8
What a freaking tease. My mouth is on the floor from the shock. He shoots me an impish grin as he leaves me hanging. How dare he? Who the hell does he think he is?
I don’t know what to do. Part of me wants to chase after him and drag him into my bed. But that’s exactly what he wants, isn’t it? The other part of me wants to chase him down and give him a piece of my mind, but that’s also what he wants, to rile me up.
Nope, not gonna happen. I grab my notebook and scurry to my room, I peel off my clothes in a rage, and slip into my flannel pajamas. I gather all my things, including my sleeping bag and pillow, a flashlight, and my Kindle. The tent and air mattress is already set up, awaiting me. I sneak into the kitchen and grab a bottle of water and my bag of Doritos.
One thing’s for sure, I am not sleeping under the same roof as him. “I’m going to sleep in my tent,” I call out. “Can you keep an eye on Abby and Baxter? They were out not long ago, and I’ll be back early in the morning. I’d take them with me, but I don’t think they’d be impressed.”
He smiles wide. “You’re really sleeping out in a tent?…You?”
“Yes… me!” He thinks he knows me so well. I can rough it as good as anyone else.
It’s a little chillier than I anticipated, but I’m determined to stick it out. I have everything I need right here. I slip into my sleeping bag and prop myself against my pillow as I struggle to make myself comfortable. Finally, when I do, I settle down with my Kindle. I’m halfway through the latest Maya Banks novel and am really enjoying it. Who needs Jacob when I have erotic romance and my own hands.
I suddenly regret not bringing my vibrator along on this trip. But in my defense, I didn’t know that Jacob would be here, teasing me, working me up.
I’m a few chapters in when I realize that it’s pitch dark out there. The only light around is coming from the screen of my Kindle. The stars are beautiful, and I lie back to enjoy them. The moment is delicious, until I hear something outside, some rustling in the woods. My pulse races. I sit up, on alert. More rustling…
“Jacob, is that you?” I call out.
No answer.
“Jacob?”
The sound of a loud guttural growl sends my heart into overdrive. It’s an animal of some kind. Sounds like a bear. I didn’t even think there were bears around here, but now I’m shitting my pants.
Another growl.
I’m frozen still, breathless. My heart is pounding so hard, I fear I might pass out. “Jacob!” I scream. “Jacob!”
The rustling intensifies, and as soon as I hear the zipper of my tent, a huge breath of relief escapes me. I might still get mulled and killed by a bear, but at least I won’t die alone.
“Are you okay?” Jacob asks, full of concern.
“I’m fine,” I tell him. “Get in!”
He scurries in and lands by my side. I instinctually cuddle up close to him. “Did you hear that?!”
He wraps me into his embrace. “I did. I heard there was a bear sighting around here, but I thought—”
“What?!”
“Yep, there was a bear sighting a few days ago. Didn’t you hear?”
“No… you know me. I don’t read the paper and I don’t listen to the radio much.”
“Yes, you stick to CDs and the Comics and the Lifestyles section,” he teases. “Well, he was probably attracted to your Doritos. Opened food is a big no-no around bears.”
I stare at the half-eaten bag of Doritos for a second, and then grab it. “Let’s eat the rest. Get rid of it.”
Jacob laughs out loud.
“What? It’s not funny. Help me out!”
He digs into the bag and soon enough, we’ve finished all the Doritos. I’ve torn the bag open, and am now licking the silver lining clean.
Jacob is still laughing at me. “God, I’ve missed you.”
