Эксперт Урал 44-2016. Редакция журнала Эксперт Урал

      “He’s not here. It’s just me.”

      Quinn assumed she wasn’t afraid of him, yet he wouldn’t blame her if she were.

      She sighed. “Quinn, if my injuries are worse than they seem and I don’t—”

      “Stop it,” Quinn ordered, because if she didn’t make it...

      He wouldn’t be able to survive that kind of pain.

      “But, Quinn,” she started, “you should know that the hiker accused me of coming out here to get something Rick left behind.”

      She obviously couldn’t stop thinking about the threat so he encouraged her to continue. “Left something? Like what?”

      “I have no idea. Something worth a lot of money apparently.”

      “Why did you come out here?”

      “I was hiking.”

      “Alone?”

      “I needed closure.”

      Quinn leaned back on his heels. Closure was something he’d wished for with so many people in his life, especially his mom, who died when he was a kid.

      He glanced at the ridge above, then at Billie. “So, was it worth it?”

      “You’re making fun of me?”

      “No, I’m not, although I was hoping to make you smile.”

      “This isn’t funny. The guy said we’d make a good team. He was creepy and his breath smelled awful and he shoved me against a tree, and I thought, I thought—”

      “Shh.” He touched her shoulder. “He’s gone. No one’s going to hurt you while I’m here.”

      She sighed and looked away. They both knew that wasn’t true since Quinn could hurt her worst of all. Not physically, but in every other way that mattered. He couldn’t give Billie the sincere love and devotion she deserved. He was incapable of such feelings, incapable of opening his heart to a woman. After everything Billie had been through, she deserved a loving man with integrity.

      “I hate this,” she muttered.

      “The pain?”

      “No, I meant I’m sorry to be inconveniencing everyone, making them drop whatever they’re doing to come out and rescue me.”

      “It’s not an inconvenience. They live for this stuff—you know that.”

      “Well, I’m embarrassed that I need their help.”

      “There’s nothing wrong with accepting help, Billie.”

      She chuckled and clutched her wrist to her chest, pinching her eyes shut.

      “What’s so funny?” he asked.

      “You giving me a pep talk about accepting help from others.”

      She was right, of course. Quinn was not the type to seek counsel or ask anyone for help. A few seconds passed and he wondered if she’d lost consciousness. He was about to speak her name.

      “Thank you,” she suddenly whispered.

      “For what?”

      “For saving me...again.”

      “I haven’t saved you yet,” Quinn said, trying to lighten the mood.

      She opened her eyes and he could tell she struggled to crack a smile. She was in pain and it was driving him nuts.

      He yanked the radio off his belt. “Artie, where’s that litter, over?”

      “The guys just got here, over.”

      Quinn turned to Billie. “Saving you is getting to be a full-time job, Ms. Bronson.”

      “Don’t worry, this will be the last time,” she said, her tone flat.

      “Hey, I was—”

      “Kidding, I know.” She cracked a sad smile. “But I wasn’t.”

      That sounded awfully final, as if she no longer wanted him helping her, being there for her. “I don’t mind playing hero where you’re concerned.”

      “Maybe I do. Maybe I mind depending on you because it makes me feel weak and naive. You won’t be there forever, or even tomorrow, or—”

      “Hey, calm down.”

      “I’ll be calm when you get me out of here,” she snapped.

      He wondered if a head injury was causing the edge to her normally affable personality. She suddenly didn’t seem like herself.

      Not taking his eyes off her, Quinn stood and reached for the radio to see what was taking so long.

      “Quinn!” she cried, her eyes rounding with fear.

      He glanced up and caught sight of something careening toward them. There was no way to dodge what looked like a large piece of equipment without leaving Billie exposed, making her the prime target.

      “Close your eyes!” He instinctively threw himself over her body like a human shield and clenched his jaw in anticipation of the impending blow.

TWO

      Adrenaline rushed through Billie’s body and strangled her vocal cords. One minute she was setting her boundaries, letting Quinn know he didn’t need to feel obligated to her in any way. The next, she saw something barreling down the side of the mountain—straight at them.

      She wasn’t sure what she expected Quinn to do, but throwing himself on top of her wouldn’t have been her first guess.

      “Quinn?” she said.

      His warm breath tickled the side of her neck as he exhaled. Was he unconscious?

      “Quinn, are you okay?”

      He groaned. “What was that?”

      “The litter, I think.”

      “I’m gonna be sore tomorrow.”

      She realized they’d never been this physically close before. She’d practically lived at his lake house as his personal assistant, but they’d never touched except for a polite hug now and then.

      His body, pressed against hers, felt solid and comforting. But she couldn’t afford to enjoy it too much.

      “Are you hurt?” she asked.

      He tipped his head back to look at her. He was so close she could see the gray specs in his blue eyes.

      “It nailed me in the back, but I’m okay,” he said.

      “Then would you mind...?”

      “I’m heavy, right. Sorry, I’m probably crushing you.”

      She didn’t correct him. It wasn’t his weight that bothered her as much as the ache of wanting something she could never have with this man.

      Shifting off her, he stood and clenched his jaw as he pressed his hand against his back. He yanked the radio off his belt with his other hand.

      “Artie, what’s going on up there?”

      No response. Quinn glanced at Billie and she started to sit up again.

      “Hey, hey,” Quinn said, putting out his hand to stop her.

      “The litter’s gone and it’ll be dark in a few hours. I’m not spending the night here, Quinn. I can’t,” her voice cracked.

      “You won’t. I’ll get you out of here.” He tried the radio again. “Artie?”

      A few tense seconds passed. “Sorry, Quinn. A new guy messed up.”

      “Then