Chapter 12 #2
Similar to MREs? No thanks. She’d rather starve. “It’s just sandwiches and chips. It’s not like I packed a banquet feast. I figured we could use a decent meal before our descent, and it is lunchtime.” After a few minutes of eating, Allie asked, “Is it true Sandy beat you up as a kid?”
Carson’s features pinched, and he groaned as if in pain. “Does she tell that story to everyone? It was supposed to be a secret.”
“So it’s true?” Allie gasped, totally shocked that Sandy could get the drop on someone like Carson. True, it was when they were kids, but still.
“That’s not exactly how it happened.”
“Care to set the record straight?”
“It’s not that exciting of a story.”
“I’m not going anywhere?” She nudged him in the arm with hers. “Come on, you can tell me. I won’t think less of you if you got beat up by a girl. Even if it was Sandy, who is a foot shorter than you.”
“Beat up is the wrong word. Taken by surprise is more like.” Allie waved him on to continue.
Carson sighed heavily. “There were two girls fighting. I decided to intervene. The girl took offense to my interference, so she kneed me in a not-so-nice place in retaliation. There was no beating me up, she just caught me off guard.”
“Sandy was this girl?” Allie questioned, dumbfounded. She knew her friend was fierce, but she didn’t peg her for a knee-jerker because someone was trying to break up a fight.
“Yep, Sandy apologized afterward, and we’ve been friends since.”
“Wow, Sandy makes it sound cooler, but I’m glad you became friends out of it. How old were you?”
“Thirteen, I think.” Wow, barely a teenager and already coming to another person’s defense. He was meant to be a soldier and help others.
“What about the other girl? The one Sandy was fighting. Did you ever see her again?”
“She developed a small crush on me for a while.”
“Well, I can see why.” She might have gone goo-gaga if a guy like Carson had rescued her from the school bully, even if said bully had been Sandy.
Allie had never had anyone. Not until Sandy.
Allie had always been the quiet tomboy who got great grades but had terrible social skills.
The girls thought her odd and the boys didn’t know what to make of her, so everyone used her as a verbal punching bag.
She never told her family because she didn’t want her brothers to start fights at school.
“What do you mean?”
“You were her hero. Hero complex.”
“You think she liked me only because I saved her and not for my good looks?” he asked, almost sounding affronted.
“I’m sure she found you devilishly handsome.” Who wouldn’t? Allie found him handsome now; she couldn’t imagine what he’d looked like without the scars. “But I’m sure it was because you took notice of her is what really reeled her in.”
“You find me devilishly handsome, huh?”
“What?” Allie sputtered. “No, I—I said, I’m sure she did,” she quickly corrected herself. Carson gave her an ‘uh huh’ look as if he didn’t believe her.
“As if you need compliments. I’ve seen lots of women checking you out.”
“No, they don’t.” Now he looked angered by her words as if she was just saying it to get a rise out of him.
“Yes, they do,” she countered sincerely. When they weren’t distracted by his scars, many women stared openly at him.
Carson didn’t say anything for a moment. They just ate in silence, gazing out at the scenery. “Thank you, that was good,” he said, cleaning up his mess.
“I’m glad you liked it. Do you have room for dessert?”
“Dessert? And you gave me grief for packing too much. What else do you have packed in that bag of yours?” he asked, leaning over to look in at its contents.
“Besides the food, just a first aid kit, a jacket, and a flashlight. Not all of us need to pack everything but the kitchen sink for a three-hour hike,” she replied sarcastically.
Carson didn’t say anything to her statement, just stared at her.
“What?” Carson was giving her an odd look, and she didn’t know what to make of it.
He reached over, his thumb touching the corner of her mouth.
Allie sat frozen like a deer caught in headlights.
His thumb glided across the corner of her lips before he pulled away and wiped his hand off on his napkin.
“You had something on the corner of your mouth.”
“Thanks.” Allie busied herself cleaning up their lunch and stuffing things back into her bag.
She noted some grey clouds rolling in. The storm was coming in faster than she’d first predicted.
They had a couple-mile hike back to the truck.
