She says 'No', he hears 'Yes'

"It's very nice of you," Red said. "But I have to say no. "

"'No' going by yourself? You're absolutely right!" the Stranger took Red's hand. Red felt her heart pounding against her ribcage. The Stranger pulled her toward the direction of his proclaimed shortcut, causing her to accidentally drop her basket.

"Oh no! The supplies for my grandmother!" Red tried to pull away from the Stranger, only for him to pull her into a spin. His rough arm kept Red pressed between it and her escort's chest.

"Supplies can be found on the way," the Stranger said.

Red didn't notice the way he observed her lips. Those small, pink things complimenting that frown and those eyes of her. The Stranger imagined what it would be like if his large finger touched those lips. If they entered and rubbed her gums... If her tongue wrapped around it...

If those lips of hers cleaned that supply of his between his legs.

The 'shortcut' led south, which would take way longer to get to the hills leading to the grandmother's house. The Stranger had to take Red further south than that.

And not just further south than that red cloak of hers.