Chapter 2
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A VERY FLASHED RYAN a look as they continued down the trail to the waterfall a few minutes later. He’d refused to give Avery her backpack again, insisting on carrying both the rest of the way. He’d also taken her hand once more, and she practically wanted to shiver in delight at his touch. Ryan’s big hand wrapped around her own was sending sparks of heat shooting straight through her. Or maybe that was from their near-kiss moments ago.
Her heart had nearly pounded out of her chest as he’d moved closer, saying that he wanted to kiss her. Avery had yearned for him with an intensity that surprised her. He was always careful with her. Protective. And she loved how he went out of his way to let her know she was special to him. She might not live here, but he’d give her rides back to her hotel when she was visiting the island or bring her a coffee if he was picking her up for an adventure. She’d been to Oahu for conferences and vacations alike, each time spending more and more of her free hours with him. Her brother didn’t seem to appreciate the attention Ryan gave her, but Aaron could hardly talk given that he was busy with his own girlfriend.
Besides, she and Ryan hadn’t been dating all this time. They were just friendly. Flirtatious.
Nothing had ever happened between them...until it almost had.
Her gaze ran over him now, Avery practically giddy with the delight at the way he carefully held her hand in his own.
Ryan was only a couple inches taller than her, big and broad, with delicious looking muscles. Veins trailed over his hands and forearms, and he smelled good, like soap with a hint of spice. He was bigger than her despite their slight difference in height, and she loved that. He was clearly strong enough to protect her from any danger, but she also liked the idea that he could cage her in with those muscular arms and kiss her like he meant it. Take her how he wanted.
“Nope. You can’t carry your backpack,” he teased, noticing her eyes on it. She met his light green eyes, which were currently dancing with amusement. She’d never get it back from him if he didn’t want her to have it. Somehow that knowledge alone was a thrill.
“I’m perfectly capable of carrying it myself,” she pointed out.
“That you are. Doesn’t mean I don’t like helping you. Besides, I gotta put these muscles to good use,” he joked. “I’ll tell my CO I did some intense training over the weekend.”
Her gaze briefly caught on his biceps, and then she flushed as he chuckled.
“You can check me out all you want, Av,” he teased, his voice a low rumble that made her belly do a funny little flip. “I don’t mind in the least.”
“Oh my gosh,” she said, feeling slightly embarrassed as she covered her face with one hand. She was a nurse for crying out loud. A grown woman. But sometimes, she felt like a teenage girl around him, flirty and full of laughter and shared smiles. Secret looks.
Ryan’s own deep laughter filled the forest, and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, not releasing it. “Trust me, Av, I’ve always appreciated looking at you. You were probably just too busy to notice.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she said, biting her lip.
“I’m serious,” he said with a grin. “The other guys could tell I was interested in you.”
Avery huffed out a laugh. “I’m sure Aaron loved that,” she joked.
“Your brother doesn’t get a say in it,” he said, his tone suddenly serious.
She glanced at his strong profile, taking in his shortly-cropped hair and masculine, chiseled features. His jaw was set. Determined. He meant what he said. Avery had no issue telling her brother to mind his own business, but she appreciated that Ryan felt the same way.
He led her further down the trail, the quiet Hawaiian morning serene. It was almost hard to believe she’d just flown in yesterday for a quick trip. One moment she’d been boarding a plane, and the next, waking up in a tropical paradise, Ryan picking her up at her hotel bright and early for their adventure. She knew the team kept early hours for their training, and with the time zone difference, she was wide awake at the crack of dawn, too.
He easily carried both their backpacks now. Ryan was fit, with broad shoulders she’d imagined clinging onto more than once. He was the shortest guy on his SEAL team, and for some reason, she loved that. Some men could be intimidating with their height and size, and she simply just felt safe with him.
Safe, but also capable of melting in his arms.
He was different than the men she worked with at the hospital. Different from the men she’d volunteered with in foreign lands. Ryan was a confident, alpha male. He took charge. Made things happen. And while Avery considered herself an independent woman, she had to admit she appreciated that he was always watching out for her.
His green eyes landed on hers, and an understanding passed between them. “You come first, Av,” he told her seriously. “Your brother and I might be teammates, but I want you to know that.”
“Ryan.”
“I’m serious. I talk to you more than any of those guys, and I train with them every day. You don’t even live here and know more about me than they do.”
She playfully nudged him. “All your secrets are safe with me.”
“Whew.” He pantomimed wiping his brow, then flashed her a crooked grin.
She smirked. Ryan had no skeletons in his closet. He was an all-around good guy. Hotter than any man had a right to be, too, but she didn’t need to tell him that. He’d already seen her admiring his muscular build, much to her embarrassment.
They emerged from beneath some low-hanging branches, Ryan holding them up so she didn’t get scratched by them. Her stomach did another somersault. He was chivalrous. Yes, she could’ve held the branches out of the way herself, but she liked how sweet he always was with her. And for a guy that had such an athletic, testosterone-fueled career, he seemed happy to do things at her pace. She kept in good shape but knew she could never compete with his strength or endurance.
“See that up ahead?” he asked, his deep voice once again jarring her from her thoughts. Her eyes widened as she took in the view, and from the corner of her eye, she saw the pleased look on his face.
“Wow! That’s incredible!” she said in surprise as she looked at the massive waterfall, the sound practically music to her ears. “It looks like something out of a movie—maybe Jurassic Park,” she said excitedly as he chuckled. “Look at the way the sun is shining through it. You can even see a rainbow!”
