Levitate (16 page)

I QUICKLY HOP off his lap and stand beside the four-wheeler. I stretch my arms above my head, pretending to be stretching, when all I really need to do is pull air into my lungs. He leaves me breathless.

“I just wanted to stretch my legs. I was so nervous; I was gripping Max too tight.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I’m blushing. They sound crude and suggestive and fit into what was happening between us just minutes ago. Thankfully, my best friend laughs it off. She would never believe what just happened. I’m the girl who shy’s away from guys, especially guys like Maxton. I don’t get close enough for events like today’s to occur. I keep to myself and live in the past. I now understand what Dad was trying to tell me. This is what he wants for me, well, maybe not groping a ridiculously hot guy in the middle of the woods, but living. He was trying to tell me that he and Mom had this and he wants that for me, that she would want that for me.

I feel tears well up behind my eyes. I bend over, pretending to be messing with my shoelaces, until I can fight them off.

“We’re heading back to fire up the grill,” Bright chimes in.

“Sounds good, man. We’re right behind you,” Max agrees.

Within no time, their helmets are back on and they are speeding off toward the truck. Max climbs off his four-wheeler and stands next to me. His hands rest on my shoulders. Bending his knees, he makes himself eye level with me. “You okay?” His voice is concerned.

“Yeah, I’m good. We better head back before they come looking for us.”

Maxton exhales, stands to his full height, and wraps me in a hug. I feel a light kiss on the top of my head, then the loss of his warmth. He climbs back on the four-wheeler, holding out his hand to help me climb on. Placing our helmets back on our heads, we head back to the lot.

Nicole and I take over setting up the food. There are two grills going, both operated by guys we don’t know. Two other girls are here as well, but they’re sitting around with the guys, vying for their attention. Nicole and I have everything set up by the time the grilling is done. Several of the guys comment on how nice it was for us to take care of set up. A few of the guys throw us winks, but nothing inappropriate. Bright and Max are the last two in line. Bright carries Nicole’s plate to the trailer; they have a table set up and a small heater. Apparently, they brought it for us. It’s a little chilly, but not terrible. Max and I make our plates, and he takes mine as we join our friends.

The food is great; of course, we’re all starving. None of us have eaten since Maxton’s breakfast this morning. A few of the guys come over, and we are introduced. Everyone seems friendly and I find myself having a good time. This morning I was dreading it, now I’m more than glad I came.

Just as we finish eating, Lance stops by to tell us one of the guys has a flat, but as soon as it’s fixed, we’ll be ready to go out again.

“I think we’re going to head up the north trail,” Brighton informs him. He looks at Max for approval.

“Yeah, I think the girls will like the overlook,” Max agrees.

Lance nods, tells us he’ll catch up with us later, and heads back to the group.

“You don’t have to change for us,” Nicole speaks up.

“Yeah, if you think it’s too much, we can just hang out here,” I chime in.

“Not gonna happen, Nic,” Brighton says. “Besides, it has nothing to do with you not being able to handle the trail.” If I’m not mistaken, there is a slight blush to his cheeks. “I just wanted to be away from the group.” She seems to finally get what he’s saying, because she lays a loud kiss on his lips. His smile widens.

We spend the next twenty minutes, for lack of a better term, shooting the shit. Bright and Max entertain us with stories about their childhood and growing up together.

The guys decide, since we’re not going on the same trail as the others, we can go ahead and head out. I take my place behind Max and hold on. He places his hand over mine and laces our fingers together. He doesn’t let go until we reach the trail and are able to pick up speed. I relax against him and watch the fall colors roll by.

Maxton stops beside Bright and they discuss which way to go next. Apparently, there is an overlook that has a great view they are trying to remember how to get to. I’m not paying too much attention because as soon as we stopped, Max once again placed his hand over mine and laced our fingers together. He’s melting my resolve one touch at a time.

The guys finally decide on which way to go and we’re off. Feeling brave from his affections, I slip my hands underneath his shirt and clasp my hands back together. Every once in a while, I draw a lazy pattern with my thumbs, but for the most part, I just hold on, skin to skin. I hold on tight.

WHEN WE REACH the lookout, I’m disappointed. She seems to relax when we’re riding, so much so that she tortured me with those hands of hers. Not that I’m complaining.

I take in her beauty while as she takes in our surroundings. In this moment, there are no shadows that follow her. She’s blissfully happy. Powerful affection grips my heart in the realization I did that for her. I brought her here, to peace.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathes

“I couldn’t agree more,” I reply. Although, I’m not looking at the scenery; I’m only looking at her.

She turns to face me and I can see in her eyes she knows I’m talking about her.

A gust of wind passes through and she shivers. I don’t hesitate. I step in behind her and wrap her in my arms. Her body relaxes against mine, and the peace I saw in her just minutes before washes through me.

