Swept Away. Kristina Mathews
Sure, he’d been with his fair share of women. He enjoyed their company. Liked to be able to please them. Give them what they needed. Some women just needed someone to talk to. He was a damn good listener. Others needed someone to hold them, a warm body to keep them from feeling the chill of loneliness. Then there were the women who needed to be touched. To have him stroke both body and ego, letting them know just how incredible and powerful and sexy they were.
But with Lily? He didn’t have a clue. He didn’t know what she needed or what he wanted from her. It was like heading down an unfamiliar stream in the dark, without a map, or even a paddle.
* * * *
“So tell me more about your rafting company.” Lily put a dish of salsa and a basket of tortilla chips on the table.
“We run several one- or two-day trips a week from April to October.” Carson spoke with enthusiasm. “We take kids as young as eight and as old as eighty. We take families, scout troops—”
“Singles groups and honeymooners.” Cody chimed in. “And we have a campground that’s open year-round.”
“We got a late start this year, though.” Carson’s tone took on a more serious note. “The late storms, while great for the water reserves, put a damper our business. But things are picking up. Come Memorial Day we’ll be booked pretty solid.”
“Isn’t all that rain good for business? In the long run?” Lily was curious about their way of life. So different than the life she’d led. So much more relaxed. So much more real.
“The American River is dam controlled.” Carson leaned forward with a sparkle in his eye as he talked about the river he called home. “The first few weeks the river is higher from the runoff, but mostly it’s pretty consistent.”
“Except for drought years,” Cody added. “Some years there’s barely enough water to release. But every season is slightly different—the rapids change with higher or lower water, the river changes course, and we’re always meeting new people.”
“The tributaries, like Hidden Creek, are much more affected by the heavy snowpack,” Carson informed her.
“Tell me about it.” Lily had learned that the hard way. She’d come here, hoping to start over, to stand on her own two feet, to be the strong woman she knew she could be. If it wasn’t for these two, she wouldn’t be standing at all. “I’ll be sure to steer clear of the river from now on.”
“That would be a shame.” Carson glanced over at her, trapping her in his gaze. The sensation of being pulled under was stronger than it had been in the river.
“Yeah,” Cody added. “The river is life.”
They talked for a while, the guys becoming more and more animated as they discussed their lives on the water. Their passion for their jobs and the outdoors was clear. They had been shaped by the river. Not just their bodies—those sculpted arms, shoulders, and abs certainly didn’t come from a gym—but who they were on the inside was a result of the years spent guiding.
“You should come rafting with us,” Cody suggested.
“No, that’s okay.” Lily shivered at the thought of being on the river. “I think I’ll stay away from the water for some time.”
“Don’t give in to the fear.” There was something in Carson’s voice that reeled her in. “I’d hate for you to miss out on one of life’s great pleasures.”
“You’re that good?” Lily finished off her tea, wishing she could forget the feel of Carson pressed against her. His hand on her breast. His strength completely enveloping her.
“Honey, we’re the best,” Cody joined in, lightening the mood. His flirting, she could deal with. He made her feel feminine and attractive, but she knew he didn’t mean anything serious.
“I’ll think about it.” They were right, of course. But still, she was afraid. Of the river, sure, but she was more afraid of spending too much time with the Swift brothers.
* * * *
They had a problem. Carson gripped the steering wheel of his truck as he backed down the long driveway. Lily was safe and warm in her cabin. She’d showered, dressed, and finished her tea. After playing hostess, offering them drinks and snacks, she no longer seemed dazed or confused as she’d been when Carson had first pulled her out of the river.
But he was confused. Not about why he and Cody both found her attractive. That was perfectly understandable. No. What he couldn’t figure out was why he felt such a strong need to protect her. He was looking for less responsibility, not more. Yet some instinct rose inside him. It was almost primal.
And it made him want to spar with the other male competing for her attention.
“You went a little overboard with the come-ons in there.” Carson wasn’t sure if he was more jealous or embarrassed by Cody’s blatant flirtation. “I mean, ‘We can light your fire?’ Who says that?”
“I was just trying to be helpful.” Cody had that innocent, “Who me?” tone in his voice.
“It was too much, even for you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” As if he didn’t know.
“Helpful would be maybe waiting until she dried off before trying to get her into bed.”
“You’re the one who felt her up on the side of the river.” Cody sounded a little defensive.
“I was trying to keep her warm. Hypothermia can be a real danger, especially this time of year when the water is still barely above freezing.”
“Listen to Mr. Boy Scout.” Cody chuckled. “You want her and you know it.”
Carson didn’t respond. There was no use arguing, so he concentrated on the road. On putting distance between him and Lily.
“So if I said I saw her first…” Cody wouldn’t drop it.
“I went in after her,” Carson reminded him.
“I like her. I really like her.”
“You like every attractive woman you meet.” They’d had this conversation too many times. “Until you get them into bed.”
“Lily’s different.” Cody almost sounded sincere.
“Leave Lily alone”
“I don’t think so. I’m not going to step aside just so you can have her.”
“She’s not a prize to be won.” Carson couldn’t help himself. He was protective of her. A little possessive, even.
“Afraid of losing?”
“No.” Carson had learned a long time ago that it was easier to let Cody win. But not this time. “It’s just that I’d hate to see her added to the tailings of your pathetic love life.”
“The tailings of my love life?” Cody choked out a laugh. Maybe Carson’s words hit a little close to home.
“Yeah, all those women you just tossed aside. After you dropped your shaft, you couldn’t care less about the destruction you left behind.”
“Hey, my shaft is bigger than yours.” Wow. A penis metaphor. There was something new.
“You don’t get it, do you?” Carson gripped the steering wheel tighter. “You can’t treat women that way.”
“Hey, I let them know up front what they’re getting into.”
This wasn’t just about Lily. It was a conversation they should have had years ago. They weren’t twenty-two anymore.
“Yeah, and you think they actually believe you.” Carson couldn’t believe his brother didn’t know the difference.
“What’s that supposed