Page 47 of Forced Knocked-Up Mate

I’m sure he’d love that.

As I hit the trees, I start to jog. I don’t do well in the woods. As much as I enjoy the outdoors, hiking through rugged paths is not my thing. A nice, comfy picnic in a meadow, a barbecue by a quiet lake—these things are pleasant.

Almost breaking my fucking neck in the dark on a rocky mountainside is anything but pleasant!

As I run, I can sense Peter getting closer to me. I’m already gasping with exertion, a combination of my burning anxiety and the physical activity making my sides pour with sweat. I stop to pull off my jacket before struggling uphill again, finally reaching the peak.

I put my hands on my knees and pant hard. My lungs are burning as I try to draw in a decent breath. The horrible anxiety has faded a bit, and I hope I’m close enough to Peter that we won’t get hurt by the energy if it snaps back.

When I stand up and look around, I see I’m in a small clearing with a light scattering of snow shining like diamonds in the grass. The blue-black sky is studded with the silver points of flickering stars scattered around the bright glow of a perfect crescent moon.

Okay, this isn’t so bad. A run through the woods at night could be worth it, to see a sight like this.

The anxiety settles even more, so I know Peter can’t be far away. Suddenly, the thought that he might be injured hits me, striking fear into my bones.

Maybe that’s why he didn’t come back!

The next few seconds are by far the most stressful I’ve ever lived through. My frustration and anger completely disappear, replaced by a deep, encompassing terror that I’ll never see him again.

He never had a chance to connect with anyone his whole life. He’s so hurt and damaged, and all I’ve done was tell him he wasn’t good enough! He has to be alright… he has to be! I can't let him go without telling him—

Telling him what?

I refuse to finish the thought, hurrying forward so I can check the next line of trees. I don’t get far when I see a glowing pair of eyes shimmer in the dark, coming towards me from the forest.

Please… be Peter.

He steps out of the shadows, picking up a long coat off the ground and wrapping it around himself as he walks towards me. His face is completely blank, not showing any emotion at all.

“You came,” he says.

“I had no choice.”

Disappointment flashes across his face, and he looks away.

“I mean, I don’t mind being out here,” I say quickly. “With you.”

He looks up at me again, his eyes so dark I can’t see what he’s feeling.

I don’t even know what I’m feeling.

“Peter, can we talk?”

“Not successfully so far, no.”

I smile, in spite of myself, and gesture to the ground. “Sit, please. I want to try and explain some things… and apologize.”

“Apologize?”

“Yes. I didn’t mean to embarrass you at the meeting. I should have just kept my mouth shut and asked questions later.”

He nods, sighing. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have said those things. I was just really upset and… well, I’m sorry.”

I move away from him a little, finding a fairly dry place to sit and look up at the sky. After a moment, he joins me.

“It’s not so bad out here, you know,” I say. “I could get used to coming out here… if I was with you.”

“I like the sound of that, Lucy,” he says with a little smile. “But we aren’t going to be tethered forever, are we?”

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