that much weight that far. Not that I weigh a lot.
His soft laugh is arresting. “Cat got your tongue?”
“Sorry. I’m a bit—overwhelmed. My name is Evie, um Evelyn Thornton.” I close my eyes and let my hair cover my face. I’m embarrassed by how awkward I’m acting.
He shoves out his hand. I take it hesitantly then give a little jerk at the spark of electricity jolting through my body.
There’s too much of this man to process. He’s tall, broad-shouldered, and muscular. He might be wearing bulky firefighting gear, but there’s no denying what lies beneath.
My fingers itch to explore the skin beneath his gear. I want to walk my fingers all along the six-pack abs I know he’s hiding and dance along his pecs. Add in his chiseled jaw and those penetrating, mesmerizing, arresting eyes? Shit, I’m staring, again.
Am I drooling?
God, I hope not.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you. Like I said, my name is Asher, although my friends call me Ace.”
“Ace?”
“Yeah.” He gives a shake of his head, and there’s something about the roguish look in his eyes, like he’s teasing me, testing me, maybe trying to see if I’m interested? Well, I am, even if I’m too awestruck to do anything other than act like a fool. “Anyway, it’s an old nickname. You can call me Asher, if you want.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Asher.”
“Likewise, it’s nice to meet you, Evelyn.” The way he says my name, as if he’s tasting each syllable, is sexy as fuck. He gives a sharp nod, as if coming to some decision. “That’s a pretty name, Ev-e-lyn.”
My heart about stops. I’m not sure why I keep blushing. Maybe it’s the way he looks at me, like he sees right through me, but I dip my head and stammer. “Uh, thanks.”
The whole time, he runs a length of rope through his hands, finding the midpoint. He points at my waist.
“Now, as for the riding part.” His wink is arresting, as in heart-stopping, breath-taking, full cardiac arrest arresting. I bet he gives great mouth-to-mouth. “First, I need to tie you up.” His eyes crinkle with that comment, and I have a sinking suspicion I’m not the first woman he’s ever tied up.
“Um, what did you say?”
“Tie you up.” He gives a soft laugh. “Not the fun stuff, but I need to tie a harness around you.”
“A what?”
“It’s called a Swiss Seat, and it’ll let me secure you to my back. You know, for the getting out of the forest fire part of our journey.”
Ah! My eyes widen when I realize what he intends. I’ve only recently learned about bouldering and climbing. I’m not into rock climbing, but I met several hikers on the trails that were. They had fancy harnesses, kind of like the one Asher wears. I like the way the canvas straps mold around his groin, suggesting more impressiveness for a girl lucky enough to get him out of his clothes.
But how is he going to make a harness out of a length of rope?
“Did I hear you right? You’re going to carry me on your back?”
“I did. How else are we getting you out of here?”
“You can’t carry me.”
“I’m pretty sure I can.” He sounds a little offended.
No, he’s not offended. That cocky grin of his makes another appearance. He’s having fun with me.
“I’m not doubting your strength, just… Carry me?”
“It works really well. I tie a harness around you, then secure you to my back. You’ll be wrapped tight against me, so your bodyweight doesn’t shift. It lets me move freely, like carrying a backpack.”
“Great, I’m a backpack.”
“Or a cling-on.”
“A what?”
“Never mind.” He glances up at the ridge and his lips twist. “We should probably get a move on. This isn’t the best place to be with a fire raging over our heads, and if the winds shift…”
“I don’t want to think about the winds shifting. Did you know ravines like this can act as a chimney?” Why do I say that?
He arches a brow and gives me a look like I’m stupid.
“I may know a little bit about wildfires, hun.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“It’s okay, I’m teasing, and you’re right about ravines.” He lifts up the rope. “So, about this Swiss Seat thing, just let me do all the work. I’m going to have to touch you around your waist and legs. I’m a professional, so no worries, right?”
Knowing what little I do about harnesses, I understand what he means.
He averts his gaze and his attention drops to my waist.