Page 59 of Rough and Rugged

“But why are you still wearing that thing?” He tips his head toward my fingers.

“I don’t really know.” The answer is the truth. I don’t know why I haven’t taken it off. I should have tossed it at Wesley’s shocked face. But when I told him I was done, I was surprisingly calm. He didn’t love me for who I am. And I didn’t needthatkind of love for the rest of my life. Til death do us part.

With my right hand, I toy with the giant rock on my left. “I should really take it off. I want to take it off,” I say louder.

“Then take it off.” Again, his voice drops, the sound raw, encouraging, and a bit seductive when he repeats, “Take it off, baby.”

I have no idea where this playful side of him comes from. He’s been challenging me all day, spurring me on in both the log rolling contest and the ax throwing games. And yet, the challenge has been different.Heisn’t criticizing me like Wesley. He’s pushing me. That’s Ellis. The two men are not the same.

There’s no comparison really.

“I will take it off,” I counter loudly. Extending my hand, I tug the ring, slipping it up to the knuckle, then back to the webbing. Moving it once more, I slide it over the knuckle, then drop it back, like I’m teasing Ellis with the removal. Like I’m preforming a striptease act . . . with a ring. Baring my finger to him.

Deciding that’s a silly thought, I tug the ring free and let out a gasp that reminds me of an orgasmic sound of relief. My breath hitches. I arch my back. I grip the table like I’m unsteady, overpowered, but liberated.

“Damn, that felt good.”

Ellis is staring at me once more. His dark eyes large. His mouth held partially open. His fingers whiten on the edge of the table, like he’s ready to toss it aside when I’m slightly tempted to ask him to bend me over it. Although the table is too tall, too unstable, and the last thing Ellis would ever do is fuck me.

A rush of butterflies flutter in my lower belly, and I almost double over. My core pulses. My palms flatten on the tabletop, like I’m holding myself back. Like the thought alone of this powerful man entering me could bring me a release like I’ve never had.

My brain screams. My legs tremble. With a shaking hand, I hold up the diamond ring pinched between my fingers. “I don’t know where to put this. I don’t have any pockets.”

“Throw it in the lake.” His response is rash and hurried, and almost adamant. He means it. Trash the ring.

Instead, I curl my palm around it. “I’ll give it to Grant to hold onto.”

Ellis snatches the ring from my hand. “I’ll keep things safe for you.”

While I consider he misspoke, his eyes latch onto mine as he tucks the ring into his short’s pocket. Intriguingly, I don’t think he only means the ring will be safe with him.

The day wears on and the cups of beer pile up. I’ve tried to match every twelve ounces with an equal measure of water but after hitting the portable toilets a few too many times, I’m done with liquids. Plus, there’s a polka dance contest, and I’ve entered Grant and I in it.

Not surprisingly, he’s missing come time for the dance off.

“You,” I point at Ellis who is already shaking his head.

“Absolutely not.” He lifts his foot. “Do you see the size of these climbers?”

I see them alright. And if the myths about hands and feet mirroring the length and girth of a penis, well . . . I already have my own unscientific experience from earlier in the day, riding Ellis like a rolling log in the lake.

“Please.” I wrap my fingers around his big hand, batting my eyelashes and pouting my lips. I don’t expect it to work.

But Ellis tips back his head, groans as he stares at the ceiling of the tent, and then levels me with a warning stare. “You’re going to owe me for this.”

“Whatever you’d like,” I counter.

“Anything?” He quirks up one bushy brow.

Do I mean anything? How bad could it be? What could he possibly ask of me?

You’re delicious. The comment has been on repeat in my head throughout the day.He’sdelicious.

A little nibble of him might be nice, but I’d never do that to Ellis. I’d never put myself out there again for him, and I wouldn’t want him to think he’s a rebound.

Harshly, I shake that thought; he isn’t propositioning me for sex. This is Ellis. He’ll make me do something stupid like lick tree bark or hold a snake. Nothing terribly unsafe.

I’ll keep things safe for you.

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