almost tripped over a tree root. However, his grip on her remained firm, keeping her upright. They wound their way between the trees until they reached a narrow river.
Dexter’s shoulders heaved up and down. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” She squeezed his hand before letting it go. Kneeling on the bank, she splashed refreshing frigid water on her face.
“I assume no one…touched you?” While he asked it as a question, his tone held a menacing threat.
She could feel him watching her, so she glanced over her shoulder, meeting his eyes. “No. I was not harmed in any way. I’m fine.”
Closing his eyes, he gave a brief nod, his shoulders finally relaxing. “The water looks deep enough for you to bathe in if you want. I can keep watch.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
When he turned his back to her, she peeled off her clothes, tossing them on the ground. Stepping into the water, she tried not to slip on the slick rocks. She went deeper, gradually adjusting to the chilly water. Once it reached her waist, she went under, washing off the accumulated dirt and grime.
Resurfacing, she peered over at Dexter. He now faced her direction, scanning the surrounding area, looking everywhere but at Reid.
“I’m coming out now,” she announced, curious to see what he’d do. Would he watch her?
He turned around, his back to her once again.
“You know you can look.” As she said the words, she felt her face flush. Normally, she wasn’t so bold.
He stilled.
Afraid she’d been too forward and had somehow offended him, she said, “You know, because we’re married. It’s okay for you to keep watch while I exit the river.” Now she sounded like a bumbling idiot.
He shook his head. “Oh, Reid.” The way her name rolled off his tongue sent a shiver through her. “The first time I see you—my wife—naked, will be when we have all night to spend together.”
She slipped on a rock, stumbling under the water. Scrambling to her feet, she tried not to focus on images of being in Dexter’s arms all night. What would it feel like to be with him?
“It doesn’t sound like you’re out yet.”
“I’m not.” Shaking her head, she climbed out of the river and put her clothes back on. A large boulder stood a few feet away, so she climbed on top of it and sat. Pulling her boots on, she tied them, hoping she’d warm up now.
Dexter flicked a gaze over her. “All dressed?”
“Yes.” She patted the spot next to her on the boulder. “Sit with me.”
“We should get back to the others.”
Instead of responding, she patted the spot again. He came over, collapsing on the boulder next to her. “I want to thank you.”
“For what?” he asked.
“Coming after me.”
He rubbed his face.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
“Do you remember the conversation we had the night of our engagement party?”
“Yes.” He’d said he didn’t want to love someone because he feared it would make him a slave to that person. She wrapped her arm around his large shoulders, resting her head against him, not knowing what to think. Was he upset he had feelings for her?
“Reid.” He sighed. “When I realized you’d been kidnapped, I’ve never felt terror like that before.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” He twisted toward her, taking her hands in his. “I hate feeling helpless. I thought you’d been taken to get to me. That someone knew my weakness. And when I found your abductors, I planned to kill them. Then I realized that’s what Anna, or whoever is behind this, wants. I had to force myself to calm down. To think rationally.”
She didn’t want to be his weakness—she wanted to be his strength.
“When I saw Ackley, he transformed into someone I didn’t recognize. I realized, he, too, was falling into the trap that was set for us. It took every ounce of strength I had to think logically instead of with my emotions.”
“I’m glad you didn’t fall for it.” Reid’s voice sounded small. Where was he going with this? What was he trying to say?
“I’d been so afraid of something like this happening.”
“Are you trying to say you don’t want to be with me anymore?” Tears threatened.
He focused on her as he reached up, gently cupping her cheeks. “I’ve been so afraid of loving another person. I want you to understand—I watched my parents. I saw how much my mother loved my father. And I saw my father pining over another woman. While he came to care for my mother, it wasn’t the