sexually involved with a woman, they got together only a couple of times a week. That had been plenty. He realized that his thinking was different this time, but he explained it away by the novelty of the situation.
His former girlfriends had lived in apartments, so they’d either spent time at his place or hers, or at a hotel for variety’s sake. For some reason he’d never thought to take any of them camping. The professional women he’d dated hadn’t seemed like the camping type. Maybe he hadn’t given them enough credit, but he couldn’t imagine any of them going without makeup and taking a quick bath in a mountain stream.
Today he’d learned something valuable about himself. He loved having outdoor sex during the day. He was amazed that he’d never tried it before, but now that he had, he was a real fan. Not every woman would agree with him on that, but he’d been lucky enough to hook up with a woman who was willing to go along.
Having a platform high in a tree helped, too. They weren’t as likely to be caught in the act. Actually, if they were going to continue with those episodes, they’d be wise to bring the ladder up. That way they really couldn’t be caught in the act. He’d see what Naomi thought about that suggestion.
Before he left the tent, he took off his hat and laid it brim-side up on what he now considered his side. A hat only got in the way when there was a beautiful woman around, so why wear it? He wanted to be free to kiss her any old time he had a chance.
He had the corn and the steak cooking by the time she walked into camp. Even with her clothes and her hiking boots on, she still looked like a wood nymph. She matched the environment, and he liked that about her.
She sniffed appreciatively. “Smells wonderful, Luke. I haven’t had steak in ages. You’re hired as the camp cook, too.”
“I’m happy to accept the job.” He crouched down and turned the steak with the long-handled fork he’d brought with him. “I like to make myself useful.”
He glanced over his shoulder and caught her eyeing his butt.
“You’re very useful.” She ogled him openly now, hamming it up. “There’s something really sexy about a guy slaving over a hot campfire, especially when he can fill out a pair of jeans.”
“Watch out.” He grinned at her. “I’m liable to start feeling like a sex object.”
“I know how you would hate that—having me pester you constantly to strip down so I can worship your body.”
“Yeah, that sounds awful. When does the pestering start?”
“If that steak didn’t smell like heaven, it would start right away. But I don’t want to interfere with this promising meal preparation.”
“Tactical mistake on my part.” He stood. “I should have waited to put on the steak until after you’d come back to camp, in case you wanted an appetizer.”
“I’ll settle for a kiss.”
He laid the fork on a rock and walked toward her. “Think we can stop with a kiss?”
“With that steak sizzling on the grill? You bet. Every cowboy and cowgirl knows it’s a crime to burn a good steak.”
He cupped her face in both hands. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Then he tilted her head back and brushed the corner of her mouth with his thumb. “Open up, Naomi. I’m coming in.”
She moaned softly and met him halfway, parting her lips and welcoming the thrust of his tongue. He delved into her warm mouth with the urgency of a man who’d been denied for weeks, instead of mere hours. She tasted so damned good.
Vaguely he heard a popping sound but didn’t realize it was the sound of his shirt being unbuttoned until she slid both hands up his bare chest and pinched his nipples. His cock swelled in response. He lifted his mouth a fraction. “You’re not playing fair.”
“I didn’t say I would.”
“Then neither will I.” He slipped a hand under the back of her T-shirt and unhooked her bra. Then when he made a frontal assault with that same hand, he discovered that her nipples were as rigid as his.
She moaned deep in her throat.
“You’re asking for it,” he murmured against her mouth.
“Uh-huh. Make it fast.”
Fire licked through his veins. He backed her toward the tent. “Get in there and take off your shorts.” He released her, unbuckled his belt and unfastened his jeans.
By the time he crawled in after her, she was in the process of kicking away her shorts and panties. He felt under his sleeping bag, located a condom and knelt at the tent entrance while he quickly took care of that chore.
Then he was on her. With his booted feet sticking out of the tent, he took her with such enthusiasm that he lifted her bottom right off the floor of the tent. She squeaked, but that squeak soon became a whimper as he pumped rapidly.
She came fast, and he followed right after. Then she started laughing, and he did, too. It was crazy to be doing this when it might mean ruining their meal.
But apparently she didn’t plan for him to do that. “Go.” She kept laughing as she gave him a little push. “Check the meat.”
“What if I want some cuddling?”
“I’ll cuddle you later! Don’t burn the steak.”
Grinning like a fool, he backed out of the tent, disposed of the condom and zipped up. He glanced over at the steak, which looked about perfect. Still chuckling, he made a megaphone of his hands. “Dinner’s ready!”
God, but she was fun. Yep, best day ever.
“THIS STEAK is fabulous.” Naomi sat on a flat rock with a tin plate balanced in her lap and a bottle of beer at her feet. Good sex followed by good food was a combination she hadn’t had that often, but she’d like to make it a habit.
“I’ll bet you say that to all your camp cooks.” Luke sat cross-legged on the ground near her. The campsite had one decent sitting rock and he’d insisted she take it.
“I do. You’re the first one I’ve ever had. Are you sure you’re okay on the ground? I can go get the camp stool. I didn’t even think about seating arrangements. I’m so used to eating alone here.”
“Next time we can bring the stool down.” He looked up from the ear of corn he was eating. “Assuming I’ll get invited back.”
“The odds of that are very good.”
“I can bring you fresh food each time. I know you’re surviving on energy drinks and canned goods, but that must get old.”
“I consider it part of the job,” she said. “The main focus is the eagles, and I just need to stay reasonably fed and hydrated so I’ll be able to keep climbing that ladder.”
“Which
