by Harloe Rae
Gray swirls of inky darkness are aiming for us. The forecast hasn’t improved. If anything, being in the water places us in a direct path of the brutal chill. I tug the hood over my head, peeking up at Halder from under the fuzzy trim. “Is the wind going to push us really fast?”
Halder tracks my gaze. “Nah, we’ll probably be fighting against it. The worst blasts are coming from directly ahead of us. We’ll go until a welcoming plot catches our eye or the storm makes traveling too dangerous.”
I chew on the inside of my cheek. “I vote for stopping at our earliest opportunity.”
“Because you’re afraid of the canoe?”
“No.” I huff at the truth he spills. “Merely to give us ample time to get settled in our new site for the evening. Shouldn’t we do that before getting slammed with snow?”
“That’s good sense, Blakely. You’re beginning to talk like a professional pioneer.”
The idea of earning that title almost has me busting out a cackle. “Let’s take it easy with all that. You’re still the expert. I mostly want off the boat when these gusts are threatening to toss me regardless.”
“Well, this is much faster than walking. We should find a decent spot easily enough. By then, you’ll have a pair of sea legs for our journey tomorrow.”
I press my lips together to trap a snarky retort. There’s no reason for doubt to wiggle into my thoughts. A positive glimmer snags my attention instead. “The woods don’t seem to be as much of a barricade already.”
He looks toward the tree line. “We’ve been lucky so far.”
“Extremely,” I agree. And that’s no joke. I’m well aware how fatal these circumstances can be. Just imagining my fate if the conditions weren’t quite so kind makes me nauseous.
Our location almost seems more primitive while passing by on the mild stream. Everything is organic and undisturbed. Society hasn’t stamped their influence on these parts. Maybe that’s why it’s so beautiful. People aren’t capable of replicating this type of serenity. Only distorting and destroying to make room for futuristic advancements. These wandering musings cause warmth to spread through my chest.
I give the hull a grateful stroke. “What’re we gonna name this guy?”
Halder begins paddling to avoid some unforeseeable object. It’s a secret blessing that I’m sitting backward. Maybe he planned that on purpose. His gaze returns to me once the cruise control resumes. “Are you getting sentimental already?”
I roll my eyes, but won’t deny the notion if pressed. There’s something about the wounded dinghy that makes me feel nostalgic. Probably because I’m sharing this voyage with Halder. He brings out a very whimsical version in me. I want to experience all this land has to offer with him.
A soft sigh breezes from my parted mouth. The whistling wind steals the lofty sound before I’m done exhaling. “Isn’t it bad luck for a boat to go without a name?”
“That’s sailor superstition.”
“Pretty sure we should use all chances to turn our tide.”
He nods with a grin. “What do you suggest?”
“Well,” I pause for a moment of contemplation. “The obvious choice is Rusty.”
“How about Skipper?”
“Oh, that’s cute. What do you say?” I pet a small patch that’s not corroded. The canoe has no response. “Silence is acceptance, right?”
“Better than flipping us over.”
“Not funny,” I deadpan.
“You’re the one who wanted to choose Rusty.”
“Not in a degrading way.”
The green in his eyes sparkles from a reflection off the water. “I’m certain there isn’t a menacing bone in your body.”
“Wanna double check?” I drop my jaw as the bold suggestion leaves me. Then I fold myself in half to bury my fiery face.
Halder’s howling glee has me peeking up through spread fingers. When he laughs, I swear the cherubs upstairs take notice. Especially if they’re females. Everything surrounding us fades into a muted blur as a spotlight shines down on him. Totally worth my bout of humiliation.
After his amusement tapers off into a dull roar, he flashes me a wide smile. “This trip would suck without you, Blakely.”
“Do I make it feel like a vacation?” Am I digging for more compliments? Shamelessly.
“Honestly? Yeah. More often than not, I forget we didn’t choose this road.”
I bite the center of my lip. “Same for me. It’s only been two days or whatever, but I’m not hating every minute of being stranded against my will. Thanks to you, this is far from tortuous. You’re a freaking guru on being held captive in the wilderness.”