She hoped the rain held off until they got back to the vehicle.
“Ready to head back?” she asked, standing up.
“Yeah.” Carson joined her, noticing the sky as well. They took the dirt trail back instead of the water trail. Carson said it would be faster.
Allie felt the first cold drop of water quickly followed by another.
They were still at least a mile from the truck.
She glanced up, though she knew she wouldn’t see anything through the tree canopy.
The drops came steadier now. The temperature was dropping slightly.
They weren’t going to make it back to the truck before the skies opened up.
“Do we run for it or take shelter?” Allie asked Carson.
Personally, she thought they should run for it.
It was only a mile. They’d be soaked, but not as bad as if they waited out the storm.
At least if they made it to the truck, they’d have a better shelter from the rain and could turn on the heater.
“Run for it. The trees with protect us from the worst of it, though if there’s lightning, that won’t help us.” No, trees and lightning made terrible friends, and she didn’t want to be there when a bolt struck a tree.
“You don’t want to set up your structure right here?” She couldn't help but tease despite being soaking wet.
“If we were back at the falls, I’d suggest it, but the truck isn’t too much farther. In under thirty minutes, we’ll be there.” Carson picked up the pace, as the rain started coming down harder.
Allie kept up with him. Mainly because she didn’t have a choice. Carson took her hand in his as they made their way down at a quickened pace. She wasn’t going to complain. She liked the feel of his hand in hers. It was steady and reassuring and warm.
The trees thinned out, and Allie could see the truck up ahead. They all-out ran for it like several other hikers around them. They piled into the truck, the only sound to be heard was their breathing and the pattering of rain.
Carson turned on the truck and set the register to heat, angling the vents at her. Not that she needed it. She wasn’t cold, just soaked.
“I checked the weather before we left. I wasn’t supposed to rain for a couple more hours.” Allie leaned forward to look out the windshield. The rain was already easing. That was one nice thing about living in the desert. It didn’t rain much and when it did, it didn’t last for long.
“At least the rain doesn’t last long here,” Carson remarked, echoing her thoughts.
“True.” Allie dug into her bag that was between her legs and pulled out the blanket they had used for their picnic.
She dried off her legs and arms and blotted her hair. Now that it was wet, her hair was going to get frizzy and out of control. Not the image she wanted to impress upon on Carson.
She pulled her hair tie free and rewrapped it in a messy bun. It would have to do until she got home. “Do you need the blanket?” Allie held out the blanket, unsure if he’d take it. Carson was sensitive about people seeing his body and scars. Not that she hadn’t seen it already.
“No, thank you.” Carson put his seat belt on and waited for Allie to do the same before backing out of the spot and heading back to her house.
“Thanks for a fun day, Carson,” Allie said when he pulled up in her driveway.
“Even though we got rained out?”
“That wasn’t until we were headed back.” Because of the rain, he’d held her hand, so she wasn’t going to complain one bit. “It was still a beautiful hike.”
“It was. It’s been a while since I was up there. I forgot how nice it was.”
“I’d love to go back again with my rock-climbing gear.”
“Red Canyon has better climbing, but I wouldn’t mind going with you if you’d like the company.”
“You rock climb?” She didn’t know why that surprised her. She knew he did all sorts of other crazy, dangerous things, but for some reason, rock climbing hadn’t been a thought.
“I know how to scale walls, but I wouldn’t say I’m a rock climber. Probably not up to your skill level.”
“I can help you out. I’ve been climbing for years.” Most men didn’t appreciate a woman showing them how to do things, but in this case, she was the more experienced. Unskilled climbers could get themselves injured or even killed.
“I’d like that.”
“Good.” She was excited. It had been a while since she’d climbed.
Actually, it had been a long time since she’d done anything other than study and work.
She’d forgotten how much she missed getting out and doing things.
“We’ll have to plan that sometime.” Allie looked out the window toward her house.
She wasn’t ready for their day to end. “Do you want to come inside?”
Carson’s gaze flickered toward her house then back to her. “I can’t. I have some things left to do today.”
