Page 19 of Those Who Are Bound

He closed the top of the Jeep, then the bottom half, before locking it. He expertly secured the keys in the pack without taking it off. Motioning to the road, he asked, “Shall we?”

Elliott made a face. “I feel… kind of useless.” She lifted and dropped her arms to indicate that she had nothing to carry.

“Like I said, this isn’t a challenging hike, but the trails are decent, and I think you’ll like the scenery. I’ve got this; don’t worry about it.”

She shrugged. “Then lead the way.”

He started out.

She walked behind him, her attention on his well-defined muscular ass in cargo pants. Her silence caused him to look over his shoulder at her, catching where her attention was directed. At her small smile and darting look away, he made a “mm-hmm” sound.

“Well, youarein front of me,” she said in her defense.

“You’re welcome to lead the way.”

“I don’t know where I’m going.”

“That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy the view,” he teased over his shoulder.

They were even.

Smiling to herself, Elliott attempted to keep from staring at him, but it was impossible. He was spectacular to look at. He talked to her the entire time, pointing out plants or birds, the tracks of animals. He’d grasp her elbow to help her over felled trees. Occasionally, he reached behind himself and handed over the bottled water, as though sensing exactly when she needed it. Everything came naturally to him. Lucy’s comment that he’d strip down to his skivvies came back to her, and she almost laughed out loud because it seemed like he would be more comfortable running around out here naked.

On one sharp incline, he was going up sideways to keep an eye on her, putting his hand down for her to grasp if she needed it, but she’d tossed him a wicked glare. He realized that his attempt at helping her up a hill had raised the flag of challenge.

“It’s not a judgment of your abilities.”

“Good, so don’t condescend to me,” she responded, reaching up and slapping his hand away. As she did so, she took a misstep, and the next thing she knew, she’d tumbled backward and slid halfway down the incline before she managed to stop herself by slamming her foot against a tree stump.

She heard Jonah shouting her name, his feet descending quickly, but she could only hold herself in a ball and shake.

He was on his knees beside her in no time, grasping her shaking shoulders gently. His voice full of concern and yet calm, he asked, “Are you all right? Where are you hurt?”

She curled up tighter into herself, unable to stop the spasm. She heard him say her name again, and then she could suck in air before she let out a full belly laugh, the force of it causing her to collapse into herself.

His disbelieving question came back to her. “Are youlaughing?”

Unable to do much else, she managed to nod her head, then gasped and laughed again. After about a minute, she was able to roll onto her back and look up at him, tears rolling down the side of her face. “S-sorry.I’m such an idiot.”

He was smiling down at her, again, like she was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen. “You aren’t hurt?”

She shook her head. “Only embarrassed.”

He reached out and plucked wayward leaves and twigs from her hair. “Are you sure?”

“About the embarrassed part? Yes.” She sat up and allowed him to assist her. “What is it that they say? Pride goeth before the fall. Instant karma.” She laughed again.

Smile intact, he looked her over, but he also ran his hands over her legs and ankles in light assessment. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I am. It probably looked more dramatic than it actually was,” she said a bit breathlessly. He was running his hands along the outside of her thighs; if he were to run them along the inside, the answer would be different. But then he moved his hands to her arms, and she winced.

“You have some scrapes.”

“I deserve them.”

“We can go back; get you cleaned up.”

“No way,” she said with a hint of disappointment in her voice. “I slipped. I didn’t fall off a cliff. I bloody my knuckles all the time boxing. This won’t stop me.” To prove her point, she pushed off the ground and stood.

---