Mostly because I wasblushing so hard it might qualify as a medical emergency.
“Ben Jensen,” I said, flustered. “Did you just compare me toscenery?”
“If the boot fits.”
“You’re impossible.”
“And you’re distracting.”
My brain flatlined.
Somewhere behind us, a bird chirped helpfully. Probably mocking me.
I swallowed, tugged out the two rolled-up sleeping bags from the bottom of my pack, and tossed one at his feet. “Sit. Hydrate. Cool off.”
He raised an eyebrow at the sleeping bag. “We're hauling all this stuff just to sit somewhere?”
“No,” I said. “We’re hauling them because eventually, you’re going to want to lie down.”
He stilled.
Then his mouth curved into a smirk so devilish it nearly knocked the sun off its axis.
“You offering, Fifi?”
I turned away so fast I almost tripped on a pinecone.
“Hydrate,” I repeated firmly. “Before I push you in the lake.”
His low chuckle followed me all the way to the edge of the water.
And I had a sneaking suspicion this day was going to be a lot more dangerous than I’d planned.
In the best possible way.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ben
I was going to combust, not metaphorically or emotionally, but actually physically combust. I was about to erupt like a man-shaped volcano made of caffeine, desire, and the overwhelming need tokiss the hellout of Fifi again.
She was ten feet ahead of me on the canyon trail, the sun catching in her dark hair, her laughter echoing off the red rock walls like something carved straight from joy itself. She wasn’t even trying to drive me crazy. That was the worst part.
She just…was.
Barely-there trail? She took it like a champ.
Loose gravel? She tackled it with a grin and a one-liner.
Me, trailing behind and trying to focus on anythingbutthe swing of her hips in those jeans? A lost cause.
I needed a distraction.
So, I suggested the path that curved above the lake, the red stone stretching out like a ribbon of sandstone. It was warmunderfoot, radiating heat through the soles of my boots. The sun was climbing higher, painting the canyon in copper and rust, and the wind whistled low between the rock walls.
Fifi scrambled up a short incline and turned to look back at me. Her cheeks were flushed, her smile wild and unfiltered.
“This is incredible,” she breathed, hands on her hips. “I mean, I hate to give you credit since this wastechnicallymy idea, but good call on the detour.”
