for his T-shirt, slipping it on. I hadn’t even noticed that he’d taken his shirt off in the middle of the night. Knowing that he did makes my insides ignite. “I never should’ve kissed you like that. I’m sorry. Clearly, my head is fucked up right now due to all the time we’ve pretended. It’s probably a good thing we’re heading out tomorrow.”
My stomach sinks from hearing him admit he shouldn’t have kissed me. Why does it sting when I should be relieved? “Don’t beat yourself up. It’s done and over with. We were both drinking and not thinking clearly. If I had been, I never would’ve kissed you back.” I exhale and attempt to crawl over him to get out of bed.
Before I can get off, he grips my hips and stops me right as I’m straddling his body. “Is that true?” His eyes settle on mine, and I swallow, knowing I’m about to lie. “Because you didn’t seem drunk, Nat.”
I press my hands to his chest when he squeezes my hips, wanting an answer. “I wasn’t drunk,” I admit. “Just buzzed enough to let go, and that stupid dance didn’t help any.”
He smiles, causing my heart to jumpstart. I love that smile so damn much now. “So, you enjoyed my dance?”
“Shut up.” I shove his chest and climb off him.
“That’s not an answer,” he whispers over my shoulder as I search through my suitcase for a change of clothing.
“Maybe I’d rather not give one.”
I close my eyes, goose bumps spreading across my skin when he brushes my hair away from my neck. “Which is why I want an answer even more.”
I slam my suitcase shut and turn to face him. “Yes. I liked the dance. Any girl with a heartbeat would’ve enjoyed that dance. There… are you happy?”
“Yes.” He grins and hands me his jacket. “Put your jacket on. We’re going on our morning walk.”
After he’s gone, I stare at his jacket for longer than necessary trying to figure out why Madden called his jacket mine. We’ve been here for almost a week and he’s never called it mine.
By the time I throw my hair up, brush my teeth, and meet him outside, he’s sitting on the picnic table at the tree line waiting on me. He’s not looking in my direction, so I take a few minutes to admire his messy hair, ripped jeans and faded black T-shirt, and just how sinfully gorgeous he is. This is the last time we’ll be out in these woods together and the feeling I get from that thought is anything but pleasant.
He stands and nods once noticing me. I meet him by the picnic table, walking straight past him and into the woods. I get this sudden urgency to get lost in the wilderness and not come out for hours. Everything seems to be hitting me at once and I feel overwhelmed.
“Nat, slow down. Talk to me.”
“I can’t.” I speed up, dodging and jumping over branches to get away, until finally, he catches me and pulls me into his body.
“What’s going on?” He presses his forehead to mine and brushes his thumb over my cheek. “You can talk to me. I’m here for you.”
“I don’t know.” I breathe out, my heart racing. “I guess the thought of going back home, to work, and back to…”
“My brother?” he questions. “Is what?”
“Stressful. Hard. Lonely. A lot of things. I don’t know.” I back away from his touch and lean against the closest tree, fighting to control my breathing. I didn’t realize how trapped in my life I felt until getting a taste of freedom away from it all. “Being here is freeing—like an escape—and tomorrow morning we’ll be leaving. I don’t know how to feel. I’m being stupid right now. I’m sorry.”
He shakes his head and pulls out a cigarette, lighting it. “You’re being anything but stupid right now, Nat. I feel that way the day before leaving every single year. My life isn’t what everyone thinks it is. It’s just as hard and stressful as any normal person’s life; probably more. I like the getaway too. Which is why I’m here. It’s why I needed you here with me.”
“What happens when you go back?”
“Well, I usually spend a week sulking in my fucking misery before going back to the band and sticking to a tight schedule. Between writing songs, practicing with the band, and dealing with our manager and all the shit he lines up for us, it’s a lot to