Stars Over Alaska (Wild River #4) - Jennifer Snow Page 0,123
said suddenly, sitting straighter and holding the pole tighter in both hands.
Mike put his thermos aside and moved closer. Her line tugged and his eyes widened. “Looks like it could be a big one.”
She started reeling it in and he stood back, impressed by the skill.
Most fishers were too eager. They yanked the reel and went too fast, causing the fish to retreat from the bait and take off if they weren’t already hooked. Maddie was patient, calm, reeling in a little at a time...keeping the fish interested, letting it chase the bait. More desperate, more confident in its conquest...until it was too late. It was hooked and met its fate.
She pulled the fish up through the ice and the wiggling, struggling rainbow trout had to be a ten-pounder. And when she carefully removed the fish from the hook herself—delicately, thoughtfully, respectful of the catch—he was a goner.
She picked it up in both hands and displayed it proudly. “Think it’s the catch of the weekend?”
She was the catch of the weekend.
He couldn’t stop himself. He strode toward her and cupped her face between his hands. Her eyes registered surprise first, then mirrored his own attraction. The fish in her arms was the only thing between them as he leaned toward her, brushing her blond waves away from her face. He paused—unsure and more than a little hesitant.
Her gaze flitted from his eyes to his lips and back again. “Well?”
“Well what?” he asked, his voice slightly hoarse.
“Are you going to kiss me or not?”
* * *
IT FELT LIKE an eternity as she waited for his answer.
His eyes burned into hers, his attraction evident, his desire intense. He was just inches from her, holding back...contemplating.
She should be moving away, putting the brakes on...contemplating, herself. But in that moment, she just wanted him to kiss her. She’d worry about the consequences later.
She stood on her tiptoes, raising her face even closer. “I mean, I should get something for catching this fish, shouldn’t I?” she whispered.
He seemed satisfied with the justification as he pulled her toward him and his lips pressed against hers. She closed her eyes and savored the feel of his mouth, the taste of coffee on his lips. His beard tickled her flesh and a shiver danced down her spine.
His fingers tangled into her hair as he deepened the kiss, intoxicating her with his passion. She’d wanted this. Her attraction to him had been growing with each minute they’d spent together, every new thing she learned about him...
He pulled her in closer, kissing her harder, stealing her breath away, and she gave in to the moment fully, completely, wishing it could last. His touch, his kiss, the way he’d looked at her all had her body reacting in ways it never had for anyone else.
When he reluctantly pulled away, disappointment washed over her. Would she ever get a chance to kiss him again? Could they enjoy the day together without promises, without consequences, without guilt and then go their separate ways?
They couldn’t actually date one another...
“Mike, you know this can’t happen, right?” Every part of her wished there was a way and if he had any ideas on how they could be together and not hurt Jade, she was all ears. But she’d been on the receiving end of a betrayal like this and she could never do that to Jade. She knew the hurt and pain that went along with having to put on a brave face and act like everything was okay, when deep down her heart was aching. Jade would never admit that she was upset, but Maddie would know.
“Are you sure? I mean, Jade and I weren’t serious. We dated six weeks.”
Six weeks too long. If it had been one bad date, maybe...but they’d given it an actual shot and Jade had been disappointed things hadn’t worked, which meant she’d obviously had feelings for Mike. “I can’t risk hurting her.” She shook her head. “I think this weekend is all we have and then...” Her voice trailed off and she was unable to verbalize the rest.
He sighed as though his thoughts had just completed the same spiral to the same disappointing conclusion.
He took the fish from her and placed it into the ice bucket then, taking her hands, he moved backward toward his own chair. Sitting, he pulled her down onto his lap and she snuggled into him as he reached for his own fishing pole and they continued to fish.