The way he smiled at her made her stomach flutter. “Thank you for trusting me. This way.”

He pulled her down the line of horse stalls until they came to a small ladder.

“After you,” he motioned to her.

Amber blinked in shock, looking between him and the rickety wooden structure. “You can’t be serious?!”

“I am, but you need to trust me.”

She hesitated. “I just don’t know about this.”

“I can understand why, but I think this is the best place for us to get caught.”

“How? Will anyone even be able to see us up there?”

“Absolutely. They will have a perfect view.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Do you want to do this or not?”

She nodded. “Of course, I do.”

Then she pushed past him, climbing up the ladder, heart in her throat. When she got to the top, she frowned in confusion, looking around as Christopher followed after her.

It was a small space, right against the roof. Because of that the ceiling sloped in close. Hay covered the dusty floor.

“A hay loft?” she asked in confusion.

“Of course. No better place to try.”

“But why?”

He just grinned at her. “Just make yourself comfortable and trust me.”

“Comfortable?! We’re in a hay loft.”

“Exactly,” he said, stretching out on the ground with a sigh. “It’s rather cozy, isn’t it?”

“Cozy?”

“It is. Just lay back and try it “

“All right.” She glanced at him one more time before stiffly laying down on her back, eyes locked on the ceiling. “Like this?” she asked after a moment.

He snorted. “Not quite. It only works if you actually relax.”

“I’m perfectly relaxed.”

He snorted. “Of course, you are. That’s why your spine is as stiff as mahogany.”

“It’s not. I’m fine.”

He chuckled, rolling onto his side to face her. “Of course. You’re right. I can see it now.”

She rolled her eyes. “Is this the kind of place you usually bring ladies?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded, humor gone from his tone.