He gives his head a firm shake. “You’re too generous with praise. But that reminds me of something.”
A strand of silence stretches between us. I’ve always practiced being patient, but this pause is excessive. “Are you going to tell me or leave the suspense lingering?”
Halder leans forward, resting an elbow on his knee. “Had we not found this canoe, I could’ve constructed a raft.”
Disguising my shudder takes herculean effort. “No offense, Halder. Your construction skills are top notch, but I’d be more likely to fight off a wolf than willingly jump on a wooden plank. I barely agreed to an actual boat.”
“You wound me, woman.” He clutches his chest with a groan. Those deep grooves in his scruffy cheeks tease me. What is it about dimples that I find so alluring? Halder has the best set I’ve ever seen. Those twin crevices are made for reeling me in. I’m so damn smitten for this guy. Desperation sinks its claws into me to feel more of him against me. I want his coarse stubble to raze my skin, as in every inch.
Before I can recommend exploring certain body parts, his gaze skitters to a point over my shoulder. He lifts his jaw in that direction. “And look at that. We might’ve stumbled upon a camping destination fit for a resort.”
I turn gingerly on my tiny bench while being mindful of capsizing. There’s a distinct separation in the evergreens ahead. Halder steers us to shore as we approach the seemingly purposeful gap. From first glance, it’s apparent this spot is better than our initial landing site from yesterday. The clearing is almost a circular formation, not much different than a halo. More dirt than snow is visible on the ground. That must mean the natural coverage is top notch. All signs point to a big thumbs-up.
With a meaningful glance to the sky, I send a bouquet of gratitude. “See? This is what I’m talking about. Now we’re getting the score square.”
Halder grunts while hopping into the water. “I already told you, the wilderness doesn’t keep track.”
“But Karma is always watching. I think it’s safe to conclude that she owes you a couple hundred, at the very least.”
In the next instant, his gaze is piercing into mine. Those green depths are imploring and deeper than the flooded river. “She’s already granted me more than my fair share.”
Survival tip #16: An eye on the ultimate prize is a distraction that could pay off.
This empty section of land is more appealing than any vacant space in the history of sight. I’m realizing how swift my standards of satisfaction can be altered. My adjustment period in this wilderness is much quicker compared to prison—not that any inmate ever finds true contentment behind bars. Acceptance, sure. Is that what’s happening now, but on a more accelerated scale? Does Blakely feel the same? Our conversation from moments ago would suggest that’s the case.
A distant howl has me leaving those wonderings in the river. I haul our canoe onto the rocky shore with a suffocated groan. The burden on my biceps from earlier, and yesterday, is making a painful reappearance. That ache is about to be doubled, so I grit my teeth and pull harder.
Blakely wobbles to a stand in the center of Skipper. The name curls on my tongue with a grunt. It’s rather ridiculous to title an abandoned canoe we’re merely borrowing, but I couldn’t argue with her. I’m still waiting for her to discover the power she wields over me.
; Without beginning to overthink on other unnecessary topics, I extend an open palm to Blakely and offer my assistance. Her exit should be more graceful than how she was savagely dropped aboard. That’s a guarantee from me.
She bats her long lashes at me. “My hero. How will I ever repay you?”
The list of possibilities that pop into my brain are positively filthy. “Just continue giving me a reason to smile.”
“Oh, that’s simple.” Her grin is dipped in honey with extra sugar. I want to lick every drop of sweetness from her lips.
Blakely makes me forget the bad. The festering hate dies to a lower simmer the longer she’s around. I can get lost in this fantasy world where only the two of us exist. And guess what’s even better? That’s our reality for the time being. Regret is a fickle, ugly scar that I’ve worn for years. Those lashes have haunted me ever since the lies and deceit branded me. With this woman nearby, those permanent marks vanish, as if they never existed.
