"Allow me to translate my husband for you," Cole said. "The physical capacity of my lad's sailing vessel will accommodate another adult, however, the social-emotional capacity of the vessel is limited to one adult. If you choose to go along with him, please do not expect him to speak to you. Oh, and don't fall overboard. It's only adorable when I do it."
"It's a damn good thing you're adorable," Owen muttered. "And a damn good swimmer."
"Thank you for offering," I said. "We drove through a stretch of forest on the way, right? Are there any trails to hike as an introduction to the area?"
"Trails? Why ever would you need a trail when you enjoy getting lost?" Neera asked, a tease woven through her words.
"You know I enjoy getting lost," I teased back. "But only when I have a sense of the land." I glanced at the windows facing the water. Still darkness glinted back at me. "I'm not positive I could find my current location on a map and I definitely don't know what kind of wildlife I'll encounter in that forest. On this occasion, a trail is preferable."
"Whatever you do, don't eat any wild berries," Cole said.
Owen snort-laughed at that and said, "There are miles of trails right out the back door. You can't miss them." He ran his knuckles over his bearded jaw. "There's not much by way of wildlife in these parts around this time of year. A few woodchucks, a couple of foxes, some beavers, maybe a possum or two. Badgers. That's about it. Nothing noteworthy. It's a good time for hiking."
"You might even find a tree or two to climb," Neera added.
Owen nodded, saying, "Certain paths are better than others. I might have a trail map around. Stay here. I'll go look."
Cole tipped his glass toward Neera. "That means we're on dish duty. Wash or dry?"
"You use an unfathomable amount of soap. I can't stand by and allow that to happen," she said.
"Right, so, I'll dry," he replied.
Neera rounded the table, gathering plates as she went. She stopped beside me, leaned in close, and said, "You'll have a whole forest to roam. How's that?"
"You could roam with me," I said, resting my hand low on her back.
She shook her head. "Not tomorrow. Cole has a list. He grows anxious if we don't address his lists with expediency."
"But some other day?" I asked, hopelessly hungry for her attention.
She stretched to collect a plate from the other side of the table, the movement pressing her breasts against my face. I groaned into the glory of her body.
"Yes," she murmured. "Some other day."
"I'm holding you to that," I said.
She straightened, her arms loaded with dishes and utensils, and stared at me for a moment. Then, she said, "I hope you do."
* * *
After the disheswere washed and dried, and I'd received an extensive explanation of the local terrain from Owen, Neera and I found ourselves closed up in a guest room. We were frozen in place, the bed between us and our feet rooted on the creaky hardwood floor as we gazed at each other.
I was gradually coming to grips with the fact we didn't always know what to do with each other. It was particularly obvious that we didn't slide between the assorted segments of our relationship with ease, not yet anyway.
Eventually, I asked, "What happens now?"
She studied the quilt on the bed. "To what are you referring, Mr. Guillmand?"
"You, Miz Malik, and me, in this room together tonight." I dropped my knee on the edge of the bed. "If you need an out or an opening, I'll give you one. I'll give you anything you want."
She glanced up at me, her lips pressed together in a sharp line. She was looking for the trap. "You'd do that?"
"This house is small, the floors are loud, and the walls are thin. I can't corner you the way I did at the spice market, not unless you want those two listening in." I tapped my fingertips on my leg as my words simmered between us. "I'm following your lead here, sparrow. You tell me what happens now and how you want it to go."
Her gaze on the quilt once again, Neera said, "I don't want Cole or Owen hearing—or seeing—anything. I know we played a bit on the ride here from the airstrip and after dinner but—but I don't want that right now. Not all of it, like yesterday." Shrugging, she continued, "It's not completely clear to me what I do want."
"You want to be exposed when it's anonymous," I supplied. "And when it's somewhat distant."
