“He probably wanted to use this time to bend my ear on the motocross project. He keeps making passing comments about being impatient to get the bikes back on track for the last part of testing, but I wave him off. I need to review the data some more.” Not the honest answer I wanted to give, but it protects the other truth.
“Oh, my days!” Nikki exclaims. “That’s such quick progress in such a short time!”
I wave my hand. “We aren’t there yet. We still have a ways to go,” I say, quelling down her excitement quickly.
We carry on our conversation while walking for a little longer until we finally reach the lookout.
It is breathtaking. A huge valley sprawls in front of us, assaulting us with the sheer abundance and variety of greens. Mountain ridges zig-zag down to a ferocious river cutting down the middle of the scene.
Nikki takes out her phone to start snapping some photos, and asks me to take some of her and Dave with the glorious background. I snap a few, and then Nikki motions for me to join them. I hand the phone to Javi and stand next to Nikki as we put an arm around each other. When Javi finishes taking the photo, Nikki suggests, “How about a photo of the two of you?” as she gestures between me and Javi.
I open my mouth to protest, but Javi interrupts me and says, “Absolutely!” They all exchange places, leaving me to try and play this cool.
I brace myself. What will it be? Will he cheekily put a hand on my ass, a gesture hidden from Dave and Nikki? A sly hand up the back of my shirt?
To my surprise, he places his arm across my shoulders, gently squeezing it. He smiles towards Nikki, and I do the same. When she calls out that she got it, I look at him and whisper, “Not what I was expecting.”
He smiles, knowing what I was referring to. “I am definitely full of all sorts of surprises.”
I smile back, then realise we have a potential audience, stepping away from him.
Dave and Nikki have already walked in another direction to continue taking photos of the view. Javi, waiting for them to walk a little further away, takes my hand, keeping me in place as he whispers in my ear, “And I thought I asked you not to walk in front of me? Watching your ass in those tight tights has made me think about nothing else but taking them off with my teeth when we get back to the hotel.” His words are said in a cheeky but raw tone. Butterflies soar in my stomach and my heart skips.
“Oh, no, no. You started this little parley today,” I rebut.
“Moi?! Partake in tête-à-tête?!” he mocks exasperated.
I roll my eyes at him and walk towards the cliff edge, taking in the phenomenal view a little longer.
Nikki checks the time and calculates we have walked quite fast getting here, so we have some time to sit and enjoy the view. All four of us sit down on a rock, admiring the landscape some more. Nikki had the foresight to pack some snacks for us, ever the kind and caring person she is.
We stand up to head back to the road via the other half of the loop. Nikki and Javi walk ahead, while Dave and I walk behind them. Their pace is quite brisk for the second half of the hike, rejuvenated by the rest.
“Javi said you guys are close to getting the motocross bikes back on track,” Dave starts.
Well, at least our stories are consistent.
“Yeah, I think that was his ploy to tag along today. Keep brainstorming ideas. We are making good progress, but we aren’t quite there yet,” I reply, absentmindedly running my hand through the brush along the hiking path.
“Always keen to get the gas on. Do you need extra hands on it? Get me and some of the team to help out?” Dave asks kindly.
“Maybe in a few weekends. I have a bit of data to keep working out. A strategy day with the team might be helpful,” I reply, thinking.
“No worries, but don’t take too much on yourself. We’re all here to help. You have a team behind you,” Dave offers. This is why I respect Dave, always backing me.
I reply, “I know, I know.”
Nikki stops to take a photo of some native birds in the distance, the halt causing us to change walking partners. Dave and Nikki walk in front while Javi and I trail behind.
“Sounds like we are on the same wavelength today. This is why we make a great team.” He looks me up and down.
“Let’s save this conversation for when we are back at the hotel,” I reply.
“Yes, we have alotto discuss back at the hotel. Top of the list has to be you and the removal of those ridiculous little tights of yours.” He brushes his hand over my ass ever so slightly.
My breath catches in my throat as images of what we could be doing once back at the hotel flash through my mind. I feel my face flush red.
“Didn’t think this would be challenging for you, Sophia!” Nikki calls out from atop a sloped part of the track. She and Dave stop in front of us, looking back to Javi and me. Clearly, my red face and quickened breath is not as subtle or hidden as I thought.