If I was at my loft right now, the only thing on my mind would be plotting a revenge attack. Out here, all of that corrupt business has been shoved to the back burner. If it wasn’t for the extremely unfortunate fact that we were taken against our will, I would be thanking Stefano and his goons for sending me away.
I cough to loosen the knot in my chest. “We’ve arrived at our next stop. Would you accompany me on a tour?”
She giggles and takes my hand. “Sure, that would be lovely.”
We stride into the midst of our rustic quarters. The amount of useful surface area is small, but plenty for what we need. I sweep an arm to the left. “Over this way is an arching wall of pines from the coniferous family. On the opposite side are the not-so-distant spruce relatives. In the middle portion, there is mostly flat terrain for convenient crossing. The ground appears slightly frozen, so elbow grease might be required while digging.”
I guide her to the far end of our clearing. Her expression brightens further with my boasting tone. “This will be an excellent location for our sleeping accommodations. The bare trees make great posts for a lean-to. And that dry patch is where the fire could be built. The flames will be close enough to keep us warm.”
Blakely has been humming her agreement with each feature. “This is quite a gem we’ve stumbled upon.”
“I guess Karma is listening to you. We’re going to be happy settling some very temporary roots in this spot. And guess what else?”
She gasps, extra loud for theatrical flair. “There’s more?”
I nod, allowing her shine to warm me from the inside out. “Your precious Skipper is going to help us with a lot more than floating on water. That rare find will be part of our shelter. Dual purpose.”
Her focus trails to the boat wedged between a boulder and the muddy shore. “Skipper gives a smooth ride and all, but I’m not sure there’s space to sleep. I’ll give you credit for creative thinking, though.”
With a chuckle, I hold my hands up and span them across our empty space. A vision forms in front of my eyes. “We can prop the canoe against that trunk at an angle as a blockage. The wind is only gaining speed, especially off the river. We’ll need protection to keep the heat trapped in.”
She squints, tipping her head at the place I’m referencing. “Are you an exterior decorator?”
I peer down at her. “Is that a thing? Do you mean landscape designer? Or maybe the correct term is architect. My brother used to work for some haughty company who probably made their job sound regal as fuck. They all just play in the dirt, right?” Blakely just gapes at me. I wipe over my mouth, checking for drool. “What?”
Her baby blues are glittering with a shade lighter than a cloudless sky. “You’re rambling, and it’s adorable.”
I scrub over my forehead to hide the burning sting. Since arriving at this gratifying site, a rejuvenating tilt seems to have shifted inside of me. Maybe I fed that switch too much leeway. “It’s completely your fault.”
“I gladly take full responsibility for the boost in your digressive meanderings. The goofy humor is good for morale.”
“As you should,” I mutter. “So, exterior design?”
“I said what I meant. You can start a new type of profession. We make our own rules in the wild.”
She earns a rumbling laugh for that. “You’re good for the soul, Blakely. I appreciate your free spirit.”
“Well, super good news! I’ll be glued to your side until further notice.”
Thank the Lord above for granting miracles to those not worthy. I dip my chin, kicking at a clump of snow beside me. “Yeah, that’s great.”
Blakely’s delicate fingers cinch my forearm. The strength behind her grip is almost alarming. “Stop feeling guilty.”
That clipped command booms through my skull. I’m momentarily stunned from the impact. How can she read me so well already? “Am I that transparent?”
She bats at the plumes of steam escaping her mouth. “I prefer giving recognition to our sacred union. This poorly executed attempt to get rid of us is an epic fail. All they’ve succeeded in doing is binding us tighter than a Marine’s boot laces.”
“Promise?” The question slips out before I can consider the consequences.
Blakely doesn’t miss a beat. “Absolutely. Who will I talk to about this excursion otherwise? No one will understand. I doubt anyone will bother to try after the initial shock wears off. The powers that be will probably force us into therapy regardless.” Her throat trembles with a rough swallow. “Just to warn you.”
I groan at that daunting outcome. “They already tried sticking me with a shrink after being released.”
The tension creasing her brow eases. “Oh? I guess that’s not too surprising. How did the sessions go?”
