Page 39 of Play It Sinful

My face burns as fury spreads throughout my body. “You’re such a jerk. I can’t believe I ever let you near me.” I stomp ahead, starting the trail before he can reply. “And don’t follow me,” I add belatedly.

“Wasn’t gonna,” he retorts.

I walk for at least ten minutes without looking back to check that Sean really isn’t behind me. I wouldn’t be able to hear anything over the loud pounding of my pulse in my ears. He had to show up and ruin my morning.

No, Ashley. Don’t give that asshole the power.

I finally slow down and pay attention to my surroundings. I took the trail to the left when I started, but the area I’m currently in seems a bit off the beaten path. The vegetation is thick, and the trail ends a few steps ahead. Shit. Did I make a wrong turn?

Probably.

I turn around and start the trek down the steep path, careful where I place my feet. The last thing I need is to fall and twist an ankle. No sooner does the thought cross my mind, than I step on a loose rock and slip. Attempting to regain my balance, I reach for the nearest branch. But I grab a weak twig that snaps, and I end up falling anyway.

Sharp pain shoots up my right ankle, making me yell. Goddamnit. This can’t be happening. Coldness seeps into my skin as my leggings get soaked from the wet mud.

I sit up to inspect the damage and see stars when I try to move my right foot. I most definitely twisted my ankle, which means I’m royally screwed. How am I’m getting down when I can’t use one foot?

You could roll down the hill, Ash.I snort. Wouldn’t that be something?

Rustling leaves and snapping twigs announce someone’s approach. I don’t even need to guess who’s coming toward me.

Sean appears a moment later and freezes when he sees me sprawled on the ground.

“Ash!” he blurts out my name as if in panic. Then he shortens the distance between us in a flash. “What happened to you?”

“I slipped on a rock and twisted my right ankle.”

He drops into a crouch and, without asking if it’s okay, he rolls up my legging to check my injury. I don’t like how his touch gives me goose bumps. “Yep. It’s already beginning to swell.” He readjusts the legging and looks into my eyes. I totally expect him to be smug about this situation, but he looks worried. “Come on, I’ll help you get down the path.”

“Okay.” He takes my hands and helps me get back up on my one good foot. “How are we going to do this?”

“The path is too narrow for us to walk side by side. I’ll have to carry you.”

My brows shoot to the heavens. “What if you need to use your hands to grab onto something?”

He smirks. “Trust me. I won’t need to do that. I have excellent motor skills.”

I glare at him. “Are you mocking me?”

He widens his eyes innocently, but the corners of his lips twitch upward. “What? No way.”

“I’m not going to let you carry me like some damsel in distress. Turn around. I’ll get a piggyback ride.”

He chuckles but gives his back to me. “Okay, no damsel, just a damn monkey, then.”

“Shut up and bend your knees. I’m not going to climb you.”

“Why not? It wouldn’t be the first time.”

“Oh my God. Could you be more immature?”

“Well…”

“Rhetorical. It wasn’t a dare!”

Sean laughs harder. “I’m trying here, but you’re making it sooo easy.”

“Oh forget it. I’ll just stick to my original plan.”

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