Chapter 53
Karl’s hand was still firm on my waist as Tyler backed off like his shoes were on fire. When I turned toward him, Karl’s expression barely softened. He didn’t say anything, just let out a breath and started walking me toward our tent.
As soon as we were back inside, I pulled away and crossed my arms.
“Where
on earth did you go?” I asked, “you said you’d be back, that was over an hour ago.”
He looked at me, rubbing the back of his neck. “Gypsy needed something” I thought I was going crazy. He had just casually mentioned it like it was nothing, my fists balled by my sides, how on earth could be just address the situation so casually like it meant nothing.
I narrowed my eyes, “you’re unbelievable.”
“Ellen.
“No, I cut in, “you need to stop being bipolar about this whole situation.”
He blinked, caught off guard.
You can’t go running to your ex like she’s the most important thing in your life,” I said, “then crawl back into bed with me like nothing happened.” the image of them kissing on the trail suddenly flashed through my mind and I felt my insides go inside out. This just had to be an ugly feeling of the sort and I hated it.
He stayed quiet for a beat, “it’s not like that.”
“n’t it” I said, “because I saw the kiss, Karl
He drew in a breath, shoulders tight, “she kissed me, I didn’t kiss her
I raised an eyebrow. He was saying that as if it was supposed to be any different to me, and that was annoying. My arms immediately crossed across my chest and I started to tap my feet against the ground unconsciously.
“She caught me off guard,” he added. “If I could go back and undo it, I would.” his voice was sober now and his eyes fixed on me as his eyebrows furrowed a little
There was something in his tone, he sounded honest and a little defensive, but not arrogant
He stepped closer, running his fingers through my hair, Jetting them trail down until they brushed my shoulder.
“You’re the one I’m here with,” he said, “you’re the one I want,”
Well that clearly made my stomach flip but I didn’t say anything. My arms were still crossed, and my mouth pulled tight.
“What?” he asked, trying not to smile, leaning on a little, “you jealous?”
I turned my head away and folded my anns tighter, “no.”
He chuckled, leaning in just slightly, “you sure?”
I didn’t respond. He leaned in further, and then he kissed me, soft and slow, right on the edge of my pout
Before he could go in for more, someone cleared their throat behind us.
We both turned.
Kent stood at the entrance of the tent, expression politely unreadable. “I’m sorry to interrupt, sir,” he said, “but it’s time to go.”
My entire face went hot the second Kent turned and walked off. I didn’t even look at Karl. I was too busy trying to crawl out of my own
skin
Kent saw that. He saw him kiss me. Great. I wasn’t even sure why it should matter but it felt to me like I needed to out up some type of professional.
I sat back down and covered my face for a second, pretending to fix my hair. My heart was still racing
Karl, on the other hand, looked completely unbothered. He was already packing up our things like that wasn’t the most awkward. Interruption ever. I hated how calm he could be. Like nothing embarrassed him. Like being caught half–cuddling his contract wife in a tent after fingering her brains out was a normal Tuesday.
Chapter 53
By the time we made it back to the camp vehicles, I assumed I’d be stuck in the same fancy group bus again. I didn’t even ask. I just started toward it without thinking
But Karl grabbed my hand.
“We’re not riding with them,” he said. “Come on.”
I blinked, glancing back at the group bus. “Wait.. you’re taking me in your car?
He gave me that look. That one where his jaw ticks and his brow lift like I’m being slow.
“Obviously
He walked ahead without letting go of my hand.
When we got to the sleek black car, the driver opened the back door for us. I slid in first, hugging the far door. Karl got in beside me, way too casual, like we hadn’t been barely speaking for days.
The doors shut. The car pulled off.
And there we were. Silence. Just the two of us.
1 stayed by the window like a proper emotionally–wrecked wife, arms crossed, face tilted toward the glass. We didn’t say anything for at least five minutes. I could feel the tension in the space between us
Then I felt it, his hand on my thigh. He tugged me closer.
I didn’t resist.
His arm
slid around my waist, and before I knew it, he pulled me the rest of the way against his side. My cheek found his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I hesitated, then turned my face toward his neck and whispered into his skin, “Why on earth didn’t you make me in your car the first
time?”
He exhaled a short laugh. His thumb was brushing slow over my hip.
“I was trying to keep my distance,” he said. “I thought if I rode with you, I’d end up saying too much”
“You already say too much,” I mumbled,
His voice lowered. “Yeah, well I don’t give a fuck anymore.
I swallowed, still tucked into him. My fingers curled around the edge of his shirt.
Then his voice dropped again, smooth and relaxed
“What do you want to do after this?” he asked “Tll spoil you, just name it, whatever it is.”
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