Chapter 50

The hour and a half spent in the car, I bugged Luke to give me clues. And do you know what I found out? Nothing. The bastard gave me nothing, letting my imagination run wild. The mystery was totally worth it though. Even when we arrived, turning onto a grassy lot filled with vehicles parked, I still didn't know what this surprise was. The reason for all these people to park here was out of sight. From the grassy car lot, we had to walk up a path and through the trees before I could see what this was.

When we reached a leveled off large field, surrounded and bordered with tall evergreens, the surprise was finally revealed. Trust me, you wouldn't believe it either.

"I'm almost convinced you set this whole thing up. It's too much of a coincidence, too good to be true," I said, shaking my head in disbelief as I looked over everything.

Sunshine lit the amazing scene the fairgrounds offered. A massive white tent was to our right, shading rows of picnic tables and a little stage area. I could see a few people sitting at the tables, but most were engaging in everything else here. Like the petting zoo across from the tent to our left. Yes, that's right... a petting zoo! Further back looked to be more activities along with several booths randomly lined together. Some offered games, but many were stations with one thing on display: pie. Each station had a number, someone behind the booth, and freaking pie on display! If that didn't give away what this was, a colorful blue and red sign did: 'Welcome to Piefest!'

My eyes moved from the crazy heaven back to Luke. He was staring down at me, in complete wonder and amusement. Probably over how stunned I was. How couldn't I be though?! A pie festival? "How in the hell did you find this?" I asked, amazed.

He shrugged, tucking his hands into his brown cargo shorts pockets. "I have my ways."

"You sure do. We belong here," I said, glancing back to the wide variety of awesomeness before us. "This is... fucking perfect."

"Well, that's why I took you here," he said. I looked back to his sparkling green eyes that were still on me. Searching my eyes in humor, it was hard not getting lost in him. "It's all about having fun – and pie. So... lead the way," he said, gesturing with his hand for me to proceed.

With the excitement building in me, I couldn't move or look away for him for a long moment. Soaking in the freeness and excitement he was feeling too. I was thrilled to share it with this perfect man.

Unable to hold back a smile, I grabbed his extended hand and turned towards the most inviting sight I saw so far. There were goats and baby goats, sheep, a calf, and a baby donkey waiting for us. Biting my lip, I practically dragged him towards the pin of animals. You know I'm excited about something if I choose it over pie.

It triggered a chuckle out of the man I was pulling along with my excited and fast stride. Sending a smile back to where I was towing him along, I nearly started skipping. This would be awesome. Remember ladies and gents, it's not like I was use to this fun stuff.

Reaching the pin, we stared into the wide area. Little kids were chuckling away and giving the animals feed from dispensers. Some were greedily surrounding anyone with food while other animals stood around or chilled in their wooden shelter. It was such an amazing sight and these little animals were so cute too.

Glancing up to Luke, eyes following the laughing children, he caught my eyes. I didn't realize I was still holding his hand until his strong fingers squeezed back. It sent a tremor through my heart, making my excitement swim in bliss.

"Don't worry, you can go in," he said, lips tilting up.

"You're damn right I'm going in. You are going in too!" I said, glancing to the bored worker patrolling the gate and making sure it stayed closed. Conscious of my hand in his, I found a reason to not let go yet and guided him around to where we could enter. When we were in... Luke realized it would take a lot to get me out.

Ten minutes in, we were both out of quarters to buy any more food for the animals. Just because we were finished feeding them though didn't mean I was going anywhere. There weren't as many people around so the animals settled down a bit. It allowed me to give them special attention by petting them. Most didn't bother with us, but a white little baby goat was loving it.

"We're taking this one home," I said from where I was crouched down, running my hand over the goat's soft back.

"I don't think so." Luke was crouched next to me, helping me satisfy this little one.

"No, we're taking him. Before we leave, we will steal him."

"Oh yeah? How?" he asked playfully.

"I have my ways," I said, repeating what he said earlier.

"I see." As if the sweet little goat heard us, he tilted his head up. His narrow cute face and beady eyes landed on Luke. "Don't worry buddy, I won't let this mean lady take you from your friends," he teased, shooting me a smirk as he fingered just behind the goat's ears.

Loving the limited proximity, I lightly elbowed him, our teasing gazes meeting. "You know this little guy would love it at our house."

