Chapter 3

3

My footsteps froze, a hot wave of shame washing over me.

"Who... who was spying on you?"

I retorted defensively, though my fingers nervously twisted the hem of my jacket.

He let out a low laugh, followed by the crunch of his rugged hiking boots stepping over dry twigs.

My hearing suddenly became hyper-sensitive.

I could hear the mountain wind, the birds in the canopy, his approaching footsteps, and the distant chatter of the group.

"Are you sure you weren't?"

His voice whispered right beside my ear.

My body shuddered violently, heat flooding my ears as my breathing turned shallow and rapid.

"Then why don't you have the guts to turn around and say it to my face?"

He drawled lazily, sounding like a predator toying with its prey.

Flustered and irritated at being mocked, I whipped around abruptly.

I didn't expect him to be standing so close, leaning down over me.

As I spun, my lips accidentally brushed against his rugged jawline.

"Eager, aren't we?"

He arched a brow, his thumb lightly stroking the spot where my lips had touched his jaw.

My face burned like fire.

"That was an accident!"

I blurted out an explanation, but his knowing smirk proved he didn't buy a single word.

"An accident? Like this kind of accident?"

His large hand suddenly cupped my chin, tilting my face up as his lips came crashing down.

In that split second, the image of him holding and kissing Sadie flashed through my mind, igniting a surge of anger.

He was flirting with my best friend just an hour ago, and now he was putting the moves on me?

He was nothing more than a shameless player who loved messing with women!

I jerked my face away, so his kiss only grazed the corner of my lips, leaving behind a scorching heat.

"Aren't you dating my best friend? Why the hell are you messing with me?"

I kept my eyes downcast, torn between disgust for his behavior and the undeniable pull of his raw charisma.

I had to admit, the man was dangerously attractive.

He chuckled again, his fingers slowly teasing and kneading my sensitive earlobe.

"Hate me that much? Your body seems to disagree."

His warm breath blew against my ear, making my knees turn to jelly.

Unable to stay steady, my hands instinctively gripped his thick, muscular bicep for balance.

"What... what do you think you're doing?"

I glared at him weakly, swallowing hard to soothe my parched throat.

His massive frame completely boxed me in against the quiet corner of the forest trail.

"Doing something you clearly want me to do."

He lowered his head and took my earlobe between his lips, nipping lightly.

His hot, nimble tongue traced soft, teasing circles before delving into the shell of my ear.

A soft gasp escaped my mouth, and I immediately bit my lower lip hard, terrified someone might hear.

At that moment, the wind and distant laughter faded into static.

All I could hear was his heavy breathing and the rustle of our clothing.

A sudden heat touched my waist as his large, calloused palm slipped under my jacket, gliding over the curve of my hip.

Panic seized me, but my heart was hammering wildly in my chest.

We were out in the open woods!

If someone walked by right now, they would catch us in this insanely compromising position.

"Focus on me," he murmured, suddenly biting down gently on the sensitive curve of my neck.

A delicious shiver rippled down my spine, and my legs gave out completely.

Before I could fall, his strong hands swiftly caught me under my thighs, effortlessly lifting me into the air against him.

Just as my panic reached its peak, a familiar voice called out through the trees.

"Winnie! Where did you go?"

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