“Are you going to check everyone’s feet?” she asked, unable to keep the flirtation out of her voice. “Or only mine?”

“I’m checking everyone but Ben,” Easton murmured. “But I probably won’t like theirs as much as yours.”

“You said probably.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“I heard a probably.”

Wrapping his hand around her toes, Easton began to rub her feet in a brisk motion to warm them. “Anyhow, I’ve been dreaming about Everest since before I was old enough to understand what I was dreaming of,” he admitted.

“What does your dad say?”

“I’ve never brought it up. Didn’t seem right to remind him, knowing he can’t go with me.”

Leaning forward, River gave Easton an impulsive hug. His hug in return was strong and warm and very easy to get lost in. Eventually, he pulled away, if only to tap a finger to her foot.

“How’s the toe feel?”

“Nice and toasty. You should charge for your services.”

“I thought I already was.” Rolling her sock back up her foot, Easton gave her a heated look that she was starting to recognize.

River nudged his forearm with her sock-covered toes, then playfully pressed against his stomach with her heel. Wrapping his hands around her calves, Easton gently tugged her closer until her knees were hooked over his own and their faces were only a few inches apart.

“If you’re charging for extra,” River said, “I should warn you that this excursion is on a very tight budget.”

Sliding his fingers through her hair, Easton shook his head. “Trust me, you couldn’t afford this even if you were a big budget film.”

“Oh, really? Someone has a high opinion of themselves.” River enjoyed it immensely when he drew her in for a long, slow kiss.

“I have a very strong sense of my own self-worth.”

There was something about kissing someone on top of a mountain that made it more fun than normal. And since it was Easton she was kissing, by the time she pulled away, River could barely catch her breath.

“Your beard is frosty.” She touched a miniature piece of ice clinging beneath his chin. “You have icicles.”

“It’s a sign of my mountaineering ability. The more icicles, the better guide I am.”

“You’re such a goofball. No one knows that, do they? They all think you’re big and strong and scary. You’re actually a total dork.”

“And don’t you forget it,” Easton breathed against her ear, a far better way of tickling her.

A hand slapping against the outside of their tent ended whatever might have happened next. At least this time, Ben didn’t stick his head in.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt, but it’s that time. The Veil won’t climb itself.”

Easton climbed to his feet. “It’s all right. I need to go check everyone before we leave camp anyway.”