Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99399 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
I winced.
“But for now.” He moved toward me, bracing his hands on my hips. “Let’s just…”
“Have a picnic?” I suggested with a grin.
He smiled at me before pressing a quick kiss to my lips. Then he bent and unfurled the giant beach towel that had mysteriously made its way into a load of my laundry back at the Grand Canyon. “Have a picnic.”
We settled onto a nearby patch of new grass and began unpacking the few supplies we’d brought. Trace began telling me about his last search and rescue case. I told him about an exciting project the foundation had worked on last year. Then we went on to talk about Lennon’s ranch and Rosie’s love-hate relationship with it.
By the time the first hikers approached the area, we’d been talking and lounging for at least two hours. It was easy and fun, and when the other hikers struck up a conversation with us, the ease between us remained.
We spent the day like that, just enjoying each other’s company. And when it was over, we fell into bed together, sated and exhausted after another few rounds of exploring each other’s bodies. I didn’t take the opportunity to fuck Trace, but only because we never made it that far before both of us were coming with shaky, desperate gasps and low, lurid moans.
It was without a doubt the best day of my life, and as I drifted off, I realized it was the first day in years I’d fallen asleep knowing without a doubt that everything would still be okay in the morning.
Which was why it was such a shock when I awoke to a cold and empty bed.
18
TRACE
My father had always said, “A man takes responsibility for the people he loves.”
So when I woke up before dawn with Wolfe’s long limbs wrapped warm and loose around me, and I remembered today was the day he’d committed to hiking with Jake, I took responsibility for not being an annoying barnacle begging the man I loved to ditch his plans for me.
Even though it was exactly what I wanted to do.
Instead, I kissed Wolfe’s forehead. I left him a note wishing him good luck with Jake and giving him my phone number again so he could text if he was back early and wanted to spend the afternoon together.
Then I forced myself to return to my own campsite, take a quick shower, and dress for the day.
At every step, my legs wanted to carry me back to the van with the colorful stickers on the back window and the beloved sweetheart of a man lying curled up inside it.
My fingers itched to touch him again. To stroke lazy hands through his hair and share an old joke or a new story. Yesterday had been amazing—a seductive taste of what the two of us could have if we were just willing to try.
And we’d both said we wanted to try.
But part of trying was easing Wolfe’s mind by showing I respected him as an adult capable of managing his own friendships. Especially when that friendship was with someone who clearly wanted more and Wolfe was going to have to let him down gently.
Having my jealous ass around would only make that awkward situation more awkward.
So instead I took my jealous ass out of the campground in search of breakfast in Montrose, since the only place to eat in Hush was presumably closed today to everyone and especially closed forever to me. I’d catch up on some work, check in with Robyn at SERA, then head back to the campground to wait.
“Did you put a tracker on his van?” JJ asked, almost as soon as he answered my call.
“What? Of course not. Don’t be creepy.”
There was a pause over the line before JJ’s warm laughter rang out. “Tell me the truth, bud. Because I know you better than that.”
I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the worn vinyl booth as the breakfast diner bustled around me. “I considered it,” I admitted. “But Wolfe’s an adult. There’s no reason to track him other than…”
“Wanting to know where the man you love is at all times?” he suggested, his wide smile clear as day in his voice.
I blew out a breath. “Yeah. That.”
“If you’re willing to admit it, things with you and my cousin must be looking up.”
JJ could fish all he wanted, but I wouldn’t confirm anything until Wolfe and I were ready to make things official.
“Knew it!” JJ crowed. “Guess this means you weren’t calling to see if I dug up more dirt on your competition, huh?”
“Jake’s not my competition! Wolfe and I are perfectly—” I broke off, swearing under my breath as JJ laughed victoriously.
“For your information,” I continued, “I called to see how you were doing. When we talked, it seemed like some shit was going on with Whitney. I wanted to make sure you knew I was here if you want to talk about it.”