A/N: Character's internal thought in Italic.

JE owns the characters, duh? hehehe

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"I should have asked more questions before I said yes." I mumbled as I readjusted the backpack, hoping to find the spot that it didn't feel so awkward.

"You could tell me no?" Ranger leaned close. His silky voice alone sent pleasurable chills through my body.

"Yes." I lied, and tried to sound convincing.

"Babe." This time when he leaned in, I felt more than just his breath on my ear. He left feather light kisses.

"M...may...maybe." Liar! Oh, what the hell! My hands fell away from my bulky backpack, and landed on Ranger. He reached out and caught my pack with one hand before it hit the ground, while kissing me deeply. I was lost in the feel of his body and the kiss, till I felt the cool wind where his hot body used to be. What the hell? Opening my eyes, I saw that he now stood a couple of feet away. I gave him my best, "What the..." look. Which earned me a smirk. Oh, that mouth. The feel of it on mine. The feel of it...

"Babe?"

"Um.. ah?" Was all I could managed.

"Ready to go hiking?" He nodded to the pathway that led up the mountain, and the couple of hikers that were staring at us.

"Oh, yeah. Great." The lack of enthusiasm evident in my voice.

Ranger slipped the pack back on me, then started up the path. My eyes followed him, and then to the other hikers till they disappeared in the tree line. The bare tree tops swayed with a cold gust of wind.

"You coming?"

I looked to him, then to woods.

"You're frowning. Not a good look."

I'm going to kick his... I marched up the path to where he waited on me. Before I could go into rhino-mood, he kissed me quickly on the cheek. Okay, I'll let him live.

I followed him up the winding path, crunching with each step on the dry brown leaves. Of course, he was silent. At least I get a good view. I think I might have licked my lips, as I watched him in his black cargos. Another cool gust blew by, cooling down my raging hormones, and sending goosebumps down my arms. I looked down to my "hiking" clothes: Black slim cut tee that showed off my curves, tight black cargo shorts, and hiking boots. "Brr... It's freezing. Why do I have to wear shorts, and you don't?"

"Because I picked out your outfit."

That put a little sway in my hips, till the next breeze came by. "Really, Ranger. It's too cold for this." I tried not to chatter my teeth.

"It's 60 degrees. Perfect hiking weather."

I sighed. "Who in their right mind goes hiking anyway? Oh, and up a mountain?" I gestured around.

He shook his head slightly. "Our target, and I told you, this is just a hill."

I rolled my eyes, and followed him deeper into the woods. I was dreaming of lying in my bed, when I heard it. I stopped in my tracks, but the noise didn't seem to bother Ranger. He just kept going. I scanned the tree tops. Maybe it's a bird. "There! There it is again!"

Now, it was Ranger's turn to sigh. "It's just the trees."

"I have never heard a tree make that noise! It sounds like a cry. I think this mountain is haunted!" I reached out and grabbed his hand.

He stood quiet for a moment, then shook his head. I might have heard a small laugh. I can't be sure. "It's the sound of the branches and limbs rubbing on each other when the wind blows."

Looking around, all I saw was creepy. I held his hand tighter. I was shocked when he took his hand from mine. I guess my face showed my emotions.

"We are hikers. People don't hike holding hands, Babe."

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Thanks for reading!

Mel