“Never had a chance to meet with the head shrinker.” I shrug while internally smirking about evading that unwanted task of spilling my guts to a stranger.
She starts chewing on the corner of her lip. “Did you meet with others who were assigned to your team?”
“Just my probation officer.”
“I was supposed to work with you,” she blurts.
“Huh?” The shock on my face must be comical.
A small grin carves the dimple in her cheek. “They had initially contacted me during your parole proceedings to check my availability. I’m assuming they waited until all was set on your end before offering me the position.”
“No shit?” How different would our conversations be if that were the case? Our relationship would be strictly professional. A sour bite snaps at my gut. Talk about a buzz kill. I guess that’s one more bullet dodged in this sideways situation.
Blakely nudges me in the ribs. “You didn’t know?”
“I had a hunch you could be on the short list. Mostly because of your previous experience with prisoners.” And the undeniable slobbering I couldn’t hide from Paul. “My lawyer is damn sneaky. He didn’t tell me you’d be chosen.”
“Ah, well, it doesn’t matter now. Those plans didn’t really pan out.”
I grip the back of my neck. “Maybe that’s one positive in this mess.”
She winks at me. “I’d say. Being able to kiss you without a guilty conscience is a definite plus.”
After a brief pause of hesitation, I swoop in and seal my lips over hers. Blakely stiffens for a second before catching up to speed. She loops her arms around my shoulders, tugging me forward. We exchange a tandem groan while sliding our tongues together. A simple touch sets a torch to my blood until I’m raging beyond control.
I breathe her in, begging that’s where she will always stay. She presses closer, offering herself to my depraved needs. Our touch roams and explores and surpasses boundaries.
Blakely rests her forehead on mine. “It’s so much better this way.”
I drift my nose along the slope of hers. “In the wild?”
“Lost together.”
“Stranded,” I add.
“Nothing will be the same, even after we’re found.”
“Except this.” I squeeze her waist.
“Yes,” she exhales against my lips.
I kiss her again, soft and slow. Allowing time to remain stagnant or rush by without care. Either option will allow us to remain trapped in this moment.
Blakely shivers in my hold, and I pull away from the warmth of her mouth. “I should get some wood split. Then you can build a fire.”
She laughs and burrows deeper into my embrace. “Your expectations of my abilities are a bit lofty.”
I clutch a handful of her ass in my fist. “I’ll be your assistant.”
Blakely’s purr gets my pulse pounding harder. “Oh, now we’re speaking a fluent language. I like the sound of that.”
I break apart from the distracting comfort of her hold. Being surrounded by her heat is enough to release an inferno inside of me. But I refuse to let the cold penetrate her bliss. After gathering our belongings from the canoe, I deposit the supplies by her feet. I unpack the hatchet and sleeping bag, wrapping the latter around Blakely’s slim figure.
“Sit tight. I’ll get some logs ready.”
She shrugs off the blanket. “I can help. We need kindling, right?”
I smirk at her. “Whatever you wanna do, boss.”
“Being useful gives me a sense of pride when control has been robbed.” She pops out a hip, giving me a burst of vibrant sass. Not like I can argue with that logic. And her attitude ignites another blaze in my gut. I almost cup the evidence tenting my pants, but turn to hide the reaction instead.
“All right, that’s solid teamwork. I’ll be over there if you need me.” I blindly gesture to a point behind me. It’s not like I won’t find a nearby tree in this forest. I won’t get a damn thing done while she’s bending over to collect sticks. But who am I to complain?
Blakely wanders off while humming an upbeat tune I don’t recognize. Forcing my gaze from the promise of her curves takes an amount of control that I wasn’t aware any man could possess. I release the repressed frustration on an innocent spruce, hacking into each branch with a renewed strength of urgency. The loud thwack from my hatchet drowns out her melody. Not hearing that repeating track slices into me with a swift blade. At what point will I break? If I wear myself out, there will be less desire to act irrationally once the sawdust settles.