Page 25 of Love Off the Rocks
“Well, I don’t have it.” I unzip his hoodie and motion to my still damp clothing, which still conceals nothing from view.
His eyes heat as they travel down my body and up to my face again. His gaze strong as it holds mine. Another shiver runs through me, this time one of anticipation of what that look might mean. Because as much as I love knowing that Dev still wants me, I love the possibility of what that might bring more.
13
Dev
Her wet clothes leave nothing to the imagination. I mean nothing. Not that I’ve forgotten what she looks like naked. I haven’t. It’s still my number one go-to memory in my spank bank. But she wasn’t wrong earlier which what she said about sexual harassment. There is still the issue of me being her boss. And while the company doesn’t prohibit employees dating, they certainly don’t encourage it. And that’s if we ignore that we live on opposite coasts from one another. No matter how much I may still want it, the chance of a reconciliation with Mags is probably slim.
“Let’s go,” I say. My voice coming out harsher than I’d intended. “We have a general idea of where we are in relation to the stream and where the cabin might be. We should be able to wing it.”
“Wing it? You want to wing it in the middle of the wilderness?”
“We’re in a national park, and it’s hardly unchartered territory.”
“Need I remind you, one of the items on our list was to identify black bear scat. A bear, Dev!”
“Black bears don’t hurt people, Mags. You’re thinking of grizzly bears.” Why is she choosing now to be upset about the bear?
“You know this because you’ve asked them personally?”
“Just, come on.” I wave her forward. “You’ll get warmer faster if you move.”
“Lead the way, trail guide-bear hunter.” Her tone is pissy, but she follows me anyway.
14
Dev
“Are you sure you know where we’re going?” Mags asks for the five-millionth time.
“No, Mags. I don’t know where we’re going! I’m just guessing. Like anyone who doesn’t have a map or a compass!” My voice rises, causing her to shrink back. At first, I think she’s scared. But I see it, the moment when the fire kicks in and she rears back at me.
“You think I’m responsible for the map and the compass? Are you nuts?”
“Nuts about you when you’re all fired up like this” is what I want to say. Instead, I go with, “Yeah, well takes one to know one.” Not my finest comeback, but I’m tired and hungry, embarrassed, and a little worried.
Her eyes tear up.
“I’m sorry, Mags,” I sigh, going to her.
She brushes me off. “I’m not upset about you. God. I’m getting my period soon and I’m over-emotional.”
“I thought women didn’t like to use that excuse?”
“We can use it all we want. It’s when you use it that pisses us off.”
I nod like I get it, even though I don’t see the difference. “Why don’t we take a little break. Split the other granola bar and see if we can recognize anything around us. Like a landmark or something.”
She nods tearfully, not arguing for once, and joins me on the blanket for our third such picnic of the day. This will be the last of the water and granola bar. The sun is almost down, and we are no closer to finding our way back than we were three and a half hours ago. The only upside being it’s summer, so the temperatures shouldn’t fall below the mid-50s if we’re forced to spend the night out here.
At least we won’t freeze to death.
We finish the other granola bar and last bit of water in comfortable silence until Mags speaks again. “We may as well admit it. We’re going to have to spend the night out here.”
I open my mouth to argue before thinking better of it and nodding instead. The sun sets late this time of year, but it’s still setting much faster than I’d expected. Even though I’m not from around here, I can tell it will be dark soon.
“So, maybe we should focus on building a shelter instead of walking more. Besides, I have a blister the size of a quarter on my left heel and it’s killing me.”
