FORTY SIX
THURSDAY AFTERNOON
BENNETT ESTATE, RAPID FALLS, CANADA
He felt her heartbeat beneath his fingers.
A slow, steady rhythm that quickened the moment he touched her. Tightening his grip on her hip, Ethan circled her, his senses tuned in to his surroundings – the crunch of forest debris beneath his boots, the trickle of water from the river behind him, her quiet breathing.
The setting sun had masked Jenna’s skin in a golden glow, the single braid of blond hair darker than usual. She stood poised with quiet confidence, her legs parted. She held the bow and arrow with practiced skill, the ease at which she handled the weapon never failing to impress him. Dressed in a tank top, army pants and boots, she looked prepared for combat.
He kept his gaze on the warrior woman, not surprised when her expression remained even, her back straight, as though the closeness between them had made no impact.
But her heartbeat gave her away.
“Ready?” he murmured, stifling a smirk.
“Of course.”
He tapped her elbow. “Straighten your arm.”
“You’re giving me archery tips?” Her brows raised, a mild grin playing on her lips. “Me?”
He nudged her arm for good measure and smiled. “If you need more time –”
“I’m ready, Ethan. Stop trying to distract me.”
He held out a hand toward the river, coloured with a touch of pink. “Don’t blink, it’ll be fast.”
“I’m faster.”
“Cocky, are we?”
“Confident.” On a gentle hiss of air, she drew back the arrow, ready for flight. “Stop stalling.”
Grinning, he mentally ditched the larger rock he’d had in mind and opted for a smaller one. Nothing like upping the challenge at the last minute.
He rotated his hand, the movement sparking a small whirlwind on the riverbed. A rush of energy swirled through him, bringing the familiar comfort he always felt when connecting to nature.
Air. His elemental power.
“On the count of three,” he murmured and began the countdown. In lightning speed, he directed the wind away from them. It hoisted the rock into the air with a force that launched it across the sky.
She released the arrow, followed by a triumphant cry when it connected with the target.
Smiling, she lowered the weapon and wiggled her butt and shoulders in a victory dance that extracted a laugh from him.
“You haven’t won yet, Pocahontas,” he reminded her.
Light blue eyes sparkled with mischief. Her bright smile emphasised high cheekbones and perfect teeth. She handed him an arrow. “Your turn. I showed you mine. Now you show me yours.”
He flashed his wildest grin. “That sounds kinky. Even for me.”
She laughed again. “In your dreams, stud muffin.”
“Stud muffin?” He shot her a look of disgust and snatched the bow from her, reaching for a confidence he didn’t quite feel. He wasn’t a bad aim when it came to archery, but Jenna’s talent for the sport outranked his.
“You remember what this final challenge means, right?” she called over her shoulder as she
