“Maine isn’t called the Pine Tree State for nothing. It takes a couple of hours to walk to the top, but the views are incredible. I’ll take you one day.”

“And Lizzy.”

His hesitation was so brief it would have been easy to miss. “And Lizzy.” His tone was deceptively light. “If that’s what you want.”

The way he said it left her in no doubt as to the way he saw their relationship.

For him, it was all about exploring the physical connection and nothing else.

As for her—she had no idea how she saw things.

Confused by her own feelings, she changed the subject. “Would she want help, do you think?”

“Lisa? I don’t know her that well, but given that this was her dream, I’m guessing the answer to that would be yes. No one wants to give up a dream, do they? It gets a little steep here.” He held out his hand, and she hesitated and then took it. Immediately those strong fingers curled around hers, and she remembered the night before, the way they’d felt locked in her hair, stroking her breasts, buried deep—

“I’m not dressed for hiking.” Her face was hot, and she tried to ignore the feel of his hand on hers.

“Are you too hot? Unfasten a button on that shirt. Don’t worry about insects, I’ll keep my eyes on you.”

“I’m cool, thank you.” She sent him a look designed to wither, but he merely smiled.

“Really? I’m hot as hell, but that may be because I’m marinating in my own sinful thoughts about last night.” Twigs snapped under his feet as he walked. “Have you ever had forest sex?”

Emily almost stumbled. His hand tightened on hers, and she kept her eyes on the ground, picking her way along the trail. “I’ve lived in cities all my life.”

“You’ve never had outdoor sex?”

“You mean apart from all the sex I had in the middle of Times Square?” Her sarcasm drew a smile.

“You never had sex in Times Square.” Swift and sure, he backed her against a tree, caged her. “You never had sex anywhere you might be caught. With you it’s all locked doors and the lights off. I bet you’ve only ever had sex in a bed.” A smile flickered at the corners of his mouth, and she felt her tummy tumble.

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.” His gaze dropped to her mouth, and his voice was rough. “Because you’ve only ever had ‘nice’ sex. And ‘nice’ sex isn’t the sort that happens with your back against a tree and your skirt around your waist.”

“I’m not wearing a skirt, and I don’t see anything exciting about bark burn.”

Eyes gleaming, he lowered his head toward hers. “Want me to show you?”