However, no matter how many demands I throw at myself, it doesn’t make a difference. My attention is shot.
“I think I’ll call it early then. If I want to keep up with you, I’m better off getting my rest.” Leaving the couch, she aims another one of those curves in my direction. “Goodnight, Abel.”
“Goodnight.” Rasping the word, I’m left choking on a lump lodged in the middle of my throat as she spins on her heel.
Disappearing, I’m left alone in a room that feels too hot with an erection hard as granite. If this is how it feels after one simpleconversation, how in the hell am I going to survive sharing the same space as her for more than a couple of days?
Leaning forward and sighing into my hands, I’m ready to call it a night, too.
Except, I won’t be getting much rest tonight. Not when I’m going to have the sound of my name rolling off her tongue playing on repeat in my head.
3
Tatum
I’m pretty sure the humidity is what’s going to kill me. Forget about the wolves and the bears Abel warned me about. All of the rain has done nothing but heat up our surroundings.
Abel’s leading this hike, thank goodness. Despite his occasional glances over his shoulder, he isn’t seeing me at my worst. Sweating, panting, and ready to give up on this whole hike altogether.
This is what I get for working simple customer service jobs for years. Sitting in a comfy chair for hours on end and snacking between calls is really biting me in the butt.
“Almost there.” As if he can read my mind, he reassures me with the two words.
Maybe he can hear how heavy my breathing is becoming. How embarrassing.
“You know, I should’ve expected it to be all uphill, but this kind of sucks.” Letting out my first complaint, I try not to openup the floodgates. The last thing Abel will want to listen to is me moaning and groaning. Not after he went out of his way to make this happen.
Yet, he rumbles with a chuckle. The noise catches me off guard, and it takes me a second to realize that it came from him.
Despite it taking more energy than I have to give, I catch up to him so I can walk at his side instead of in his shadow.
“So…” Sucking in a lungful of air, I leave my shame at the door as I pant. “Yesterday, you said everyone only comes up here if they’re running away from something. What’s your story? Tell me it’s cooler than mine.”
Rolling his shoulder, I catch the small smile on his lips. “I wouldn’t bet on it. I just prefer what this space brings more than what the town does. I can say that I’m not a people person, but that feels more like an excuse. I just enjoy staying off the grid.”
A reasoning as simple as that is okay to drop everything and live up here? I’m jealous of him and the life he has. There’s one glaring problem that pops up when I consider the idea of doing something similar.
“What about the future? If you’re up here, how are you going to meet anyone?” His solitude must be the reason a woman isn’t already taking up his space. That’s something I noticed immediately after entering his home. “Do you really want to live out your whole life alone?”
From the way he makes a choking sound, I realize my question isn’t a normal one to ask someone you’ve just met. Right. Well, there’s no backtracking now.
It can’t hurt to ask if he’s looking for a wife. If he’s not picky, then maybe I…
“Not my whole life, no.” He’s panting now, like he’s done more talking in this moment than he’s done in a lifetime. “I don’t think I’ve met a man who doesn’t want someone to sharehis space with. Unfortunately, the only people I come across are hikers who are here temporarily.”
“And people who accidentally get scammed, right?” Cracking a smile, I don’t feel as sore as I did yesterday. It’s thanks to Abel that I’m not utterly destroyed over it.
Heck, the rain’s all gone, and the sky is full of white fluffy clouds, yet he hasn’t mentioned me leaving as of yet. Might as well enjoy the chance of seeing how long he’ll let me linger, right?
“Sure,” the corners of his eyes crinkle, “those too. Though I hope you’re the only one who tries to break into my cabin.”
Warmth creeps up my throat, but before I can correct him, he stops and turns his attention forward.
“This is it.”
Following his gaze, a gasp escapes me as we come across our destination. A pond so big, it doesn’t feel right classifying it as one. The water is so impossibly clear that I can see fish swimming among the rocks below the surface. Sunlight fractures across the bottom, casting dancing patterns that make the whole scene look alive, breathing. “It’s beautiful.”
“Sure is.” He drops his pack, kneeling to untie his boots, and I watch the way his back muscles shift beneath his shirt. “Does the hike feel more worth it now?”
