Logan’s eyes meet mine, and my heart gets all fluttery again. “You’ve brought up that emotionally scarring story of running into what you called a banana spider even though they live in the tropics in South America.”
“It was big and very yellow.”
Logan chuckles and steps off the road, leading the way to the little path. We only make it a few feet before feeling like we’ve been transported away from a busy tourist site to the middle of a jungle, surrounded by nothing but wildlife and trees. We continue on the path, which is muddy like Diana feared, for a bit and then emerge onto the bigger path. A group of people are a few yards ahead of us, talking and taking selfies every few feet.
“Hang on a second.” I grab Logan’s wrist, pulling him back toward me. It was meant to be an innocent gesture, but wrapping my fingers around his arm stirs something inside of me. I’ve touched Logan before—all friendly touches, of course—and I’ve never gotten this kind of response before.
Because right now, feeling his warm skin under my fingers is causing my sensitive parts to swell with desire. It’s hot and humid under the thick of branches and leaves, but a chill makes its way through me.
“What?” Logan twists his hand, breaking out of my hold. But he doesn’t move away like he normally would. No, this time he flips his hand over and curls his fingers over mine. I’m well aware we’re standing here, literally doing nothing more than hold hands.
And yet, he was able to get such a strong physical reaction out of me.
“I, uh…uh…” What was I doing? Why did I reach for Logan again? Oh right. “Those people up there.”
“What about them?”
“I like feeling like we’re actually out exploring the jungle and wanted to put some distance between us and them.”
“Okay.” He watches the little group slowly move down the trail. “We shouldn’t wait too long, though, or someone will be behind us. Though if you really wanted to feel like you’re exploring the jungle, we should go off the path.”
“They have the path here for a reason. We might get in trouble if we move off the trail.”
“Maybe you should rethink your life of crime. If veering off a path in a park is pushing it for you, then how are you going to handle all the smuggling and murder?”
I come to a dead stop, crossing my arms over my chest, waiting for Logan to turn around before I make my next overly dramatic move.
“We should—” he starts but cuts off when he realizes I’ve stopped walking behind him. Narrowing my eyes, I take a big step off the path. Amused, Logan watches as I take another step off the path. And another.
And another.
“I’m a rebel.” I whirl around and march forward, but this time I really do walk right into a spider web. I bring my hands up, frantically trying to get the web off me and spin around. I didn’t see Logan rush over to help me, and I end up whacking him hard in the face.
“Shit, I’m so sorry!” I jerk back, slip on wet leaves, and my feet go right out from under me. I land in thick mud, and Logan can’t stop laughing. “Jerk!”
“Here.” He extends his hand, still laughing, and helps me to my feet. I turn around, looking at my butt. “It looks like you shit your pants.”
I purse my lips and try to glare but then start laughing too. “And to think I felt bad for hitting you.”
“You barely grazed me. Also, there’s a spider in your hair.”
Suddenly looking like there’s poop on my pants is the least of my worries. Instead of freaking out, I freeze. Logan reaches forward, pulling a spider out of my hair by one leg. He holds it up so I can see and then tosses it aside.
I shudder. “I need to shower for like a week now. In hot water. And bleach.”
“Get used to the bugs, princess. You never know when you’re going to have to go on the lam once you start your crime ring.”
“Princess?” I put my hand on my hip and glare at Logan. His brown eyes are shining, and that smile on his face is doing bad things to me right now. Bending down, I scoop up a handful of mud and raise my arm back.
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, I would. I mean, I will.” I throw the mud at Logan, who easily dodges out of the way. He slips, but recovers, and jumps across a tangle of greenery. Both of my hands are muddy from falling. I can still get him.
I take off after him, laughing as I reach out with muddy fingers. Logan dodges between bamboo shoots, moving through the thick forest with ease. Damn him and his natural athletic ability. My hair catches on a piece of bamboo, and I slow, turning to see how bad it’s tangled before pulling it free. When I start forward again, I don’t see Logan.