The four of us remain quiet on top of the mountain, looking out over the horizon. The sun is starting to set and we couldn’t have timed this better if we tried. Then again, knowing Bright, this is exactly what he had in mind.

As the sun sets further into the horizon, I will it to slow down. I don’t want to leave this moment. I could stay here with her in my arms for hours. I know we need to head back soon; the quads have headlights, but the trails can be difficult to navigate in the dark of night.

I hear Bright tell Nicole it’s time to go. I want to stomp my foot and throw a fit; I’m not ready to go. Instead, I gather her hair and place it over one shoulder. I lightly kiss her neck, trailing up to her cheek. “It’s time to go, pretty girl.” My voice is soft. She sighs, relaxing further against me. I squeeze her tightly, letting her know I feel the same way.

We climb back on the quad and wait for Bright and Nicole. I rest my elbows on her knees as my hands roam her calves. This day turned out a hell of a lot better than I expected it to.

When we’re finally ready to hit the trail, I lift my shirt and place her hands against my skin. I try to tell myself it will help keep her warm, and it will. However, that’s not my motivation. I need the physical contact with her; it’s a craving that’s all new to me.

We’re the last ones back from the trails. Most of the guys have already loaded and are ready to go. As soon as we get to the truck, I hop off and grab my hoodie. Instead of handing it to her, I slip it over her head, helping her put it on. I watch in fascination as she lifts the collar to her nose and breathes in deep. “It smells like you,” is her explanation, along with a beautiful smile.

In the desperate attempt to resist her, I drop a kiss to her temple and leave her standing. I focus on loading up the quads and cleaning up our site. Walking around the trailer to where the girls are, I’m stopped in my tracks. Lance is with them, laughing and smiling. Will this guy ever leave her alone? “You gonna put him in his place?” Bright asks.

“Hmpf. I thought I already had.” This guy is really pissing me off.

“Kill ‘em with kindness my, man.” Bright slaps me on the shoulder and walks on.

I watch as Lance starts flipping Keni’s hair and she swats back at him, laughing. He does it again; this time she takes off chasing him. Her laughter rings through the night air. I watch her, playful, having fun… until she isn’t. Out of nowhere, she falls to the ground with a yelp.

I’m running.

She’s only about a hundred feet away, but it seems like miles before I reach her. Lance has his hands on her ankle. I grab his wrist and squeeze. “Don’t fucking touch her,” I grit out.

Holding his hands in the air, he backs away. Sitting on the ground next to her, I tuck her hair behind her ear. I need to be able to see her face. She winces in pain as she adjusts her position. I hold her face in my hands as I ask, “What hurts?” I focus on keeping my voice gentle. I can’t let her see how pissed off I am at Lance for fucking with her. I mask the worry that has settled around me at seeing her in pain.

“Just my ankle. I just landed wrong.” She winces again.

Leaning in, I kiss her forehead, quickly releasing her so I can assess her ankle. I run my hands over her leg until I reach my destination. It’s a little swollen, but nothing too terrible. “Can you move it?”

She nods and twirls her ankle in a circle, her face showing her obvious discomfort.

“I think you’re right about landing wrong. I don’t think it’s broken; I think it’s strained from the odd way you landed. We’ve got a first-aid kit in the trailer; it has an ice pack. Let’s get you settled in the truck with that and get you home.”

“Kensington, are you okay with that?” Lance asks her.

He can’t be fucking serious. He’s really testing my patience. I’m just about to go off on this fuck-stick when she speaks up.

“Of course, I’m okay with that. Maxton will get me home safely.” Her voice holds conviction.

It’s with her declaration, those words of trust, which I know is not something that comes easy for her, that I give a piece of my heart to this girl. I’ve been teetering on the edge, fighting it, not wanting to be like my dad. Fighting what I know to be the truth.

Kensington James is a smart, funny, beautiful, incredibly sexy woman who owns a piece of me. It’s with that realization I also recognize I was never strong enough to fight this connection we have. Day one, she got under my skin.

Not even bothering to address Lance and his off-the-wall accusations, I stand to my full height, lift her into my arms, and carry her to my truck. Nicole holds the passenger door open while Bright grabs the first-aid kit. I set her in the passenger seat, make sure she’s in, and close her door. I run around to the driver’s side, pull open the door, and slide in behind the wheel. I lift the center console and gently lift her leg to rest on the seat.

Bright appears at my door with the ice pack wrapped in a clean shop towel. “Thanks.” I place it on her ankle and hold still. “Are we good to go?” I ask Bright.

“Yep, last thing to load is us,” he says as he and Nicole climb into the back seat. I reach out and pull my door closed, settle in behind the wheel, then lift her foot to rest on my thigh.

“Max, you’re driving. I can hold that.” She reaches for the ice pack at the same time, trying to lift her leg from mine.

“I’m good. You just strap yourself in and let me do this for you.”

She doesn’t argue further; instead, she does as I asked and fastens her seat belt.