“This is bait, Jen. I brought lots of different kinds; I just thought we would start with worms.” He turns his attention to me, no doubt noticing the repulsed look on my face. “Oh, come on. It’s not that bad. Just wait until you gut the fish we catch, then I’ll let you complain.” He chuckles to himself and wedges the pole between some rocks before picking up the other pole to hand to me. “Here, let’s get your pole situated and then we can relax a little.”

Gathering my courage, I pick up the small, plastic container of the slimy little creatures, but immediately my stomach twists and turns at the sight of them weaving around each other. They continue their attempt to burrow into their artificial environment; it’s like they sense any second I’ll select one of them to sacrifice to the fishing gods. Unfortunately, none jump out to offer themselves as tribute so I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and shove my hand into the container. I want to wuss out. I want to throw the container of worms in the dirt and tell Casen to go fuck himself. I can feel his eyes on me, and I know he’s silently daring me to do just that. I refuse to lose this game.

“I can do this. I can do this,” I quietly mumble to myself as the slippery little things slither around my fingers. As quickly as I can, I pull out the plump winner and brush off the stragglers, which have stuck to my hand. “Here, stick him on the hook,” I tell Casen, shoving my wormy hand in his face.

“You’re doing a fine job, go ahead and stick him on,” he says, earning him the crustiest expression I can muster.

“You’re an ass,” I announce as I swipe the pole from his hands. I thought my worm selection would be enough for him, but apparently, I have to completely backwoods it to earn my Boy Scout badge. Squeezing the fishing pole between my knees to hold it still, I carefully grab the line and hold the hook as steady as possible. Casen obviously thinks I’m some rich priss who can’t hold her own. I see this as the best opportunity to show him he’s dead wrong about me.

I’ve never needed anyone’s approval, never, but for some reason I can’t explain, I desperately want Casen to see me as something special. I want him to want me, not because I may be an attractive challenge or because he thinks I have mad naked-time skills, but because he sees me as a beautiful seashell in a beach full of rocks. Something he wants to put in his pocket and hold dear. I’m not sure where these touchy-feely inclinations are coming from, but they’re starting to piss me off.

“I can do it, Jen,” Casen says reaching for the pole. “If you hold that worm any longer, I’m afraid you’re going to name it and take it home as a pet,” he jests, noticing my delay and reaching further for the hook.

I immediately pull away from him. “Back off, Captain America. I was just deciding how to jab him so he’ll stay on the hook,” I lie. Casen holds his hands in surrender and backs away to provide the space I need for this disgustingly monumental task.

It’s like threading a needle, I tell myself. This little guy will net me a big honkin’ fish which will be way better than anything Casen can even attempt to catch. Once my mind turns this obstacle into a competitive challenge, my rolling stomach settles and I’m able to focus. Squeezing the meatiest part I can find on him, I follow through with guiding the hook through his wiggly body. I almost dry heave, almost…my pride holds it at bay, but just barely.

Casen slaps me on the back laughing at my gusto. “Well done, sparky. I wasn’t sure if you had it in you.” He takes the rod from me, casts it into the water along with his, and lays a blanket on the shoreline for us to sit on as we wait for dinner to come to us.

“Yeah, well, when my Maximus the Mighty brings in the bigger fish today, you’ll be sorry you ever doubted me,” I explain as I take a seat on the quilted blanket. Henri lies down next to me, resting his head so close I can feel his hot breath on my leg.

“I knew you would name that worm,” Casen chuckles as he sits down.

“I thought if he was going to be executed by racking and eaten by the largest fish in this lake, I should at least give him a name. Maximus seemed like the perfect name for a fishing champion.” I straighten my back as I explain my path to victory, which rests solely on my selection of a creepy crawly from a plastic container.

“If we are going to make this a competition, I think a friendly wager is in order,” he suggests, a smug smile gracing his beautiful face.

I’m used to “friendly wagers” with men; they usually end with someone naked and thoroughly satisfied. In fact, I’m usually the one who extends the challenge. This bet feels different though. By accepting, I may lose more than my panties, and I’m not sure I’m willing to risk more than my current Hanes Her Way specials. As safe as I feel with Casen, there is danger there. He has the power to be everything I never thought I would want, as well as the power to crush what’s left of me. To let him in would be risking myself. The opportunity to drown in him is enticing, though. As carefree as he comes off, I know there is more there. He’s hiding just as much as I am.

“What are you suggesting?” I ask, offering a hint of a smile.

“I want a story,” he leans into me and whispers.

“A story? Like Goldilocks and shit? You don’t have to catch a fish to get my best fairy tale rendition,” I laugh.

“I’m thinking more of a Grimm’s fairytale, but yes, a story. I’ll offer up the same. I’m sure you’re curious about me.”

I look at the tattoos, which cascade down his arms, and I realize I, too, am curious about his past. I know more than anyone does how ink tells a story. I have a feeling his conceals his past, and revealing mine would be worth the trade.

“You’ve got a deal,” I tell him somewhat skeptically, holding out my hand to seal the deal.

He takes my hand in his, and I feel the calluses from his profession. “Prepare to give me everything,” he murmurs, pulling me close to him.

I’ve been fighting to stay under control around this man for the past few months. In this moment as his fluttering of words send shockwaves to my system, I know I’m prepared to give him exactly what he asks for…everything.

Lead Him Not Into Temptation _17.jpg

Casen

“I don’t know how, but I think you cheated,” Jen pouts as she plops onto the log in front of the campfire. “There’s no way my worm should have lost to those gross smelling salmon eggs.”

“Jen, I’ve been fishing since I was a kid. Your worms didn’t stand a chance. Why do you think I gave them to you to use?” I laugh, but she sees no humor in the situation. She pats Henri on the head to seek comfort for her loss, and dammit if he doesn’t curl up next to her and nudge into her side, the traitor.

I take the foil-wrapped fish from the fire and lay them out on the picnic table to cool. I’ll give Jen credit; she did catch a fish…a single fish. I, however, caught more than enough for both of us and extras to freeze and bring home. I would think she would be pleased with herself that she caught the large rainbow trout and even handled getting the hook out and gutting it herself. She, of course, had some instruction and I thought she was going to throw up on me during the process, but she managed. I was impressed. Her competitive nature has now taken over and she is pissed she lost the bet. Little does she know I had planned on sharing things about myself anyways, to make her comfortable with the information I want from her. She’s hiding from something, and I want to know what it is. I want everything from this saucy woman. Very few know about my childhood; it’s not something I share willingly. Yet, if I expect her to bare herself to me, I feel the need to offer the same to her.

“You jerk, it was supposed to be a fair bet,” she says, giving Hendrix even more attention. Apparently, their time together today has warmed her heart toward the giant dog she hated hours ago. This morning she was willing to eat him, and now they are best buddies.


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