Page 40 of Roughing It

Unfuck it!

Bo

Why are you worried about it?

Why am I worried about it? She’s just a client, right? No different from anyone else who hires me for guide work.

But that’s nottrue. From the moment I met her, Blakely Bradshaw wormed her way under my skin—fast and deep.

Wish I knew.

Picturing the hurt on her face leaves an ache in my chest. I hate that I put it there. God, I was a judgmental asshole. I don’t know her as well as I thought, but fuck, I want to. And heaven help me, I miss her endless prattling and teasing.

Bo

Oh shit. You like her!

Gray

Time to eat crow brother

Guess it’s my turn to make apology coffee.

Bo

One word: hotspring

That’s two words, dumbass.

Bo

I close out the chat and stare at Blakely. They’re right. I do like her. But she scares the hell out of me, all while pulling me closer and closer. I’m like a goddamn bug drawn to car headlights on the highway. I’m gonna end up smashed, but I can’t stop myself from flying headlong towards her.

Despite this likely ending in pain, I reach out and give her a gentle shake. “Spitfire, wake up.”

“No.”

I chuckle at her pouty lips and voice. “Come on. I have a surprise for you.”

She opens one eye. “Are you going to give me a test with noinstructions and then make fun of me when I fail? Oh, I know, you’re going to accuse me of being judgmental while you make up facts about my life. Or maybe you’re going to take me back to that scenic cliff and shove me off it? Thanks, but no thanks.”

I rub my chest, each word a barb that latches onto my heart. “I deserve that. Did you bring a swimsuit?”

Her eyebrows jump. “What?”

“A swimsuit,” I grunt.

Blakely glares at me. “Yes. Why?”

“Trust me?”

“Trust you? I want to. I really do. But then you almost kissed me, did kiss me, yelled at me, told me to leave…Hudson, what do you want from me?”

“Right now, I want you to put on your swimsuit and trust me.” I hold my breath. “Please.”Give me another chance.

She stares at me and blinks twice before grumbling. “Swimsuit? It’s October. You’re lucky I brought one. Asshole. This better be worth it.”

CHAPTER TEN

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