Page 33 of The Heart Shot
Elsie
The top of the corn stalks loomed over my head, and if it weren’t for the light of the moon I wouldn’t have been able to see my hand in front of my face.Jameson kept his distance, though I could feel his amusement as he watched me walk back and forth, trying to determine which way to go. It had only been a few minutes, but the entrance was long gone, and I was hopelessly lost. Me and directions did not mix.
And then a thought hit me.
“Wait,” I blurted, coming to a stop. “If your family owns this place, does that mean you know the way out of the maze?”
He arched a brow, smirking. “That would be cheating.”
I crossed my arms. “Should I take that as a yes?”
Jameson ran a hand through his dark hair, chuckling. “Unfortunately, I do not. My aunt is determined to make each year of the maze unique. It’s never had the same layout twice.” He paused, studying the stalks around us. “Besides, even if I did, it’s too cute watching you try to figure out where to go.”
Heat bloomed over my cheeks.
He called me cute.
I shook my head, not allowing his words to sprout roots. It didn’t matter if Jameson thought I was cute. Not when this was going to end after three dates. I only agreed to this to get Maya off my back and abate my loneliness for a while.
I swallowed, putting my hands on my hips. “Yes, well, I’m directionally challenged, so unless you want to live in this maze for the rest of your life, you should probably take over.”
Challenge flashed in his eyes. “You trust me to get you out of here?”
I quelled the butterflies trying to take flight in my stomach. “Trustis probably not the right word.”
Jameson took a step toward me. “Then what is?” Another step. His warm breath pooled in the air between us.
“S-self-preservation.” I stumbled over the word, desperate to keep him from getting closer—not because I didn’t like it, but because Idid. My palms were clammy and my heart was dancing a strange rhythm in my chest.
Jameson threw back his head and laughed. It was low and sexy and had my insides constricting.
“That’s fair,” he mused, taking a step down the path to the left, nodding his head for me to follow. The scent of dried corn stalks, like decaying grass, was everywhere, and hay crunched beneath my boots. Itriedto focus on those things rather than the jolt that went through me each time his hand bumped into mine.
Several minutes passed as he led me through the maze. Or, at least, I assumed he was leading me through. For all I knew, he was as lost as I was.
The moon hung in the sky, taunting me as Jameson walked down shadowy paths that challenged my ability to see in the dark. So, of course, my foot snagged on a stalk that had fallen over. With a cry, I flew forward, squeezing my eyes shut and bracing for impact. It took a moment for my brain to register warm arms cradling me instead of the cold ground.
My eyes flew open, and I gasped when I found Jameson’s face inches from my own. He had somehow managed to not only catch me but twisted us in a way so he landed on the ground instead of me.
And that put me right on top of him.
It had been a softer landing, but not by much. Jameson was a bed of warm, hard muscle. His hazel eyes glowed in the moonlight, flickering with amusement.
“You’re a little clumsy,” he whispered, his breath tickling my nose.
I swallowed hard. “Clumsy is my middle name.”
“That’s okay.” He brushed my hair behind my ear. “Gives me more excuses to be near you.” His fingers trailed a line of fire across my cheek.
He’s going to kiss you, Elsie. Move. Get up. Something!
The voice in my head was loud, but the desire flaring in me was louder.
I couldn’t move—didn’twantto—as calloused fingers skimmed the back of my neck, pulling me closer, his breath hot on my lips.
“There you are,” a voice called, shattering the moment like glass.
Like a teenager caught making out with a boy, I flung myself off of him. My face burned like I had just face-planted into an oven.Jameson’s exhale was full of frustration, and he slowly pulled himself off the hay-covered ground.
