We walk for about ten more minutes before the scenery changes. A tall gray chain link fence rises on the horizon. As we approach it, it becomes clear that Michael intends for us to climb it. There is a wide break in the barbed wire at the top of the fence, far wide enough for a person to fit through. That person will just not be me.
"Hell no," I say as I stop walking.
"I knew this would happen," Michael laughs. "Live a little, Katie," he says again. To my surprise (and his, I think), he reaches out to ruffle my hair before he continues walking to the fence.
"Michael, I'm not climbing that. That's trespassing," I fold my arms across my chest and take a step back.
"Fine," he sighs. I wait for the catch, because I know he isn't giving up that easily. I watch in disbelief as Michael scales the fence anyway, jumping down on the other side. He watches me through the fence, challenging me.
"I'm not doing it," I say firmly. But even as I try to assert myself, my feet are moving towards him.
"Fine," he says again. "Well I'm going." He turns his back and starts walking away from the fence, away from me.
"You're just going to leave me here?" I call after him, essentially calling his bluff.
"Yep!" He turns around, a wicked smirk on his face.
"Michael."
"Katherine," he cocks his eyebrow, walking back to me.
We are standing face to face, almost too close, the only thing separating us the thin but daunting chain link fence.
"I should have known that it wouldn't be long before I saw you behind bars," I laugh. I can see him fighting a smile.
"What are you afraid of?" He asks.
"Getting caught," I say. Obviously.
"We won't get caught," he rolls his eyes. "No one comes out here."
"What if someone does?"
He places his right hand over his heart. "I solemnly promise that no one will."
It's there again, the urge to do what he says and ignore the consequences. I feel reckless in his presence, almost invincible. I find that I do trust him, for whatever reason, though I will never let him know that.
I give in with a sigh, grabbing onto the fence. Michael lets out a loud whoop of celebration and his strong hands take hold of my waist when I am close enough, helping me down.
"Kate Williams, law-breaker," he smirks. "Who knew?"
"This is the worst idea I have ever gone along with," I muse as we continue walking on. "Breaking the law with my boss' brother? Bad idea."
"Dana knows about this place," he tells me. "She's never come out here, but I've told her about it."
"So she's aware that you're breaking the law?"
"Relax, Kate. We're not breaking the law," he laughs, looking away.
"Trespassing on private property is definitely law breaking, no matter how abandoned it seems to be," I point out.
"I own this place."
I stop walking. "What?"
"I own this place," he says slowly, drawing it out as if I am stupid.
"You do?"
"Yeah," he says, as if it is not important.
"Then why did we just scale a fence?" I ask incredulously.
