Page 81 of The Illicit Play

I love that part of it. Thinking things through, knowing I’m prepared for whatever nature has in store. The wild can be an unpredictable beast, but that’s part of the appeal for me. Every hiking trip is different, and I love that rush of being surrounded by nature and knowing I have to survive it.

Unable to help myself, I steal a look at my hiking buddy. You know, she’s actually been kinda helpful the past two days. She wanted to be part of the packing process and see all the stuff I’m carrying. She gotannoyed when I overloaded my pack and made me transfer a few things to hers. We tested it out last night, and the weight seemed okay for her. She’s obviously stronger than she looks, although I’ll keep an eye on her as we’re walking.

She’s sharp, intelligent, and notices things I don’t expect her to.

It doesn’t take much to explain anything to her because she picks things up so fast. I get why Wily always boasts about her smarts.

He gave me the hard word last night, hobbling into the kitchen and cornering me just after I’d emptied the dishwasher.

No one else was around, and he took advantage of that fact and told it to me straight.

“I need your word that you’re gonna take care of Blakey for me.”

I nodded, my heart hitching.

“She’s been working her ass off taking me to appointments, looking after me,andfitting in all her studying. It’s stressing her out, even though she won’t admit it,” he grumbled. “That’s why I want her to get away from it all.”

“Yeah, well… uh, nature’s great for that.” I swallowed, then had to remind myself to stop acting so damn nervous. Squaring my shoulders, I looked him in the eye and promised, “She’ll be safe, Wily. I’m totally prepared.”

“Yeah, I know you are, but… you know, just…”

“Just what?”

“Make sure she has a good time.”

My stomach dipped while my heart shot into my throat. My crazy-ass brain was breathily whispering,Is he giving us permission to?—

No, you idiot! Shut up! And smooth out your fucking expression.

I nodded, clearing my throat. “She will.”

“She’s talking a big game, saying she can handle this hiking shit, but I don’t know, man. Don’t let her bravado cloud your judgment, okay? Watch her like a hawk, and don’t push her too hard.”

“I won’t,” I assure him.

“And if the weather packs in?—”

“We’ll cut the trip short. I promise I won’t do anything dangerous.”

He grunted his approval, but that protective big brother look was still all over his face when he pointed at me. “I don’t want her coming back with blistered feet and aching muscles. So don’t?—”

I cut him off with a laugh. “Bro, come on. That’s part of it.”

His eyes narrowed, his blue glare like a frickin’ laser beam. “Don’t push her too hard,” he repeated.

Nodding my understanding, I forced a smile and promised him, “I’ll take care of her.”

I would.

That wasn’t a hard promise to make.

He eyed me up like he was sussing me out, and I ended up frowning at him, because what the actual fuck. OfcourseI’d take care of her!

“And no arguing. I still don’t know what the fuck that was about the other day, but you don’t be yelling at my sister, got it?”

Working my jaw to the side, I nodded, resting my hands back on the counter. “Got it.”

“Good.” With a definitive nod, he slapped a hand onmy shoulder, a wide smile overtaking his face like he hadn’t just been giving me the tenth degree.