Page 48 of Risks of Temptation
She tilts her head up, her eyes wide, and innocently asks, "Why?"
I peck her on the lips. "Let's go sit by the fire." I guide her over, and we sit. The fire crackles and illuminates her gorgeous face. Animals scurry in the trees, echoing in the jungle. Moonlight drips down onto the river, creating an eerie but serene backdrop for our camp.
I dig in my bag. "Looks like it's macro bars and fruit for dinner."
"I liked the one last night."
"You're a lucky woman, then."
"Why?"
I whip it out. "I snagged the last one in that flavor for you."
"Aww." She reaches out and takes it then breaks off a piece and holds it to my lips.
I eat it, and she pops a small chunk in her mouth. While we chew, I cut the fruit up with my knife.
A panther growls in the distance, and she scoots closer to me.
I pull my gun out of my bag. "He's far away, but if anything comes close, I'll shoot it."
"Will animals come near us?"
"Not typically. Is this your first time sleeping outdoors?"
She frowns. "Yeah. I don't venture far from my apartment."
"Are you a homebody?"
Sadness creeps into her voice. "I think we already established I'm boring."
"Nothing is boring about you, ma belle."
"I don't need to be lied to. The truth is hidden from me enough. I work from home and only see people through my computer screen. My sister lives with me since I'm a scaredy-cat. Besides yoga and grocery shopping, I don't do much of anything unless it's with Naomi or the few friends I have."
I put my arm around her. "What are you scared of?"
She closes her eyes, and when she opens them, they glisten. "My demons...everything."
The man who hurt her still haunts her.
She needs to tell me what happened.
I pull her tighter to me. "Tell me about your demons."
She draws her knees to her chest and hugs them. "It was a long time ago. I need to get past it."
"When you were ten?"
She gasps and slowly turns to me. "How do you know that?"
"I heard you and Naomi in the tent. You said you weren't a child and ten anymore."
She groans and hides her face in her arms.
I cautiously ask, "What did he do to you?"
She peeks at me. "What makes you say it's a him?"
