The Invitation   You “Do any of you hike?” you ask. The question is addressed to the table but you were looking at her when you spoke. The immediate flurry of responses from everyone making it clear that not one of them has realised who your question is really aimed at. “My fingers do all the exercising I’ll ever need thank you very much!” one laughs. “You wouldn’t catch me dead anywhere near that much nature on purpose!”...

  Her Jesus. Not a casual conversation anymore. The litany repeats in her head while she packs her things into her shoulder bag. She moves slowly. She can feel the flutter of nerves in her stomach. She looks up at you standing beside the table. Okay, not just nerves, she admits when a tendril of heat curls around the fluttering. You hold out your hand. She looks at it, looks at you. Her eyes close for a moment and she tak...

  You She is leaning over the counter when you walk into the hotel bar, stretched up on the toes of one boot as she reaches for something on the other side. You’re getting an eyeful of derriere clad in tight jeans and the flash of a tattoo where her shirt has ridden up. Your eyebrow lifts and a smile curves your lips. Maybe it’s a good thing you didn’t head straight to bed when you got back today. It’s been a long week an...