“It’s the river that runs between your ranch and ours.”
She was unsure if it was the rawness in his voice or surety in his eyes, but something about the man standing before her had changed. Softened. It suddenly felt like she was seeing him for the first time.
“Is that significant?”
“Just a fact.” Contentment molded to his frame like a pair of well-worn Wranglers. Nash flashed her a rogue smile, boosting his gaze toward the top of the tree. “We can walk down to the river, or I can offer you a better view.”
“You expect me to climb this behemoth of a tree?”
“There might be a ladder.”
Nash led her around to the other side of the tree. She stared up at a makeshift ladder of sorts made of small, cut branches screwed into the trunk and limbs, climbing high into the canopy.
Mustering her courage, she placed a hand on the ladder and began to climb. It only took six steps and a ragged breath wrapped around a few curse words from Nash to remind her that she wasn’t wearing any underwear.
“You’re totally looking up my dress, aren’t you?”
“Na,” he snickered right before sinking his teeth into her butt cheek, material and all.
Each weathered foothold creaked in the summer sun as they made their way toward the crown of the old oak. Curiosity mingled with jealousy. Ember found herself counting the rungs, speculating how many asses he’d previously bitten escorting women up the ladder.
Looking up, she spotted a large terrace spanning several sturdy limbs. Thick boards painted in multiple shades of faded greens and browns, took on a camo effect, obscuring the fort from below. Keeping a secure hold of one of the many branches acting as a handrail surrounding the fort, she cautiously tested the stability, stepping onto the plank flooring one foot at a time.
“It’ll take a few minutes for you to get your bearings, but I promise, it’s safe.”
Nash pointed through the thick foliage to the river below. “The view doesn’t get any better than this, sweetheart.”
Steep embankments covered in lush grass, flat rocks, and sandy dirt bordered the broad river, snaking its way through the picturesque prairielands. Smaller trees and shrubs clung to the edges of the rushing water flowing within its banks.
“I can’t believe this is the same river that runs along my ranch…Walker Ranch,” she clarified.
“Same river. Just a different vantage point.” He pressed a kiss near her temple. “I’ll be right back.”
“What? Wait, where are you going?”
A lazy taunting smile slid from one side of his stubbled jaw to the other. “It’s a surprise. I need to grab a few things.”
A breathy response stuck in the hallow of her throat. Forcing a swallow, she managed to squeak out, “Okay. I’ll be fine.”
After he disappeared down the tree, Ember inched toward the center of the platform, opting to sit rather than stand. Gathering her wits, she dropped her chin to her chest and slowly rolled her head from side to side, releasing the sticky tension from her neck.
Nash returned a few minutes later with a sizeable duffle bag slung over a shoulder and two pillows in hand.
Eyes popped wide, she asked, “Oh, are we camping?”
“We are. That is, as long as you’re not scared of sleeping under the stars. But I have a sneaky suspicion you’ll enjoy it.”
Scooting to one side, Ember watched as he unclasped a few bungie cords holding a couple bed rolls to the pack. Digging in, he dropped to his knees unloading a sleeping bag built for two, a blanket, a battery-operated lantern, half a case of water, a candle, and a few other items.
Shifting to her knees, she peered inside the large duffle, brows arched in question. “Got any food in there?”
Nash rescued an insulated bag from the bottom. “Dinner and two bottles of wine. Nothing too fancy so don’t get too excited.”
The hum of sensual energy coming off him scattered chill bumps across her flushed skin. She started to comment, but the growing arousal coursing through her body momentarily muzzled her words.
“I…I can’t believe you did all this.” The spicy scent of him caught on her tongue wreaking havoc on her intuition and libido. Normally, her instincts guided her through moments of anxiousness, but the questions in her mind started backing up like LA traffic. Not wanting to sound too eager or hopeful, or just plain jealous, she added coyly, “You sure know how to show women a good time.”
Nash countered, “Maybe a certain woman who enjoys the great outdoors.”
The claiming tone in his voice scrambled a swarm of butterflies in her belly. His lips tipped upward, tracking the wave of goosebumps coasting down her arms. Resting his hands on the floor, he leaned in close, bringing his nose inches from hers.
“And don’t think I didn’t catch that question. No, I don’t bring women here.” He paused. “The only person that’s ever been here is Sam.”
The sound of his soft, knowing chuckle danced through her like a live wire. Ember could feel her cheeks turning cherry red, but she wasn’t going to deny her interest in his previous dating habits.
He handed her a bottle of wine and she made quick work of the cork, filling two plastic wine glasses while Nash spread out the comfy bedding. He retrieved several containers filled with cured meats, hard cheeses, bite sized fruits, and a few tasty looking spreads, unloading them onto a gorgeous live edge piece of wood with black, wrought iron handles.
Taking a long sip of her wine, she watched as he meticulously arranged the goodies on the board as if following a memorized diagram, taunting, “Charcuterie, huh? I suppose you’re going to attempt to convince me that you created this delicious looking masterpiece all on your own.”
“Not in a million years, sweetheart. Jax from Grace hooked me up. I told him I needed something that would impress you and this is what he conjured up. I would’ve never considered this to be impressive, but he assured me you’d be dazzled.”
Heart brimming with happiness, she plunked a strawberry into her mouth and pressed a kiss near his temple before whispering in his ear, “Very impressive.”
“Me or the charcuterie?” he riddled, waggling his dark brows.
Ember blushed sliding him a sultry look. “Both.”
The sun began its nightly descent toward the horizon, painting the late-day sky in wispy strokes of tangerine orange and cotton candy pink. Easy conversation carried across the tranquil night air as they feasted on savory specialties. Nash extended his long muscular legs and leaned against the tree. He stacked the last piece of sausage atop a slice of baguette and topped it with a smear of lemon pesto before popping it into his mouth.
Laying her head in his lap, she gazed up into the fairy tale setting wondering how much time he spent as a child on the banks of the river. Nash didn’t talk about his childhood much. After meeting his sister, Ember suspected there were more hidden truths and mysteries to the Harris family. However, the subject was definitely not something he was comfortable discussing. Nash was the kind of man that guarded his privacy and preferred keeping personal issues close to the vest.
The soothing sounds of the babbling river combined with the crisp fall air and two glasses of wine, lulled her into a relaxed state of mind. Rays of the fleeting sun pierced through the canopy leaves, warming her bare legs. Ember closed her eyes and pulled a deep inhale through her nose relishing in the feel of his fingers sifting through her hair massaging her scalp.