Feeling overly light at how flirtatious we were, I was lost in the feeling – and in Luke's warm eyes. He responded with just staring at me, a lighthearted smile making his lips tilt up. It wasn't until I felt my hair getting pulled that I looked down.

"Hey now goat! You have enough to eat," I laughed, jerking my head up. The baby goat was trying to eat my loose hanging hair. My movement made him let go and let us continue soothing him with our touch.

"You still want him?" Luke chuckled, helping me by reaching his hand out and brushing my hair back.

"Nope. You eat my hair, you stay here." Immediately after I said that, the baby goat stood tall and went on his way. I suppose he didn't like my decision.

Both of us standing back up, we looked around to all the animals. Though we said hello to nearly each, Luke specifically liked the calf and decided to revisit it. We walked over to where the calf stood by the fence so anyone passing by could pet him.

"Now if we steal this one... I would be okay with that," he said, running his hand over the calf's ginger hair. From where Luke stood next to me, he smiled down to the young cow.

"Really?" Petting under the calf's chin, making him nearly close his wide dark eyes from our soothing touch, I couldn't help but smile too.

"Hell yeah, this one is calm and nice," he said, leaning forward and down, putting a hand behind his ear. "What's that, my friend? Oh, you like to cuddle too? That's fantastic."

Going on with our playfulness, I raised a brow. "You showing favorites now?"

"What are you going to do about it?"

"Call bullshit on that. I am calm, nice, and an excellent cuddler, thank you very much." The joy and sweetness we were sharing increased with each second and it was rushing into my bloodstream. I loved it, our warm teasing, and so did he.

Coming to face me more, Luke pursed his smiling lips. "I can agree with... two of those three things."

"Oh yeah? And what don't you agree with, huh?" I asked, biting my bottom lip and searching his beautiful eyes.

He looked away for a second. As if contemplating how to answer or if he should Then, his bright gaze found mine again. He leaned down and closer, the aroma of his nature and musky cologne ambushing me. If that didn't drive me crazy, his words did.

Hovering his lips just above my ear, he playfully whispered, "You're not calm."

My chest tumbled hard, making my eyes widen for a slight second. I didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't this level of flirtation. It caught me off guard, but... it threw my free spirit to a higher level. I absolutely loved it.

Though I knew well enough to know that this teasing might get to us later, we didn't hold back. Luke's words were the perfect example of that! And I was okay with that. This was a day where we wanted to have the best time possible. Letting go of all our issues and just going with the flow was what we needed. I wouldn't stop it and he clearly didn't want to. We wanted this drug to consume us today and forget about how it might affect us later.

Heat rushing to my cheeks, his words sent a delightful chill through my body. I couldn't keep a smile from my lips after Luke moved away from my ear. This moment would ring through my head all day. Hell, this morning's moment of embarrassment was still fresh and incredible to think about.

The best part about this... was it was only the beginning.

"I'm doing it."

"You are not," I scoffed, shaking my head.

"Think so?" From where I was following behind him, I could hear the contagious smile in his voice.

"Yeah, you're too much of a sissy," I said.

Despite my confident teasing, I honestly wasn't sure at this point if he was going to be a sissy. There was determination in Luke's pace as I followed behind him, something I did not expect.

As we walked around more and engage in a few games, we started to notice a common gag occurring. People were getting pied in the face! Luke and I though witnessed a man sneak up behind his friend and shove a tin pan full of whipped cream in his face. A few others did the same thing, having a good laugh afterwards. Whether it be from family, friends, or randomly, we learned it was a signature activity for the festival. According to one worker we spoke to, you could buy the tin pies and the money would go towards setting up the festival next year.

Throwing a pie in each other's faces wasn't something we were thinking about... until I nonchalantly told Luke that he was too much of a gentleman to do it. He was too polite, too chicken, was what I said. Now, he wanted to prove me wrong.

Though I doubted he would do it, I started to second guess my claims once I followed him and we reached the table where the whipped cream pies were sold. I looked between him and the premade pies just waiting to be bought and shoved in somebody's face. He glanced up to me, raising a brow. As if he was searching for a sign that I was scared and realized he could do it. Still though... I enjoyed pushing him.

"You're bluffing," I said, the excitement and nervousness in me raising.

