a slightly annoying yet brilliantly efficient co-worker to him.

Despite his height and powerful frame, he is stunningly graceful. When we walked through the forest, he never made a sound, and he was so sure of all his movements. Is there anything as attractive as a confident, capable man? Not to me, anyway.

I watch his thigh muscles flex as he shifts gears, and his powerful arms rest on the wheel. You just know a guy like this can take on anything, can do anything he sets his mind to. He has the same energy as Cooper that just screams, ‘I am in charge here.’ It’s sexy as hell. He’s exactly the kind of man I’m looking for, but Hayley already warned me he’s getting over a nasty breakup. One that wasn’t his idea. He has to be hurting. There’s also the unavoidable fact that we’re co-workers. It would be a terrible idea to pursue something, especially if things didn’t work out well between us. I sigh and Rex side-eyes me but says nothing.

The hidden lane he’s pulled into continues to narrow as asphalt gives way to dirt. Bumps and potholes replace the smooth paved surface, and a line of grass grows down the middle of the track. As we crawl along, branches scrape along the outside of the windows and tug at the wing mirrors. I aim a dubious look at Rex.

“I know you don’t like my singing but taking me out into the middle of nowhere to murder me is a bit of an overreaction.”

“No, it wouldn’t be. You’re awful,” Rex deadpans and I laugh.

“Was that a joke? From mister tall, dark, and brooding?” I ask, teasing. “Seriously though, are you going to kill me? What the hell is out here?”

“Tempting, but no. I won’t kill you… because then I would have to talk to our guests,” he jokes in a dry tone. There’s probably more truth in that than he’d care to admit. “I promised you some sights, and this is one of the best spots in Grey Ridge. We just normally come here on foot.”

“Uh-huh… but we’re miles from anywhere? It would take hours to get here if we walked.” Although given his love of being alone, maybe that’s the point.

“Does it look like that’d be a problem for me?” he asks, glancing at me. For a split second, our gazes lock, and it’s as if an electric shock runs through my body, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up. Rex flushes as I take a long, lazy look over his gorgeous body. He tenses and his gaze drops briefly to my mouth. I lick my bottom lip slowly in silent appreciation of his general deliciousness.

“No,” I admit. “I’m sure you have plenty of stamina.” I thought it was funny, but apparently, I’m the only one.

The muscles in his jaw flex, clearly annoyed that he walked into that one. He says nothing and re-focuses on the trail we are bouncing along at a snail’s pace. I stretch my long legs out, and to my immense satisfaction, his eyes trail up my legs before darting back to the road again. I’m not the only one feeling this heat.

It makes no sense to act on it given we’re going to be working so closely together, but I’m not a big fan of being sensible. Sometimes the best things happen when you throw caution to the wind. Rex is always so in control. It makes me want to crack that icy façade just a little to see what’s underneath.

Finally, the curtain of trees pulls back on either side, and we emerge into a wide-open clearing. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. I scoot forward to the edge of my seat and lean so far that my nose almost presses against the cool glass of the windscreen. Rex breaks into a big, genuine smile when he sees my stunned expression, and it takes my breath away. It transforms his face from broody and mysterious to warm and open. He’s devastatingly handsome. My heart skips a beat and I swear I forget where I am for a second as everything around us falls away.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” he asks, with a funny expression on his face. Oh no, I’m staring. Maybe drooling a little too.

I cough and drag my eyes back to the stunning beauty spot he has brought me to. We’ve come out near a small waterfall, where white water pours over a cliff edge about thirty feet up and lands in a deep pool before slowly meandering towards a lake. The water gets shallower and clearer close to our side of the river, where it laps gently against a small horseshoe beach. It’s narrow but looks to be somewhere around forty feet long.

“That’s not sand, is it?” My mind is whirring at the possibilities here, both for photos and for trips for our guests. It’s stunning. And judging by the lack of decent access, it’s a well-kept secret.

“It is. It’s not powdery soft like beach sand, but it’s close enough.”

Excited, I bounce in my seat and launch myself out the second he stops the vehicle. Yanking my camera out from the footwell behind me as I twirl around, I try to work out where to even begin. Rex leans his long sexy body back against the hood of the truck, legs crossed at the ankles, arms folded over his broad chest. He looks as proud as punch at my delighted reaction, and so he should.

“You did good, Rex.” I wink at him before I dart off to find the best vantage point. He patiently waits, and while I should take pictures of the view, I sneak a few quick shots of him as he stares at the waterfall, but then his gaze drifts toward me as if he senses my gaze on him. Even from a distance, it feels like he’s undressing me with his eyes, and something passes between us. My body heats, and I clench my thighs together to ease the sudden ache. How can this man have such an effect on me just with a smouldering look? Without even trying?

