It was obvious she did, but I couldn’t come up with anything more interesting to ask.
She nodded, pointing a thumb over her shoulder even though the porch was empty. “Yeah, my brother, Henry, owns the lodge.”
“Oh.” The mention of her brother made me pause. He was probably the man on the porch.
“I’m just helping out around here. I work at the barber shop.” She shrugged.
The flush on her cheeks deepened, traveling down her neck to the swell of her breasts visible in her summer dress.
She was beautiful. The silence between us lengthened, growing almost awkward. The desire to ask her more questions, to extend this moment, throbbed in my chest, but I was at a loss for what to say.
“There you are. Colin, get in here.” Rod’s voice carried from the porch.
I startled, not realizing how far we’d run from the porch to grab the papers. “I’d better go inside.”
I took long strides, eating up the distance we’d traveled.
Rod went back inside, leaving us alone again.
Sensing her walking behind me, I slowed my gait so she could catch up.
Stopping on the porch, she smiled shyly. “Thank you for grabbing the papers.”
“You’re welcome.”
“This one’s the best, I think.” She thrust a paper in front of me.
I liked that she was just as flustered as I was from our encounter. Glancing at the itinerary, I noticed I had an early start tomorrow. Instead of being annoyed, I was looking forward to seeing her again.
I held my hand out to her. “I’m Colin Winters.”
She clasped my hand; her skin was cool underneath mine. “Piper Rigby.”
It’s nice to meet you, Piper.”
She was beautiful in the dress, but I wondered what she’d look like tomorrow in formfitting bicycle shorts riding in front of me. Every muscle in my body tightened at the image.
Letting go of my hand, she pushed open the door. “Henry will be wondering where I am.”
She slipped inside without another glance in my direction.
I took a deep breath before following her, carefully schooling my face.
I didn’t want Coach to think I was distracted. No matter how beautiful the tour guide was, I was here to prove I was a worthy member of the team.
CHAPTER 3
PIPER
I blew on the steaming hot coffee before tentatively sipping it. Closing my eyes, I savored the warm liquid sliding down my throat.
What had I gotten myself into? Three days on a bike in the wilderness without running water.
This morning, I hadn’t wanted to leave the warmth of my bed. The only thing that piqued my interest was the baseball player I’d met yesterday—the same one from the team picture that caught my eye. There was more to him than blue eyes and hair that curled on the ends. His Southern drawl felt like warm honey flowing through my veins.
“Morning,” a rough voice, scratchy with sleep, rumbled through my chest.
I startled, knowing without looking it was Colin Winters. When he’d introduced himself yesterday, his voice and name forever embedded themselves into my brain.
Turning to face him, his hands were braced on the large butcher-top island counter, his flannel shirt rolled up, revealing strong forearms. His baseball hat curved over his forehead in that way only real ballplayers wore them, his auburn hair curling around the edges. The brim was frayed. Maybe it was his lucky cap, the one he couldn’t bear to part with. Who knew a man wearing a baseball hat could be so sexy?
He straightened, crossing his arms over his chest. “Can I get some of that, or is it only for staff?”
“Some of what?” My brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders this morning.
I’d already cut up a large bowl of fruit and set out platters of bagels, pastries, and muffins for the guests. Orange juice sat in a large pitcher on the island between us.
His lips quirked into a smile as he nodded at my mug. “Coffee.”
My heart thumped in my chest. “Oh, of course. The coffee’s for anyone. Ya know, guests, baseball players, adventure tourists.”
I turned away, hoping he wouldn’t notice the flush on my cheeks from my rambling. Why did this guy affect me so much after years of lukewarm interest in the opposite sex?
I opened the cabinet to get a mug from the top shelf. I reached as far as my arms would stretch, hoping to snag one by the handle. The white tank top I wore under my open flannel shirt slid up. The counter was cool against my heated skin.
“Let me get that for you.”
I shivered at the sound of his voice. Why did his voice have to be so sexy?
He easily reached over me, his chest brushing against my back. Tingles erupted over my skin. There was no one else in the kitchen, and my body was trapped between his and the counter. The edge bit sharply into my skin, further igniting the fire that started between us yesterday.
I turned, hoping to create distance between us. Instead, he was flush against me. He held the mug above my head, his eyes twinkling down at me.
“Thanks.” I swallowed at the feel of his hard body pressed against mine.
“No problem.” His tone was amused as he set the mug on the counter next to my elbow.
I expected him to step back, but he didn’t.
“Have you been on any other adventure tours?” he asked conversationally, seemingly unaffected by my proximity.
“Nope. This is my first.” I was pleased my voice hadn’t cracked or wavered.
“Mine, too.” He fell silent, considering me. “We have to stop running into each other like this.”
I tipped my head to the side. “I have a feeling you’re enjoying this.”
He shook his head, chuckling softly. “I haven’t—”
What had he been about to say? I haven’t been attracted to anyone like this before? I haven’t felt like this around anyone before?
A throat clearing from the doorway prompted Colin to step back, his gaze still locked on mine.
“Am I interrupting?” Kelsey asked, her tone filled with amusement.
Pouring coffee into the mug, I said, “I was just getting coffee for Colin.”
“On a first name basis already?” Kelsey held her mug out to me for a refill, her eyebrow raised.
“We ran into each other yesterday.” I rolled my shoulders back, trying to ease the tension.
“I saved the itineraries from flying away.” Colin’s voice was filled with mirth.
He was enjoying this—Kelsey’s pointed questions—her insinuation that there was something to interrupt.
“Good thing you were there,” Kelsey said to him.
“Yeah, good thing,” I said wryly, pouring coffee into Kelsey’s mug.
She winked at me as I turned to hand Colin his mug.
“Thank you,” he said.
I wondered if he knew how that Southern accent affected me. In my experience, athletes knew their effect on women and used it to their advantage. “Do you need milk or sugar?”
He lifted the cup. “This is good.”
“I guess we won’t be drinking fresh-brewed coffee for a couple of days.”
Colin shook his head. “Instant won’t be the same.”
“Remind me again why I signed up for this?” I leaned back against the counter, sipping my coffee, not expecting an answer.