"Oh yeah?" he asked, turning to the man who was sitting behind the table and smiling at our banter. Luke was digging out his wallet. "How much for one pie?"

"Three dollars," the man said.

My eyes widened and I looked back to the table of pies. Protected by a plastic cover, whipped cream filled each one to the top. I was beginning to believe one of them would be going into my face. And... shit! Luke was giving him the money.

Then, he smirked and grabbed one of the pies. "Sissy my ass. I'm going to enjoy this."

"No!" I laughed.

"Oh yes, you are about to pay," he said with a chuckle, beginning to unsnap the cover off his pie. He really was about to do it! He was really going to prove me wrong, which I deserved, but I wouldn't go down without a good and fun fight.

I snagged another pie from the table. Whipping the plastic cover off as fast as I could, I moved closer. Luke had no time to beat me to the deed, not expecting this. His eyes lit up and he tried removing the lid quick enough to get me. But just as he got his off, I lifted the bottom of the tin and shoved the pie in his face.

Oh man, he was going to get me good for this. Entirely worth it too.

Taking a step back and away from him, I watched the tin fall to the grass, revealing most of the whipped cream caked on his face. Luke took a few steps back, stunned while still holding the pie he intended for me. I could not stop laughing either. The guy manning the table was also enjoying my playful move.

Luke tried speaking unsuccessfully, a hint of amusement coming through the muffled sounds. Leaning forward to not get any on his clothes, he wiped away the white fluff and let it hit the ground. It uncovered his defined features. Though his green eyes shooting up to mine and his giddy pursed lips were visible, his face was still lathered in the white mess. And yes, that is absolutely what she said.

"Think I am too much of a gentleman.... You're so done for," he mumbled through his own laughter, licking his lips. Turning back to the table, he set his pie down and spoke to the man in a casual voice. "Sir? Please excuse her rude behavior." With his clean hand, he paid the guy for the pie I just used. Ready for revenge, he picked his pie back up and faced me.

"You're not a sissy," I said in a light voice, holding up my hands and backing away several feet.

"You think I will show you mercy?!" He grinned and charged towards me.

Through my squeal, I backed up more turning away to avoid him, but it didn't work. He managed to prove me wrong and get revenge. Circling me for access, he shoved the pan full of whipped cream into my face.

The cool and smooth cream covered my face, cutting off my sight and making me freeze. Opening my mouth, blowing, spitting, and licking the cream, my mouth was free. It allowed my laughter to mix in with his in the air.

After going through the process of wiping away all I could with my hands, I opened my eyes to see Luke standing before me. The sun lit up his playful raised eyebrow through the smeared cream still on his face. Crossing his arms over his green t-shirt, showing off his strong arms and broad shoulders. "Now... I am no chicken."

"Yeah, yeah," I said, teasingly rolling my eyes. "I got you first and that's what matters."

"Keep telling yourself that," he said, smile widening and taking a deep breath. "Now that we settled that... we need to do some pie taste-testing."

"Hells yeah," I said.

After we cleaned our faces up with paper towels handed out, we learned buying a pie wasn't that simple. When Luke and I went to one of the booths, the woman working and selling her pies let us in on how the competition works. For each type of pie, there will be a winner choose by a group of judges. There will be winners for best apple, blueberry, peach, you name it. Luckily, that didn't mean we couldn't have a bite of this deliciousness. The participants will be judged, but they were also selling their pies too.

"You know what this means, right?" I asked, eyeing every booth in sight.

"We are not buying 12 apple pies, then a dozen of each other type too."

"Come on, man. This is the fucking piefest. We got to go all out. And I know you are just as hungry as I am...." Unable to stop my giddy self, I copied what Luke did earlier with the calf. Kneeling down, I pressed my ear against his stomach. "What's that, stomach? You need to try every single pie? Well yeah, that's what I tried telling him. Oh really? He's just acting like a stubborn bitch?"

His warm laughter reached the air, making me tilt my head to see him looking down to me. Caressing my arm with one of his hands, he ended up gripping my elbow and urged me back to my feet. "Let's make a deal then. Otherwise, I will be all out of money and we would have close to a hundred pies," he said, smiling and dropping his hand. "We can buy one of each type of pie. How does that sound?"

"I guess I can handle that," I said.

