He cupped her face and kissed her. When she was in his arms, she believed they could have a future together as a couple, that he was attracted to her, curvy figure and all. It was only when she was alone that doubt assailed her.
“Our lunch is ready.” He put an arm around her, bringing her close to his side as they walked to the house. “Afterwards, we will go and look for your bracelet.”
“I can’t believe I lost it,” she said ruefully. She relished the touch of his hand on her curvy waist, and cursed the fact that it was only a few steps to the porch.
“We will find it.” He smiled down at her. “Don’t worry.”
After a lunch of free-range local ham and salad sandwiches using sourdough bread from her friend Kate’s bakery, Amber helped with the dishes.
“Come.” Mikhail held out his hand. “We’ll stroll through the woods and locate your bracelet.”
Just as Amber put her hand in his, her pulse stirring, his cell phone rang.
“Damn,” he muttered, looking at the caller ID. “I’m sorry, Amber. I should take this.”
“Go ahead.” She released his hand, a small arrow of disappointment quivering through her. Outside, the sunny spring sky beckoned to her. “I’ll meet you in the woods.”
“I will be there,” he promised, giving her a smile that made her knees wobble, before focusing on his phone call.
Letting herself out of the house with a sigh, she strolled in the direction of the woods behind the farmhouse. It would have been so romantic to walk hand-in-hand with Mikhail, but hopefully he would catch up before too long. After six weeks of dating him, she knew when he said he’d do something, he’d do it.
Perhaps she’d be able to find her bracelet quickly, and spend the rest of the afternoon doing something interesting with Mikhail. Much more interesting.
With a smile on her lips, she entered the woodland. Tall pine trees and small flowering bushes sporting white flowers beckoned to her, and she told herself to stop thinking about her sexy Russian and to concentrate on looking for her pink and silver bracelet.
She crinkled her brow, trying to remember which way they’d ridden through the woodland yesterday.
“Over here,” she murmured, walking towards a group of orange wildflowers next to a fallen log.
A flash of silver winked in the sunlight. She headed toward it, hoping it was her bracelet. A bird trilled a pretty tune to her right and she turned her head, trying to sneak a glimpse of it. Could it be a yellow warbler?
“Ow!” Amber caught her foot on the log and sprawled forward, her hands hitting the grass and dirt on the other side of the log. The rough wood of the fallen pine tree bit into the soft flesh of her stomach as she fell over it. When she caught her breath, the throbbing of her left ankle reminded her of her clumsiness.
She managed to push herself off the log, the pain in her ankle intensifying. Carefully resting her scraped hands on the pine-scented log, she maneuvered herself around and lowered herself onto the fallen tree.
She looked down at her ankle. Her sturdy walking shoe was still secure on her foot, but as she peeled down her sock, flinching when her fingertips touched her injury, she could see that her ankle had started swelling already.
“Please don’t be broken,” she muttered, then looked around the clearing. There was no sign of Mikhail and she wasn’t sure if she could limp back to the house without someone to lean on.
Maybe if she called him. He might have finished his call and be on his way now. Patting the pocket of her beige capris for her phone, she realized she’d left it in her purse at the farmhouse. Her shoulders drooped. Great. What was she going to do now?
Make sure she picked up her bracelet, she told herself grimly, heaving herself up and hobbling over to the cluster of orange flowers she’d noticed earlier - before she’d fallen over.
Snatching her bracelet off the ground, she rested most of her weight on her good foot. Amber examined the broken metal clasp, then put it in her pocket with a sigh. At least she’d found her favorite piece of jewelry, but there was still no sign of Mikhail.
She hobbled back to the log and sat down. Perhaps if she shouted for help, he would hear her.
***
Mikhail finished his call and shoved the phone into the pocket of his jeans. His new client, an elderly man, liked to talk. Since his client lived alone, Mikhail surmised he was lonely, and did not mind spending a few minutes longer than necessary on the phone with the old man.
But today, he’d been looking forward to spending time with Amber. He had been close - so close last night - to asking her to stay the night. Not even asking, but seducing her. But when the moment came, he had put his base desires aside and tried to focus on what was right.
But he didn’t know how much longer he could last without undressing her, seeing her beautiful curves for the first time, showing her with his hands - and lips - just how much he wanted her. Needed her.