With burning cheeks, I park the SUV before we sling on our packs and start the mile hike to the falls. I gesture forhim to lead at the trailhead. It’s not like I’m deferring to a man, I just don’t want a hot one staring at my ass for an hour.
Usually, I’m too focused on my job or the breathtaking park. Nature lets you forget yourself.
But with Loch, our laughter is too natural. He’s giving me sensations, radiating from my smile to my sex, and it’s new. Intoxicating. Terrifying if I didn’t feel so safe with him.
I don’t get any stalker or dickish vibes from him. He’s truly being a friend.
Besides, the thirteen-year-old in me suspects a man like him goes for a blonde shortie who’s all snatched and skinny with perfect boobs and makeup and knows how to do contouring and shit.
I mean, I don’t even paint my nails. I couldn’t scrub the dirt out from under them if I did.
Loch calls over his shoulder, “So, is this your favorite spot? Moore Cove Falls?”
“One of them. This and Looking Glass. But Black Balsam Knob is my favorite.”
This and the view I inadvertently have of your ass.Didn’t plan it this way, but peaches are taking notes.
I try to refocus, “The falls are usually too crowded though. Summer. Fall. All year really.”It’s work, Alena. Not his ass. Work.“Our waterfalls are one of the most romantic spots and?—”
Great.But you just said that.
Clearly, Kitty is leading this conversation, not my brain. Ironic because neither is good at this.
“Romantic?” He keeps hiking, deftly navigating tree roots. “Like proposals and stuff?”
“Yeah.” I jump a puddle. “Photographers will even set it up for you.”
You?
Yep, just said that too. Nothing to see here, folks. Just a woman losing every shred of her dignity.
Change the subject.
I glance into the dense canopy, blurting the first thing to cover my tracks, “You’ll even see mating up here. I mean, uh?—”
I gulp.Not to that!
I meant animals—deer, bears—not people. But we’re animals too. Obviously, because I’m so feral for this man, I’m choking on my spit.
He whips around. “You okay?”
I nod. I can’t breathe, but I nod.
“Need the Heimlich?”
I give a thumbs up, eyeballs bulging, face turning fifty shades of red, but I’m fine.
Totally fine.
He smirks. “You take the state law about no public mating very seriously.”
I roll my crying eyes.
He steps toward me, “You sure you’re—” but a two-foot garter snake quickly darts across the trail, right by his boots, and…
Loch squeals.
Jumping back, hitting a G7 note, he throws his massive hands in the air, with a jazz dance for the harmless reptile.