It wasn't a bad agreement. Luke and I made out well with our selections. There were about 13 pies in total we bought, representing each kind. We took one bite from each – yep, straight from the pie like cavemen – so we wouldn't fill up on just one.

Funny enough, it was the last pie that did me in. All I can say is my god it was good. The different flavors meshing together... straight orgasm in my mouth. Luke tried it as well from where he was sitting across from me at the picnic table.

"I know who I'm voting for. Holy shit," I said, setting down my fork as I finished the most delicious bite of pie yet. Participant 23 knew what they were doing. Their coconut cream pie kicked ass.

Resting his elbows on the grey wooden surface, he leaned forward after finishing his bite. "Interesting. I didn't know you were one of the judges," he said, raising and lowering his eyebrows.

"Shame on you for not knowing because I am," I chuckled, hearing my own flirtatiousness. Closing the box between us that housed the heavenly pie, I carefully placed it in the bag with the others we tried. "I bet you that pie will win."

Ironically, when it came time to announce the winners, I was happy to hear that 23 won for the coconut cream pie category. I guess Luke and I picked the lucky pie. The sweet elderly man that won along with the other winners were given a ribbon, a cash prize, and to be featured in some newspaper.

After the winners were announced, and we continued walking around under the warm sun, we noticed some people along the edge of the woods. A family of four was going down what looked to be a nature trail, leading into the deep and thriving wilderness. I noticed they were prepared with backpacks and the correct clothing for a hike. Naturally, we were going on it. Before we even reached Washington, I told Luke I wanted to go hiking through these massive trees and majestic landscapes the state was apparently popular for. So this seemed like a good start.

Though we weren't prepared for a big hiking adventure, there was nothing wrong with going for a little walk. Five minutes into the deep woods, it's not like we were encountering a rough trail. It was a nice easy walk despite a few dips and inclines. It allowed us to soak in the beauty. Let me tell you... wow.

Nearly everything was covered in green. Moss grew along the ground, along fallen trees, and among the countless huge tree trunks standing tall, reaching up high like skyscrapers. The colors, the shades of green and brown, were rich and deep thanks to the constant rain this place received. The fact that it was a sunny day only highlighted the beauty, rays of sun shining through the tall tree tops and brightening the texture in our surroundings. The chirping of birds and clapping leaves from a small refreshing breeze only made it more vivid and awesome.

"What will you do if we get home and those pies are rotten from sitting in the truck all day and baking in the sun?" I asked, raising a brow up to the man walking beside me. It was a fair question – and an entertaining thought. I mean, those pies he bought were hardly touched so we planned on eating them eventually. If somehow they go bad... Luke would be pissed.

Stepping over a root that crossed our path, he searched my eyes in amusement. "I'm more worried about you eating all the pies before we even get home."

"Excuse me? I don't think I heard you," I said, elbowing him as we walked along, seeing the trail ahead bending around a few trees.

Laughing, he held up his hands in defense. "I didn't say anything."

"Mhmm," I smiled to myself.

I forgot just how freeing he was – and how free he made me feel. I felt completely open and cool with everything. Like there was nothing that could beat the happiness I was experiencing. Even better was just him. I loved how sweet he was, how alive. And he was just... so much fun, a thriving and alive person who was so giving. One I could admire for all his qualities, his humor, and carefreeness he and I both longed for. It's what kept my heart constantly jumping, kept the excitement in my system bubbling every time we shared a flirty remark or smile.

Glancing up to him, his eyes forward, I was picking up a sense of conflict. As if he was contemplating something he was unsure over. Hoping to ease whatever entered his head, I brought up what I began pondering. "Funny. This trail is completely separate from the piefest. Whoever runs the festival picked a good location to have it. It probably helped draw in more people, like those people ahead of us."

Reaching the bend where the path turned, we passed through an open area of the woods, where grassy patches and space separated the trees. It allowed the sun to spread and brighten the area more.

"Well, when I was reading up on it, the man who puts on the pie festivals is an avid outdoorsman. He promotes exploring the wilderness because people take advantage of it. I don't know if this trail had anything to do with it, but it's a fitting coincidence," he said, shrugging.

"Yeah, how did you find this place? It sounds like you did some research."

