Page 80 of The Illicit Play

GRADY

I am in so much fucking trouble.

I should have just bailed on this whole hiking thing. But how was I supposed to do that without alerting Wily to the problem?

After Blake tapped my ass, then strutted to her room with those scintillating hips of hers, I scurried back downstairs to see if I could convince Wily what a terrible idea this is.

But he and Satch were fully immersed in their make-out session, and what was I supposed to say?

Oh yeah, so you asked why Blake couldn’t come hiking with me. Here’s the thing… She’s hotter than the sun, and I’ve been dreaming about all the things I’d like to do to her luscious body… and now you want to put me alone with her in the middle of nowhere.That’s why. That’s why this trip should not be going ahead.

Yeah, that would have gone down a real treat.

All I could do was clomp back upstairs, taking them two at a time and forcing my brain into planning mode.Things had to be rearranged now that it was just Blake and me.

I’d have to carry both tents. Man, it’d be so much easier to just take one, but I couldn’t be doing that. Nope. No way.

In the end, I settled for a tent for her and a hammock for me.

I’ll tie it between two trees and sleep under the stars, because I cannot share a tent with that luscious woman. My libido won’t be able to take it.

For the past two days, I’ve been doing everything in my power to focus on the purpose of this trip. I’m gonna take Blake into the wild, show her how amazing it all fucking is, and hope that she can discover her purpose on this planet while we’re out there.

That’s it.

That’s all.

It’s done.

And I am still reminding myself of that as we wave goodbye to her tall, strong, could-kick-the-living-shit-out-of-me brother and his sweet girlfriend.

They now have the house to themselves, and they are more than excited about it.

Glancing right, I take in Blake and wish for just a second that she was Teah.

If Teah was still my girl, I’d be feeling completely different right now. I’d be driving her out into the forest, knowing exactly how spring break would be playing out. It would involve hiking adventures, dips in the lake, and a whole lotta lovemaking in the little tent I packed.

Are you kidding?

Teah came hiking with you one time, and she hated everyminute of it. You didn’t get lucky because she was too pissed off, covered in mosquito bites and wailing to go home.

Yeah, okay, so that wasn’t our best moment.

But still, if Blake was any other girl… if she was my girlfriend… then this would be a hell of a lot easier.

She’s your friend. Your friend, your buddy, your pal.

Your very sexy pal.

Glancing at the skintight yoga pants she’s sporting, I have to bite the inside of my cheek hard enough to remind myself that she is off-limits!

Blake turns to shoot me a smile, looking all excited as we head out of Nolan. She’s pumped for this trip, and I have no idea if it’s because she’s genuinely excited to explore something new and be in nature, or if she’s just relieved to be away from Wily and all the secrets she’s carrying… or if it’s because she’s waiting to pounce.

Shit, how the hell am I going to resist her if she does?

This trip is the worst idea ever!

Forcing my brain back to the safety of practical planning, I run through my gear list and all the safety measures I’ve put in place. Success in the outdoors is all about planning ahead and anticipating any problems.