As they arrived at the camp, Jared was still feeling tempted to strangle the annoying woman, or better yet, throw her down on top of his sleeping bag and lose himself on her tempting body. Didn't she know what she was doing to him? Scaring him out of his mind when she risked her life like that, and then to be standing naked and proud right in front of his eyes as if she dared him to do his worst.
Why couldn't it at least have been dark so he was spared the distress of having the picture of her nude body plastered on his retina for the rest of his life? Damn her and damn Cade for putting ideas into his head making him want to exchange the dream with the real woman. Women like her were not for the likes of him β no matter what her brother thought of it.
He had known Cade for many years and knew that he respected him for what he was: a self-made man. But that didn't mean that the sister would see him as her equal. Most likely she was looking for a wealthy man that had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth β a man that was just as spoilt and doted on like she herself was.
Only she hadn't acted like the spoilt woman today. Instead she had carried her part of the burden and seemed to be enjoying herself. She had even tried fishing and he was beginning to understand that there was more to Miss Mason than a good-looking face. Not to forget a tempting body, he suddenly remembered before he managed to arrest himself.
Just the thought of what she kept hidden underneath her clothes had given him some difficulties in maintaining the light tone between them, as well as trying to keep his body under control. He felt another tug in his cock just by thinking of her and he gave himself a mental shake as he tried to control his breathing.
Luckily the cold water was helping. Otherwise he would probably have jumped her already. Now all he had to do was get through the night ahead of them.
"You need to get out of those clothes," he suddenly heard Ann say behind him.
"What?" he stilled immediately.
"Unless you want a lung fever or something. You're completely soaked."
He knew she was right. Luckily he had brought a change of clothes, he thought as he tried to unbutton his wet shirt. His hands were shaking but he couldn't be sure whether it was from the cold or due to the presence of the woman monitoring his every move.
***
"Here, let me help you," Ann intervened as she noticed Jared hands shaking with cold. She walked up to him and resolutely started to unbutton the rest of his shirt, before helping him take off the wet garment.
"Do you have any spare clothes?" she wondered.
"Yes, they're in my ruck-sack."
"I'll get them for you if you can manage your sweater on your own."
"I can manage," Jared practically growled behind her.
Locating a dry sweater and some underwear, she laid them beside him, while watching him fondle with the buttons in his pants. He must be really cold, she realised as she saw the way his hands were shaking. Strangely enough, the rest of him felt warm.
Not thinking more about it, she stood before him and showed his fingers aside, before starting on the buttons in his pants. He inhaled sharply and in surprise she raised her head and met his heated stare. He was obviously feeling the same tension between them as she was. Avoiding his hungry eyes, she concentrated on acting practical and unbuttoned the rest of his pants.
She couldn't help but notice how his lower parts seemed to push against the seam and as she lowered the pants to his thighs, he seemed to breathe in relief as if the pressure had been lessened. She wondered briefly if he could he aroused, or if this was his usual size when relaxed. In that case it was impressive to say the least.
Unfortunately his dark underwear was hiding the answer and he pushed her fingers away when she tried to push his underwear downwards.
"I can manage from now on," he said hoarsely as he turned away from her and started to put on his dry sweater.
"Wouldn't you like a towel?" she wondered suddenly as she had difficulty taking her eyes of his broad back.
"If you can find one, yes," Jared replied as he continued taking off his shoes and socks.
That meant that she would have to miss the rest of the interesting display that was shown right in front of her and Ann reprimanded herself for being so stupid. Still, if she was fast... She rummaged through her ruck-sack and located the towel she had brought with her.
"Here you go," she handed him the towel just as his hands was starting to take off his underwear. He quickly dried off his chest and arms, before moving his hands to his underwear again. Suddenly he turned halfway around and smiled at her.
"Why don't you start a fire instead of spying at me?" he winked at her.
"I wasn't spying," Ann answered annoyed as he was reading her thoughts. "I was only trying to be helpful."
"Well, I think I can manage the rest but thanks for volunteering. I would rather that you cook me some warm soup instead."
Ann was practically fuming. So, he wanted a cook and not a lover, was that it? Well, she would show the ungrateful wretch. She turned away and started to get the fire going before filling a pot with water. Looking behind her she saw the naked backside of Jared as he had taken off his underwear and was drying himself with the towel.
She felt spellbound as she followed every rippling muscle on his lower back and upper thigh and felt a strong inclination to ask him to turn around and finish the show. Damn him. Why did he have to look so tempting? She was going to have troubles sleeping tonight, even though every muscle in her body had been exhausted earlier.
She turned away from the tempting sight as she heard the water boil and she quickly poured the soup powder into the pan and started stirring.
Finally a clothed Jared sat down beside her and she handed him a cup filled with warm soup.
"Here you go. Hopefully this will warm your bones a little."
"And if not?" Jared smiled suddenly.
Then I'll throw you to the ground and make wild and passionate sex with you, Ann wanted to reply. Instead she caught herself in time. "Then you'll get another."
"Thanks," Jared replied before he poured down the soup.
Ann poured some for herself as well and the warm liquid was doing wonders to heat her body again. The water had probably been colder than she had originally thought.