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She kisses me softly, sweetly, then slowly pulls back. “Guess we better not start that again.”
I give her a slow grin. “We should probably wait.”
She jerks her thumb at the trail. “I don’t know why I chose this direction? I’ve never been on it.”
“Let’s explore it together. See where it goes.”
She grins. “I’ll go anywhere with you.” A loud snapping of a branch causes her to whirl around, her ponytail nearly hitting me in the eye. She practically leaps into my arms as her gaze scans the thick foliage.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you.” My arm wraps around her, my face reassuring. “We don’t have to go this way if you are scared.”
She shakes her head, ponytail swinging rapidly. “No, it’s fine. I don’t know why I’m so jumpy.” She gives me a brave smile, but as soon as her gaze slides from mine, her eyes dart around the thick pine and maple trees and lush, overgrown foliage.
Of course, I notice her unease. I notice everything about her. “If you really want to go this way, how about I lead the way?”
The tension leaves her body, her shoulders relaxing. “That sounds good.”
I slide around her body, taking the opportunity to press myself against her before slipping past her. Her breath hitches and her brown eyes smolder the second I touch her.
Since we are unfamiliar with this section of the forest and the trail is much rockier and steeper, we walk instead of run. The squawking of a large crow as it flies from the evergreen tree above causes Irelynn to jump and grab onto the back of my shirt. It reminds me of the day I met her.
“It’s silly. I watch horror movies all the time, yet am jumpy as hell on this trail with you.” She shrugs and I hold my hand back for her to grab. She wraps her fingers around mine, her smile more confident.
The moss-covered rocks are a bit slick, and I warn her before she crosses them, paying attention so she doesn’t slip. She navigates them carefully. As we move forward, briars hang onto the trail and I grab them, pulling them back so they don’t scratch her.
“Max, you’re getting all scratched up,” she protests as she passes beneath the thorny veil I’m holding away from her.
“I’m tough. I can take it.” I grin at her, letting the branch go once I’ve passed.
The air is cooler the further we go into the woods, the thick vegetation and trees not letting as much sunlight reach this section. After walking for miles, we see a clearing in the distance, a dilapidated mansion in the middle of it.
Irelynn meets my eyes and shrugs, so we continue walking forward, stopping where the edge of the clearing meets the forest. The back of the large house has cracked, broken windows that have been boarded up, and tall weeds and grass surrounding it. But the opposite side, which I’m assuming is the front, is a flurry of construction vehicles and workers. “Looks like someone is fixing the place up,” I remark, grabbing Irelynn’s hand in mine. Her skin is cool and clammy. My eyes study her profile. “Baby, are you okay?”
She turns her head to mine, her eyes unfocused. After a beat, she shakes her head. “I have no idea why, but this place gives me thecreeps.” She crosses her arms, her body shivering slightly as her head turns to take in the house that has fallen into ruin. “Maybe once they restore the place, it won’t bother me so much.” She shrugs, her head tilting to my face.
“How about we get out of here, sweetie?” I gently brush a tendril of hair from her face.
She self-consciously lifts a hand, touching her ponytail. “I probably look like a mess,” she grimaces.
I pull her into my chest. “You always look beautiful to me.”
She smiles ruefully. “You’re sweet. A terrible liar, but sweet as hell.” Her chocolate eyes light up. “I wouldn’t say no to a shower, especially one with you.”
My smile widens. “How about we head back, you pack a bag, and stay with me at my apartment for the weekend?”
“I’ll make you a deal. If you will be my date to a very boring sorority/fraternity party that Vanessa is dragging me to on Saturday evening, then I’ll stay with you for the weekend.” She gives me a rueful smile, shaking her head. “I lost a bet to Vanessa.”
My brows raise. “You seem to have a habit of losing bets.” I laugh as she swats at me. “And you know I’ll be your date.”
She gives me a happy grin. “Bonus points if you can convince Darin to go with us.”
I laugh heartily. “Since Vanessa is going, that shouldn’t be a problem.” As we turn and start heading back, I pull my phone from my pocket. “I barely have any service, so I’m not sure it will send, but I’ll try it.” Typing a quick message, I hit send, but as we head deeper into the woods, I don’t have service for the text to go through.
When we finally get to the fork in the path, the text finally sends. I’ve barely gotten my phone in my pocket when Irelynn says, “I’ll race you,” and takes off running on the trail.
I shake my head, a wide smile on my lips.She is gonna get it when I catch her.
Chapter thirty-three
