To keep his mind off Everly, he processed every detail of the six contingency plans he’d created in case Seaver initiated another kidnapping attempt. Then decided he needed at least two more escape plans.
Without warning, he found himself running up on Everly’s heels. In his sudden attempt to stop, his shoes skidded on the damp, leaf-strewn gravel, and he put his hands out to cushion Everly from the hit. She glanced over her shoulder and turned just as Austin made contact. One second, he was sure they’d both hit the ground, in the next, he felt Everly moving with him, providing counterbalance as they spun in a three-sixty before regaining their footing.
When they came to a stop, Austin had a grip on her upper arms. One of Everly’s hands was fisted in his T-shirt, the other clutching his forearm. And she was laughing, as if the ass-dumping they’d just avoided had been more fun than frightening.
“Holy shit.” Austin laughed the words. “I wasn’t prepared for you to stop.”
“You weren’t listening, were you?” Amusement danced in her eyes. “I asked if there’s a stream nearby. I hear water.”
He released her arms and took a step back. Hands on hips, he caught his own breath. “Are you secretly training for the Olympics?”
She gave him a funny look. “What?”
He gestured to her. “You have better agility, pacing, and cardio fitness than my guys. You haven’t stopped talking since we started the run, and you’re barely even breathing hard.”
“Talking too much for you? Maybe Bella’s conditioned you to tune out.” She turned a slow circle. “Where’s that coming from?”
“There’s a waterfall about a quarter mile that way.” He lifted his chin that direction, then wiped his face with the hem of his tee.
Everly poked his belly, and Austin flinched with a laugh.
“Race you,” she said, then took off running.
“Everly…” he started. But the deliberation and speed in her stride told Austin she had no plans of stopping, whether he competed or not.
He pushed himself to catch up with her, and when she finally stopped at the edge of the pool at the base of the natural waterfall, he glanced around the trees. “Remember what I said about the pond? The jaguars drink here.”
“I’m not worried.” She tested a rock at the edge of the water before putting her full weight on it and peering down into the pool. “That’s what the gun’s for, right?”
His gun was in a gut belt, concealed beneath the waistband of his shorts. “How’d you know I had a weapon?”
She crouched and stroked her hand through the water. “Saw the grip when you wiped your face.” Then she cut a smile back toward him. “Is this safe? This is so beautiful, I can’t wait to jump in.”
He already had to fight to ignore her every day when she swam with Bella. He didn’t need to see her wet from head to toe again, and he sure as shit didn’t want her stripping down to her skivvies.
“You probably shouldn’t…” He started, then gave up when she pulled off her running shoes. “Why do you even ask?” When she just grinned at him, he put a hand out. “Just don’t take off any more…” Her tank swept over her head. “Jesus Christ, Everly.”
“Fine, fine. No more clothes.” She jumped off the rock, curled her knees into her chest, and hit the water laughing.
Her cannonball was perfectly placed to shoot water straight toward Austin. He didn’t even attempt to escape. And couldn’t keep from laughing when she surfaced and gave him a satisfied smirk.
Her zest for life was infectious. He admired her ability to love life when she’d seen so much poverty and strife. She was refreshing. In fact, if he were honest, he was a little jealous. He doubted he’d felt that free since college.
“I don’t know which one of you is harder to discipline,” he told her, “you or Bella.”
“Bella.” She sighed, rolling to her back, closing her eyes, and floating in the center of the pool. “Definitely Bella. I’m an angel.”
If he weren’t so jaded, she could easily make him believe she was the angel she claimed to be. For the first time—maybe ever—he wished he wasn’t too world-weary to believe in such things.
“If you’re off jaguar watch,” she said, eyes still closed, “you should come in. The water is heavenly.”
Jaguar watch. Sometimes the way she phrased things—
Stop. Just fucking stop.
He forced his mind from searching for the devil in her. His suspicious brain was really starting to wear on him.
“We better get back,” he told her. “Bella will be up soon.”