Hardin Scott has been madly in love with Tessa Young since the moment he first laid eyes on her, but there's no way she could ever see him as anything more than a friend. After all, he's a bad boy with a promiscuous past and she's a sweet and innoce...
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"So, what do you have planned for the rest of the day?" I ask Hardin.
"You decide."
"Um, I think I'd like to go hiking today."
"Really?" Hardin groans.
"You said I could decide. That's what I want to do."
"Fine, I'd love to go hiking," he says with a fake smile.
"Hey! We did something you wanted to do last night, so now it's my turn to do something I want to do," I giggle.
"Oh, like you didn't enjoy last night? I seem to remember you moaning my name over and over." He smirks.
"Maybe, just a little," I say and brush his hair off his forehead. "But seriously, hiking will be fun." I smile up at him and then kiss his cheek. "Now let's get ready."
"Fine," he groans again. "But we better do something I want to do tonight," he says and squeezes my butt as he walks by me.
"Gee, I wonder what you have in mind," I giggle.
After Hardin and I are dressed and ready to go, he drives us to a hiking trail I found from one of the tourist brochures I picked up.
"Okay, Tess, we're here. Let's get this over with."
"You know, for a guy who got laid last night, you sure are grumpy."
"What did you just say?" Hardin bursts out laughing.
"What? It's true!"
"It's just weird to hear you say it like that. Where did my sweet, innocent Tessa go?"
"You don't like my dirty mouth?"
"I'll admit, it's fucking hot to hear you talk like that, but you'll always be my sweet Tessa," he says and leans over to kiss me.
"And you'll always be my grumpy Hardin," I say as I rub my thumb over his cheek.
"Damn straight. Now let's go."
We grab our water bottles and snacks and start walking along the trail. I take some photos of a few birds and squirrels I see, and sneak a few of Hardin when I know he won't notice.
"Isn't it beautiful here?" I ask Hardin.
"I guess, but it'll never live up to our spot at the lake."
"Nothing ever will."
As we continue to walk, I notice a couple of college girls walking toward us. As they approach us, I catch them looking at Hardin. They both give him goofy smiles, like pathetic teenage girls with a crush. I hear them giggling and whispering as they pass us.
I'm so distracted by them I almost don't notice when Hardin bends down to pick something up off the ground. I watch as he walks back toward the girls. "Hey, did one of you drop this?" he asks them.
"Oh, yeah! That's my keychain. It must have fallen off my backpack. You're so sweet for finding it and giving it back to me!" the pathetic blonde gushes.
"Yeah, that was so nice of you," the brunette says as she ogles my Hardin.
"Sure, no problem, ladies," Hardin flirts back.
"Have a nice day!" the girls shout in unison.
I start walking faster ahead of Hardin.
"Hey! Tessa, wait up!" he shouts as he rushes to catch up. "What's wrong?"
"Gee, Hardin, I don't know..." I huff and continue to walk away from him.
"Tess! Stop and tell me what's wrong," he says as he reaches to grab onto my arm.
"Why were you flirting with those girls?" I ask angrily.
"What?" he gasps. "I wasn't," he denies.
"You were. You were being all charming and they couldn't stop staring at you."
"I wasn't flirting. That's just how I am. I'm a charming, attractive guy," he jokes.
I begin to walk away, but he grabs onto my arm again.
"What's with you? Why would you think I'm flirting? Oh, I get it!"
"You get what?" I sneer.
"You're jealous!"
"What? No, I'm not!" I lie.
"Yes, you are! Tessa Young is jealous! I didn't even know you had a jealous side," he chuckles. "Come here, baby," he beckons. I walk over to him and he pulls me into a hug. "You have to be crazy not to know you're the only girl for me. My Tessa," he says softly and kisses the top of my head.
"I love you, Hardin," I say and squeeze him tightly.
"I love you, Tess. But Tess, you can't get jealous every time a girl finds me attractive. And believe me, it will happen a lot," he jokes.
"Way to ruin the moment, jerk," I say as I pull away from him and playfully swat his arm as he chuckles.
"Let's finish this hike now?"
"Yeah, I think the trail is just a little longer."
"I hope we don't run into anymore college girls. I'd hate for you to have to get those claws out," he laughs.
"How long are you going to tease me for?"
"You did give me a lot of shit for getting jealous over that douchebag who wanted to 'dance' with you, you know..."
"Fine, we're even then!" I say and turn back to look at Hardin, not paying attention to where I'm walking.
"Tessa, watch out!" Hardin shouts, but it's too late.
