Long clumps of Spanish moss and thick foliage blocked her view.
“Drat.”
The thick limb stretched toward the wall and she edged forward. This deep in the tree, a whole colony of little ferns had sprouted along the length of the branch. Her fingers struggled to get a good grip on the damp wood. Still, nothing this mangy old tree threw her way would keep her from getting her glimpse of him.
She shoved a bundle of moss half her size out of the way and finally got a clear view.
Of the corner of his room.
Muttering a curse, she moved farther out on the branch. It sagged beneath her weight and she froze. If she went much farther, it may not support her. But she didn’t have to.
Christian strode into view.
In nothing but a towel.
Her pulse slammed in her ears as he shook water from his hair before reaching up to slick it back. Muscles rippled across the flat planes of his stomach and she gulped. Any moment, he would drop the towel to get dressed for bed.
What had she been thinking?
Heat spiraled up and across her cheeks. Watching him felt wrong.
He moved to the bed and his hand went to the linen.
Oh God. She spun. And her hand shot out from beneath her. With a sharp cry, she toppled over the branch. Somehow, she got her fingertips to dig into the slick moss and jerked to a stop, dangling two stories above the ground.
“Who goes there?”
Blast it all.
She lifted one hand and tried to move away from his window, but slipped farther.
Footsteps sounded and a burst of light illuminated her as Christian leaned out the window with a lantern.
His eyes went wide. “Red?”
She looked down. Could she drop without breaking a leg? Doubtful. Still, it seemed a better option than facing him.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
She gritted her teeth. “Nothing.”
He stared at her. “Nothing?”
“I was going to ask you something. I changed my mind.”
“So you climbed my tree? What was wrong with the front door?”
The heat in her ears surely could start a fire. “I’m sorry to bother you. I’ll be on my way.”
With a grunt, she attempted a better handhold. As soon as she moved, an ominous crack came from the branch. She froze.
“Give me your hand.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re going to break your neck.”
She bit her lip as the branch dipped lower. “Where have I heard that before?”
