Ryan's Temptation by Amber Daulton

Author:Amber Daulton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Opposites Attract, Strong Woman
Publisher: Amber Daulton
Published: 2022-08-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Chanel squeezed the brake handles, the muscles in her legs burning, and the blue mountain bike skidded to a stop. Pine-scented air filled her lungs as she breathed.

What a sight. The narrow dirt trail rounded out on a small plateau and overlooked miles of pristine forestland. A few townships dotted the fertile green valley, and the terrain rolled back into the towering Rockies. Ryan had led her on dozens of trails over the past week, but none offered views as gorgeous as this one.

He stood from his bike, rubbing his nape. His chest heaved as he dragged in the air.

“I’m surprised we haven’t run into anyone out here.” More than that, she could hardly believe Officer Osgood took Jakobsen for his word. The policeman hadn’t returned, but she still double-checked out the windows before leaving the house.

She grabbed her water bottle from the holder on her bike—rather Chuck’s bike—and gulped a mouthful. Oh, yes. The tepid liquid cascaded down her parched throat and sloshed in her stomach. Much better.

“Eh. We’ve been using lesser-known trails, which is why they’re so overgrown.” He pointed toward the billowing ferns at the mouth of the trail. “All this is public land, which abuts several private properties. Tourists and locals alike use it, but most tourists stick with the trails closer to the ski lodge on the other side of the mountain.” He stretched his arms above his head and popped his back. “Whew. I’ve needed that.”

She turned and stared up at the southeastern slope of Mt. Arcresta Butte. Patches of snow dotted the evergreens. The snow-capped peak glinted like a massive diamond under the sun. Eek. The glare. She blinked rapidly and averted her gaze to the puffy gray clouds—snow clouds, perhaps?—dotting the afternoon sky. Would she be throwing snowballs at Ryan or rolling down a snowy bank with him soon?

Running away from her responsibilities—her life—did have some perks.

She huddled into her borrowed jacket and rubbed her gloved hands down her jeans as the cold wind swept through the plateau. Bits of grass and dirt smudged her sneakers. Smart move in not wearing her new leather boot-boots. She curled her toes in a double pair of thick thermal socks and Regina’s hiking shoes.

“I would love to go camping here.” She unclipped her helmet and rested it on the bike handle. “When I was little, Mom and Dad took my brother and me camping a few times a year. We always roughed it in two small tents—one for my parents and one for Brett and me—and we ate beans and bacon over the fire. After supper, Dad would break out the chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. There’s nothing better than s’mores toasted over an open flame.”

“Agreed.” He fluffed out the edges of his jacket. “My brothers and I have trekked every inch of these trails and set up tents all over the place back in the day.”

The breeze rustling through the trees snagged strands of hair from her low ponytail. She hooked the blowing locks behind her ears as her throat tightened.

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