“Then why did you do it for so long?” she asked. “Did you really like it so much? Traveling all the time?”
“I did in the beginning. I was restless. I loved the freedom of a life on the road. I could do whatever I pleased, and I did. I got to see new places and meet lots of different people, but I soon got caught up in chasing things I thought I wanted—selfish things, material things—everything I was raised to despise. It was a real ego trip in the beginning, especially after my YouTube videos went viral, but I later came to see that I’d created an empty illusion. It was all about my persona, it wasn’t really me. They didn’t even know me.”
“But was it really their fault?” she asked. “I mean, how could it be? When you aren’t yourself, how can people ever get to know the real you? We see only what others allow us to see. We touch only the parts they allow us to touch.” And she ached to touch him now.
He caught her gaze and held it, his mouth curving smugly at the corners, as if reading her lust-filled thoughts. “Soon.” He tore his eyes away, murmuring the single syllable almost to himself.
“Soon?” she inquired softly.
“When we arrive,” he answered. “I thought we’d overnight in Provo. It’s only an hour from Gunnison. We can stay there tonight and pick up the horses in the morning.”
She shivered at the thought of another entire night alone with him.
“Do you always stay in motels when you’re on the road?” she asked.
“Not always,” he replied. “It all depends on where I am and the weather conditions. Sometimes I camp out in the truck bed. I keep an air mattress under the seat, just in case the mood strikes me. I prefer sleeping under the stars.”
“I enjoyed it too,” she said, then added with a grimace, “except for the mountain lions.”
“That was unusual,” he replied. “I’ve never had such a close encounter with one before.”
“Just my luck then.” She gave a dry laugh. “But it didn’t scare me off for good.”
“You’d do it again?” he asked, as if surprised.
“Yes. I would. As crazy as it sounds, I’d do it all over again. Maybe I’d even try your roasted rattlesnake.”
“Would you now?” His lips curved at the corners.
“Yes. I think I would. I can’t explain it very well, but that short trip into the desert was life-changing for me. I found the whole experience liberating. Then again, I suppose that might have a lot to do with my two near-death experiences,” she added with a laugh. “I liked the solitude and being away from it all. Even with the discomforts, I think I’d enjoy doing it again.”
“If that’s the case, there are a number of places I’d like to show you,” he said, “beautiful places—awe-inspiring canyons and breathtaking waterfalls—that few people even know about. But these sights are off the beaten track and not easy to get to.”
“I’m not daunted. Not with you as my guide.”
Their gazes met and held. “I’d gladly be your guide anywhere you choose to go, Aiwattsi.”
The look in his eyes made his double meaning clear. Her nipples tightened and mouth grew dry. “How much farther?” she asked.
“Three hours, but if nature’s calling, we can stop in Pocatello,” he said, apparently misreading her impatience. “It’s the halfway point. We need gas soon anyway.”
A few miles later they pulled off the highway. While Keith filled the tank, Miranda climbed out of the truck, glad for the chance to stretch her cramped legs and relieve her bladder.
“Hungry?” he asked after paying for the gas.
“Ravenous,” she replied, but food wasn’t going to satisfy her real hunger. Did he feel it too? She’d thought so earlier, but he seemed so restrained now.
“There’s a good diner nearby called Elmer’s,” he said. “I’ll take you there.”
As Keith promised, the food was both good and plentiful, but by the time they walked back to the truck, Miranda didn’t even remember what she’d eaten. Her mind was too full of Keith, of the night to come. She didn’t understand her physical reaction to him. She’d never felt like this with anyone. He reached behind her to open her door, enveloping her in his musky, masculine scent, a scent that had teased her the entire drive. “Three more hours?” she whispered.
Her remark snagged his full attention. “So impatient, Aiwattsi?” His expression confirmed that he really could read her mind. “Don’t think I haven’t also been counting down the hours. My thoughts have been filled with what I want to do with you…to you…from the moment you climbed into this truck.”
Her pulse fluttered. “Then why haven’t you?”
“Because I have responsibilities. I’m already a day late due to my detour to Montana. I’d planned for us to drive through to Provo and then spend the night together. It was a sensible plan.”
“Yes,” she agreed, “very sensible.”