He frowns, obviously hoping it works out. “Sure, I get it.”
We start to walk away as I tell him, “We’ll leave you to your day, then. Why don’t you skip that game and see if you can’t find some training videos online. Muay Thai. Krav Maga. Focus on hand-to-hand combat. Watch and learn.”
“I can throw a punch.”
Pausing at the door, I open it for Soph. She steps onto the welcome mat as I smirk at him, “But can you get out of a choke hold from a guy who just murdered someone and will do anything to survive? Evasive tactics. Front, side and back kicks, watch them. Learn. Get a head start if you want to impress us.”
He nods, “I’m on it.”
“Get his number,” she reminds me.
“Oh yeah, here.” Digging my phone out I unlock the screen and hand it over. “Someone will call you. The password will be…Tickles.”
“No, you did not just say that,” Sofia mutters.
Grinning, I watch him enter the phone number as he eyes me from under his brow to see if I’m joking.
“Oh, I did. The guy likes cats.”
“Your cat’s name is Tickles?” he frowns.
“You got a problem with that?”
A grin spreads as he shakes his head and hands my phone back. “Not at all.”
As she and I walk down the slender cement path for the sidewalk, the deadbolt clicks behind us. She waits until we’re out of hearing distance to say, “I like him.”
“Me too. Good idea not to drink with him just yet.”
“Can’t wait for Dad to call and be forced to say that password.”
I rake a hand through my hair, glance to the clear sky. “Got to let me have my fun after they kicked me out for something I didn’t do.”
She grabs my arm and we stop walking. “I’m sorry.” The sunshine pales her grey eyes to the point that they don’t seem real. Stepping closer to me, she searches my face. “I wish I’d…”
“Don’t Soph, stop.”
“I know, it’s just…” she bites her lip and my gaze drops to stare at the tender flesh twisting. I want to taste her. I’m not willing to risk it. I’ve been enjoying her company too much. Don’t want anything to fuck that up. Hated being alone out here, but more than that I hated being away from Soph. I’m crazy about her and I don’t know what to do about that.
And besides, she was with Atlas.
Turning on my heel, I continue back to the center of town.
Sofia hesitates and joins me, both of us staring ahead.
CHAPTER 27
SOFIA
K nocking on Luke’s door a couple of mornings later, I tap my boot on the hotel carpet and wait, stomach fluttering as it flies open. He peers at me in what he wore at breakfast just an hour ago—an army-green t-shirt and jeans, boots off now.
“Nice socks you got there,” I smile to ease my nerves and keep things light.
He glances to the holes his big toes are pushing through. “They always wear out, my feet are so big.” Meeting my gaze he asks, “What’s up? Heard something?”
I’m still thinking about his big feet as I stammer, “I’m going to call my dad soon. Thought you’d want to listen.”
He sucks on his lips and shoves his hands in his pockets, not inviting me in. “Sure.”
“On a hike.”
“A what?”
Pointing my chin at the red mountains out the far hallway window, I shrug, “Sherry said there’s good hiking. People camp, stuff like that. We’re getting some fresh air today.”
Flashing those perfect teeth, the ones Sage always envied before hers were straightened, he laughs, “Oh we are, are we?”
“Get your boots on, buddy, time to go!” I grin back, relieved he’s acting playfully.
He hesitates on a decision, then walks inside as I lean on the door to hold it, watching him dip down to pick his boots up off the carpet, giving me a tantalizing view of his ass, the jeans snug in the reach. “Never saw you as much of a tree hugger,” he mutters.
“Did I say we were going to hug trees?”
Yanking the zipper up on each boot he challenges me, “I’ll pay you cash money if you do it and let me take a picture.”
“How much?”
Pursing his lips in thought, he snatches the plastic key from his dresser. “Hundred bucks.”
“Ooooo, steep! You’re on.” As we head down the hall I ask, “What’re you going to do with the photo?”
“Post it to the porn sites.” Off my look he adds, “You know, Sunset magazine, all those nature ones that’ll cream themselves over you hugging a Cypress.”
“Do they have Cypresses here?”
“Who the fuck knows? Wouldn’t be able to identify any tree but pine, since they’re Christmas trees. Oh, and fir. Same reason.”
I watch him hit the elevator button for the lobby, fingernails clean for the first time in a while, days without bike repair or maintenance work.
“You’d know a weeping willow, like the one we parked under.”
He chews on his cheek. “Yeah, and I just thought of the oaks at our home. Okay, I know more trees than I think,” he smiles.
Thinking of that damn oak Atlas and I hid behind, I walk into the elevator car first and push the shiny L-button. Luke scratches his red stubble as he walks in, stands beside me, neither of us talking as we descend. Could have taken the stairs, only one floor, but we’re on vacation.
Plus, I like being alone with him here.
“You letting a beard grow out to make Meg proud?”
He chuckles, “Nah, just lazy. I think it looks weird with the ginger beard, black hair, don’t you?”
“No, I’ve always liked how unique it is.”
Our eyes lock, then break away as the doors slide, an interruption of lobby busy with families of tourists checking in. Sherry welcomes them to Sedona with her cheery smile.
Luke and
