That should scare me, but weirdly enough, it doesn’t. I kind of like it, actually.

When we cross over the city line, I take a detour onto an old country road that’s low on traffic and I open the engine, sending us flying down the deserted street at a pace that’s probably not safe but is definitely exhilarating.

Vista’s arms wrap around me tighter and her helmet touches mine as she brings her chin up to rest on my shoulder. I don’t even know if it’s possible, but I swear I can feel her heart beating against my back, keeping time with mine.

Together, we speed down the barren road, snaking in and out of the curves. The landscape is a blur, but that’s not what I brought her out here for anyway. In the distance, hidden between some trees, is a path. It’s old, rocky, and forgotten, and the only sign that anyone has been down it is the single groove running down the middle created by my tires.

As our turn comes up, I throttle down. When I see it, I take us off-road. The ride is teeth-rattling bumpy, but I love it. I love everything about this place—the trees, the weeds, the dirt that kicks up under the tires, and the clouds of gnats that scatter as we barrel through them. It’s a rustic paradise.

A few minutes in, when my ass is starting to grow numb from all the vibration, we’re there. A rotted out cabin with a sloped porch and collapsed roof stands like a haunted sentinel warning us away, but this is my place now and I never scared easily.

Rolling to a stop, I cut the engine and wait for Vista to climb off first. I follow, removing my helmet and hanging it on the handlebars before turning to help her with hers. I watch her face carefully the whole time, eager to know what she’s thinking, but she’s not giving anything away.

Hanging her helmet with mine, I turn and walk away, leaving her to decide if she wants to follow or not.

“I know you don’t think I’m going in there.”

I look behind me to see Vista staring up at the hollowed out shack in horror. For a moment, I keep my mouth closed, letting her mind run wild.

“You’re kidding, right?” she screeches. “It’s a wreck! It looks like a swift breeze could knock it down.”

In truth, it probably could. It was probably a nice place at one time though. Sometimes I imagine that it used to belong to a family—maybe one with kids—and they used to spend their summers here.

“I don’t know,” I drawl, giving it a once-over. “I think it’s pretty charming. A little paint, a couple new boards...”

“Windows, siding, a roof,” she adds. “Come on, Levi, I know you’re not that crazy.”

“How sure are you?” I challenge, taking a step toward her. A thread of satisfaction winds through me when she stands her ground. I already know she wants me, but now I know she trusts me, too. “Come on,” I say, holding my hand out. “The big surprise is out back.”

Reluctantly, she slips her hand into mine. I give it a reassuring squeeze, and then I guide us through the tall grass and thicket of weeds, careful to point out rocks and divots in the earth so she doesn’t trip or fall.

And then we’re right where I want to be.

“Oh...wow,” Vista breathes, and I know how she feels.

When I first found this place, it was completely by chance. I’d been out hiking, looking to get lost, and then this place appeared like something out of a dream, and I’ve been coming here ever since.

“You like it?” I ask her as I lead us down to the bank of the pond and pull her down to sit with me. “It’s my version of a mini vacation.”

“It’s gorgeous and unexpected,” she says, looking out over the water with awe. “How did you find this place?”

“I just kind of stumbled across it. I come here whenever I need to clear my head.”

I feel her eyes on the side of my head and I hear the question before she asks it. “Why did you bring me here then? If this is your private place, why would you want to share it with me?”

Drawing my knees up, I drape my arms over them as I consider how to answer her. “I don’t know. I guess because when I come here, everything just seems easier somehow.”

Mirroring my pose, Vista hugs her knees to her chest and rests her cheek on top of them, her face turned toward me. “How do you mean?”

“Well, like, when we were younger, for example. Everything just felt...complicated, I guess. Like, here you are, trying to figure out where you fit in the world and you have all these people barking in your ear telling you what you have to do and where you have to go and all you want to do is scream that it’s your fucking life, you know?”

I take a breath. I’m getting worked up and that’s not what this place is for. I don’t want to taint it with bad energy or whatever. “Anyway, I thought you might like it...and I thought that maybe if you came here with me you might see that I’m not my father.”

Finally, I look at her, though it’s a struggle. Vista’s brown eyes are steady on mine and I don’t see the judgment in them I was expecting.

“I don’t think you’re like your dad, Levi. Actually, I think considering the way you grew up, you’re probably a lot better than that. Even though you are a total man whore.” She wears a teasing smile as she says this, and I can’t help returning it.

“Well, I am single. Gotta sow those wild oats.”

She looks away, growing quiet all of a sudden, and I realize how that must have sounded. I’m a total jackass.

Reaching out, I skim my finger down her arm to gain back her attention. “I’m sorry I said that. I didn’t mean it.”

Her nose scrunches. “Yeah, you did, but it’s okay. It’s the truth. Playing the field is what we’re supposed to be doing at this age, right?”

I’m surprised at the instant jealousy burning inside my chest. I’m not the jealous type, but the thought of her playing any kind of field pisses me the hell off. I don’t want any man looking at her like I do, and the thought of some asshole putting his hands on her makes me want to hunt him down and rip them off.

“You know…” Vista says thoughtfully. Standing up, my eyes track her every move as she brushes her hands down the backs of her legs and stares out over the water. “It was a good idea that you brought me here.”

“Is that right?”

Focusing straight ahead, she purses her lips and nods once. “Yep. I’m inspired.”

That makes two of us. Sitting here gives me the perfect view of those long legs that would fit perfectly around my waist and that plump ass that I wouldn’t mind squeezing. She’s completely fuckable, and I’m completely gone for this girl.

“Take off your clothes, Levi.”

I blink a few times, unable to believe my ears. I must be dreaming, because she did not just say that. I stare at her, my eyes wide, as Vista starts stripping out of her clothes, revealing a neon pink lace bra and...white cotton panties...that have Wednesday stamped across the ass.

Laughter shakes my chest and, right hand to God, I try to hold it back, but... “Uh, princess. You do know today is Friday, right?”

Giving me a questioning look, I point at her butt and she follows with her eyes. “Like anyone really pays attention to what day of the week it is?”

“I think I’m more concerned with the fact that you’re wearing days of the week underwear. I thought they only made those for ages six and under.”

“Well, since you’re apparently the authority on underwear, why don’t you show me yours?” she retorts.

Shrugging, I stand up and pop the button on my jeans and shove them down my legs. I’ve taken off my clothes for magazine covers that millions of eyes have seen. Doing it for her is a walk in the park compared to that.

Standing there in only my boxers, I watch as her eyes slide from my chest down to my package. Her throat moves as she swallows and hell, yeah! She’s dead wrong if she thinks I’m just going to continue ignoring this little game we’re playing.

“See something you like, princess?”