Page 82 of All I Want For Christmas

“Motherfucker. Son of a bitch.” There was a pause. Then she said, “Thank God.”

He heard all of her muttered words. He also noticed a small light bobbing along. Probably the flashlight on her phone.

Well, at least she’d thought to bring that. But what the fuck did she think she was doing? Going for a walk this time of night? In an area that she didn't know at all?

The dot of light grew bigger and brighter, the sounds of her footsteps on the stretch of dirt that was really only wide enough for one truck at a time, getting louder.

“Ow! Fuck!”

Theo set up even straighter. She'd probably simply brushed by a prickly weed, but if something had bit her or she twisted her ankle, he was going to have to go down there.

Her footsteps continued though.

There was still enough light that he could see her emerge from between the trees once she passed the little bend in the path. He scanned her quickly. She wasn’t limping. She also, thank God, was no longer wearing those fucking heels. She had flat tennis shoes on now. But she was still wearing those shorts.

Something out here definitely wanted to take a bite of her.

But it was very human.

She drew closer to his cabin, and her footsteps slowed. She appeared to be studying his pickup.

“Oh my God,” he heard her mutter.

He knew she couldn't see him from where he was sitting. He knew he should probably call out to her. Just sitting here in the dark was a little creepy. Then again, she was creeping up on his pickup. She wouldn’t know it was his. It wasn't his work truck, and he didn't think that she'd ever seen or paid any attention to his personal vehicle.

She crept along the driver's side and peered in the window.

He narrowed his eyes. If she thought this was somebody else's truck, and the keys were hanging in the ignition, would she take it? Would she go back to town and try to pretend that she'd stayed out here all night?

The corner of his mouth kicked up. This woman was something. He honestly wouldn't put anything past her.

He'd also love to punish her for misbehaving.

He should mean that he would love to use that to convince the city council not to build her stupid cabins. Or at least make her stay out here another couple extra days. But that's not how he meant it. His palm actually itched slightly with the urge to smack it against her perfect backside. He rubbed it over his thigh.

She tried the door on his truck, and it opened. Of course, it did. Why the fuck would he lock it out here?

So, he cleared his throat.

She screamed.

She also slammed the door quickly. Her hand was on her chest now, and she was peering into the darkness. “Oh my God, you scared me!”

He dropped his voice just a bit, wondering when she would realize who he was. “Can I help you?”

“Oh, yes. I didn't realize there was anyone else out here. I was looking for some help.”

He narrowed his eyes. She had not come along the path as if she was fleeing or running for help. “What seems to be the problem?”

She came around the front of the pickup. Hopefully, her adrenaline was still pumping hard enough that she wouldn’t realize who he was just yet. He was going to play with her a little.

“I was wondering if I could borrow some eggs,” she stammered.

His eyebrows went up. Eggs? That was her excuse?

“You’re walking in the dark along the bayou at this time of night because you need eggs?”

“Yeah, I'm really hungry, and I don’t have any.”

---