"I started looking into any summer events or festivals. Or anything interesting we could do. I found a few cool things, but when I found the website for this piefest, knew exactly what we were doing," he said, voice humorous as the path turned into a gradual curve. "It didn't matter that it was a long drive. You would have killed me if I knew about this and didn't take you."

I couldn't help but laugh. He knew me too well. "You are damn right, you tell me that shit and take me there."

"Exactly, I knew that this was a must," he chuckled, nodding down to me and offering me his sweet eyes. They turned teasing a second later when he glanced back up. "I'm just surprised you wanted to walk this trail. Thankfully, nothing bad has happened yet."

Those words triggered immediate questions and I stopped walking. "Alright, this ought to be good," I asked, watching him smirk and stop too when he noticed the interest I took in his words. "Why wouldn't I have wanted to go on this trail? And why would something bad happen?"

Coming to stand before me, he raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms. "Wait, you didn't see the sign? It was right next to where the trail began."

I could already smell the bullshit. Resting my hands in my back pockets, twisting on my heels, I shook my head. "There was no sign."

He nodded, looking down in thought. "It wasn't that big, but it was there. You really didn't see the sign? It said this was called 'Death Trail.'"

Luke deserved credit for his imagination. I was already getting a kick out of this. Laughing under my breath, I raised an eyebrow and searched his beautiful mossy eyes that matched our surroundings. "Oh really? Death Trail?"

He shrugged innocently. "That's what the sign said. Must mean some crazy shit out here."

"Oh yeah, like what?" I asked lightly.

"Well, Miss. Albany, if I had to guess I would assume bear attacks."

"Bear attacks?" I snorted. This guy was amazing. I didn't think he would have the balls to try to charm me and scare me at the same time. Yet, that's exactly what he was attempting and I was loving it.

His brows dipped in confusion. Even with a serious expression, his eyes shined in mine. "Didn't I tell you on the way here? Yeah, this part of the region is overpopulated with bears."

I smirked, shaking my head at the absurdity. "Huh. I must just be stupid today. Not only did I not see any sign calling this Death Trail, I don't remember you saying a word about bears."

"Weird," he chuckled.

Weird my ass. I couldn't help but smile. I loved the fact that he was trying to scare me. Well, challenge accepted. If I could handle a fucking army hunting me, I had no reason to fear bears. Not like that was a factor. Luke was just teasing... right?

As we continued on, I did begin to retrace our exchange. That doesn't mean I was second guessing the 'Death Trail' sign. Biggest load of shit and he was obviously joking. The other part though... about the overpopulation of bears, well, I don't know. He sounded more serious about that and it was believable too. Though he was just trying to get under my skin, maybe that part was true.

Pathetically, I became paranoid. While admiring the beauty of this place, unlike before, I started looking all around and behind us. The path straightened and forest became more dense again, allowing more blind spots to surround us. I caught Luke watching me intently, a small amused smile on his face. Like he was seeing if his words worked on me. Nope. Wasn't going to happen. I would shake the stupid nervousness.

"You okay? I didn't mean to scare you with what I said," he said, completely cancelling his words with a smile he tried hiding.

"Oh right, obviously, you weren't trying to scare me," I said sarcastically, stifling my own grin. "And for your information, I am not scared."

"I don't know.... You are walking awfully close to me." His nonchalant voice didn't match his expression. Luke smiled down to me adoringly.

It was the first time I noticed our arms were brushing. And when he pointed it out, there was no ignoring the distance. I was close enough to see every individual hair of his short stubble. The ones along his chin moved when he pursed his big smile, eyeing the distance between us with warmth. Honestly, if I could stay pressed up next to him, I wouldn't complain. He was taking me over with each minute.

Before I could embarrass myself, and before I would admit I was a little – just a little nervous – I looked ahead and pointed at the trail. "Sorry, but look at how narrow the trail got," I scoffed, moving away from him. I wasn't really lying. The trail was thinning, allowing nature to crowd us more.

Despite moving away from him and hitting some brush, he had a different idea. "That's okay," he said, lightly brushing my arm with his strong hand and guiding me to walk in front of him. You know, the obvious and logical choice of where I should be walking with limited space. The only reason I didn't like it was because leading the way made me feel more vulnerable if a bear happens to stroll by. If a bear attacks, both Luke and I should be treated equally.

