and T-shirt next to Ben’s. She could hear the horses munching on something, and the distant roar of the waterfall. She wanted to hold on to the feelings she’d had and how it felt to be kissed by Ben Miller.
“What’s for dinner?” Silver wasn’t one to dodge a fight, and as Ben was her only companion for the next few days, he could hardly avoid her. “Didn’t you say something about fish?”
“It’s too dark to fish now. We can have a go in the morning if you like?” he offered, his tone back to professional guide, and not the husky-voiced seducer who had kissed her apparently despite himself.
“What was that about regretting kissing me even before you did it?” Silver asked.
Ben winced. “Jeez, you do have a good memory.”
“Were you hoping that your sheer amazingness would make me forget what you said?”
“Maybe.” Ben patted the log next to him. “Can we get started on dinner and talk about this afterward?”
“Do you think I’ll be nicer if you feed me?” Silver demanded.
“I know I will be. I’m a grump when I’m hungry.” He pointed at the log. “Will you at least sit down and stop towering over me?”
Silver sat. “You tower over me all the damn time,” she grumbled.
“Can’t help that.” He handed her the container of meals. “Pick something.”
She rifled through the packs, aware that she was really hungry and that her mother also believed that you should never go to a grocery store or argue on an empty stomach. “Next time I do something like this, I’m going to have my personal chef cater it for me.”
He fought a smile as she handed him two packets. “Can I have both?”
“Sure. I brought plenty because they are so light to carry.” He took two himself. “I found some cookies today Mrs. Morgan snuck into my saddlebag.”
“The one with your boxers?”
“Yeah. I took out a clean pair of socks and there they were. You can help yourself after your dinner.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “You’re not the boss of me. If I want one now, I’ll darn well have one.”
For a moment their gazes locked, and then he smiled. “Technically, I am the boss of you because you signed an agreement to do what I said on this trail ride, but if you want cookies, I’m not going to stop you.”
“Thanks.” Silver took possession of the cookie box while Ben sorted out the meals. Perhaps she was crankier than she’d thought. She waited until he set the two pouches in front of her. “Can I have a plate?”
“They’re in the pack that’s open. Help yourself.”
Silver was hungry enough to stop talking long enough to basically inhale her meal. Something about the combination of the great outdoors and sparring with Ben Miller was inspiring all her appetites. She opened up the cookies and smiled when she saw they were cow and horse shaped with frosting eyes, manes, and tails.
“Mrs. Morgan is a genius.” Silver slowly chewed the buttery cookie. “These are delicious.”
“May I have one, please?” Ben reached out a hand.
“I’m not sure you deserve one,” Silver said, whipping the box behind her back. “Do you go around kissing all your clients?”
“No, I don’t.” He winced and rubbed a hand over his bearded chin. “It was unprofessional of me. If you want to lodge a complaint and go back, I’ll totally understand and accept the consequences of my action.”
“It was just a kiss,” Silver reminded him. “My beef with you is why did you do it when you knew it was wrong?”
“Because I couldn’t help myself? Because I’m in a weird place in my life right now when I just want to crash through all the safe boundaries I’ve erected and destroy things?”
Silver blinked at him. “Wow, that was a way heavier answer than I thought you’d go with.”
He grimaced. “I’m sorry. I don’t know where that came from either.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Silver asked cautiously.
He made a revolted expression. “Hell, no.”
“Why not?”
He shoved a hand through his hair. “Because talking just makes things worse.”
“Because you have to deal with stuff you don’t want to deal with?” Silver pointed her fork at him. “Because pushing it all down inside you has obviously worked so well.”
He glared at her. “Look, I don’t know why I said it, and I have no obligation to explain myself to you, okay?”
Silver held his gaze and then nodded. “Fine.” Even though she’d only been trying to help, she wasn’t his therapist, and he