do something physical,” he told her.
As they hiked, they chatted more about work, life, and their youths. They passed lakes, and the Ohanapecosh River that majestically fell seventy-five feet in a silver spray. She slipped at one point and Steve caught her as she laughed with joy. There were goats playing in a field and flowers blooming all over. Even though she’d worked up a good sweat, she was enjoying herself so much, she didn’t notice. That was the best form of exercise.
By the time their hike was over, and they were back at Steve’s truck, she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to take another step. He’d told her they’d be together the entire day, and it was barely noon, so she wasn’t sure what was coming next. She just knew she wasn’t ready for their time to end.
She’d learned more about him, finding every new piece of information more fascinating than the last. They’d laughed a lot, had a few spectacular kisses, and had held hands. But he hadn’t put any further moves on her. She was disappointed in that. The waterfall experience had been an opportune time for him to sneak in another kiss — and a damned romantic one at that. All along the rest of their hike, she’d found many places she wouldn’t have minded sneaking away for a few more scorching kisses. She wished she could be a woman who initiated intimacy. Maybe someday, but not yet.
Erin was an independent woman, so she was shocked at how much she liked him treating her like a lady. He always opened the door for her, always made sure she was settled before he got comfortable, and always allowed her to finish her sentences, not trying to one-up her or interrupt. She felt cared for with him, something she’d never been interested in before meeting him.
Erin was lost in her thoughts as Steve started his truck and began driving away from the mountain. She was disappointed he hadn’t pinned her against the truck and kissed her like he meant it. She might explode if he didn’t help her release some of the sexual tension she’d been feeling for hours, heck . . . to be honest, for weeks.
They sat back quietly as he drove, listening to music and getting lost in their thoughts. Maybe he was reviewing their day as much as she was. Maybe he had as many questions about what all of this meant as she did. Maybe it would be better for her to lay it all out. She was confused.
Steve hit his turn signal as she was about to voice a question, distracting her as she tried to figure out where he was taking her next. She hadn’t been at all disappointed in his adventures so far. He truly was a romantic man, which surprised her since he was built like a brick wall. She’d seen many men who looked like him, and they didn’t have a clue what romance was. He was a mystery.
“Okay, I can’t take it any longer. Where are we going next?” she finally asked.
Steve smiled, that smile that flipped her stomach upside down and made her clench her fingers together to keep from reaching out to him.
“Do you honestly think I’d give away anything?” he asked. “You should know me better than that by now.”
He was about to add more when a large orange sign made him slow the truck. “What is this?” he asked, scowling as he came to a stop.
“Road closed November through March,” Erin read out loud.
They stepped from the truck and walked closer. “It should be open. We’re not in those months,” Steve said, scratching his head as he looked around.
“Oh, remember that huge storm we had a few days ago. A sign at a car dealership was blown over not that far from my restaurant, and there were several wrecks due to high winds. I bet the road is covered in debris,” Erin told him.
“I didn’t even think about that,” Steve said. She took him as a man not used to having his plans changed.
But then he turned and smiled again, quickly adjusting to the new plans. “I guess we’ll just get some more walking in,” he said as he moved back toward the truck.
“Where are we going?” she asked. “I’m not sure my legs will carry me too far after the hike we’ve already had.”
“It won’t be near as far, I promise. And you’ll soon find out,” Steve told her. Then he