Page 32 of Roman & Olivia
“Isn’t that the point?” Olivia snapped under her breath. “We’re supposed to make Mason believe I’m a prize. He needs to see that another guy wants me.”
“And Roman?—”
Olivia groaned and turned toward the bin with the food again. “Don’t even say it. He’s playing his part. He said we were going to step it up. I guess this was what he meant.”
“If you say so,” Cammi sang. She moved over to her seat and smiled broadly at Mason while she talked to him about something that was going on at her work. When Olivia looked in their direction, she caught Mason watching her.
It was different than all the times before when he’d paid attention to her. Right now, she felt raw and on edge. Roman had thrown her off balance, and there was nothing she could do about it while they had an audience.
So, she closed her eyes and took in a steadying breath. They were leaving tomorrow afternoon. She could handle another day and a half. Roman was just upping his game. He wasn’t trying to make her feel weird about any of this. He was doing exactly what she’d asked him to do.
“Who wants to go for a nature walk?” Roman asked, returning to the group. He dusted his hands on his pants. “I heard some howls last night.”
Cammi gasped. “Howls? Like from…”
“Wolves. Yeah.” Roman turned to her. “There have been sightings around these parts recently. Mateo wants us to keep avigilant eye on things. If the wolves get too close and start killing our livestock, we’re in trouble.”
Olivia and Cammi exchanged a look. Well, that didn’t sound good. They were camping here for another night. “Are you sure that’s what you heard?”
Roman smirked at her—that all too familiar teasing expression on his face. “Yeah, sweet cheeks. I’m sure.”
“And you want us to… go looking for them?”
“Just to see if there are signs. I have my hunting rifle. You’ll be plenty safe.”
“Yeah,” Mason added. “I brought mine, too.”
That statement had everyone looking over at Mason. Each and every person was surprised. Olivia could practically hear the mocking sound of Roman’s thoughts. He didn’t think Mason was capable of roughing it. He probably didn’t think Mason knew how to hunt, either. But the joke was on him. It made sense, actually. Olivia was well aware that the mayor liked to go hunting and had advocated for it when he’d run for office.
Cammi jumped up from her seat. “In that case, let’s do it. Didn’t you say there was some sort of creek in the wooded area? Is it deep enough to swim in?”
Roman snorted. “Not hardly.”
She pouted. “Then I guess I’ll just be able to put my toes in.” Cammi moved to Olivia’s side and looped her arm within hers. “What else can we do out here? Nature walks? Hunting for wolves? Anything you’re leaving out?”
“I’m pretty sure there’s a couple wild cherry trees out that way.”
Cammi gasped and looked in Roman’s direction to confirm.
He nodded, and she squealed. “Then let’s get to it.”
Their walk was uneventful until they made it to the trees in question.
Then it got weird.
Olivia and Cammi stood with mouths agape as Roman and Mason climbed trees that had nothing to do with the cherries that had lured all of them out this way. Both had shed their T-shirts and were climbing like a couple of monkeys.
Cammi nudged Olivia with her elbow. “You have to admit, this is sorta hot.”
Olivia drank in the way their muscles flexed and contracted. There was an obvious sheen of sweat on their skin as they raced to get to the top of their tree before the other. This had been going on since Olivia had thanked Mason for gathering her a good handful of cherries from the tree.
Roman had insisted that the best ones were the ones that ripened in the sun and would require them to climb to taller branches. After he’d tossed down several cherries to her, Mason pushed them further.
He challenged Roman to a tree-climbing contest. The winner got to have a kiss from each of the girls. Before Olivia and Cammi could argue, Roman was tearing off his shirt and stretching out his arms.
Cammi nudged her again. “I’m telling you,” she whispered. “They’re both totally into you. I don’t think I have a chance.”
Olivia huffed. Roman was definitely not into her.
