Page 53 of His Pet

“All right.” He nods. “We’ll wait a few more minutes, then head back.”

Neither of us say anything as we wait, and then when we start through the forest, the only sound our footsteps and the ringing in my ears. My mind plays the images of the attack on a loop, and I will them away.

I keep my distance from Lorenzo, at least twenty feet behind him. I watch for the markers as we walk. There’s one up ahead on my left, and I halt when Lorenzo veers off to the right.

“It’s this way,” I say, pointing even though he isn’t looking at me.

Lorenzo pauses and looks over his shoulder. He wipes sweat from his forehead. “It’s all right, I can hear the water. We’ll walk down the bank to our spot.”

“Why would—”

Lorenzo turns and begins walking, and I sigh before heading his way. I walk faster to catch up to him. Now that we’re going off the path, I have no idea how to get back. I listen for the water but don’t hear it. Not for another few minutes.

We step from the trees, and I still don’t see the water until we walk up a ledge. I peer over the edge at the water rushing below. A branch sticks out of the river, and a bird is perched on it.

Lorenzo sits down on the ledge and dangles his legs above the roaring water. The current is stronger here, and white rapids flow down a drop in the river. I sit on the ledge next to Lorenzo, but don’t dangle my legs. I wrap my arms around my knees.

“I’m sorry,” he says, glancing at me. “I didn’t know it would get to you that much.”

When I don’t respond, he continues.

“Your vegan thing doesn’t make sense to me, and honestly, I thought it was bullshit. Like a fad or something. You’re going against your own instincts.”

I scoff. “So what? You thought you’d take me into the woods to show me an animal killing another, and I’d be cured?”

Lorenzo shrugs. “I don’t know… Regardless, you asked to come with me. Should I have told you no?”

I watch the water below, ignoring his question. He wraps an arm around me, and when he leans in, probably to kiss my ear, I pull away.

“Come on, Kitty. Don’t be like that.”

“Why did we get off the path?”

Lorenzo rubs my back then brings his hand to his lap. He glances up and down the bank. “This is a good spot to watch down below.” He rakes his eyes over my dirty clothes and sweat-slicked skin. “Plus, I thought we could use a break.”

I swipe at the sweat on my neck and watch the river flow. We sit for a while, watching. Lorenzo lightens the mood with some more forest creature facts, and the tension slowly leaves my body.

Now that we’re not tracking anything, he doesn’t seem to mind talking, and I’m glad for it. We spend so much time in silence, it’s nice to have a conversation. It’s becoming apparent that Lorenzo has a love for animals that matches my own, and when I go into my non-profit, he listens intently. My anger with him fades.

A doe and her fawn come up to the river and drink, and we watch them closely. They’re on the other side, but we have a remarkable view.

“You’re right,” I say. “This is a great spot.”

Lorenzo nods and turns toward me. “I’m glad you like it.”

His eyes dip to cleavage spilling from my tank top, and I glance to see my skin glistening with sweat. I wipe it away and feel my cheeks heat.

“I guess I should clean up in the river before we head back.”

“Me too, but not yet.” Lorenzo puts his hand on my knee and smiles mischievously when I flick my gaze between his hand and eyes. His eyes dip to my lips, and my skin flushes. Suddenly, I’m aware of how dry my lips are, and I swipe my tongue over them.

I begin to think Lorenzo may kiss me with the way he stares. I don’t pull away, even as my mind tells me to.

“I’m sure you’ve heard this many times before, but you’re beautiful.”

I stay frozen when he leans toward me and presses his lips to mine. I close my eyes and don’t kiss him back. I can’t. My pride would rip to shreds if I did.

I pull away quickly and stand on shaky legs. “I have to pee,” I announce, turning and hurrying away from the ledge. Lorenzo chuckles behind me, and I feel like I may die of embarrassment. I’m ninety-nine percent sure that’s his intention every time he does that shit.

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