Page 34 of Wild in the Woods
“I’ll show you how to hook the worm, and then you’ll do the next one.”
She almost sighed in relief as he plucked it from her hand, then lined the meaty part of the worm over the hook and impaled it, quickly looping the tail up and over the hook and doing the same.
“You don’t need worms to catch fish. Any insect will do. Beetles, flies, whatever you can get your hands on. The trick to emergency fishing like this is to increase your chances of success right away. Insects that are alive and moving attract fish. Go where the fish are most likely to be. Overturned trees and debris hanging in the water like this is sure fire or panfish and small bass.”
He maneuvered himself next to the brush. “If you have to get your feet wet, take off your footwear and socks. It’s easier to dry your skin than your boots.”
Lulu inched in close to him as he leaned over the debris and carefully lowered the line between the branches. The rich scent of water, decaying leaves, and the notes of his warm, spicy skin blended together in her head. Glancing at him, she paused on his profile and how strong it was. Light stubble peppered his chin. A lock of hair fell over his brow.
“Watch how I do this.” Bouncing the line gently, he watched intently… and suddenly jerked his arm up and back. The line came up with a small fish on the other end.
“Wow! That was fast!”
Her heart thrummed with excitement, as if, primally, she knew what good fortune it would be to catch a meal in a survival situation.
He took the fish off the hook. “Your turn.”
Another worm in her hand. Another gag clogged in her throat. Steeling herself, she grappled with the worm and the hook, trying to replicate what he’d shown her. He didn’t step in to help, even when she made a literal mess of things, and the worm went flying. Her fingers were coated with goo, she was two seconds from throwing up, and the hook was still empty.
He pulled another worm from his vest pocket. “Try again.”
She did. Success! Fox put his hands on her shoulders and positioned her in the spot he’d been. His fingers curled around her shoulders; their strength apparent in how he held her. Her breathing hitched up. What if she swiveled right now and kissed him?
“There you go. Drop your line. That’s right. Now bounce a little to make the worm look like it’s moving.” His hand clasped over hers. Lulu lost her breath, and it took everything inside her not to turn around. Bounce, bounce, bounce.
Something tugged, like a little flutter, on the hook.
“I felt something!” Yeah, a lot of things that had nothing to do with fishing.
“Pull up.”
He stepped back. She pulled up the line and squeaked from joy to find a fish on the end.
“It’s bigger than yours!”
Glancing back at him, she caught his eyes and her insides quivered.
“The rule says whoever catches the biggest fish has to clean them.”
She rolled her eyes. “Sure, like your rule about pool sticks? Look how well that turned out for you.”
She caught two more fish and Fox concluded that was plenty. He showed her how to clean them which was the real test on her stomach’s ability to behave. As disgusting as it was, Lulu stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Fox and paid attention. It felt nice to have him so close, to participate in something they’d both benefit from. Teamwork. That’s what this was.
Teamwork with an attractive, considerate, capable man.
An ache started low in her abdomen, pinging her on both sides. The urge to kiss him was off the charts… until he plopped fish innards on the ground near her feet. He washed his hands in the stream, buried the fish parts to keep bears and other predators away, and led her back to the campsite.
Setting the fish in a small pan from his bag, he waved her over to the fire pit.
“Time to start the fire. I’ll show you now, but we’ll practice throughout our time together.”
His voice sounded rougher, and she’d noticed that he’d been avoiding looking at her. But she couldn’t stop looking at him. Something was happening. Her brain had gone a little foggy and there was a tension in her body that hadn’t been there before. The ache in her lower belly waxed and waned but didn’t go away completely. Her pulse was up. Her breath came harder.
Too much sugar from the donuts? A side-effect from the slimy worms and fish? Or some kind of visceral reaction to this man…
Yep. Her brain screamed in agreement. It’s him. It’s all him, affecting you like a sexy virus.
“Did you see that?”
