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“How much more?” He lifted and placed her on top of the counter with ease, catching her by surprise.
She kissed him as her response, showing him instead.
Twenty-Five
“You toldhim you were inprison?” Charlie asked disbelievingly.
Rick took her hand, helping her up from the large rocks of their hiking trail. On a beautiful Sunday morning, he got them up and ready in time for a quiet hike at one of his favorite spots, early enough before the crowd started piling in. They made small talk before Charlie asked Rick about the odd confrontation she had with Ryan.
“I didn’t say that,” he said. “I said I’ve been toaprison. I just didn’t mention it was to visit a friend.”
She laughed. “Why would you do that?”
Shrugging as he walked ahead, he periodically looking back to keep pace with her slower one. “I don’t know. Thought it wouldn’t be too bad to freak him out a bit.”
“Well, now he’s terrified of you.” Charlie chuckled. “He said you were scamming me.”
Rick stopped and pulled her to him. “Do you feel scammed?” he whispered into her ear.
Biting her lips mischievously, she batted her lashes at him. “Scammed out of the opportunity to sleep in.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’ll have other opportunities to do that. I want to show you the summit. The view is amazing here.”
“The view is already amazinghere,” she said playfully, tiptoeing to steal a kiss. With her feet flat in the hiking boots he bought her, Charlie became shorter than when she stalked around in heels.
“Don’t sass me with your flirting, woman, I don’t want to try anything in public that will get me arrested.”
“Like what?”
“Kissing you until your clothes come off.”
Her eyes widened in feigned horror. “Well, we don’t want that, do we?”
He scowled at her. “Don’t tempt me.”
If only she knew that her every movement had him in chains. When he asked her to gear up for a moderate trek, her response was to spend half an hour in her closet only to come out decked in the most erotic sportswear known to man.
Charlie in a cropped shirt and skin-tight leggings that traced the curves from her waist to her thighs had him questioning his decision. When she came out dressed like that, hiking nearly left his head. He had to walk ahead of her to avoid looking at her backside. It hadn’t happened yet, but he could guess that hiking with a boner was not comfortable.
After another half hour of walking in companionable silence, they finally made it to the top. Rick dropped his backpack on a bench and pulled out his equipment.
“Itisamazing here,” Charlie breathed, taking in the panoramic view. She set her bag next to his, spread her arms out, and inhaled a breath. Rick snapped the shot, the shutter fluttering in each press.
It was a clear day with minimal clouds. Blue sky filled the background on a picturesque canvas. While he took pictures, Charlie admired the view. The minutes passed before Rick noticed Charlie’s movements as she sat on the bench.
They’d been dating for nearly three months now, and hepicked up some signs of her body language. When she couldn’t rest her arms, then she had something on her mind.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked before setting the camera against his chest. He walked over to her, using his shadow to shield her from the sun.
“How do you know I’m thinking about something?” she asked.
“When you wiggle your arms like that,” he said. “You’re restless right now. Something’s up.”
Her smile was light and sweet. “Nothing serious. Just thinking about how I am enjoying my time with you.”
He sat next to her, touching their thighs together. “There’s more to that, I’m sure.”
“I’m being truthful. It’s still surreal to me that I’m with you. I never would’ve imagined I’d be dating you, Richard Min.”
