Jason shook his head.
"Don't be silly. I'm not doing much other than trying to figure out how to take care of this thing." He slapped the old, dead tree he'd been leaning against. "You can borrow mine and go work with the girls."
Without giving her time to think, Jason had his jacket unzipped and settled around her shoulders. Underneath he wore a simple t-shirt. It clung to his body, emphasizing his well-muscled chest and solid, narrow midsection.
Wow. Does he have actual abs? Kyara tried not to stare.
"No, I really am fine, I can just..." Kyara tried to protest.
"Please?" Jason cut her off, looking deep into her eyes.
This jacket kind of smells like him. I didn't know a man could smell so nice.
Kyara swallowed and nodded once.
"Great," said Jason. "Let me go introduce you to the girls and get you started. Rich, I'll be back in a second."
Kyara tried to smile and resist the urge to stay near him. After all, it's not like the 'girls' seemed that friendly. Still, you came out to make friends, not to stare at some guy you don't have time for anyway. In the end, she just nodded. The older man, Officer 'Rich' Marsh, just stared at her as she followed Jason back to the tangle of branches.
Kyara prepared to push back through the underbrush, but she felt Jason's hand, large and warm, catch her shoulder.
"If you don't mind," he said, "Can I give you some tips on how to move through here?"
He's ... really strong.
"No, not at all," said Kyara. "I mean, I don't mind. I guess it's pretty obvious that I'm really a city girl."
Jason favored her with another one of those secret smiles, then moved up, placing his hands high on her waist. Blood rushed downward at his touch, and Kyara jumped a little.
"Sorry," said Jason. "It's just easier this way. Now look, if you twist sideways as you enter, you can sort of ease between the branches. When one starts to catch on you, you can pivot, like this, and move past it. Make sense so far?"
Kyara was having a little trouble concentrating. It had been a long time since a man manipulated her hips. The ease and confidence with which he did it didn't help.
"Alright," said Jason, drawing his hands away. "I'll go first. Just watch me."
With that he bent, slowly sliding himself into the thicket, somehow sliding around and past the worst of the tangles. Kyara bent and followed, her eyes locked onto his tight, firm backside.
She knew they were getting close when she heard the sound of the hacksaw stop. Still following Jason, Kyara stepped back out into the cleared section of the path. The three ladies were still there. The two brunettes nodded to them both. The blonde's eyes were only for Jason. She only glanced at Kyara, but then her eyes snapped back, locking onto Jason's jacket wrapped firmly around her shoulders.
Oh, so that's how it is, is it? Well, don't worry, lady. I'm not here boyfriend hunting, even if he is kind, polite, generous, gorgeous.... Kyara made herself pay attention when she realized Jason was talking.
"Kyara, this is Kaitlyn, and Caitlin, and Ashley. Ladies, this is Kyara. She's here to help out."
Kyara blinked. The heavy-set Caitlin rolled her eyes and stepped forward, offering her hand to Kyara.
"He loves to do that. I'm Caitlin with a C. People call me Cat, but I wish they wouldn't. That's Kaitlyn with a K, and people call her K. Nice to meet you."
That makes skinny girl K, and the grumpy blond Ashley. Got it.
Kyara extended her hand and took the woman's offered handshake.
"Nice to meet you, Caitlin." Kyara nodded at the other two in turn. "K, Ashley."
Jason looked far too pleased with himself, considering all he'd done was introduce them.
"Alright, I'll leave you four to it. We're headed back in half an hour or so. Good luck." With that, he slid once again into the forest, moving his body gracefully around each branch.
Kyara looked up just as Caitlin did. The other two were still watching Jason leave. Caitlin giggled.