I had a feeling Luke could read my nervous stupid mind. "There," he said in a joyous voice. "That's better. It looks like we are going off course a bit." He was right. The line we followed began gradually taking us through the thick nature, navigating around trees. "You just let me know when you want to head back. Even if you aren't scared, we will need to head all the way back."

The sun was still high and I was honestly loving this. Stepping over a fallen log and dodging a few more roots, I spoke louder so he could hear behind me. "I'm okay going a bit further. It's not like it's getting dark – which is nice."

"For how much we have done today, it feels like a whole day's worth. Makes you wonder about time in general. Two hours watching a movie, time goes by so fast. Two hours can be spent doing what we are doing, and the fact that we are moving and having fun, makes it all last much longer."

I could follow his thinking on that. "Yeah, but time can go slow when you are bored or in discomfort too. Have you ever been stuck on the toilet for an hour? Longest hour of your life."

The sounds of Luke's steps behind me, our legs brushing against some long grass, it added to the wonder of our surroundings. Nothing could beat his voice and the underlying amusement in it. "An hour? Yeah, that does sound like a painful time. Were you on a cheese binge or...?"

"Shut up, man. You're telling me you—"

The sound of a stick snapping and rustling came from behind me and to our far right. It made me slow slightly and glance behind me to Luke following. He looked from my gaze to where the sound came from. A small smirk rose to his lips when his eyes returned. "Getting a little jumpy, are we? I'm sure it was just a rabbit," he said, leaning to the right and straining to see what it could be with no success.

"Well yeah," I scoffed, trying to show him I was not in the least bit worried. However, he and I both knew there was a strong paranoia in me again – and it only built after that.

Moving along and continuing the random conversations, it all stopped in one second. After stepping over a few more roots, Luke cut off my words and our steps. Feeling his hand grasp my arm, stopping me in place, I turned around, confused.

"Wha—"

"Shhh," he whispered, eyes wide with his head tilted strictly to the right, staring off through the trees. Instantly, I tried seeing what caught his attention. Shit, probably a bear at this point!

Glancing back to me, he quickly guided me a few feet off the trail. Swinging me with him behind a tree, he pressed his back against the rough bark. Despite whatever this was, I couldn't ignore his warm hold still on my arm, keeping me close in front of him.

"What is it?" I whispered, searching his face carefully.

Dipping his head closer to me, he spoke in an even softer voice. "It is far away, but... I seriously think it was a bear. We shouldn't be in danger, but you never know."

Hearing that picked up my heart rate, but I was instantly on the fence about this. I wasn't sure whether to believe him or not. Searching his face closely, whether he was a good actor or reacting truthfully, I was a victim of one of those. Because I had no choice but to believe him.

"How far away?"

"Well... far enough away I think," he said, looking down in thought. When he looked up, his eyes seemed nervous in mine. "Let's look."

Was he kidding? "Look? No thanks, dude. I don't want to die at piefest."

"We'll be fine, we just need to stay very close, be very quiet."

Well, he certainly didn't seem too worried – for a man who has been hyping up this whole bear thing. It sure helped me not fight him when he turned around, huddling up against the bark. Peeking out around the tree, he nodded and stood back. "Okay, I can see the bear." Lips pursed, eyes searching mine, he came even closer and led me away from the tree. Standing beside me, he leaned down and whispered while pointing ahead. "You see him?"

Eyes as scanners, I took in everything I could with where he was pointing. Nothing but trees as far as I could see. I shook my head.

Sliding his hand down and away from my arm, he wrapped his arm around me and grasped my side, pulling me even closer to him. You know, to hopefully allow me to look from the same point. Not because he was trying to give me a heart attack. "How about now? Big, black..."

Squinting my eyes, looking over every tree in the far distance, I still wasn't able to see. "Big black dick? None of those," I whispered automatically, unable to see anything that stood out. It left me just shaking my head.

Warm and strong hand still on my hip, he guided me to stand directly in front of him now. This suddenly very determined man pulled my back into his chest. And... my god, let me tell you, it was hard to ignore the change in my heartbeat. Especially when he leaned against me more, his whisper brushing the back of my ear. "That's crazy how you can't see it.... It's right there."

