Page 82 of The Illicit Play

The protective big brother was tucked away again, and Wily the Goofball was back.

“Hope you have the best time, brother.”

After another friendly shoulder slap, he awkwardly turned away and hobbled back out of the kitchen, and I stood there, staring at the kitchen floor and hoping like hell I can get through this thing.

And I will.

And she will.

As long as I keep my focus on the right thing—introducing Blake to the wonders of the wild and giving her a chance to switch off from all the bullshit she’s running from… and maybe even relax herself into a state of peace.

Hopefully from there, she can find the answers she’s looking for.

CHAPTER 24

BLAKE

We drive for about two hours, leaving the highway, then meandering through roads that look as though they get used by like ten cars a year. I obviously know it’s way more than that, but it feels like we’re traveling in the middle of nowhere.

It’s so stunning. I keep catching my breath as I stare at the mountains looming in the distance and the hilly landscape around us. The road is a snake in the landscape, winding back and forth through an ocean of pine trees. This is Colorado backcountry at its best, and I can’t believe I’m about to hike through this wilderness.

I can’t admit that I’m just a little nervous.

I’m mostly excited because I’ve never done anything like this before, and new adventures are fun.

I’m also excited because I finally have Grady all to myself.

Although, I highly doubt he’s feeling the same way.

He’s been tense and silent ever since we left, and this trip is going to royally suck if he doesn’t chill the fuck out.

Seriously. Does he think I’m a rattlesnake or something?

I’m not about to pounce and inject him with venom. I just want to hang out… maybe get a little frisky, sure. There’s nothing wrong with a spring break fling.

I just need to figure out a way to convince him of that.

Checking him out from the corner of my eye, I study the side of his gorgeous face, once again captured by those high cheekbones and the strong lines of his dark skin.

Mm! He’s so freaking hot!

“Here we go,” he mumbles, slowing his Jeep and pulling into a small gravel parking lot. There’s one other vehicle, which looks to love the outdoors as much as Grady’s Jeep does.

We park next to it, and then he cuts the engine and turns to look at me.

I smile at him, hoping to ease that tense frown off his face.

He stares at me for a beat before his lips twitch and he gruffly asks, “You ready for this?”

“You bet I am.” Unbuckling, I jump out and walk around to the back of the Jeep.

We load up, Grady making sure my pack is sitting comfortably. I kind of love his close proximity as he adjusts straps and checks the pack’s positioning.

“That feel okay?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Make sure your hips are taking the bulk of the weight,” he reminds me, checking the strap around my hips and giving it a jiggle until I confirm that I’m good to go.