Lost in You Read Free Page B

 
    “Ouch! What was that for?”  
    “For making me carry that stupid snake. If we weren’t gonna eat it, we could’ve left it for the buzzards.”  
    Hopefully she’d credit the fire for the red flush on his cheeks, not guilt. “Sorry. Don’t know what came over me. I’m usually not such a jerk.”  
    Lacy looked dubious at his declaration. “I know what came over you. Being out in the wilderness does strange things to men.”  
    “Define strange.”  
    “A temporary reversion to caveman ways. You know…” She grunted. “You man, me woman. Me make fire, you make dinner.”  
    “Error in your logic. I’ve made the fire and dinner.”  
    Lacy blushed a delicate rosy-pink, captivating him completely.  
    “You missed the point.”  
    “Which is?”  
    “The need for men to prove they’re real men .”  
    He lifted his brows, waiting for what promised to be an entertaining explanation. “Like?”  
    She kicked a pinecone into the flames. “Like my ex-boyfriend Ross didn’t have a clue what ‘GPS’ meant, but put him in Central Park with one and suddenly he’s an expert? Please. He can’t find his way out of the men’s room.”  
    This guy had soured her on more than the great outdoors. Becker didn’t find it as amusing as he’d imagined. “Ross sounds like an asshole.”  
    She blinked. “Whoa. Sorry about the ‘men suck’ tangent.”  
    “Why didn’t you back out of this hike?” He stirred the coals. “Since it was your ex-boyfriend’s idea?”  
    Lacy propped her elbows on her knees and gazed into the fire. “Because I’m sick of being called a marshmallow. A creampuff.” She slanted him a sideways glance. “A cupcake. I wanted to prove I’m an adventurous woman.”  
    Oh yeah, he definitely had one way in particular she could prove that adventurous side—and it sure as hell didn’t involve GPS.  
    Their gazes clashed. By the way Lacy fidgeted, Becker figured his lustful intentions were clearly written in his eyes.  
    She glanced away quickly. “So, since we’re not having snake filets, how about if I cook?” She rummaged in her backpack, unearthing two protein bars, tossing one to him. “Guaranteed edible.”  
    “Thanks.” He bent forward to chuck another branch on the fire.  
    Lacy was frowning at him when he sat up.  
    “What?”  
    “You’re bleeding.”  
    He craned his neck but couldn’t see. “Where?”  
    “From a scratch on your back. I can’t believe you didn’t feel it. Then again, I suppose a tough outdoorsman like you is used to getting hurt.”  
    She dug in her backpack and waved a big Band-Aid. “Voila.”  
    “You carry Band-Aids?”  
    “A necessity for wearing stylish shoes. Hold still.” Soft fingertips gently danced over his skin.  
    Goose bumps broke out across his body. He hissed, but not from pain.  
    “Sorry. Did I hurt you?”  
    “No.” He smiled slyly. “Thanks for tendin’ my wound, little lady.”  
    Lacy batted her lashes. “Careful, mountain man. I might think you like me.”  
    “Maybe I do.”  
    The air between them turned sultry, heavy with promise, though neither voiced the obvious. Silence stretched for a time as they listened to sounds of the night.  
    Becker heard a jingle. He’d noticed she constantly fiddled with the silver bracelet circling her right wrist.“Where’d you get that?”  
    “A gift from my friend, Cat.”  
    “Can I see it?”  
    “Sure.” She scooted closer, offering her arm.  
    “Pretty. What is this?” He pointed to a twisted, dangling blob.  
    “A Sita knot.”  
    “Which is?”  
    “A Celtic symbol denoting the four phases of the moon, the four stages of life and the four seasons.”  
    “Did Cat give this to you because you’ve been friends for-ever ?”  
    Lacy groaned at his pun. “No. She gave it to me before I left as a symbol of new beginnings.” She smiled wistfully. “But crazy Cat kinda runs on her own kooky calendar.”