“Yeah, Ouachita. She said people built cabins there and just lived off the grid.”
“What’s the point of this little tale?”
“The point is, maybe we can find someplace down there to hide out instead of trying to cross the border.”
Lex releases my hair and sits back. “That’s not...a bad idea,” he says, as if formulating a new plan in his mind.
We take the exit toward Arkansas. We’d have gone through there anyway, but now we’ll make a little pit stop, because what else do we have to lose?
* * *
We driveinto Ouachita National Park through a utility road entrance, avoiding the front gate. A sign attached to a robust tree trunk warns us to enter the heart of the forest at our own risk. We’re fine with the risk.
The narrow trail pulls us into the depths of the park. Dense trees surround us in ways I’ve never seen. It’s so thick. So lush. So green. Aside from the path, this place has been completely left to nature and even then, the truck bounces as we drive over large tree roots trying to reclaim that, too. We take another unmarked road, driving further through winding woodlands. Then we take another—and another—until we have no idea where we are, which means no one else will know, either.
Lex yawns, which makes me yawn. He cuts off the engine.
“Let’s get in the back of the truck,” he says as he climbs out. He unlocks the gate, climbs inside, and goes right to loading up the rifle with rounds.
I get out of the truck, and my feet land on the soft forest floor. When I close the door, the warm, humid night air wraps around me. The forest roars with nighttime sounds: big insects chirping, mosquitoes buzzing, and trees creaking. I climb into the back and close the tailgate.
Lex lays out the blanket I brought, covering the dirty metal. He pulls another blanket from a bag. He lies down and puts the bag beside him so I can lay my head on it. I lie beside him, and it reminds me of the overlook, when I found myself snuggling a man I shouldn’t.
I still shouldn’t, but now I need to.
Lex wraps his arms around me, and I lay my head on his chest. The faint smell of soap still clings to his skin. He covers me and rests his head on his other arm.
“It’s peaceful here,” I whisper.
“I haven’t figured out if it’s a good idea yet.”
“It seems like a good idea for tonight, at least.”
I lean up and kiss him. He grabs my chin and tugs me away from his mouth. “Not tonight,” he says. He’s still on edge.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I feel like I have to protect you. We’re in the middle of a forest I’m not familiar with, so I have to pay attention to the shit around us,” he says as he releases my chin.
“There’s nothing around us, Lex. Relax.”
He shakes his head. “That’s what you don’t understand. I haven’t dropped my guard since I got in your car that night. Even before I slept with you, I kept my eyes open for the police, your husband, or anyone that could hurt you. You wanted to stay with me, and I let you stay. Now I have to be more vigilant than ever.”
I rub my hand down his stomach, inching toward the front of his jeans. He grabs my hand and rubs my palm.
“I said no,” he tells me, so firmly that I nearly listen.
I shrink beneath the blanket and work off the button until his pawing protests grow weak.
“Don’t do what you’re thinking, Selena,” he whispers through a frustrated groan. “You know once you put your mouth on me, I’m done.”
“That’s the point,” I say before kissing the warm skin above his pants. I work his jeans open, pull out his cock, and take him into my mouth.
“Naughty fucking rabbit,” he growls and takes the blanket off so he can see me. He winds his hand through my hair and groans as I bob on him, taking him as far into my mouth as I can, letting him raise his hips to make me take that last inch. When I pull away and look up at him, I wipe the drool from my lower lip.
“Put your mouth back on me, bunny,” he whispers as he pushes my head down.
I love pleasing him. I love the way he melts from my touch, causing him to say my nickname again, so endearing and so seductive. I can’t believe I once hated it. I’ll be anything he wants me to be when he calls me that now.