Right On Track

Chapter 84

"That's not funny."Kiara said,crossing her arms as glared at Carlos.
"What?"He shrugged and laughed,leaning down to pet the rabbit that had jumped out of the bush and startled Kiara.
"I thought it was wolf!"She sighed,shaking her head as she bent down and gave the rabbit a pat on the head.
"A wolf?Seriously?"Carlos arched a brow.
"I read online that people have seen wolves around Lake Como."She said,standing up and turning back to the hiking trail.
"So,you think that the hiking trail company would allow us to wander around here where there's a pack of wolves?"He chuckled,standing up and watching the rabbit run off into the bushes beside the trail.
"Well...No..."She stuttered,embarrassed by her mistake.
"Just relax,cariño."He said,walking up to her side."If you see something you're afraid of,you have permission to jump into my arms."
She shot him a glare at the joke,jabbing his arm with a finger as they started to follow the trail again.It only made him smile as she rolled her eyes.
As they walked along the hiking trail,observing the scenery in silence,Kiara had multiple thoughts running through her mind.She couldn't stop thinking about the night before...Carlos had only made this bet harder for them as soon as he had laid his hands on her last night.
If course,like they had agreed,it wasn't going to be considered as giving in.
Well,Kiara felt like he had just gotten some payback after she had hit him.And he had gotten some advantage in the mix...
She had to wear a high collared short-sleeved shirt to hide the mark on her neck.Fortunately,that's all he had done.But he knew that everytime she looked into the mirror and saw that mark on her skin,she would slowly find the bet much harder.
"Water?"Carlos asked,holding out a water bottle.
Kiara nodded,saying a thanks before taking it from him.She took a sip,sighing through the heat of the day.Thankfully,this was an easy trail.
"I booked us a table for dinner."He said."It's a lakeside diner."
"You're organised."She murmured.
"Like always."He winked."And after that,I think we should just go for a walk through Villa del Balbianello."
"Wow."She raised her brows."That sounds fun,I guess."
He gave her another smile,then they carried on with the walk.
A minute later,Kiara's phone started to ring.Carlos pulled it out of the side of her small backpack for her and handed it over.Yes,unfortunately her leggings didn't have pockets.
"It's Ivy."He said as he handed it over to her.
Kiara nodded and took the phone,answering the call and lifting the phone to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey,Ki."Ivy said."How are you?"
"I'm okay."Kiara said,also motioning for Carlos to carry on ahead as he walked faster."You?"
"I'm good."Ivy replied."How is the trip going?"
"It's okay..."Kiara said,watching ahead as Carlos walked faster ahead.He understood that she liked a little privacy when on the phone.
"Okay?Just okay?!"Ivy snapped."Do you need me to fly over and get you out of there?"
"Uh,no."Kiara laughed.
"How's that bet going?"She asked."Please,tell me he gave in before you."
"Neither of us did yet,actually."She said."But I'm getting the feeling that one of us could soon..."
"Please,don't let it be you first."Ivy sighed."As much as it annoys me to pay Lando fifty bucks,I also can't give him the satisfaction of winning."
"You're betting on us?!"
"Maybe."
"Ivy!"
"I'm sorry."She chuckled."Anyway,inform me some more,please."
"I don't know what to do."Kiara sighed."He's making it hard for me,actually..."
"What are you guys doing today?"She asked.
"Currently,we're on a hike."She replied."Later,we're going for dinner,then Villa del Balbianello."
"Oh,wow."She snickered."He planned that didn't he?"
"Of course he did."Kiara said."Now,this is harder for me."
"It'll be fine,Ki."Ivy said."He can't hold on for that long."
"It's Carlos."She told her."He's just as competitive and stubborn as me."
"Well,trust me."She said."He won't-"
Ivy was soon cut off,the line going silent.
Kiara frowned,looking at her phone screen.She checked a few things,then sighed.
"Everything alright,cariño?"Carlos asked from nearby.
"Yeah."Kiara said with a sigh."Just lost the signal."
"Oh,okay."He nodded,waiting for her to catch up to him again.

"Hermosa?"Carlos murmured in Spanish,his brows raising as Kiara  walked out to the car.
"Is it too much?"She asked,looking down at her black halter neck dress."You didn't really tell me where-"
"No,mi amor."He smiled widely."You look perfect."
"Well,thanks."She said,trying to hide her blush.Her hair was pulled up into a french twist,so he could clearly see it either way.
Carlos opened the car door for her and she got in.Soon after,he was already getting into his seat and starting the car.As he started to drive off,she couldn't help but look his way.His white button-down shirt suited him perfectly and,as always,his hair looked good.He always made sure his hair looked good.
He hadn't given her much detail on the diner they were going to,though.It kept her a little confused.
"The simple 'I need you' should come put of your mouth any second."He said.
"Hah,in your dreams."She laughed,shaking her head.
"Trust me,I know what I'm doing."He said,sounding convinced with himself.
"Okay,"She shrugged."I'll be waiting for you to admit how much you need me."
"We'll see who's talking like that by the end of tonight."He told her.
She looked at him for a second...a realization coming towards her that maybe this was the night that bet would come to an end.
At the diner,they were shown to their table,which Carlos had booked on the balcony,unsurprisingly.Yet,the surprising part was how calm Carlos was throughout it all,as if it was so easy to avoid even laying a hand on her back.Kiara wasn't finding it as easy,that was for sure.And for the life of her,she would gladly admit that his outfit had an effect on her.He knew it too,which was why she avoided eye contact at all costs during that dinner.