Chapter 219: Sweet Banter
Jack asked, “Alison, are you thinking about me?”
“No way! I was thinking about Sophia and Ethan.”
“Hey, how could you do that? Staying with me but thinking about someone else?” He feigned reproach, though inside he was secretly thrilled.
“But I’m thinking our kids,” she said.
“No. I just want you to love me more.” He pouted.
“Jack, you’re such a shameless daddy. I’ll tell Sophia and Ethan.”
“No way!” He feigned ignorance.
She laughed and playfully punched him. “You’re such a jerk.”
He pulled her close. “Alison, you know you love this jerk.”
After parking, he pitched the tent while she prepared food.
As she walked to the creek, she thought of Aimée. When she returned, she casually asked, “Have you seen Aimée? How is she?”
“She’s fine, Alison. Don’t talk about her, okay?” He didn’t want to ruin the mood. He was disgusted by Aimée’s behavior.
“All right.” She stuck out her tongue.
“Alison, don’t trust people too easily. Tell me first whatever happened, okay?” He gently brushed her cheek.
“Okay.” She responded with a smile and reached up to touch the spot where his finger had left a ticklish mark. Her cheek was wet with mud.
“Haha, Alison, you look like a kitten.” He burst into laughter.
“What?”
“My sweet kitten!” he exclaimed, scooping her up and dashing across the grass.
Panting, he set her down, and they crouched together by the stream. Their closely entwined figures were reflected in the clear water.
She noticed her face was smeared with dirt.
“See? Does it look like one?”
“No,” she countered.
“Really?” he asked and kissed her.
She scanned the area, checking if anyone was watching.
“Don’t worry. There is no one else.” He had already scouted the area. This place was familiar to him.
Suddenly, Emily’s face flashed through his mind.
Shaking his head, he dismissed the past.
He wiped the mud from her face. His fingers brushed her skin, and she savoured his tenderness.
“Okay. All clean now.” He withdrew his hand, and she looked down at her reflection in the stream. Suddenly, he flicked the water, sending a splash across her face.
“Jack!” Alison retaliated, scooping up water and splashing it back at him. Another splash hit her, soaking her clothes and rolling down her hair. Overpowered, she crouched down and clutched her head in surrender. “Okay! I quit! You always pick on me!”
He suddenly shoved her forward, sending her tumbling into the water.
She choked. “Jack, what are you doing?”
“Taking a bath. The water’s cool and refreshing, isn’t it?” He coaxed her from the water’s edge.
She relaxed. Soaking in water on a sweltering day really is blissful.
“Don’t worry,” he said, “I’ll keep watch. Go ahead and wash.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll wash after you,” he said with a laugh, glancing warily around.
“What about the clothes?”
“Take them off.”
“No way.” She refused to be naked in the creek.
“Then I’ll help you.” Ignoring her struggles, he stripped her naked.
Standing bare, she covered her chest, unable to meet his gaze.
“Hurry up and wash. I’m not waiting around.” He said it impatiently.
“Okay,” she murmured, her face still flushed crimson.
She kept watching the ripples she created spread out.
Soon, she finished washing.
“Jack, my clothes…”
He stood up, producing a blanket from behind him. “Come on up.”
“Turn away, just hand me the blanket.” She was still shy, and her cheeks flushed.
“All right, I’ll put it on the rock.” He agreed and turned away.
She climbed out of the water, still dripping wet.
The moment her feet touched the warm stone, he pulled her close and wrapped her in the blanket.
“Was the water cold?” he asked, concerned.
“No,” she replied with a smile.
“Once you’ve changed, just wait for dinner. Today, I’ll show off my skills.” He carried her toward the tent.
“Oh, really?” she asked doubtfully.
He lowered his head to inhale the scent of her skin—a fresh fragrance that intoxicated him.
“You’ll see for yourself. But from now on, don’t move, or take a bath again,” he teased.
“All right,” she murmured, gently pinching his arm to stop him from sniffing.