Page 65 of Hell and High Water

“Get lots of sex.” He smirks.

I open my mouth to protest again but clamp it shut. “Be that as it may… I am perfectly capable of going for a walk to clear my head, agreed?”

“Fine. Just don’t go far. Or stay here and meditate?”

“I’m tired of meditating.”

“That’s not what you were saying last night…”

He's not wrong. Our meditative states have been adding a whole new level to our sex. I think I might finally understand what they mean by ‘tantric’.

Nevertheless, it’s a spiritual experience, to be sure.

Tell is bottled lightning.

It's like every time I'm with him, he tries something new, switches it up on me completely. If I didn't know any better, I would almost think I'm with a different version of him every time. It’s unbelievably hot.

“I should get going. Gavin and Evan might come back today, so keep an eye out.”

“Why haven’t they called?”

“No signal.”

“They could call the landline.” I found out the phone is locked in a cabinet for emergencies.

“The landline could be tapped.”

“I’m sick of spy paranoia and subterfuge.”

“I love you. Stay paranoid for just a little longer for me, okay?”

“Hmm. I love you too,” I grumble, letting him drag me to my feet to kiss him goodbye. It turns into more of an embrace, our arms wrapping tightly around one another for several seconds, our tongues just as entangled.

With a wink and a slap on my ass, he’s gone.

The absence is stark at first, the silence in the house oppressive.

But then it settles over me like a blanket. Alone. I have a little time to myself.

It’s something I have been sorely missing. That, and seeing Evan. I miss his stupid, arrogant face.

Hopefully, I’ll get to see that stupid, stunning, smokey-eyed gaze later.

For now, I have things to do.

I’m up the stairs and tearing through the suitcase full of my clothes as soon as I hear the car pull out of the drive.

The run up the steps doesn’t even wind me anymore, even if my side still aches a little when I breathe deeply. All that sparring has helped immensely. Tell is pretty savvy himself when it comes to fighting, it turns out.

Jeans, a flannel, a light scarf, and a beanie, and I’m bolting back downstairs, snatching my shoes and slipping out the door. I pause, holding it open, mentally forcing myself to remember the code.

“Got it!” I plop down on the porch, sliding on my shoes and tying them up. I’ve been thinking about this for days, especially since my shorter walks with Gavin and my longer walks with Tell.

Stretching out, I let the sun soak into my skin for a few moments, savoring the sweet, fresh air. Summer is coming on fast, but it’s always complimented by a cool breeze in the mountains.

Pent up energy has me bouncing down the drive, keeping an eye out for passing cars as I reach the old road at the bottom. It’s a country road, barely used, but I would be a fool to get spotted and blow our cover.

Slipping my cell phone out, I turn it on for the first time in ages, testing for a signal. Nothing. Figures.

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