have some fun during her remaining time in New Zealand.
She hit the “call” button next to Manny’s name. He picked up on the second ring.
“Eager. I like that, Manny.”
“Good morning to you too, Sleeping Beauty. Or should that be good afternoon?”
“It’s still morning, though I feel like I’ve slept away the day.”
“You must’ve needed it.”
“Is that your medical opinion?”
“No. I’m off duty.”
Just hearing his deep voice had Harper snuggling back under the covers, wishing he was next to her.
“Pity. Because I’m not feeling so good, and I was hoping you made house calls.”
“What’s wrong?”
“A distinct case of miss-you-itis.”
“Damn it, if I wasn’t halfway along this Craters of the Moon geothermal hike, I’d be there in a flash.” He muttered a curse. “I know. I can give you a more accurate diagnosis over the phone if you do one thing.”
Smiling, she said, “What?”
“Tell me what you’re wearing.”
Her thighs clenched as her smile extended into a grin. “My, my, Doctor, I didn’t think this was one of those calls.”
“You’re in bed. You’re missing me. What did you expect?”
“A little decorum.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“You’re right. I want to torture you a little.”
“A lot, considering I’m now envisaging you cute and sleep rumpled.”
“What are you wearing?”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I’m assuming there are families on that hike, and too much envisaging may lead to more than one tent pole in that national park.”
He laughed so loudly she had to hold the cell away from her ear.
“You are really something else,” he said. “And for the record? I miss you too.”
“So I’ll meet you in the foyer at four for our picnic?”
“Yeah. I found the perfect spot.”
“Secluded?”
“Babe, you’re killing me.”
“Not yet, but maybe this will help.” She lowered her voice. “I’m wearing nothing and I’m thinking of you.”
She hung up on his garbled cry, grinning madly.
26
Manny had a shit night’s sleep. He usually liked the tight corners of hotel beds, but he’d tossed so much he’d ended up yanking the top sheet free before kicking off the lot. When he’d eventually got a few snatched hours, he’d dreamed of Harper—lewd, erotic dreams that left him frustrated. Hence the excessive hiking today.
He’d almost been glad when she’d slept in and hadn’t returned his text or call. It had given him time to burn off some energy. He’d already completed the Tokaanu thermal walk at the southern end of the lake, past hot mineral pools, spluttering mud pots, and beautiful native bush, and was halfway through the Craters of the Moon when she called.
With her voice husky from sleep, her banter, and her sexy parting comment, he knew completing the hike would be tough.
If she haunted his dreams, she consumed his every waking thought too. He may have wanted to woo her, but in reality they’d be having the fastest picnic on record later today before they busted every speed limit to get back to the hotel.
Yeah, he was that horny.
Forty-year-olds shouldn’t be walking around with boners, and he had to hide behind a tree for a full five minutes after she hung up, ridding his mind of vivid images of Harper naked in bed.
When he got the situation behind his zipper under control, he speed-walked for the next twenty minutes to complete the exploration of the lunar-like landscape. But he barely noticed the bubbling craters, the steam vents, and the soils of many colors before he reached the end of the trail.
How the hell could he pass the time for the next four-plus hours?
At home, if he had a rare day off, he’d hit the gym, take Izzy out for a meal, then pore over medical journals, trying to keep abreast of the latest developments. He always lamented the lack of downtime in his job, but then he’d pull a twelve-hour shift and would be back on a high again. Saving people was his life. It had to be. Because all too often during those days off, when he was alone in his swanky apartment, he’d remember a time when he hadn’t been able to save someone . . .
His mom had died because of him.
He’d killed Carla Gomes because he’d been young, cocky, and overconfident.
And he’d never forgive himself for it.
“Excuse me, have you visited the Otumuheke steam pools yet?” A teen in a ranger’s uniform thrust a pamphlet at him and he took it, glad for the distraction from his self-flagellating thoughts.
“Thanks.” He brandished the pamphlet. “I’ll check it out.”
Anything to keep memories of the past at bay.
However, soaking in a natural rock pool, overlooking the stunning