Page 41 of Unpredictable
Instead, I took a bite of my apple, the juice dripping down my chin before I wiped it away. “You surprise me.”
“Yeah?” She tilted her head to the side. “How so?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I guess I figured you were too much of a city girl to enjoy hiking.”
She laughed from her perch nearby. “You might be surprised what I enjoy.”
I leaned in, aching to be closer. “Tell me more,” I murmured, my voice gravelly with need.
She elbowed me. “Harrison.”
“What?” I sat back, fighting a grin as I attempted to maintain an innocent expression. “You said I’d be surprised, so I asked for more information.”
“Mm-hmm.” She crossed her arms over her chest, which had the effect of pushing her breasts together. “I think we both know you weren’t referring to recreational activities.”
“Well, I was. I just had one very specific activity in mind.” I smirked.
She rolled her eyes and looked away, but she couldn’t hide the effect my words had on her. It was clear in the rise and fall of her chest and the pink color creeping up her neck.
“So, tell me about your other interests,” I said, wanting to know more about her. “Do you like sports? Cooking? Art?”
“Are you going to strand me here if I say sports isn’t high on the list?” She cringed as if bracing for impact.
I merely laughed. “Perhaps.”
“Harrison.” She tossed her wrapper at me as we stood. I caught it, shoving it into my pack.
We resumed our hike and soon approached a bridge.
“Do you like any sports?” I asked.
Juliana hung back, and I stopped, realizing she was no longer behind me. “It’s getting late. Maybe we should head back.”
I glanced at my watch and frowned. “We have plenty of daylight. Certainly enough time to hike to the falls before we leave. Come on.”
I made it halfway across the bridge before I realized she still hadn’t moved. “Juliana?” I tilted my head to the side, assessing her. She seemed frozen in place, her eyes wide. “Are you okay?”
She shook her head. “Yeah.” She swallowed, placing her hand to the rock face as if to steady herself. “I’m, uh—” Her skin paled. “Fine.”
She didn’t look fine. She looked like she was going to pass out. The rosy bloom of her cheeks had faded to a pallor that alarmed me.
“Are you afraid of heights?” I took a few steps closer.
Again, she shook her head, but she kept staring at the bridge. She wore a dazed look that ratcheted up my anxiety. This far out, there was no cell reception. I’d seen a few other people on the trail, but not in a while.
Think, Harrison. Think.
“You’re not diabetic, are you?”
I’d known a few guys throughout my career who were, and though her reaction was similar, I didn’t think that was it. Besides, we’d recently had a snack and water. If it wasn’t a blood sugar issue or a fear of heights, what else could it be?
“I need to see the package.” Her breathing was labored, and I tried to stay calm.
“What?” I glanced around. “What package?”
“The…” she gasped. “The Emmie’s.”
She reached for my backpack, and I sprung into action. I rummaged through the contents, finally discovering another cookie like she’d eaten at the bottom.