He just watches and waits as we stare at each other, tension stretching out between us. After a moment, he shoves a pair of dark aviators on, breaking the spell, and goes back to looking off into the distance. Rex seems calm as ever, while I’m on fire. I exhale slowly, adrenaline surging through my body at the power of what has just passed between us. Screw this. I won’t be the only one getting back into the truck with frazzled nerves.

Placing my camera down beside me on a flat patch of grass. Gathering the hem of my white vest, I slowly peel it up over my head and toss it to the side. Rex pushes away from the hood of his truck. He doesn’t look as chilled anymore, even though he still has his shades on and is pretending not to pay me any attention.

Running my hands along my toned stomach, I pause briefly before flicking open the button on my jean shorts and shimmying them down over my hips. Rex moves and the light bounces off his sunglasses. The flash proves he’s watching me now, and not hiding it anymore. I strut forward to the edge of the lake and toss him a saucy wink before diving into the crystal-clear water.

When I pop up in the middle of the pool, he’s come close to the spot where I jumped in, standing with his hands balled tightly into fists at his side, glaring at me. He looks angry rather than turned on. Oh well.

I float on my back and turn my face up to the sun, letting its rays warm my skin that’s cold now from the icy water. After a few minutes of splashing about and swimming to the far side to get a good look at the waterfall, I put on my best sexy walk as I emerge in my underwear. Hopefully, I look more wet dream than wet fish as I head straight to where Rex stands stock still, jaw muscles and neck veins bulging.

“What the fuck was that? You had no idea how deep that water was. You could have broken your neck!” he shouts, glaring down at me from behind his sunglasses.

“I was feeling a little hot and bothered. I needed to cool off,” I state, with a little shrug of one shoulder. Placing the pad of one finger against his stomach, I enjoy the feel of his hot skin through his t-shirt and impressive abs underneath it. He blinks and stares down at where I’m touching him; chest heaving, and every muscle coiled tight.

“It was reckless,” he counters through clenched teeth. I know that face. It’s the disapproving face my brother puts on when he’s decided he needs to be the fun police. He only does it when he’s worried. It’s his defence mechanism when he’s not fully in control. There’s no point in arguing with Rex. He’s too worked up to listen to reason.

“I’m all wet,” I whisper instead and glance down at my chest where rivulets of chilly water are running down between my breasts, goosebumps rising in their wake. The plain white cotton bra has gone almost see-through, and my stiff nipples are poking through. He reaches out and places a hand on each of my shoulders, straightening his arms to push me away gently. My skin sizzles under his touch, and even though he’s using his touch to literally hold me at arm’s length, his fingers stroke my skin as though he can’t stop himself. His gaze drops and he stares at my heaving chest. My body is alive, a riot of sensations, desire, and pulsing need.

“Goddess above,” he curses, voice husky and rough. Pushing his sunglasses up on his head, he pinches the bridge of his nose and shuts his eyes tight. “Get your clothes on or I’ll leave you to find your own way home,” he growls.

Anyone else might be offended, but I think I have his measure. He wants me. He just doesn’t want to want me. I can work with that. He’s trying not to look again. I can feel him battling what must be the overwhelming urge to check if my white panties have gone just as see-through. He loses, and he glances down quickly before flicking his gaze back up to meet mine, and the pure lust there nearly knocks me on my ass. I step back further, removing my finger from his rock-hard abs, and gesture with a flick of my wrist to him to turn around.

“What are you doing?” he asks, sounding uncertain for the first time since I met him as he complies and turns to face the other direction.

“Getting dressed,” I say, sneaking close and whispering in his ear. It should be obvious. He did just tell me to put my clothes on. “I just need to take these off or I’ll be dripping wet all over your… car.”

Pausing for effect, I stifle a grin when every muscle in his back tightens. I know I’m joking around, but it’s the truth, too. I am wet in every sense of the word.

“We’re going to meet Danny at the packhouse,” he grits out.

“And?” I ask. I am the one who set it up. I know what the plan is.

“You can’t go in there with no fucking underwear on,” he snaps, gripping his head with two hands. If his hair was longer, I get the impression he’d be pulling it out right about now.

“I won’t tell him if you don’t,” I offer, slipping my feet back into my sandals and grabbing my camera up off the grass. He spins around and stares at me in disbelief. I snap a picture and capture the look of pure exasperation on his face perfectly, and the absolute fury that follows it when he sees me taking his picture.

“Just get in the car. We’ve wasted enough time dicking about.”

He stalks back towards the truck, hands shoved in his pockets. I don’t miss that he subtly re-arranges himself before climbing behind the wheel. As I slide in beside him, he drags in a deep breath and his nostrils flare. He looks tormented, and the energy in the cab is stifling. I’m not sure whether it’s because of how annoying he finds me or whether he’s struggling with this physical connection we have.

Or both.