Page 13 of The Charmer
“I just called the concierge, and our picnic is ready.”
“Great.” I bite the corner of my mouth.
“This is going to be fun, Jayde,” Reese reminds me.
“I know,” I say truthfully.
I’m beginning to realize that anything with Reese is fun. Because he’s caring and considerate. Because he’s thoughtful and trustworthy.
Because being with him makes me want to laugh and smile and fuckingglowwith happy vibes.
And that makes me mushy and excited. And scared as hell.
FIVE
REESE
“The waterfall is this way.” I point down a trail as the sound of rushing water grows closer.
“I’m right behind you,” Jayde calls out.
Still, I pause and wait for her.
It’s not that she’s not much of a hiker—I mean, she’s not—but I think this is her first time in nature. Ever. The girl stops every few feet to squint at a tree or look at the sky or study a flower. It’s cute and endearing and even though we are way behind schedule and our lunch picnic is heavier than I thought it would be, I don’t have the heart to rush her.
I think she’s actually enjoying this. And I’m sure as hell enjoying watching her enjoy it.
“This is so cool,” she gushes—gushes!—when she hears the rushing water.
I grin. “You ever hike before?”
“Huh?” She raises her eyebrows. “Oh, sure,” she feigns casual.
“Right,” I snicker.
Jayde rolls her eyes. “Reese, do I look like a girl who hikes? In nature? With bugs?”
“Kind of,” I say honestly. “You’re always wearing combat boots and?—”
“That’s for fashion.” She gestures wildly around her surroundings. “This is for people who like sunshine more than air conditioning.” I burst out laughing and Jayde smiles. “But I think I’m becoming one of those people.”
“Good.” I hook an arm around her shoulders, and we set off down the trail. “Let’s see if the waterfall can cement that for you.”
She grasps the back of my tank and through the thin material, I feel the tips of her fingernails. They’re polished a dark blue and I recall them, vividly, moving down my chest last night.
What a freaking night. I’ve never been captivated by a moment, by a woman, like that before. My body felt like it was flying, my head was a jumble of thoughts and wants and needs, and Jayde fulfilled every one of them.
I hold her tighter, wanting to remember every detail of this weekend.
“Ahh! Shit! Look at that iguana!” Jayde shrieks, pointing wildly.
I trip over my own feet, catching myself at the last minute, and laugh.
She turns her small frame into mine, the graze of her fingernails now piercing. “I take it back. I’m not a nature girl.”
I shift the weight of my backpack and swoop her into my arms, holding her fireman style.
“Reese!” She shrieks again, planting a hand on the top of her baseball cap to hold in place. “What are you doing?”
