An Ounce of Hope (A Pound of Flesh #2)(36)

Shit was not okay.

He slowed down to a quick walk, waiting for her to realize that and join him, which she did with a curious expression.

“Are you all right?” she asked, looking him over and trying to spot an injury.

“I’m good,” he answered. “I was just thinking, maybe we could change it up a little today. I know another way that we haven’t used yet.”

She glanced around and shrugged. “Okay.”

He set off, leaving the dirt path and heading farther into the forest, knowing the track he’d explored as a kid like the back of his hand, jumping over fallen trees, over puddles left from the overnight rain, and dodging the thick branches that tried to grab them as they ran. It was darker the deeper they ventured; the sun blocked by the canopy of leaves, making it cooler, more eerie.

“Max,” Grace panted at his side. “Where the hell are we going?”

“Just wait,” he called back. “Come on.”

They ran for a few more minutes before, with a yell, Grace came to a grinding halt, breathless and sweating, her eyes darting about the place.

“Where are you taking me, Max?” she demanded, shifting from foot to foot. “I have no idea where we are! This isn’t funny.”

With any other half-dressed, hot woman alone with him in the woods, Max would have made a joke about being a kidnapper eager to have his wicked way with her. But something in her tone, the anxious shake of her voice, warned him that that probably wasn’t a good idea.

He held up his palms. “It’s all right. We’re almost there. Look.”

He turned and pointed through the trees where sunlight and the faint sound of running water filtered through. Max watched Grace carefully. He saw the tension in her neck, the cautiousness in her face, and was immediately contrite. They were still only getting to know each other and here he was, a drug addict, leading her into the deep, dark forest. No wonder she was freaking out.

“Shit. I didn’t mean to alarm you or anything. I just wanted to show you something.”

Grace regarded him for a moment before she rubbed a hand down her face and exhaled noisily. “No. I’m sorry. I’m— It’s not you. I just . . . ignore me.”

Max nodded. “It’s just through there.”

Grace lifted her hand. “Lead the way.”

Max did as she asked, steering her through more underbrush before, with a push of branches, they emerged into a clearing punctuated by tall trees and blanketed with small yellow flowers, which bobbed in the breeze. The stream ran almost straight through the far end, filling the area with the sounds of splashes, and gurgling, as it dropped down the hill they’d climbed.

Grace gasped at his side. “What is this place?” Her gaze fixed on what remained of a one-room stone cottage, its windows, door, and roof eaten by the elements and looking like something out of a Disney fairy tale.

“Isn’t it great?” Max asked. “I found it when I was here on vacation with my dad. I think everyone forgot about it along with your place.” He pointed into the distance. “Which is only ten minutes that way.”

Her eyes widened, the familiar sparkle returning. “You’re kidding?”

Max chuckled. “I thought you’d like it, you know; take some cool pictures or whatever.” He rubbed the back of his neck, the realization of doing something nice for another person prickling his skin with unfamiliarity.

Her hand brushed his forearm. “It’s incredible.”

Grace wandered through the flowers and trees, touching them, exploring the ruins, and dipping her feet into the stream. Max sat on an overturned log, drinking his water, watching her and smiling as her contagious delight crept back. He grinned when she made a song and dance about pulling her cell phone from her bra, and took photo after photo, promising herself she’d return with her Nikon. He leaned back on the heels of his hands, lifting his face to the warm May sunshine and allowed the calm and quiet to soak into his bones.

“Do you find me attractive?”

Max frowned before he opened one eye. “I’m sorry, what?”

Grace stood by the stream, arms loose at her sides, looking more than a little uncomfortable. “Do you find me attractive, yes or no?”

Opening both eyes, Max cleared his throat. “Is this a trick?”

“Not a trick.”

Max didn’t feel all that assured. “It sounds like a trick.”

“We’re friends, right?”

He sat forward, resting his elbows on his bare knees. “Um, I guess.”

“Okay, good. I’d like you to be honest with me.”

Max exhaled with a disbelieving chuckle. “I’m not sure I can answer your question without saying something wrong.”

He knew how women worked. She’d find at least one thing in his answer she didn’t like the sound of. Plus, he didn’t want to come across as a sexist pig, which he was bound to do, looking at her in her running gear, all innocent face and beautiful glistening skin.

Grace approached him. “Okay. Let me ask you another way. Would you have sex with me?”

Now that question Max’s body undoubtedly paid attention to. He was suddenly glad his shorts were loose. Shit. He shifted where he sat. “What? Are you— Why are you asking me this?”

She shrugged. “Just curious.” She crossed her arms. “It’s okay if you don’t. I get it.”