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She turns to me. “That’s life, Easton. There is one thing that’s bothering me, though. I want it to be known that if you meet someone you could spend the rest of your life with, youshouldpursue it.”
“No.” I adjust my watch. “You’re my new hobby,Alexis.At least for a year.”
She chews on the corner of her lip. “Trying to get under my skin?”
I lean back on the palms of my hands. “I’m already there.”
“Cocky as fuck.” A devious grin takes residence on her perfect mouth. “So, that means you’re committing to me in return? Did the contract specify that?”
“You should’ve read it,” I say, enjoying this conversation.
“I know.”
“Would you like to keep me to yourself?” I lift a brow.
Lexi meets my gaze. “I don’t want to share you, even if this is fake. Call me greedy if you’d like.” The words come out confident, like a woman who knows exactly what she wants.
“Mmm. Consider it done. I’m all yours, Lexi.”
“Good,” she whispers.
I stand, holding my hand out to her. She takes it, and I pull her to her feet; her chest presses against mine.
“I believe honesty is the best policy with us. I want you to know the truth about me, my life, and my family. People will try to destroy what we have—temporary or not. So, ask if you read or hear something that makes you pause. I have nothing to hide from you. The right, wrong, or indifferent. Truth always.”
“I trust you, Easton. And I can handle the bullshit. I grew up in a small town. If I can survive that, I can survive a year of being your wife.”
I tuck a few loose strands of dark hair behind her ear. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
A breath escapes her. “And I don’t want to be the one to hurt you.”
“Ah, right,my little heartbreaker. Almost forgot you were so fierce,” I say, creating space between us before I do something I shouldn’t.
I lead the way back to the Jeep, then open the bear-proof ice chest bolted to the back. Inside is a fresh bottle of Fireball shoved into the ice, along with a few sandwiches and water. I’ll have to thank my friend Philip for packing the essentials.
I hand a bottle of water to Lexi, and we drink. The last thing we need is to get dehydrated up here. It’s easy in the mountains.
“Ready to take the trail down?” I ask, dangling the key on my finger.
“Sure, but you can drive,” she tells me.
“Really?” I’m almost shocked as I open the door for her. We climb inside, buckling. Nothing happens when I press the ignition other than the dashboard lights flickering.
“Ha-ha, that’s a funny joke,” Lexi says, tightening her harness and repositioning her seat.
“I wish it were a joke,” I say, pulling my phone from my pocket to text Philip. “Shit.”
Her smile fades as she glances at her phone. The corner showsSOS, just like mine. She immediately turns it off, which is brilliant. She won’t waste battery.
“How far is it to the bottom?”
“Fifteen miles. On foot, it’s an extreme trail. We’d make it after dark, and I won’t fly in the mountains after sunset. It’s one of my hard rules.”
I grip my useless phone. I could use the emergency satellite option, but I refuse. It should only be used in extreme emergencies out here in the Tetons.
I try to imagine the different scenarios and don’t panic.
“Let’s pop the hood,” she says, unbuckling and hopping out.