Love Grows in Alaska (The Washington Triplets) by Michelle Lynn Page B

we’ll hop on a boat so you get those breathtaking pictures all your friends will be jealous of.” He steps out in front of everyone to take the lead and when I don’t follow, and Kylie is willing to take my place, Zach backs up to wait for me. Kylie turns her head and narrows her eyes to me, disgust clear until one of her friends tugs her arm.
    “You don’t have to wait for me,” I tell him and he only shakes his head.
    “For only knowing you a short time, I hate to call you a name, but you’re kind of dense.” He laughs and my mouth hangs open in awe.
    “I could say the same about you,” I remind him and he stops for a brief second.
    “Why would you say that?” His confused face lightens my heart due to the possibility he does want me.
    In case I do in fact have it all wrong, and we came to an understanding last night to use each other for sex while I’m in King’s Gate, I start walking. He quickly catches up and tugs on my elbow. “I’m not following. Help me.” He cocks his head and those blue eyes entrance me again, just like they do every time he looks at me. Something so pure, simple and trustworthy pierces right to my heart.
    “I don’t want to talk about it.” I lower my tone and glance at the group ahead.
    “Does everyone know where they’re going?” he calls out and Pete, Wes and Libby are so far ahead they just wave back. Kylie stops in her tracks.
    “I thought we were paying you for the tour?” She tilts her head to the side.
    “Go, I don’t want you to get fired.” I wave my hand to him, but he shakes his head.
    “Not a possibility,” he tells me. “Kylie, I’ll be five minutes behind, I have confidence you can make it down the hill by yourself. Plus you have your friends with you.” A big breath releases out of her mouth and her hands go to her sides. I’m getting ready to find smoke rushing out of her nostrils and ears, like the animated movies.
    “Fine. But you can bet I’ll be asking for a refund.” She turns and her friends link arms with her while they start down the path.
    “Zach, we can talk about this later. I don’t want you to get in trouble—” I raise my hand in the air to stop this snowballing effect of our nonexistent relationship.
    Linking his hand with mine, he tugs me forward and I fall into his arms.
    “My job is the last thing I’m worried about. Tell me, what are you so apprehensive about?” His hand cradles my head as he peers down at me. I remind myself to fight, but it’s becoming so much harder while I’m in the protection of his arms.
    Shaking my head, he holds me steady. “It’s stupid and nothing.” I can’t believe I actually discredit my feelings; this is exactly what I would do with Nate. So that I wouldn’t anger him and we wouldn’t end up screaming at each other for hours on end, until he would nail me with the last cut-throat insult that would shut me up for good.
    “Marisa, trust me … please.” I hear the true and genuine words, but my heart is still healing from the last break. I’ve known him all of what, four days, had three real conversations with him. “Look at me,” he pleads and I raise my eyes to his. The blue irises search in mine for some form of understanding, but I see the blankness in them. He has no idea; I’m not the average run of the mill girl who is able to believe everything he says—that girl left me years ago.
    I swallow and for some reason, the bravery I had until Nate slammed it down with a thousand-ton weight, breaks through. “You left me,” I whisper and his whole face falls. “I know I shouldn’t be upset, but I was—am.” I break free from his grip and walk to the outlook again, distancing myself from him and the freeing emotions he brings out of me.
    Soon warm arms encase around my body and I feel his muscular presence against my back. “First of all, never apologize for your feelings.” His voice so stern, I don’t want to disobey him. “Turn around,” he instructs and my body