His whisper was so light and sweet... I began to think this 'bear' wasn't the reason he was pressed up behind me. In all honesty, I did not mind one bit, which he probably could tell. My stupid breath was getting erratic. I was paying more attention to how his hand felt on my hip, his body leaning us together, and his head hovering next to mine. I had a feeling that's all he was focused on too.

Holding in a smirk, I whispered, "So weird how I can't see him but you clearly can."

"It is strange, isn't it?" he whispered. The breath against my ear gave away the clear smile he allowed those words to pass through. The beautiful bastard... made it all up. Realizing that made my heart sprint more than it did at the thought that there was a bear stalking us.

Craning my head up and back, his face was angled down, not an inch away from my lips now. Not knowing looking up to him would put us this close, my breath hitched immediately and I froze. For how close I was, he saw my reaction and his relaxed smile widened into a grin that made my world. I let out a nervous chuckle out of nowhere.

Luke laughed softly with me. "Someone doesn't seem scared," he whispered, eyes shooting between me and where he indicated the bear was. Slowly and smoothly, as if I wouldn't notice, he rested his other hand on my hip and moved them both forward until they completely encircled me.

If you guys couldn't guess, I was half way dead. Dead. For a moment, I honestly wondered if I was dreaming again. Maybe it was another one of those weird vivid ones that would break my heart.

Resting my hands automatically over his around my stomach, still locked on his close face, I chuckled. "I don't think I have a reason to be scared," I whispered. Jesus, was he going to kiss me? If he did, I had no willpower to stop him.

"Oh really? You don't think I saw a bear?" he asked, eyebrows raised in playfulness, staring down at me with a soft smile.

"No, I don't." I returned the same flirty tone and smile.

For the longest moment, we didn't look away from each other, enjoying this moment. Loving how we managed to take advantage of being so close to each other. His hands resting around me, his warm chest pressed into my back, and his sweet gaze... it was a lot for me to handle.

When Luke leaned down slightly, eliminating the already little space between our lips, it nearly made me crumble. I just wanted him to lean down more and finish me off. Lean down and kiss me. Because damn... that was all I craved. Our smiles slowly faded as we got lost in each other.

Maybe I should kiss him. Maybe I should just say fuck it. This would be my chance. There was this beautiful man here, holding me and giving me everything I want in a man. With each second passing, the more we got lost in each other, and the more I wanted to kiss him. All it would take... is to lean in a little bit and this agony would be over.

Oh my god, should I do this? What would this mean? Would it be okay and worth it? Will I be able to live with myself knowing the issue we would have in the future? Right this second, it seemed damn worth it. Worth nearly everything. But... if I kiss him, there is no going back. I wouldn't have the will, the strength, the ability to disappoint him and myself. I do this, it's happening. I kiss him, I'm committed no matter what that might cost Luke.

I didn't decide fast enough. After several long moments of Luke staring down to me, searching my eyes and expression, he slowly closed his eyes and leaned back. And when he opened them, it triggered his warm arms and hands to loosen from around me. My own dropping away from his skin didn't feel good.

Meeting my eyes again, he gave me a sweet smile and moved before me. "Well," he said, clearing his voice. "Since you don't believe I saw a bear, he will come up behind you and attack us on the way back," he said, teasing me.

Still quite stunned, and a little shaken up, his words helped and I scoffed. His sweet and teasing smirk helped too; it was like it was before this intimate moment, flirty and fun. Even those gorgeous green eyes I had the pleasure of staring into today were free and playful. Yet, I had the feeling there was a lot more happening behind it all.

Like there was a lot more happening behind my teasing eyeroll and nod. "Sure, let's see if that happens," I said sarcastically, heading back to the trail with him.

Walking back to the festival, we joked and continued the wonderful time like nothing happened. It was relieving and I was grateful it didn't result is any tension. Something did happen though. It weighed down on me like cinderblocks.

That moment was breathtaking and wonderful – but I could have made it perfect. I could have and I was a step closer to allowing myself that selfish pleasure. After that, and after everything that happened this wonderful day, I knew I was losing my battle to Luke. I could feel the walls of my control wanting to cave in. Despite my worries and my stubbornness, I subconsciously hoped that those walls would come crashing down without me to stop it.

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I really enjoyed writing that one :D It was time they just had a fun day like this haha - and maybe Albany will make a little progress with her feelings and conflict over getting back with Luke. Guess we will see! Anyway, hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!