Allie smiled, hiding her disappointment. “Okay, maybe another time. Well, I better get going so you can do that; thanks again for today.”
“What are you doing tomorrow?” Carson asked as she reached for the door handle.
She ran through her schedule in her head. “I have some errands with Sandy during the day, but nothing after that.”
“Would you like to come to my house for dinner?”
“Sure, can I bring anything?”
“No,” he shook his head, “Just yourself. I’ll text you my address. It’s easy to find.”
“Okay, what time?”
“How does six sound? Will that give you enough time?”
“Yeah, that works out great.” She and Sandy were meeting up late morning so she would be home in plenty of time to get ready.
“Alright, I’ll see you then.” They stared at each other for a moment. Allie felt that magnetic pull once more.
“Bye, Carson.” She didn’t move to leave yet. Allie wanted to see what he would do. Carson leaned toward her across the console. Allie leaned toward him. They both paused when a few inches separated them. Allie closed the gap and gave him a chaste kiss.
Carson jolted under her lips but didn’t pull away. After a moment, Allie pulled back an inch. She could smell his musky cologne this close. Or was that deodorant? It didn’t matter. It was earthy and raw just like him.
She licked her lips, feeling a slight tingling in them.
Carson leaned back toward her. Allie met him in the middle.
His lips were firmer this time. More confident, less hesitant.
His head canted to the side for a better angle as his lips parted.
Allie’s opened as well, and her tongue darted out to meet his with a bold stroke.
Carson groaned deep in his throat. His left hand came up to grip the nape of her neck, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss.
The hair tie that was loosely holding her hair up fell out, and her hair tumbled down her back.
Carson’s fingers snaked up the back of her hair, gripping a fistful.
Their tongues danced and dueled. Allie was half draped over the middle console, wishing the thing was gone so she could straddle his lap.
This would have to do for now. Allie’s left hand came up to cup the side of Carson’s face. She felt the harsh raised flesh, but she didn’t let it affect her—even though inside, her heart broke for him.
Allie could feel Carson stiffen against her.
Oh no, he didn’t. She wasn’t going to let him ruin this moment for her.
She reached for the back of his head and pulled him closer.
His hair was still slick from the rain. Small water droplets trickled down the back of her hand.
She tilted her head back slightly, pulling his bottom lip between her lips as she did.
Carson hissed out a harsh breath. It wasn’t a mean bite, but enough pressure to elicit a hiss of pain from him.
Allie released his lip with a pop. Carson didn’t let her retreat for long; he pulled her closer again, sealing his lips over hers. His tongue darted into her mouth, taking control.
Allie sank into the kiss, losing all concept of time and place. She could kiss this man for hours. His lips were soft yet firm. His tongue stroking and teasing made her wish to feel it on other parts of her body.
Her nipples pebbled, and heat pooled between her legs.
With every stroke of his tongue, her belly quivered.
Allie’s right arm tingled from the odd angle of it leaning against the console.
She moved it to his thigh to get feeling back in it.
Her elbow bumped into the steering wheel and the horn honked.
Allie jumped at the sudden intrusion and glared at the offending steering wheel that had interrupted them, though it was probably for the best.
Allie sat back on her side of the vehicle; Carson’s chest rapidly rising and falling as her own was. He had been just as affected as she was by their kissing. Her lips felt bruised and were no doubt red from his kisses. Her skin felt branded from his touch.
She licked her lips, tasting his flavor still there.
Carson’s eyes tracked the movement like a hawk.
She could see the want and desire in his eyes.
He didn’t want to stop any more than she did, but it was best to stop now before they took things too far here in her driveway where anyone walking by could see them necking like two teenagers.
He’d already declined to come inside. Tomorrow, they could pick this up in a more comfortable environment.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Allie said, clearing her throat when she noticed how dry it was.
“Bye, Allie Cat.” Allie was taken aback for a second that Carson had given her a nickname. No one had ever called her that before. Sandy called her Al.
She giggled. It was a funny nickname. “Bye.” She debated giving him a last parting kiss, but knew it was only a banked fire at the moment. One spark would set it off again.