“Knew you’d like it,” he said smugly.
She glanced over at him, unable to hold back her own smile. “What made you think that?”
“You told me how much you love sunsets on the beach. We enjoyed a few together,” he added, his voice low. “This isn’t exactly the same, but it’s pretty cool. Nature at its finest,” he joked.
“I don’t just like it, I love it,” she told him honestly. “There’s absolutely nothing like this back home. I’d want to come here every day if I moved to Oahu.”
“It’s safer than the Darien Gap,” he quipped, his voice darkening.
“Ryan,” she pleaded, turning toward him. “I already have my brother on my case. I told you I might take a job with Doctors Without Borders, and you said go for it.”
“I did,” he agreed. “But you didn’t share what borders you’d be heading to.” He shot her a look, and she felt a slight twinge of regret. He wasn’t wrong.
“You’re right. I didn’t tell you where I was hoping to go,” she admitted. “But I didn’t think you’d care. I mean, I knew you’d want details of course,” she added before he could protest. “I just didn’t realize it would bother you.”
Ryan glanced toward a couple nearby and then led Avery over to a more secluded area, away from the tourists and locals who were also out this early. He set both backpacks down on the ground, each landing with a slight thump, and turned toward her as the waterfall thundered from nearby.
He surprised her as he stepped closer and took her face in his hands. “Of course I care,” he said, his voice gruff and green eyes focused solely on her. Her lips parted, but she couldn’t find the words to respond. She breathed in his scent. Basked in his warmth. Felt the hardness of his muscled body as he moved closer. This time around, he didn’t ask permission to kiss her. Ryan leaned in, and at last, his lips were on hers.
Electricity jolted through her as his mouth moved over her own. One big hand slid to the back of her head, and Ryan kissed her slowly. Reverently. His mouth was warm, and his hands somehow both gentle yet commanding. He’d taken what he wanted but was so damn careful about it. The scruff of his jaw rubbed over her skin as he deepened the kiss, and she shivered. Her lips parted, and his tongue swept in, and then she was clinging to him like he was the only thing holding her up.
Ryan immediately wrapped one arm around her, holding her close. Her breasts pressed against his hard chest, and she could feel his strength and heat as his erection rubbed against her center. Ryan didn’t try to hide it or pull back. He wanted her.
Arousal coiled within her belly, spiraling down, until she felt a pulsing at her core. They were pressed together like lovers, her body already throbbing with want. She could feel her nipples pebbling against her bra. Her panties dampening. And oh God—Ryan’s stubble was lightly brushing against her skin as he trailed kisses along her jaw. She wanted to feel that everywhere. Her breasts. Her belly. The tender skin of her inner thighs.
They were both breathing heavily when he finally pulled back, his hands still on her as if he was afraid she’d float away. Her gaze fell to her own hands, which were fisting his tee shirt. Avery felt like she was claiming him in the same way he’d staked his hold on her.
“I wanted to do that for months,” he admitted, the corner of his mouth tugging up.
She flushed, and he lightly caressed her cheek, his hand lingering at her neck. “I love how you blush around me, Av.”
“Oh stop,” she said with an embarrassed laugh.
He leaned in and kissed her again, short and sweet, before releasing her. “Can’t help it. I like what I like.”
She pressed her lips together, trying to hide her smile. Ryan was more assertive than her in many ways, and she loved it. Avery made rapid decisions all the time in her line of work. It might seem like a small thing, having him plan the hike or initiate their first kiss, but she liked not having to be in control of every little thing. With Ryan, she could just be. Maybe that was partly what had drawn her to him in the first place. She’d been at a beach party with her brother, and Ryan had offered to get her a drink. Then he’d given her a lift back to her hotel that night. It was a million little things that he did to make her feel special. Stuff she didn’t even know she’d been missing in past relationships.
“I feel like I need to jump in the waterfall to cool down,” she joked, her entire body still flushed. He’d done no more than kiss her passionately, but damn. He’d practically sent her up in flames.
His eyes raked over her appreciatively as he stepped back, and he looked pleased with himself. “Not sure I want anyone else to see you soaking wet in a light-colored shirt, Av,” he said, his gaze briefly catching on her breasts before he met her eyes again.
Her heart thudded. Ryan was clearly attracted to her yet also protective. He was different than the types of guys she usually ended up dating. The type who were all about looks and wouldn’t mind showing her off. Ryan seemed content to have her all to himself, and she loved that. He made her feel safe and secure in a way she wasn’t used to. In a way that thrilled her.
“Good point,” she said, still slightly breathless. “No unintentional wet tee-shirt contests for me.”
He licked his lips, smiling. “I’ve got another surprise,” he said, drawing her attention back to his green gaze. “I packed us a picnic breakfast—bagels, fruit, and coffee. I figured we’d be hungry after the hike.”
“Oh my God. You did not bring coffee with you.”
“I did,” he said with a chuckle. His grin was smug as he looked at her. “You might’ve mentioned your obsession with Kona coffee once or twice.”
“What? It’s good,” she said, warmth rising within her. Ryan noticed everything. All the men on his SEAL team were like that. No doubt they were trained to be observant. As a nurse, she paid attention, too, but this was different. Ryan noticed things even when she didn’t realize he was watching. He could be an intense guy, and it was flattering to be the sole focus of that male interest and attention.