Reluctantly, we climb off the quad and remove our helmets. Bright and Nicole are already at the edge taking in the view. “Kens, you’re missing out,” Nicole yells over her shoulder. Kensington reaches for my hand; her face is lit up with a smile as she drags me to the edge.

I take in her beauty while as she takes in our surroundings. In this moment, there are no shadows that follow her. She’s blissfully happy. Powerful affection grips my heart in the realization I did that for her. I brought her here, to peace.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathes

“I couldn’t agree more,” I reply. Although, I’m not looking at the scenery; I’m only looking at her.

She turns to face me and I can see in her eyes she knows I’m talking about her.

A gust of wind passes through and she shivers. I don’t hesitate. I step in behind her and wrap her in my arms. Her body relaxes against mine, and the peace I saw in her just minutes before washes through me.

The four of us remain quiet on top of the mountain, looking out over the horizon. The sun is starting to set and we couldn’t have timed this better if we tried. Then again, knowing Bright, this is exactly what he had in mind.

As the sun sets further into the horizon, I will it to slow down. I don’t want to leave this moment. I could stay here with her in my arms for hours. I know we need to head back soon; the quads have headlights, but the trails can be difficult to navigate in the dark of night.

I hear Bright tell Nicole it’s time to go. I want to stomp my foot and throw a fit; I’m not ready to go. Instead, I gather her hair and place it over one shoulder. I lightly kiss her neck, trailing up to her cheek. “It’s time to go, pretty girl.” My voice is soft. She sighs, relaxing further against me. I squeeze her tightly, letting her know I feel the same way.

We climb back on the quad and wait for Bright and Nicole. I rest my elbows on her knees as my hands roam her calves. This day turned out a hell of a lot better than I expected it to.

When we’re finally ready to hit the trail, I lift my shirt and place her hands against my skin. I try to tell myself it will help keep her warm, and it will. However, that’s not my motivation. I need the physical contact with her; it’s a craving that’s all new to me.

We’re the last ones back from the trails. Most of the guys have already loaded and are ready to go. As soon as we get to the truck, I hop off and grab my hoodie. Instead of handing it to her, I slip it over her head, helping her put it on. I watch in fascination as she lifts the collar to her nose and breathes in deep. “It smells like you,” is her explanation, along with a beautiful smile.

In the desperate attempt to resist her, I drop a kiss to her temple and leave her standing. I focus on loading up the quads and cleaning up our site. Walking around the trailer to where the girls are, I’m stopped in my tracks. Lance is with them, laughing and smiling. Will this guy ever leave her alone? “You gonna put him in his place?” Bright asks.

“Hmpf. I thought I already had.” This guy is really pissing me off.

“Kill ‘em with kindness my, man.” Bright slaps me on the shoulder and walks on.

I watch as Lance starts flipping Keni’s hair and she swats back at him, laughing. He does it again; this time she takes off chasing him. Her laughter rings through the night air. I watch her, playful, having fun… until she isn’t. Out of nowhere, she falls to the ground with a yelp.

I’m running.

She’s only about a hundred feet away, but it seems like miles before I reach her. Lance has his hands on her ankle. I grab his wrist and squeeze. “Don’t fucking touch her,” I grit out.

Holding his hands in the air, he backs away. Sitting on the ground next to her, I tuck her hair behind her ear. I need to be able to see her face. She winces in pain as she adjusts her position. I hold her face in my hands as I ask, “What hurts?” I focus on keeping my voice gentle. I can’t let her see how pissed off I am at Lance for fucking with her. I mask the worry that has settled around me at seeing her in pain.

“Just my ankle. I just landed wrong.” She winces again.

Leaning in, I kiss her forehead, quickly releasing her so I can assess her ankle. I run my hands over her leg until I reach my destination. It’s a little swollen, but nothing too terrible. “Can you move it?”

She nods and twirls her ankle in a circle, her face showing her obvious discomfort.

“I think you’re right about landing wrong. I don’t think it’s broken; I think it’s strained from the odd way you landed. We’ve got a first-aid kit in the trailer; it has an ice pack. Let’s get you settled in the truck with that and get you home.”

“Kensington, are you okay with that?” Lance asks her.

He can’t be fucking serious. He’s really testing my patience. I’m just about to go off on this fuck-stick when she speaks up.

“Of course, I’m okay with that. Maxton will get me home safely.” Her voice holds conviction.

It’s with her declaration, those words of trust, which I know is not something that comes easy for her, that I give a piece of my heart to this girl. I’ve been teetering on the edge, fighting it, not wanting to be like my dad. Fighting what I know to be the truth.

Kensington James is a smart, funny, beautiful, incredibly sexy woman who owns a piece of me. It’s with that realization I also recognize I was never strong enough to fight this connection we have. Day one, she got under my skin.

Not even bothering to address Lance and his off-the-wall accusations, I stand to my full height, lift her into my arms, and carry her to my truck. Nicole holds the passenger door open while Bright grabs the first-aid kit. I set her in the passenger seat, make sure she’s in, and close her door. I run around to the driver’s side, pull open the door, and slide in behind the wheel. I lift the center console and gently lift her leg to rest on the seat.

Bright appears at my door with the ice pack wrapped in a clean shop towel. “Thanks.” I place it on her ankle and hold still. “Are we good to go?” I ask Bright.

“Yep, last thing to load is us,” he says as he and Nicole climb into the back seat. I reach out and pull my door closed, settle in behind the wheel, then lift her foot to rest on my thigh.

“Max, you’re driving. I can hold that.” She reaches for the ice pack at the same time, trying to lift her leg from mine.

“I’m good. You just strap yourself in and let me do this for you.”

She doesn’t argue further; instead, she does as I asked and fastens her seat belt.

ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES into the drive, Max removes the ice pack. I assume he’s tired of holding it. I lift my leg to move it, but can’t. His hand is now on my thigh holding me in place. He’s driving, so he doesn’t turn to face me. Instead, he tenderly strokes my thigh. I settle back into the seat and enjoy his affection.

By the time we make it to the apartment, my ankle barely hurts. It’s tender but no major pain. I try to convince Max I can walk, but he has no part of it. Instead, he whispers in my ear, “Let me take care of you.” Needless to say, I zipped up the complaints and let him have his way.

He carries me to my room and places me on the bed. Dropping to his knees, he starts removing my other shoe. I study him; he looks haggard. That’s when I remember he didn’t sleep last night. He held me instead. I reach for him, placing my hand on his jaw. The dark shadow of stubble roughened his jawline. It’s sexy as hell. I trace his jaw with my thumb. “I’m sorry you’re tired.”

His eyes, although exhausted, smile at me. “Never be sorry for letting me hold you. Given the chance, I wouldn’t take it back. I was exactly where I wanted to be.” His words cause my heart to stumble, before finding its rhythm once again.